Minutes of the Biodiversity & Allotment Committee meeting held at Blandy Hall on 16 July 2024 commencing at 6.30pm.

Present: Cllr P King, Cllr C Webster, Cllr D Harrison, J Hughes, P Rabone, S Snelling

In attendance:  K Thomas

1. To receive apologies for absence.  Cllr I Spiller

Members of the Committee noted that to date, attendance at meetings had been sporadic and requested that the Assistant Clerk document the number of meetings held, who was in attendance and if apologies were received for non- attendance.   The Committee further requested that the attendance record be presented to the next Biodiversity & Allotment Committee for deliberation.

2.    Representation from members of the public. 

None present.

3.    Items of business that the Chair deems urgent

Resolved:  2^nd letter to be sent to plot holder 17, 28 days after receipt of initial letter. The plot is then to be inspected. Cllr D Harrison to attend inspection as representative of the Council.

4.    To receive Declarations of Interest (if any) of Members in respect of the business to be
transacted

None.

5.  To receive minutes of previous meeting held on 5/06/2024 and to consider matters arising from the minutes but not included in the agenda

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Biodiversity and Allotments Committee meeting that took place on 5 June 2024 be approved as a true and accurate record.

6.  To receive an update on plot allocations

Members noted the following plot allocation updates: –

32 names on waiting list, 4 added since January 2024
12 names removed from list
9 newly allocated plots since January 2024
6 plots potentially now available

Resolved: Potential plot holders who have been contacted regarding a plot opening to be removed from list after 28 days failure to make contact. Deadline to be communicated at the time of initial contact.

7.    To discuss visitors on plots

Resolved: Members agreed that plot holders are to attend and manage their own plot for the majority of the time, however if assistance is required due to ill health, work shift commitments, holiday periods or other extenuating circumstances then this is deemed as a reasonable adjustment.

8.   To discuss public using allotment carpark

Resolved: It was agreed that advisory letters are to be placed on windscreen of any offending vehicle and car park is to be locked.

9.   To agree hedge maintenance schedule

Resolved:  Members agreed thathedges are to be trimmed in September by plot holders as a possible group social event

10.  To discuss damage to hedge and plot no.2

Resolved: Damaged hedge has been repaired by the farmer however the farmer has failed to make contact with the committee despite several attempts via telephone. A letter is to be sent to the farmer to clarify his responsibility as a landowner should there be any further damage caused to plots.

11.  To discuss Mares Tail infestation of plot

Resolved: Members agreed that any weed killers used are not to be glyphosate based. Organic methods of control only.

12.  To discuss Ivy on plot no’s 31 and 32

Resolved: Following investigation it appears the Ivy originates from a neighbouring property not from the allotment site. Members agreed that no further action is required at this time.

13. To discuss controlled fires

Resolved: Committee to consult plot holders regarding fires at allotment site prior to a possible change to council policy when contracts are renewed in December

14.  To receive any recommendations from other Committees or Council

None received.

15.  To review the Committee’s Meeting dates and consider any matters relevant to the Committee for discussion at the next meeting

Next meeting to take place on Wednesday, 15 October 2024.