Dartford Road Allotments Association

Minutes of the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Committee

Tuesday 7th December, 1999 from 8:00pm at 1 Marcus Road, Dartford.

Present: Mr Bourne, Mr Johnson, Mr Jones, Mr Laidlaw, Mr Palmer, Mr Alldred, Mrs Bourne, Mr Staines, Mr Rainey and Mr Smith.

1) Appointment of a Chairperson: Mr B Palmer was duly appointed.

2) Apologies: Mr Gousy, Mrs Anderson and Mrs Morey.

3) Minutes of the Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the Committee: Accepted.

4) Matters Arising from the Minutes: Membership of Thrive had been renewed.

5) Secretary's Report: Mr Laidlaw reported that correspondence had been received from the FCF&CG relating to their Millennium projects. Part of the project included a travelling Yurt (tent) that will be used as a focal point on nine core sites throughout the UK in the year 2000. The insurance was reviewed and equipment details amended to reflect the current machinery. A report from Richard Wiltshire was circulated detailing the main activities of the FCF&CG.

6) Review of Tenancies: Mr Laidlaw reported that the site was currently 99.4% rented with 111 plotholders. It was reported that only a half size plot is available for rent.

7) Finance: Mr Jones reported a current account balance of £958.45.

8) Grounds, Paths and Equipment: It was brought to the attention of the committee that the main water valves onto the site would not close completely. This was to be reported to Thames water.

9) Millennium Projects: Mrs Bourne reported that a grant had been given by QED for the purchase of sleepers for constructing raised beds. These were due to arrive by the end of the week. Jan is due to attend a course for assisting the disabled. B&Q's have offered tools to help maintain the beds. The committee expressed thanks to Jan and her team for all the hard work they had done.

10) Quality Environment for Dartford: Mr Johnson reported on the current activities of the group and that Tredeger Allotments had secured funding for equipment from QED. The joint initiative with the Health and Allotments groups was brought to the committee's attention. It was mentioned that Dartford Road plotholders won two prizes in the Best Kept Allotment Competition and the Parish Cup went to a plotholder on the Bean site.

11) Any Other Business: It was mentioned that the generator had not been used by many people and that it should be publicised more. A request was made for the committee to look into the cost/effectiveness of a powered wheelbarrow.

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 7th March, 2000 at 36 Somerset Road, Dartford from 8:00pm.

Close: 8:57pm

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