MenuMinutes of the meeting of Amble Town Council Allotment and Playground Committee
held on Saturday, 15th October 2011 at 10.00am in The Council Office following a site visit at 9.00am.
1. PRESENT: Cllrs Mrs Lewis (Chairman), Bilboe, Morrison, Nicholson (part) and Palin. Mr Duquemin (Secretary) from the Allotment Holders Society and the Clerical Assistant (Mrs A Burn) were also in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES: Cllr Weir – Working Holiday. This was proposed for acceptance by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS: None.
4. CLERK’S REPORT:
4.1: Letter sent to Nomad Housing re: residential fence at Philip Drive playground.
The Clerical Assistant informed the members as yet no reply had been received.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested another letter be sent to progress the item.
5. SIMPLY HORTICULTURE
5.1: Project update; the secretary of the Amble Allotment Holders Society had spoken twice with David Weatheritt from Castle Morpeth Disability Association via telephone. The secretary had been unsuccessful in securing grant funding for the project.
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed a letter be sent to CMDA, which would require an answer within 21 days of the date on the letter, stating it is understood the project is to be handed over to AAHS and ATC including the equipment on the site e.g. the hut, poly tunnel, tools etc. This was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
5.2: Possible Sensory Garden Project; Cllr Mrs Lewis requested the project be deferred to the next meeting.
5.3: An advertisement for raised beds in the Allotments had been placed on the ATC website, the secretary had received 4 enquiries from the website. As a result of the enquiries the secretary had asked why they felt they required a raised bed, he would take the individual’s names off the old list and add them to the new list.
Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested giving the advertisement a month and for the secretary to collect the names.
Cllr Mrs Lewis informed members CDMA had not been able to attract people to the site as they had not advertised locally.
Cllr. Rev. Nicholson entered the meeting at 10.12am.
The secretary has stressed to all individuals that it is at their own risk to access the site.
Cllr Mrs Lewis proposed the site be named differently as it does comply with Disability Guidelines. The new name was decided as Easy Use Allotment, Simply Horticulture, this was seconded and agreed.
The secretary would contact local builders for quotes as money has now been handed over.
6. ALLOTMENT HOLDERS SOCIETY REPORT:
6.1: Report from Allotment Holders Society; the society will hold their meeting on Tuesday night, the secretary will send out eviction warning letters unless sites are tidied up. The secretary will receive help from a member of the society in numbering all of the sites.
Provisional sites are to be made available, dividing up larger sites into smaller sites to assist people.
As the gentleman who attends to the hut is not always in attendance, a noticeboard will be placed on the wall of the hut to assist allotment holders.
The secretary informed the members of the water consumption at the allotments and envisaged a rise in the rent.
Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested encouraging holders to use water butts, to assist people so the rent would not rise so dramatically.
The secretary reported no leaks that are obvious and rents would be rising in the future.
Cllr Mrs Lewis enquired if the rent for every allotment is calculated individually for the water consumption used. The secretary replied no, but in the future it will be looked into so each site is charged for what they use. A year ago the waiting list for an allotment was 18 months.
Cllr Mrs Lewis noted a vast improvement in the allotment sites, since the Garden Awards have been introduced and requested the secretary pass the comments on to the holders.
6.2: Site Visit – West Allotments, commenced at 9.00am.
Cllr Mrs Lewis and Cllr Bilboe had concerns regarding a cable resting on a Tree opposite the car park at the entrance. A Tree has had a limb removed and there was evidence of the wood having been sawn into smaller bits. There were branches from the limb lying on the ground which could be removed by the Cemetery Operatives. Fly Tipping on the entrance to the Coal Yard was noted and would be reported to NCC by the Clerical Assistant. Weed Killing and Strimming was required in the entrance to the Allotments, this would be carried out by the Cemetery Operatives.
Cllr Bilboe and Cllr Mrs Lewis noted the access up the ramp from the entrance to the Allotments was in need of an overhaul.
The secretary of the AAHS would be informing the site holders to keep working on their allotment and not let it get dilapidated.
The members all gathered in the CMDA site where the secretary showed the hole in the poly tunnel and it would become worse in the wind. Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested the secretary contact Cllr Weir regarding the poly tunnel.
The secretary had spoken to a member of CMDA regarding the handover of the site back to the Amble Allotment Holders Society, however he still requires clarification of an official handover.
Cllr Mrs Lewis informed the secretary that a survey of the trees in the Cemetery had been carried out and a map will be forwarded to him detailing the trees that require work.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested a letter be sent to the owner of the Coal Yard site regarding the boarding having come off his building, also a boat and dormobile were also located in the yard, these were to be removed and the building tidied up.
The members all gathered next to the hole in the boundary wall to ascertain the damage caused to the allotments surrounding the hole.
Cllr Mrs Lewis suggested the Cemetery Operatives move the smaller stones to provide a greater access for the allotment on the right of the hole. The Cemetery Operatives were to leave the heavier stones.
Cllr Morrison noted the branches above the hole were low and required cutting back.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested barriers be placed around the hole in the wall and the branches be cut back.
Site Visit – (East) Percy Drive Allotments
The Secretary noted not all allotments had numbers on the gates but the society had requested all holders number their allotments.
The members commented on the access to the allotments, the holes required filling in.
The secretary had contacted a local builder and he read out the quotation he had received to resurface the access road to the allotments. A map is required by the secretary so he can accompany the builder and indicate where the work is to start and finish. The Clerical Assistant will email the map to the secretary.
The secretary showed the members the boundary fence which had been replaced at the top of the allotments which runs parallel with the old line. The Hawthorns planted along the entrance to the Allotments from Northumbria Terrace had been cut back and any holes will be filled with new Hawthrons.
As the members walked along the pavement in front of the B.T. substation it was noted the bush was obstructing the pavement and could be cut back.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested a letter be sent to B.T and request the bush be cut back.
Cllr Morrison noted the wooden fence at the end of the Allotments opposite PEC Furniture, next to Stewarts Skips leading to the entrance of the Allotments at Meadow Burn was leaning and looked unsafe.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested a letter be sent to Mr A Rutherford, at NCC regarding complaints procedure as Tarmac has been dumped in a pile on the grass verge along the path leading from the Ind. Est. to Percy Drive. A contractor replaced 2 lamp posts over a year ago and the Tarmac is still where it was deposited, despite 2 separate letters sent to Bill Pringle and Terry Garnick at different times.
A note was made regarding graffitti on a private residence wall as it was reported at the same time and is still clear to see. Clarification is required regarding the responsibility for the disposal of the graffiti, is it NCC or the householder.
Cllr Mrs Lewis noted a few site holders had dug the soil over up to the Green Metal Fence, it had been discussed in the past that access was still required and no fruit trees would be planted. The secretary would again stress that access was still required.
Cllr Bilboe commented on a greenhouse in an allotment as it was constructed from Breezeblock instead of the wooden structure which was stipulated in the guidelines. The secretary assured Cllr Bilboe he would advise the site holders again of the guidelines.
The secretary confirmed a noticeboard would be placed on the AAHS building to inform holders.
Site Visit concluded at 9.50am. The members then gathered at the Town Council office.
7. TOWN COUNCIL PLAYGROUND REPORT:
Cllr Mrs Lewis informed the members of the issues the Playground Inspector had brought up.
The bins in the playground were not being used for just rubbish. The inspector was cleaning dog mess up as it was being trodden into the safety surfacing. The inspector would prefer the bin be removed from the fence and located elsewhere.
Cllr Mrs Lewis recommended leaving this issue until after all of the services had been handed over to us and then it could be located on grass at Philip Drive.
A closed bin would be better than the slotted bin in place at present.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested NCC empty the bin in the playground as they empty bins in other play areas. Enquire if it is in their remit.
Cllr Mrs Lewis noted a No Dog Sign is required immediately.
The Dog Warden would be informed if any dogs are seen in the area of the play area.
Cllr Mrs Lewis explained to the members the intended work to be carried out in the play area had been postponed to spring.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested information be collated on a seat made out of wood, by a joiner or sculptor.
Cllr Nicholson requested a letter be sent to NCC regarding the Paddlers area as broken glass has not been swept for quite a while and it is an area where children play.
8. AGENDA ITEMS:
8.1: To consider the damage to the Wynd boundary wall – The Clerk.
Cllr Mrs Lewis informed the members a claim was being dealt with by our Insurance Company, if AAHS required a claim on their behalf for the damage to the allotment, we could enquire with our Ins. Co. The secretary declined the offer as the damage was not sufficient.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested NCC be advised of the boundary wall and request barriers until the wall is fixed. The Cemetery Operatives are to move some of the smaller stones to provide greater access for the allotment to the right of the hole in the wall.
Cllr Morrison enquired if there had been 2 accidents as the hole seems very large, Cllr Mrs Lewis assured Cllr Morrison that photos were taken when the accident occurred and only one accident had taken place.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested the Clerk contact the Ins. Co. regarding a progress report.
8.2: Consideration of a residents concerns over bonfire – The Clerk.
As the secretary was unsure of which allotment the bonfire took place in, he would advise all allotment holders that no bonfire is to be left to burn out unattended.
8.3: Consideration of purchasing ‘no Fly-tipping signs’ – The Clerk.
The Clerical Assistant told members numerous emails had been sent regarding the signs, the last email requesting a time frame from ordering to delivery had not been replied to.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested Mr A Rutherford be made aware of the situation.
The members were discussing the no Fly-tipping signs and it was felt a sign should be erected at the entrance of the allotments at the bottom of the wynd. There should also be two signs at Percy Drive against the fence.
8.4: Consideration of roadway improvement; quotes for East site and Simply horticulture – Colin
Cllr Mrs Lewis read the quotation to the members.
The secretary will gather more quotes or more in depth information.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested a map from the handover of the allotments be emailed to the secretary. It had been agreed that AAHS and ATC would share the cost.
Cllr Morrison enquired if plainings from the roads could be used to fill in the holes at the allotments.
Cllr Mrs Lewis requested the Clerical Assistant contact Bill Pringle regarding the plaining from the roads.
Cllr Mrs Lewis confirmed any information received before the next meeting would have to go in front of the Full Town Council.
Cllr Bilboe requested information from the secretary regarding Flowers for the Jubilee. The secretary confirmed he would like to be involved and would enquire if any of the allotment holders would like to provide any flowers.
Cllr Mrs Lewis will try and gather information for the next meeting.
The next meeting was agreed to be held on January 7th 2012.
The secretary left the meeting at 10.45am.
9. COMMUNICATIONS
None.
10. INFORMATION
None.
11. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING: Saturday 7th January 2012 at 10a.m.in the Town Council Offices.
The meeting closed at 11.08am.