Allotment-forum-meeting-minutes-April-2018

Source page 1

Chard Town Council
The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1PP
Tel: 01460 239567 www.chard.gov.uk
Mayor Cllr. Garry Shortland Town Clerk Zoe Truong

Minutes of the A
Alllloottm
meenntt FFoorruum
m meeting of
Chard Town Council held on
Tuesday 11th April 2018 in the Auditorium at 6:00pm
Present:
Councillors: J Baker (Chair)
In Attendance:
Shirley Pitman – Outdoor Services Manager
Teresa Turnbull – Administration Officer
There were No. 19 members of the public present and No. 0 members of the press
present
The meeting started at 6.00pm
No Apologies received.
JB signed the minutes of the last meeting held on 13th February 2018
Matters arising from last meeting:
The locks on the gates are a problem – Issues with closing/opening them.
Please report to CTC if the lock is broken.
It was suggested a Padlock be purchased where the numbers automatically jumbled.
The padlocks are loose if people do not lock them, members advised to ensure this was
done - Cable ties will be used to fix the padlock to the chain.
Tank T2 - now working.
PCSO Gareth Allington spoke about Allotment security solutions –
Supplied details of Parameter alert system.
If an incident occurs every person it affects must contact the police on 101 separately,
this will generate many logs and creates a hotspot in that area. If only one person reports
an incident on behalf of many this is logged as just one occurrence.
If there is a crime in progress please call 999
1

Source page 2

PCSO Allington agreed to supply posters to display at the allotment with police contact
details.
CTC to display posters advising CCTV in progress.
Allotment administration report -The following report was read out.
Occupancy is currently at 87%
Of the 181 plots only 23 vacant plots 18 full size & 5 half size
Since the meeting on the 13th February we have had 3 plots vacated and 5 new tenancy
agreements.
The Allotment Inspection took place on the 27th March.
There were 6 plot holders requiring a letter notifying them that the condition of their
plot/shed etc. was unacceptable.
25 plots have been marked to monitor and check again on the next inspection which is
due in May. Date/Time to follow.
The use of poly tunnels was brought up - Confirmation of max. size to follow
Can we put barb wire on top of fence? No
Could mesh be welded on to fence (top) so people couldn’t climb over? JB to look into.
There is still access into the site through hedges –which are the property of the
land owner.
Plot holders not closing/locking the gate once they leave is an issue. Members advised to
ensure they lock the gate as they leave.
Knowing who should and shouldn’t be there is a problem. Keep watch on who is about
and what they are doing.
Dog mess is becoming an issue – JB to look at possibility of Dog bin – CTC to put up sign
to please pick up/keep dogs on a lead
A reminder to please ensure you keep CTC updated with any change of details
Name/Address etc.
Next meeting due the 6th June (at 12pm) following the May inspection.
There being no further business the meeting finished at 6.50pm

2