Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

MINUTES OF OLD PARK FARM GARDEN HOLDERS ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING HELD ON SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2015.

Present: S Yorke, S &J Medcalf, S Williams, J Menzies, J Gallagher, C&D Monahan R Gayle, C Skinner, K Pearson, P Sanders, A Robins, C Hall, K Graham, P Grove,
M Adam, E&C Scothern, P&K Barron, J Scott, B Watson, T Nason, C Brennan,
J Bowden

Apologies: S Inger, S Porter, E Collier. J Rick

The Chairman opened the meeting at 10.30 am
The Secretary read out the Minutes from the AGM 30th March 2014.
There were no matters arising
The minutes were proposed and seconded by Steve M and Kay G as being an accurate account.

Chairman’s report:
Steve reported on how good the season had generally been.
Sadly we had 2 long time gardeners who had died during the year Reg Elmer and Henry Harrell.
Also 3 members of the committee had left during the year having given their gardens up.
Steve also thanked those who had helped out with plumbing problems and repair work.

Treasurers Report.
Steve had prepared a balance sheet, which had been circulated in the meeting.
Kay Graham had checked and audited the accounts.
The balance at that point was a healthy £3500.
Steve then went on to talk about the workings of the rent system and that we would be having a rent increase in 2016. After this a vote was taken to increase in one go or to stagger the increase over 2 years.
It was decided to increase in one go.

Secretary’s report.
The key exchange for the new locks had gone well and Jackie had chased up the few who had not responded.

Jackie had attended 4 forum meetings and 1 of a new federation that was being formed. It was increasingly obvious that the council wanted to back out of the forum meetings due to staff costs and poor attendance from some associations.

Jackie then explained how the Association should function legally and that due to fears over personal liability we could not find enough people willing to take this on, due to delays at the legal department our lease agreement was legally inadequate. The council was also pressing associations to take on a new lease, which would save them money and give us all our rent back. But it was not perfect and more work needs to be done.
After meetings with the NCVS Jackie wished to change the status of the association and explained the options. The most promising seemed to be forming a not for profit Community Interest Company.
Jackie asked for permission from those present to carry on with these negotiations on the association’s behalf. Any change would be done only after a vote from all gardeners.
The Chairman asked for a show of hands for agreement and all responded positively.

The Chairman then went on to the election of the committee. All still on the committee had chosen to remain. There were no objections. He then asked if any other gardeners would like to become committee members. Subsequently, John Gallagher, Brian Watson and Paul Sanders volunteered. Again no objections were raised.

Annual Show. There was a general discussion about how the show should proceed. Do we want to keep the more formal format i.e. showing items to a set standard or a less formal affair of a “grow and show” event. A lively discussion took place and it was decided to go for a less formal event.

It was also decided by a show of hands to move the date from August bank holiday to September.

AOB
There were some complaints about the condition of the main gates in particular dangerous sharp bits.

John Menzies spoke of a filming project being done by his Grandson and asked those present if any were willing to take part.

Presentation of Health and Gardening research project.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 11.30.