Allotments Minutes 21st May 2012
HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich, Essex CO12 3DS
Tel: 01255 507211
MINUTES of the Meeting of the ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE held at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich on Monday 21st May 2012 commencing at 7pm
Present: Cllrs J Henderson, Todd, Gibbins, Fowler and Thompson
In the Chair: Cllr King
Co-opted Members: Mr M Button, Mr F Mesher, Mr T Steward, Mr B McCoy and Miss J Clark
Clerk: Assistant Clerk Mrs M Townsend
Also present: Cllr McLeod and no members of the public or press
No questions
The Chairman welcomed two councillors, Fowler and Thompson as new members of the Allotments Committee.
A01/12 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr C Callender and Thurlow and Co-opted Members Mr N Inglis and Mr S O’Hara.
A02/12 ELECION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED: To appoint Cllr J Henderson Vice-Chair of the Allotments Committee
A03/12 DECLARATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None.
A04/12 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Allotments meeting held on 23rd March 2012 (previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
RESOLVED: that the confidential minutes of the Allotments meeting held on 23rd March 2012 (previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
A05/12 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Clerk notified members that the Friends of the Earth seed swap due in May was postponed and will now take place on 27th May 2012. Posters have been distributed to all Co-opted Members for display on notice boards. Cllr McLeod felt that members should show their support and visit the Allotment Hut on Sunday.
A06/12 VACANT PLOTS/WAITING LIST/NOTICES TO QUIT
The Clerk informed members that there are no vacant plots, 29 people on the waiting list and no Notice to Quits issued since the last meeting.
A07/12 GROWING TOGETHER/NEWSLETTER
Members discussed the success of the previous ‘Growing Together’ event which allowed plot holders to exchange ideas and agreed that this was the best means for sharing ideas and should continue.
RESOLVED: Clerk to co-ordinate the booking of venue and promotion for Growing Together to take place on Saturday 30th June 2012 from 10am to noon.
A08/12 REPORTS OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS
M Button confirmed that there have been a couple of acts of vandalism on Boatswains Call where a plot holder’s green house has been damaged and sheds on the site broken into. He wanted to make members aware of the good work and enthusiasm of the new plot holders on BC. RESOLVED: Clerk to obtain and distribute ‘No Trespassing’ signs and investigate the feasibility of using anti-climbing paint. Situation to be reviewed at the next meeting.
Mr McCoy confirmed that he had notified the Clerk of two plots on Long Meadows which are not being worked.
Mr Steward confirmed that there was nothing to report at Abdy Avenue.
Mr Mesher confirmed that one plot is not being worked at King Georges Avenue.
Miss Clark – confirmed that there was nothing to report at Willow Way.
A09/12 MATTERS RECEIVED IN POST OR INFORMATION RAISED BY MEMBERS
None
A10/12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Allotments Committee will be held at 7pm on Thursday 26th July 2012 at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich.
A11/12 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
Pursuant to Sub-section 2 of Section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the meeting was closed to the press and public for the transaction of the under-mentioned business:
Discuss a quotation received for maintenance work to Dunns Meadow the allotment site
The Chairman closed the meeting to press and public at 7.30pm
A12/12 PROPOSED WORK TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL TAP AT DUNNS MEADOW ALLOTMENT SITE
Members discussed the three quotations received to undertake the work in line with the current regulations.
RESOLVED: To proceed with the cheapest quotation obtained for the specified work required and instruct the work to be carried out.
The Chair closed the meeting at 7.38pm