Present: Stewart Young, Claire Stentiford, Andy Henson, Pat Mansfield, Chris Rumble, David Tucker

1. Apologies

None were received.

 

2. Notice of AOB

See later.

 

3. Minutes of meeting of 12 June

Accepted.

 

4. Matters Arising
• Newsletter

The newsletter was to have been written by this meeting, but everyone forgot. It was therefore proposed to write it as soon as possible.

Items for inclusion:

• don't wash tools in water tubs
• don't leave water tubs empty
• lock gates
• keep dogs on lead
• dates of rent days
• Florence Park open day(include past triumphs)

Stewart will write some information regarding gates and bonfires, Clare will email some items for inclusion, Andy will write it by Sunday.

- Action: Stewart, Claire, Andy

• Work parties

These were successful, with four plots covered and the washer on the tap mended.

 

 

5. East Oxford Action Money: Play Equipment

Background: A grant of £2140 had been obtained 2 years ago from East Oxford Action for the purchase of play equipment for the new play area. This should have been spent within 6 months. Claire explained this was one of 3 grants, each for about £2000 which we had been given over the last few years but only the play equipment grant was an issue. Stewart confirmed nearly all work had been completed except for purchasing play equipment.

Andy circulated the from letter originally sent to Neil McKay (who has now moved away) and was recently resent by email, requiring the committee to either formally accept a quote for play equipment with confirmed start date for the work or repay the money by the 25^th July 2003 (ie, tomorrow).

Andy also circulated a quote from Cotswold Playgrounds for play equipment (low level activity unit, 5 stepping logs and balance beam) which he recommended was accepted.

Claire said that parents should supervise children on equipment like this and this was not ideal for allotments where adults would come to dig.

Stewart reported on the meeting with Bob Staig from the council who had said:

• that some of the allotment members should attend a course on play equipment in public places;
• the equipment should be inspected daily;
• there was an increased chance of being sued if an accident occurred.

Claire recommended a willow tunnel instead. Pat and Chris agreed. Stewart and David appeared to be in agreement. This would cost a lot less and be safe.

Claire proposed to repay £1500 of the grant money pending quotations being accepted for willow tunnels. Claire agreed to be in charge of this. Stewart suggested the date for the final agreement "should not interfere with the harvest" and suggested it be done by 31 October.

A cheque was written for part repayment of the money, and the secretary was instructed to write to Andy Davice of East Oxford Action tonight and request their committee approve the new scheme.

- Action: Andy

 

6. Visit by Bob Staig

Stewart reported on a visit by Bob Staig from the council on 16 July. His responsibilities are wide, but include allotments.

• He expressed interest in the White House small plots
• His special interest is in the area of drainage, and he will look into the drainage question for us. He examined the site, although even the big pond was dry. He made suggestions the drains between the shop road in the cycle track to drain off excess water, but said that the council had no funding either for materials or personel to perform this.
• Lease: his feeling was that we should be able to sign the lease before the boundary is finalised.
• Boundary: was discussed
• Ragwort: this should be destroyed by law. [Pat added at this point that the urban wildlife group would oppose any destruction of this natural plant].
• Play equipment: see previous entry.
• Gate: his view is that the gate is an invitation to criminals. He suggested we removed the wooden slats, keep the posts, and use chain link.

 

7. New Strimmer

Stewart reported that we now have a new Stihl strimmer.

We discussed the location in which it should be kept, and it was decided it should be kept in the equipment shed along with accessories and some indemnity forms which need to be signed when it is hired out.

Worries on the indemnity forms becoming damper were raised, so we will only keep a few in the equipment shed.

 

8. Rotovator Replacement

Stewart wanted a new rotovator, and so when he saw one for £150 he bought it. Others on the committee were not too sure that the association needed a replacement for the stolen rotovator, and Stewart proposed that he would keep it as his own.

9. Newsletter

The newsletter had been discussed previously (see Matters Arising).

10. Shop Rota & Stock

Rota

Many people are not doing their shop duty, and they need to know when to do it.

David is to be added to the Rota.

 

 

Stock

We do not have many potato bags, but the number we have was considered sufficient.

Garlic and onions are needed.

-- Action: Claire

11. Recruitment

Recruitment is steady. Four plots were let on one Sunday alone. Leaflets are needed for Florence Park and Elder Stubbs. We found many old leaflets, and Stewart said he would run off more copies.

 

12. Gates, Fences, Security

Thefts still seem to be continuing.

Fences: there is a hole in the fence in the urban wildlife group section, but they are unlikely to fix it and it needs fixing.

- Action: Pat

Gate: the Middle Road outer gate needs fixing.

- Action: ??

 

13. Elder Stubs

We have a table booked at the Elder Stubs open day on Saturday 16 August.

Andy, Stewart, David volunteered to man it giving out leaflets and selling green manures.

- Action: Andy, Stewart, David

 

14. Florence Park Show

There is another meeting before this show.

 

15. Rent Days

Rent days were confirmed as the 14^th and 21^st September.

Andy to put dates in newsletter and produce signs 3 weeks before showing dates and asking people to bring rent cards and money. Those not able to pay on rent day should be encouraged to pay early by cheque (payable to EWAA) slipped under the shop door.

- Action: Andy

16. AOB

Water Bill

Clare has received a revised bill of £47. Initially she objected since this is still higher than expected, but since they appear to have a legal right to revise bills going back six years, she finally accepted this lower bill and paid it.

Skip

Stewart to arrange a new skip near the play area. It was agreed that the urban wildlife group may clear metal from the areas which they are taking over and place it in this skip.

- Action: Stewart