Present :- John Stooke, Simon Hudson, Mark Robinson, Jane Bowden, Charles Dewa & Carol Briar.
Apologies:- Tom Hutchinson, Roy Lawson, Mick Tagg & Winifred Beck.
The Chairman (SH) opened the meeting at 1900 welcoming those present.
JS went through the minutes of the committee meeting held 1/12/20, these were proposed by MR and accepted by SH.
The Treasurer (MR) gave his financial report for both Dec 2020 and Jan 2021 before going through the year end 2020 report. After discussion, those present were happy that there were no queries on either.
SH asked about funds for 2 skips on site during the course of 2021, and CD enquired about a purchase of roadstone, MR advised that there are funds available for both.
MR went onto discuss the accounts being inspected/audited, and it was agreed that Parveen Hussain will be instructed to carry out the audit at cost of £100.
MR advised that he is still in conversation with Jo Tarrant at City Council with regards to the Council making a contribution towards the new fencing that has been installed on Old Coach road and will update us at our next meeting.
JB talked about us having a financial plan in place when the new lease starts, (if that is the direction we go). JS, MR and SH agreed that they would work on having one in place.
The Secretary (JS) discussed the documentation required for the Co Operative application and agreed with SH and MR the docs should be signed off this weekend ready to be sent to the NSALG for approval, once done the registration with the FCA can be completed.
The New Lease – It was agreed by all present that a postal vote will more likely be the only option we have due to current and future restrictions on group meetings. JB and JS to prepare a consultation and voting document in readiness for delivery to tenants in the event the association is unable to hold the AGM in March.
CD gave his thoughts on the reports of rats around the site. He stated that he regularly sees them on his plot year after year, but he believes that there are not as many this year as last year.
JS raised concerns over the asbestos stored on the car park outside Steve Yorke’s plot. It was agreed that it should be bagged and stored safely out of the way as soon as possible. SH and JS to look into options and resolve the issue as a matter of urgency.
KB enquired about funding for projects on site, JS advised that it is something we can look into once we have become a co operative.
JS discussed a point Barry Mitchell has raised with him previously regarding the fence along the new path, a fence erected by a previous tenant of plot 80 before the path cut through. JS advised that he was in the process of refurbishing several fencing panels and it was agreed by those present that they would be used, over time, to replace the old pallet fence.
MR raised concerns regarding tenants congregating in the polytunnel. The same concerns had been raised by other members with JS, therefore after discussion it was agreed by all that the polytunnel would be closed off for the time being and reopened as soon as restrictions on social gathering had been relaxed.
KB & JS raised a request from Winnie with regards to her taking on plot 4. Although Winnie has improved the plots she currently has and taken action to reduce the size of her hedges it was agreed that it would be offered to new applications first.
Next Committee Meeting 15th Feb 2021.
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association 