Posted in document archives - Allotment Committee Minutes

BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

---

Minutes of the Allotments Committee Meeting

held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on

Wednesday 28 April 2010 at 5.45 pm

PRESENT:    

North Ward:    
Councillor T J Johns

South Ward:    
Councillor S G Inch

South (Outer) Ward:    
Councillor A T Powell (Town Mayor)

East Ward:    
Councillor Mrs C B Church
Councillor B Lacey
Councillor R W Vanstone (Chairman)

Pollyfield:    
Mr D Kersey (Substitute for Mr A Mitchell)

Tricks:    
Mrs S Andronik
Mr G Evans

IN ATTENDANCE:    
Mrs H J Blackburn (Deputy Town Clerk)
2 x Members of the Public

012    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mrs M Atkinson (Pollyfield – Personal) and Mr A Mitchell (Pollyfield – Work Commitments).

013    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

014    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No members of the public raised any issues.

015    MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2009 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For 8, Against: 0)


016    POSSIBLE PROVISION OF NEW ALLOTMENT LAND

Councillor Lacey informed the Committee that there is a possibility that the Bridge Trust is willing to let the Town Council use a piece of their land for allotments.  It has not yet been established on what terms.  The land is situated at the back of Bowden Green and the Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk and Councillor Clarke have made an initial visit to the site.  They estimated that the site could provide approximately 25 plots, a communal area with shed and a small space for parking.  Further details need to be ascertained and the Town Clerk is due to write to the Bridge Trust shortly with this in mind.  Councillor Clarke is currently putting together some figures with the possibility of muting a joint project with the Bridge Trust.  Councillor Inch then arrived at the meeting and informed the Committee that although the Bridge Trust is planning to offer the field to the Town Council for allotments it is currently let and will not be available right away.  Proposed by Councillor Lacey, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk writes to the Bridge Trust expressing an interest in the use of the field behind Bowden Green for allotments.

(Vote – For: 9, Against:  0)

(Councillors Mrs Church, Inch, Lacey and Powell declared a personal interest in the above item (Trustees, Bideford Bridge Trust.))

017    TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSALS – LANE BACKING ON TO TRICKS

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that she had met with Mr Michael Newcombe of Devon County Council Highways together with Councillor Tony Inch and Mr George Evans from Tricks to look at the site and convey the concerns of the Allotment Committee regarding the possible placement of a lockable bollard.  Mr Newcombe noted the concerns and the group agreed what they thought to be the best location for a permanent bollard if the County Council decide to pursue this idea.

018    CRITERIA FOR BEST ALLOTMENT PLOT AND SITE

Members discussed the criteria by which the best allotment plot and site would be judged. The following list of criteria was agreed:

Best Site Criteria:

•    General appearance of the site as a whole.
•    Cleanliness of site – rubbish (freedom from): if it is stacked tidily for future use it is not rubbish.  However, if it is just lying around, it is rubbish.
•    Paths and roads – neatly maintained.
•    Friendliness of the site.
•    Site needs to show/provide evidence on how they have improved and developed their site during the past twelve months and include any difficulties/problems the site has had to endure.
•    An assessment of what has been achieved in the last twelve months.

Best Plot Criteria:

•    More than 50% of the plot should be devoted to the production of fruit and/or vegetables.
•    Quality of soil.
•    Absence of weeds.
•    Quality of vegetables and fruit including variety, seasonality.
•    Absence of pests, disease.
•    Quality of crop.
•    Examples of composting and recycling.
•    Organic methods of pest control.
•    Wildlife friendly plot.

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the above criteria be adopted for the purpose of judging the best allotment site and plot.

(Vote – For: 9,  Against: 0)

019    PLOT NUMBERS

A suggestion was put forward by a plot holder that every plot be marked with a number.  Following discussion it was agreed that the boundary of each plot should be marked with a 4ft post, which will be hammered into the ground at the corner of the boundary, showing the plot number.  If there is sufficient money in the budget, the aim is for the posts to be sourced during this financial year and for them to be delivered to each site, where the plot holders will be requested to put them at the bottom of their plots.  The Town Council only intends to become involved in the marking of the boundaries where disputes arise.  It was also agreed that a site plan is displayed in a prominent position at each site.  Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the bottom corner of each allotment plot be marked with a 4ft post displaying the plot number and that a site plan be displayed at each allotment site.

(Vote – For: 9,  Against: 0)

020    SITE UPDATES

a.    Pollyfield

Mr Kersey reported that the central pathway needs to be levelled.  The Deputy Town Clerk reported that she believes Mr Mitchell is currently investigating the cost of this work.  He also requested toilet facilities on site, but was informed that this item was discussed and resolved upon at the last Allotments Meeting. He noted that plot holders are bringing kitchen waste into the allotment for their compost bins and this is attracting rats.  The Deputy Town Clerk agreed to mention this in her annual allotments letter to each plot holder, and in the meantime to put a notice on the board asking plot holders to refrain from this practice.

b.    Tricks

Mr Evans reported that approximately 20 more Blackthorne bushes are required to fill up gaps in the hedge.  It was agreed that this should be put on the agenda for the next meeting, which will coincide with setting the budget.  Mrs Andronik requested that some woodchips be sourced for the bottom path and the Deputy Town Clerk offered to speak to Arborcare to see if it would be possible to deliver some to Tricks for use by allotment holders.  Mr Evans requested some rubbish removal and will co-ordinate this with the Deputy Town Clerk.

021    ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

•    Request for 20 Blackthorne bushes for Tricks.
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the Committee for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.30 pm.





Signature of Town Mayor:…………………………………   Date:……………………............





Signature of Chairman: ……………………………………   Date: ……………………….......