Greencroft and Waterman's Allotments in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Minutes of the AGM held at the River and Rowing Museum at 7pm 16th October 2008
Chris Pye, Natasha Street.
Passed as correct and adopted.
None.
This was circulated with the agenda. The Chairman welcomed the Mayor of Henley Councilor Gill Zakss to the AGM and then thanked the Committee for all their hard work, especially Liz and Doug, the 2 site managers, and Peter Herbert, Secretary and Dave McEwen, Treasurer. Andrew confirmed that both sites were in better condition than last year, and that at the present time, there were waiting lists on each site, 10 people on Watermans and 4 on Greencroft.
This was circulated with the agenda. Dave stated that the accounts were in good shape, thanks to the various social events, the annual grant from HTC and the Cricket Club monies. Both the HTC grant and the Cricket Club monies were still outstanding, but these have both now been paid. Dave then went on to explain what benefits the tenants got from being members of NASLG, including free access to their legal department,(which had been used extensively this year due to the new tenancy agreement) and access to the seed scheme (thanks to Margot Dapper for organizing it this year).
Graham Jones (Greencroft) asked what the £130.00 for manure was. Doug Richards explained that he was given the chance to have a huge load of well rotted manure which he had taken, and had divided the manure between the 2 sites for members' use. This manure was used up within 3 weeks. Finally Dave thanked Hobbs and Peter Herbert for all their help and support over the year.
This was circulated with agenda. Peter thanked Marisa Francini for all her hard work especially with the tenancy agreements.
Graham Jones asked about the new rent prices, and how they had been arrived at. Marisa explained that the Council had not increased the rents for over 3 years, and that the costs involved with running the allotments had risen during this period. The Town Clerk had originally proposed an increase to £40 for a 10 pole plot, which would have meant that the allotments were self funding, a strategy that Henley Town Council supported. However, negotiations conducted by the Allotment Committee had brought that figure down to £30, which was still very good value for money when looked at on a weekly basis. The increase proposed by HTC for next year (2010) was opposed by the Allotment Committee, and that during the next 12 months costs would be looked at closely to ensure that monies were being spent on the right things.
Harold Fitch asked what we were getting for our money and it was pointed out that skips costs at least £250.00 each, and that last year there had been 4 skips used. The Watermans new entrance had cost the Council £20,000 (excluding legal fees), so the Council had been spending money to support the allotments.
Dave McEwen said principal of total self management had been looked at, and that the Committee were happy to take on some day-to-day management of the allotments, but taking on total self management was a very different matter. The tenant numbers were now at an all time high of 180, and it would be very onerous for a group of volunteers to manage the allotments without some Council support. It was also mentioned that communications would work better in future if it would be possible for a Committee member to be present when the HTC discussed allotment issues, so as to avoid confusion that had arisen in the past.
Tom Batty stated that this year Waterman's had NO mowing carried out at all.
Now that Watermans had got a new entrance, it was requested that the gate should be kept locked so that fly-tipping was not possible.
Finally, the chair thanked Marisa again for her hard work and for improving the link with the Town Clerk - new allotment administrator, Linda Martin, who had been excellent since she had been appointed.
All members of the committee were quite happy to offer themselves up for re-election; no other nominations had been received. Ron Sharpe proposed re-election of present committee, Tom Batty seconded it.
David Burnside agreed to continue as Auditor and this was approved.
Dave McEwen spoke of various events held this year, including the April boat trip, Doug's cookery evening and the recent Greencroft Barbecue. Dave felt it was time that a separate social committee was formed and that with many new allotment members this year, some of them may wish to get involved. Anyone interested in joining a Social Committee should speak to Dave McEwen.
Gardener's question Time was coming up, with a slightly different format this year as it was in conjunction with Henley in Bloom and open to the public for the first time. A guest speaker had also been invited, Graham Talbot from the Berkshire College of Agriculture.
Greencroft Japanese knotweed. All 3 sessions of the 3 year programme have taken place and it looks like it is under control. However, Greencroft car park has now got Himalayan knotweed, and Liz will be talking to the firm that have sprayed the JKW to see what needs to be done.
The Cricket Club are planning to refurbish their pavilion and would like the Allotment tenants' support with their plans. They will have a kitchen and toilet area, and would like to share these with the Greencroft tenants. A copy of their plans are available for members to look at, to see what they are proposing. The Committee asked what the floor felt about supporting their plans. Harold Fitch proposed the plan be supported and Graham Jones seconded it. This was passed unanimously.
The Greencroft pump issue needed to be sorted out and it was suggested that the Committee (Peter H) over winter them so that they do not dry out. This has caused many problems this year with pumps being useless. It has subsequently been agreed that the Committee look after the pumps over winter to stop some of the problems that occurred in 2008.
Social Dinner:- Tuesday 16th December Doug Richards is quite happy to run this if at least 40+ people attend at around £15.00 per head. About 20-30 members showed an interest so it will go ahead.
Honoraria: - is £250.00 per annum- £100.00 split between the secretaries, £50.00 treasurer, and £50.00 to each site manager. The chair proposed it stayed the same for this year, Graham Jones proposed that a slight increase would be appropriate. It was decided that committee would discuss the amount at their next monthly meeting. This has happened, and it remained at £250.00
A request was made from the floor regarding an internet chat room forum to be looked at, to enable tenants who regularly used the internet to swap ideas/ask advice. It was agreed that this was a good idea and would be looked at over the next few months.
The silverware was then presented:
A special thanks to Carl Lambourne for all his hard work with organizing and arranging the kids pumpkin and sunflower competition, as well as to the Mayor of Henley for presenting prizes on a very wet Sunday morning.
Next years AGM will be on a similar date in October 2009, date to be advised.
The Chair thanked everyone for attending. (63 people in attendance).
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