Minutes of the Thirtieth Meeting of the Committee
Sunday September 13, 1998, from 10.30 am, at 10 King Edward Avenue, Dartford.
Present: Mr Chattenton, Mr Griggs, Mr Johnson, Mr Jones, Mr Laidlaw, Mr Palmer, Mr Philip and Dr Wiltshire.
1. Appointment of a Chairperson: Mr Philip was appointed to the chair for this Meeting.
2. Apologies: Mrs Anderson, Mr Bourne, Mrs Morey and Mr Smith.
3. Minutes of the Twenth-Ninth Meeting of the Committee: Accepted.
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes: (Minute 4): Mr Philip confirmed that essential repairs will be undertaken to the water supply system this winter, and a stock of replacement components will be acquired. (Minute 9): Mr Smith's report on the acquisition of a generator will be held over to the next meeting. (Minute 12): The Committee welcomed the news that Mr Paul Staines has won the Fred Brown Cup in this year's Dartford Festival Allotments Competition.
5. Secretary's Report, June-August 1998: Sadly, two plotholders have died since the last meeting. Access to the site is still being closely monitored. There have been three reported instances of vandalism over the past quarter. A favourable report on the site was published in the Dartford Times on July 30.
6. Tenancies: Mr Laidlaw reported that the site is currently 100% rented, with 116 tenants and a waiting list of 3, all of whom are likely to accommodated shortly. One notice to quit has been issued on grounds of non-cultivation. The Committee reviewed the procedures which are used when notices of non-cultivation are issued, and agreed appropriate courses of action for tenancies which are currently at risk through non-cultivation.
7. Finance: Mr Jones reported that the Association has a current account balance of £1,423.77. A water bill for £333.40 was received and paid in late July.
8. Grounds, Paths and Equipment: Mr Laidlaw reported that there are no problems at present with the mowers. He has been assisting Mr Bourne with the mowing, and there will probably be one more cut taken before the autumn.
9. NSALG Seed Scheme: The procedures will be as for last year. Orders should reach Mr Laidlaw by the end of October at the latest. There were reports that some of the beetroot seeds supplied may have been of mixed varieties.
10. Newsletter: Mr Laidlaw reported that the Autumn newsletter may be of A4 format, and shorter than usual. Contents will include information on bonfire regulations, to be supplied by the Secretary. Mr Griggs will assist with duplication.
11. Membership of the NFCF: The Committee agreed to seek full voting membership of the NFCF at the earliest opportunity. It was further agreed that the responsibility for representing the Association with NFCF will be delegated to Dr Wiltshire from April 1, 1999, provided that regular written reports on all contacts with NFCF are submitted to the Committee, that Dr Wiltshire agrees to answer in person any questions the Committee have about these reports, and that either party may terminate this delegation of responsibility at any time. Dr Wiltshire agreed to these conditions.
12. Membership of the NSALG and KAGC: The Committee agreed to renew subscriptions to both organisations for the coming year. The Association will be represented at the AGM of the KAGC, but the Committee agreed that the Association would vote against the election to any KAGC office or post of any candidate who is not resident in Kent.
13. Quality Environment for Dartford: A detailed report on the past year's activities will appear in the next QED Allotments Newsletter, due out later this month. Highlights of the past quarter have been the Early Day Motion in favour of Allotment Gardening, the trip to Uplands Allotments, and the award of a grant by B&Q in support of gardeners with learning difficulties cultivating a plot at Dartford Road. Agreed priorities for 1998-99 include a "gardening for life" scheme to promote biodiversity in back gardens and the formation of a QED Food Issue Group. The Committee endorsed the continuing participation of the Association in the Dartford Allotments Steering Committee.
14. Any Other Business: No further information has been received about the security situation at Darenth Country Park. The Secretary will enquire further at the next meeting of the Darenth Country Park Advisory Group (the September meeting was cancelled, without a new date being set). The Committee will consider a new letterhead for the Association's stationary in the Spring.
15. Date of Next Meeting: Sunday December 6, 1998, from 10.30 am, at 85 Denver Road, Dartford.
Meeting Closed: 12.37
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