Seaton Town Council
Allotments Committee Meeting Minutes
17th April 2007
PRESENT:
- Cllr J Seward (Chairman)
- Cllrs Morgan
- Mrs Partridge-Hogbin
- Ms L Bewsher
- Mr M Greenyer
595/06APOLOGIES
Cllr J Meakin
596/06 MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting held on 5th February 2007 were approved and signed by the chairman.
597/06 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest
598/06TO DISCUSS THE USE OF WEED KILLER ON PATHS AT SITE
Mr Greenyer raised this issue because of weed killer that had been applied to one plot and adjacent pathway which had spread to an adjoining plot.
It was noted that tenants were required to keep the paths around their plots clean and tidy. However, the use of weed killer was not appropriate where it might affect other tenants’ plots, and should not be used on pathways because it renders the ground muddy in wet weather and therefore unsafe.
It was agreed that the chairman would look at the plot that had been sprayed to assess whether there had been damage to other plots. It was further agreed that a notice be put on the noticeboard advising tenants not to use weed killer on pathways or where it might affect other tenants’ plots.
599/06TO CONFIRM NUMBER OF NEW PLOTS THAT COULD BE PROVIDED AT ALLOTMENT SITE
Ms Bewsher advised that 7 plots could be provided at the site which she would mark out. The Chairman advised that this proposal would be referred to Council for their approval.
600/06TO DISCUSS CONTENTS OF Mr GREENYER’S LETTER
Mr Greenyer had raised a number of matters, principally in relation to the proposed increase in rents and the additional water charge. The Chairman confirmed that with effect from April this year, the Council had agreed to impose a separate water charge on tenants based on the total bill for this year and each subsequent year. This would therefore fluctuate annually depending on usage.
It was noted that although it was the intention of the Allotments Association, whose numbers currently stood at 22, to undertake some of the maintenance of the allotment site, the Council nevertheless had to ensure that the allotment’s accounts were able to meet all financial commitments irrespective of possible voluntary support from tenants. It was therefore agreed that the rent for the year 2008/9 would be raised by 1p per metre and notice of this increase would accompany this year’s rental renewals notices. Mr Greenyer confirmed that it was the Allotments Association’s intention to seek to reduce the running costs of the site by up to 50%.
601/06TO DISCUSS CONTROL OF RABBITS AND PIGEONS
It was noted that rabbits and pigeons continued to cause considerable nuisance and damage at the allotment site.
a) Rabbits – Mr Greenyer advised of a resident who would be willing to undertake rabbit control at the site, details of whom he would pass to the Clerk;
b) Pigeons – It was noted that pigeons were nesting in a bay tree that was due to be felled. However, as nests could not be removed without the agreement of landowners, the Council’s permission was required to remove the bay tree after the pigeons had left the nest. The Chairman agreed to pursue.
602/06SITING OF SHED - PLOT 18b
The tenant of plot 18b had requested permission to replace her shed. However, the proposed siting was unclear. The Chairman agreed to clarify.
The Chairman was thanked for presiding over the committee during the past year and for his hard work on behalf of the allotment tenants.
The meeting closed at 8.15
Archived Copies of Minutes
Copies of all Minutes of all the Council's meetings are held in the Council Office and copies are sent to Seaton Library once they have been signed by the chairman as a true record of proceedings at the subsequent meeting.