Minutes of Allotments Working Group Meeting

Thursday, 12th August  2010, 6.30pm at the Civic Centre.

Present: Mike Armstrong (in Chair), Honor Cooper , Mark Todd,  Louise Hetherington,  Susan Pownall, Matty Hall, Barry Jackson, Donald Robinson, Steve Coates, Peter Horrocks

Apologies:  Sue Stokel-Walker, Stu Gilhespy, Helen Raper, Cllr Pauline Allen

Minutes: Accepted as a true record.

Matters Arising:  Denton Bank, no information as yet. The Ouseburn footpath question will be resolved by HR before the next meeting. Buildings, BJ has partially completed a review on the subject, he asked for suggestions of sites to take a look at existing structures. Current spec for buildings is out of date. A site visit will be made to Beaumont Terrace soon with the new area rep (Barry Jackson). BJ has attended a day’s introduction on bee keeping at Blagdon, verdict, excellent, progress is being made on the beekeeping project, Bee group to meet on 21st September, details from Peter Whewell.

Strategy : Being received by all sections at the Civic Centre very positively. Strong support for the sentiments contained therein.

Show: More tombola prizes are still awaited and can be brought on the day. Several stalls have been booked. It was noted that N Tyneside show puts a charge on every entry to their show, this will be considered for next year. All arrangements now in place. 

Budgets: The balance for AWG was £4000.32. There is still approximately £40,000 in the allotments budget. Fencing work is required at Little Moor, Richmond Terrace, and Premier
AOB: No further news of progress on new allotment sites at Cowgate and Great park. Drainage investigations at Little Moor have revealed that the 180 year old clay field drains are all silted up solid with clay. An estimate is being prepared to improve matters. There have been many petty thefts at Moorside, police have been informed. Several rumours are circulating in the West End regarding the possible closure of Fenham Model Allotments site. These are strictly not true, as that site is a statutory site and enjoys special protection under allotment law. MH ran through his ‘bible’ of allotment grant funding with the group and stressed how easy it was to obtain grants from many sources. This document will be issued to all allotment secretaries in the city soon. He is available on 0754 643 8759 to advise sites on how to obtain funding or fill in application forms or even how to approach your local ward committee, give him a ring. He also mentioned a community garden project known as ‘Operation Phoenix’ designed to help members of the public and youngsters gain Horticultural experience. This is being run by the Fire Service on spare ground at their fire station in the West Denton area. This is now being copied elsewhere in the City; grants have been acquired for this. MA explained that the ‘OPAL’ project is currently exploring wildlife in the city area. The group agreed to approach OPAL to offer our support. The City’s ecologist may have native hedging plants available soon for sites wishing to use spare land or borders for hedging projects to encourage wildlife. MT will contact sites to encourage them to assess availability of suitable areas and to apply for any available plants.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.50pm.

NEXT MEETING September 9th   Room 701 Civic Centre at 6.30pm