Allotment Committee Minutes 28 April 2008

(a) Taps and water supply

The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Mr Payne who had confirmed that the taps were in good order and would be returned to the Allotments this week at which time the water supply would be reconnected.

(b)  Plot Numbering

Mr Bisson reported that his enquiries on this matter were still ongoing and it was noted that any numbering was likely to be expensive.  It was thought that if compulsory numbering was introduced it could be made one of the items in the guidelines and would then become enforceable.

It was noted that the fencing at the top of the allotment gardens had now been replaced and consideration would now be given to replacing the fencing at the Romsey Road end of the allotments.

RESOLVED:  That this item be placed into the budget for 2009/10.

It was noted that Mrs Butcher and the Clerk had carried out two plot inspections since the date of the last meeting.  Following the March inspection 15 letters had been sent to plot holders inviting them to relinquish plots that were not being worked in accordance with allotment guidelines. 

One plot holder had relinquished his plot and several others had begun to work their plots.  Two plot holders had ignored the Clerk’s letters. 

RESOLVED:  That the Clerk write to Mr Cooper reminding him that as his tenancy of Plot No 58 had ceased on 1 October 2007 he should remove his chickens from this plot. 

If he did not do so within 21 days legal action would be taken and his tenancy of Plot No 59 would also cease.  In future photographic evidence would be taken showing plots that were not being worked in accordance with allotment guidelines.

With regard to Plot No 89, Mr Alexander took a photograph of this plot and agreed to let the Clerk have a copy.  A letter (plus photograph) would be sent to Mr Hill informing him that as he had ignored the Clerk’s previous letter he now had 21 days to start working his plot. 

In the event that this did not happen his tenancy would not be renewed in October 2008.

This item had been dealt with under Regular Plot Inspections.

Plot No 97

boundary line

The tenant of Plot No 97 had extended his plot into Plot No 98.

RESOLVED:  That the tenant of Plot No 97 be permitted to rent an extra five rods and charged accordingly.

Mr Malcom had cleared the ground of tree roots and would be removing them from site the following weekend (weather permitting). 

A grant had been obtained from the National Park Authority and this would be used to further clear and level the land.  Once this had been done the plot would be let.

Plot measurements and fees

The Clerk explained that many of the Parish Councils she spoke to now charged for their plots by individual rods.  Charges also tended to be considerably higher than in Lyndhurst. 

Generally, it was felt that the Allotment Gardens should become self sufficient in time and consideration was given both to how plots should be measured and whether fees should be increased in 2009/2010.

RESOLVED:  That when plots were relet rent would be calculated on a square metre basis and that consideration be given to increasing rents in October 2009 as follows in order to make the allotments self sufficient: