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MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2008
MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, GREAT WESTERN HOUSE, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT AT 6.15 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2008
Representing Newton Abbot Town Council
Councillor D. Howe (Chairman)
Councillor M. Hocking
Councillor K. Smith
Phil Rowe - Town Clerk
Councillor Mrs C Bunday attended.
Representing Newton Abbot & District Allotments Association
Mr Tim Callard (Chairman)
Basil Townsend (Secretary)
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Robert Leeper, Mrs Christine Callard and Mr Mike Lloyd.
2. NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 18TH JULY 2007
These were received with no matters arising.
1. DECOY ALLOTMENT – EXTENSION OF THE COUNTY WILDLIFE SITES – FORDE FIELDS AND WATER SUPPLY
The Chairman reported on a consultation document from Teignbridge District Council on the creation of new and extension of existing County Wildlife Sites (CWS) affecting Newton Abbot. In particular, the proposal to include the whole of the Decoy Allotments site into the Forde Fields County Wildlife Site.
The Clerk reported further on his discussions with Devon County Council regarding the creation of a second Great Crested Newt pond adjacent to the existing pond at Decoy Allotments. He explained that the County Council had concluded that the Town Council needed to be included as a joint signatory on the legal agreement. The Clerk was therefore awaiting receipt of the Agreement.
The Sub-Committee was concerned that the proposal to include the whole of the Decoy allotment site was unnecessary as only a small area, covering the south-east corner was required. There were concerns that the designation of the whole site would jeopardise the future management of the Allotments.
Further consideration was also given to the water supply issues affecting the Decoy site.
Action –
a. The Clerk to respond to Teignbridge District Council that the Town Council and the Allotments Association objected to the extension of the Forde Fields CWS designating the whole of the Decoy Allotments site and that the plan should be re-drawn to include that part of the south-east corner of the site containing the newt pond (and second proposed pond) and the area incorporating the bee-hives.
b. That the Allotments association arrange a further meeting with South West Water to seek its assistance in locating the water pipe at the Decoy field with a view to arranging for a stop-cock and metre within the Allotment site itself.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 6th February – Minute 389
The Clerk reported on the following:-
(a) The Town Clerk had written to Mr Gray of the Bradley Allotments sympathising with the vandalism experienced. A letter had also been written to the Police drawing their attention to the problems at Bradley;
(b) The Clerk had chased progress on the bramble clearance at Decoy and the provision of chippings at Coach Road sites. Mr Rew had agreed to contact Mr Callard. The Clerk would be contacting the County Council regarding chippings for Coach Road.
(c) The Allotments Association had been authorised to purchase further thorn bushes for the Decoy site from the Council’s budget.
5. ALLOTMENTS GENERAL – ISSUES RAISED BY TOWN COUNCIL ON FUTURE LETTING POLICY
The Chairman reported on the statutory responsibilities placed on the Town Council in relation to the provision of allotments. He reminded the Sub-Committee that the National Association recommended that eligibility to let an allotment and therefore to be placed on a waiting list required the applicant to be a resident of the town/parish and that the +applicants should be required to be on the appropriate Electoral Register. He also referred to an agreed ratio of numbers of allotments available in relation to the population of a parish area, as recommended by the District Council.
The Sub-Committee was also reminded of the District Council’s responsibilities and that it should have a designated Allotments Officer.
Action –
(a) That the Clerk contact Teignbridge District Council Allotments Officer to ascertain whether it held a database of allotment land and if it had details of the ratios of allotments per head of population;
(b) That the Allotments Association ensures that all those in its waiting list were on the appropriate Electoral Register for Newton Abbot.
6. ITEMS RAISED BY THE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION
The Secretary referred to the Honoraria paid to the Association’s officers and Field Wardens and enquired whether the Council would assist with these costs. It was explained that insurances and subscriptions were increasing in cost and that it would be necessary this year to increase the rents by £6 per full plot.
The Sub-Committee sympathised with the Association’s situation and accordingly invited it to make a case to the Council, giving full details of costs, time spent on allotments activities and the level of honoraria given etc.
Action –
That the Allotments Association put together full details all of the factors affecting its financial situation in relation to its honoraria and submit it to the Clark for reference to the Council.
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Chairman