Committee Meeting

1.       Apologies

Mike Gill (MG)

2.       Elect Chairman

Prior to this meeting of May 17, Graeme Pierce had indicated to the Committee that he would be standing down as Chair, given his time commitments in a very busy week-day work schedule and his on-going need to manage his own allotment. The Committee would like to express regret at his decision but thank him nevertheless for all his hard work and commitment while acting as CAGA Chairman. It is a great disappointment that his skills will not be available to CAGA in future months.

No committee member stood forward to replace Graeme as Chair (subject to an AGM vote not withstanding) and in the interim until a new Chair is selected it was decided that there would be a “rolling” Chair with each meeting being chaired by one member in rotation.

Mike Ibbett started the process and chaired the meeting May 17 and Rod Lavers volunteered to Chair the meeting in June.

3.       Minutes of  previous meeting

Minutes of April meeting were read through. One minor change to be made and reprinted for notice boards.

JG

4.       Matters arising from previous minutes

PAT testing is being arranged for week commencing the 29^th May. There are 9 items which need testing.

The tap has been replaced on the stand pipe near plot 88. Brass plaques mounted on wood can be obtained in Thame for approximately £65 each depending on the wording to be engraved.  Wording would be kept simple, suggestion eg. ‘In memory of …’

SR

RL

RL

5.       Finance Report

SR handed out report. April was a 5 week month so shop takings were good.

SR

6.       Any other financial matters

Bills due will be for repair of tractor and costs of food and drink for the BBQ.

Good interest in both BBQ and 200 club from plot holders and committee members signing up. Sandy confirmed that no licence was needed to run the 200 club.

SR

SR

7.       Shop Report

Shop sales are steady but beginning to reduce as the initial spring rush passes.  

The results for the CAGA stall on the weekend of the Kings Coronation were disappointing as not much was sold and there was little interest from the public for more information.

Rod and Peter to go through the Harefield stock to log it. There is more stock to collect from Harefield which Rod is happy to do. Some 4 foot canes have already been sold.

The last of the potato sets have been sold.

PG

PG

RL

8.       Shop Rota

 21/5 RL, 28/5 PG, 4/6 MG, 11/6 BR , 18/6 SR, 25/6 JG, 2/7 MI

9.       Plot letting report

7 people currently on the waiting list. Some plots waiting to be sprayed and then rotavated. Jackie suggested that plots could be let ‘as is’.  Rod felt that they needed to be in a better condition before being ‘let’.

Currently 2 plots in a good state and could be let. 

Jackie & Jeanette have dug up, split and potted up several dahlia plants with the intention of selling to raise funds for CAGA, Chinnor Open Gardens and possibly Mill Lane Community Garden.

 A plot walk was carried out a couple of weeks ago and 7 emails sent to plot holders giving 30 days notice of plot termination or  that remedial action to be taken for plot improvement or a response giving extenuating circumstances.

Peter Greenway brought to our attention that some plot holders are stacking items against the new perimeter fence on the ‘Cherry Tree Road’ side of the allotments. Plot numbers were noted and emails will be sent notifying them that there should be at least 1 metre between the fence and peoples plot equipment.

People are ignoring the sign by the bonfire and still dumping compostable material at the bonfire site. After some discussion and a vote it was decided that people dumping compostable material (weeds and foliage) on the bonfire site will be ejected from the allotments immediately.

RL

JG

RL

RL

RL

10.   Midweek working parties

Next one on Wednesday 31^st May 2 pm. The ivy between the garage and DC building needs removing. Also work needs doing on empty plots and trimming nettles by the gate.

RL

11.    Chinnor Pump

No change, articles need to be shorter due to less space. Next copy date deadline is 2^nd June. Suggestion for inclusion was BBQ.

RL

12.   Website & Facebook Report. Inc. newsletter

Mike has written a draft newsletter/invite with details of the BBQ. Bank details included so people can pay online.

MI

13.   S106 monies

Progress of suggestions

a)       Bottom track. MI has now 2 quotes for tarmacking that he is happy to circulate. There was then a review discussion about exactly what the committee wants to do at the bottom end car park.  The consensus was that scalpings were preferred to tarmac. Tich’s brother is a landscaper and might be interested in improving the bottom carpark. Tich to ask. Also Chinnor turf could be approached for a quote and possibly Rowland Landscapes. As to the suggested drainage of plots contractors which Mike had spoken to advised against laying a French drain down the centre path on account of vehicular overhead weight and therefore suggested digging up the plots to the left hand side, which I said I didn’t think would be agreed by the plot holders, certainly during the growing season.   

b)      DC reroofing, Tich to get a second quote. Jackie to pass on details of a roofer.

MI

BC & JG

14.   Future social activities/events

 Progress of events

a)       King’s coronation on 7^th May. Stall at the pavilion event. It was felt that although it was good PR it wasn’t worth it financially as not much was sold. No enquiries about available allotments.

Response feedback to be sent to the organisers.

b)      COG weekend Sunday 4^th June. DC shop will open as normal and in addition will sell donated plants to raise funds for CAGA. Jackie suggested that she could do a Facebook post reminding plot holders to donate plants and to ask for a helper. Also to give away sunflower seedlings to children of plot holders to either plant on the plots or take home.

c)       BBQ headed up by Rod. Sandy showed us a draft of a ticket for the BBQ. Several suggestions were made for wording and colour. Size will be A6 and tickets to be numbered.   Ali said he would cook this year and suggested that we set a budget for meat and then discuss meat options with Charlie as to what we can have for the BBQ.  £4 was suggested as budget pp for meat.  Historically the BBQ was designed not to make a profit but we should aim to break even.

Tich has 2 full cylinders of gaz and will bring down to the DC to see if they fit. Sunday 21^st to do a practice run and check the marquee/gazebo. A set amount was decided of £7.50 for early birds up until the 15^th of June otherwise £10. A max of 60+ persons.

PG & RL

RL

JG

RL

SR

BC

15.   AOB

BC received some papers from a plot holder which he passed to MI. It isn’t clear what they are about and why they have been passed to us.  JG offered to ask a knowledgeable friend.

SR.  Electrician can’t be reached. BR to chase up.

JG. Suggested that we open up the centre track. All agreed

BC. Tractor to be picked up to during the week, could someone arrange to be at the DC in case Tich couldn’t get there in time. PG offered

PG Someone has gone down the centre path with a mower so it was decided that we should cut it as it is growing so fast.

BR Asked about reviewing CAGA rules and MI noted that some rules are missing so they will be reviewed.

JG

BR

BC & PG

ALL

16.   Date of next meeting

21^st June  7 pm @ The Crown garden and RL to chair