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Minutes of the Allotments Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 13 May 2021 at 7.01 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward

Councillor J Herron

East Ward

Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Chairman)
Councillor J Craigie
Councillor Mrs L Hellyer
Councillor J McKenzie

Tricks

Mr K Jackson
Mr S Long


IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
Mr C Cornish (Chairman Marland Association)
Mr M Brown (Chairman Handy Cross Association)

1.     ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor Mrs J Gubb was proposed by Councillor McKenzie and seconded by Councillor Craigie.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs J Gubb is appointed as Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

(Vote: For: 7, Against: 0)

(Councillor Mrs J Gubb assumed the Chair and thanked the Members for their vote.)

2.     ELECTION OF A DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Councillor J Herron was proposed by Councillor Craigie and seconded by Councillor McKenzie.

RESOLVED: That Councillor J Herron is appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

Vote: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstention: 2)

3.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All Members were present at the meeting.

4.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillor J Craigie (Chairman East-the-Water in Bloom, tenant).

5.     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There was no public participation.

6.     MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 October 2020 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0, Abstentions: 2)

7.    MARLAND SITE

Mr Cornish advised that the Site is full and in good condition. Everyone worked their plots during the COVID-19 Lockdowns. The Nature area is starting to look good and there is no rubbish on the Site.

8.    HANDY CROSS SITE

Mr Brown similarly indicated that the Site would be full subject to three plots being accepted in the next few days.

He believed that the Lockdown period had seen a commitment and industry that reflected well upon the Site; it had been a good year.

He noted that a neighbour bordering Handy Cross had raised concerns over a tree that appeared to be hanging, precariously over his bungalow, believing it the responsibility of the Allotment Site.

On closer inspection it was confirmed that the tree was outside the boundary of the Site but leaning across the allotment (boundary) and further leaning over the householder’s bungalow. It was not known who owns the field between Anglo-Krempl and the Site.

9.    POLLYFIELD SITE

The Clerk had received an upbeat report from the former Allotment Site representative.

He advised that the Site was looking good with one full plot and a half plot to be let.

The new tenants have been very successful investing in a lot of work to improve their respective plots. One or two other tenants do need encouragement, though.

The weather has been poor with many crops lost although there has been improvement recently.

The Padlock has had to be renewed a few times, once because it was not fit for purpose and monies refunded and others simply because of the continued usage and the clogging up of the workings through hand sanitiser products; one was replaced with tenant funding.

Generally, everyone is quite happy.

The new tenants are keen, introducing new sheds, poly tunnels and raised beds.

The Site is looking a lot better than it has in a long time.

10.   TRICKS SITE

Mr Long advised that the Site is full but that there are a number of “dirty” gardens, details of which have been passed to the office administration.

There are, though many plots that are in fantastic shape.

He has creosoted and maintained the fence; the hedgerow is in good order.

There had been a spate of children breaking in although there have been no instances recently reported.

11.    INTER-SITE CHALLENGE

Members discussed the desire to reintroduce the Challenge, confirmed the judging format and explored dates.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Hellyer, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the Inter-Site challenge will be judged on 12 July 2021.

(For: 7, Against: 0)

 

The Chairman, having established that there was no further business to discuss, thanked the Members for their attendance and concluded the Meeting at 7.30 pm.


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