Present:
Mrs E A Butcher (Chairman), Messrs F Alexander, Professor K Barber, G Bisson and Mrs A. Trend
In Attendence:
Mrs M Weston (Clerk to the Council)
Apologies:
None
Disclosures of Interest:
None
Minutes:
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 18 April 2006 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record
Appointment of Chairman
Mr Bisson proposed and Mrs Trend seconded that Mrs Butcher be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year.
RESOLVED: That Mrs Butcher be appointed Chairman of the Allotment Committee.
Matters Arising:
(a) Track
It was noted that Farwells had now completed refurbishment of the track leading from opposite the Fenwick Hospital to the Allotment entrance. It was considered that this was an excellent job and grading down onto the existing forest track had also taken place.
(b) Rubbish
It was noted that the rubbish that had accumulated at the top end of the Allotments had now been removed by grabber lorry although a gas cylinder and several tyres still remained. Efforts would be made to remove these items.
New Lease
The Clerk reported that negotiations were still ongoing with the Forestry Commission regarding the new lease. The main point for consideration was whether the small gate at the end of the track at the Romsey Road end of the Allotments should be closed for public use.
RESOLVED: That the Forestry Commission be informed that the Parish Council wished to close the above mentioned gate and therefore it was no longer considered necessary for the Council to assume responsibility for the upkeep of any land leading from the Allotments to Romsey Road.
Allotment Association
The Parish Council had hosted and funded a meeting to ascertain what interest, if any, there might be in forming an Allotment Association. The meeting had been successful, an association had been formed and a further meeting had taken place, the minutes of which had been circulated to the Allotment Committee.
Following on from this the Clerk reported that she had spoken to the Forestry Commission about the problems experienced with deer eating produce. The Land Agent had stated that no cull could take place until the Autumn.
A letter had been received from the Perry family outlining the problems they were experiencing on their plots and asking if they could erect a deer proof fence around the perimeter of all their plots.
RESOLVED: That as the proposals were not considered in line with the Parish Council lease permission could not be granted. However fruit cages could be erected after gaining permission from the Clerk regarding size, etc.
The request for permission to erect a meeting place was considered but it was not thought appropriate to have such a building on site as it would contravene the terms of the Parish Council lease. Likewise the same applied to toilet facilities, which were considered desirable but impractical.
Other items such as joining the National Society, a communal composting system, school/community involvement were considered commendable.
The Association had asked if the Parish Council would be prepared to fund their first meeting and provide assistance to inform allotment holders about this meeting.
RESOLVED: That a room at the Community Centre for the first meeting of the Association be funded and that the Clerk would write to all allotment holders when a date had been decided upon.
The Association would be asked to keep a watchful eye to help avoid people dumping rubbish on site.
Any Other Business
(a) Taps
Mr Bisson reported that he had replaced a faulty tap and asked if it might be a good idea to replace all of the taps next Spring.
RESOLVED: To have all the taps replaced, as necessary, when the water was reinstated in Spring 2007.
(b) Padlock on Water Meter
Mr Bisson reported that the padlock on the water meter had been damaged and undertook to provide a replacement.
(c) Notices for Gate
RESOLVED: That the Clerk acquire notices for the Westwood Road gate stating “Please Keep Closed”.
(d) Mr Malcom
It was noted that although two letters had been sent to Mr Malcom since the meeting with him last October he had made very little attempt to remove the items belonging to him from the Allotments or to work his allotments satisfactorily as requested by the Parish Council.
RESOLVED: That a letter be sent to Mr Malcom asking him to make his intentions known to the Parish Council and inviting him to relinquish one or all of his plots.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting. |
