AC 2024 Agendas

Appendix 2 – 17.25 To receive reports from the Clerk.

Allotments Show 11 August 2024
The Allotments Show was attended by Cllr Andrew Bowell, who kindly presented the Parish Council Awards.  
The Winner of the Allotments Show Best Plot Award went to Plot 18, and they received an engraved trowel set.
Second place went to the tenant who works plots 12A & 12B and he received a £10 gift voucher.
Third place went to plots 60B, 61A and 61B collectively and they received a £5 gift voucher.
Best Newcomer went to plot 15B.

Plot return
A number of plots have been returned to the council in a poor state, and new tenants have been content to have the challenge of returning the plot to a useable condition.  One plot has had work completed on it, to bring it back to an acceptable standard for release.  The parish council are in communication with one tenant to return their overgrown plot to a basic state before the tenant terminates their contract at renewals.

Invasive Plants
A report was received of the invasive and harmful plant Giant Hogweed being found on a plot and on a separate occasion, there was a potential sighting of Japanese Knotweed.  Tenants were informed of the alerts and were sent links to GOV.UK website pages to investigate, manage and remove plants safely if found. 

Wasps
We have again had a report of a wasp’s nest being found on a plot.  If a wasp’s nest is found at the allotments and is causing no harm, then they are to be left to disperse naturally at the end of Summer.  If they are a nuisance, then if found on a plot, it is the plot holders’ responsibility to remove.  If found outside of a plot at the allotments site, tenants should report to the parish council, and the nest will be investigated and dealt with as required.

Chickens
We have had a further request for information regarding keeping chickens and information has been sent out to the tenant.  The previous tenant who initially asked about keeping chickens has advised that they will be looking to put this into practice this coming year.

Renewal Tenancy Agreements
Renewals were sent out to Tenants on Friday 16th August 2024.  Tenants have been advised that this is the last time a printed paper copy of the Tenancy Agreement will be sent to all, and instead updates will be sent via email.  Tenants were asked to check trees on their plots, add the plot numbers to both ends of their plots and to alert the parish council should they decide that they no longer wish to manage a plot, to prevent the poor conditions that we have just seen.

Trees
A request for tenants to review their trees went out with the Tenancy Agreements.  Councillors are planning to crack down on the number of trees planted that do not meet tenancy agreement conditions.  The Allotments Association are also advising the parish council with regards to this.

Appendix 3 - 18.25 To receive and discuss the reports from the Allotments Association and make any recommendations to Council.

1)The major event of the last 3 months was our Allotment show
The committee managed by Peter Bratt organised a very successful Allotment Show in August with over 60 people attending. 92 products were exhibited in 25 classes
Cups and vouchers were awarded for a) the most points and b) best in show for the adults and prizes and medals for the children’s under 6 years and over 6 years categories.
The committee appreciated the participation of the Parish Council including the awards for the best plot and 2nd and 3rd place runners up.
Full details will be provided in our September news letter

2) We provided a judge for the Rose and Sweet Pea vegetable and fruit competition
3) The committee finally held their Christmas celebration meal on Wednesday 21st August at Maharanis in  Deeping!!
4) Each month a newsletter is published  for all plot holders which includes events held or due to be held as well as useful information
5) The Club shop has been open every Sunday from 10.30 to 12.0 manned by a committee member. It will be closing on 1st October until early spring

6)  These are requests and comments made and discussed at our monthly committee meetings which include Cllr Christine Halls from the Parish Council. We know they have been noted but we want to include them in our report for reference
Whilst the support given by the Parish Council is appreciated there are still concerns that some plots are still being allowed to grow out of control. As we are not aware of some of the changes to plot holder tenants we hope that the more detailed rules published in the new tenant agreement will improve the situation although the need for regular site checks will needed to enforce these rules.
Plots that are giving cause for concern are 
7A cleared at great expense by the Parish Council but still not worked on with weeds now returning
Plots 1B,6B,16B 35B, 37A , 47B and 54A are giving cause for concern as they appear to be neglected
47A ,3 silver birches a willow and other trees growing plots 33B and 3B have non fruit trees growing
47B and 63B  new plot holders bur appear to be  neglected
We would like an update on what is happening about trees on plots which are not fruit trees. 

There is concern that the entrance to the Allotment site  and some areas of the car park are developing large pot holes which need professional repairs . The Committee are trying to improve the situation by adding rubble but this is still seen as a temporary solution
A request was made for the PC to  spray weed killer on the central strip of the roadways  , this needs to be done to prevent damage to the roadways 

The committee request the provision of a skip in November or December owing to the large intake of new tenants who are in the process of re organising their plots
We request that the perimeter hedge is again trimmed in the Autumn/New Year

Appendix 4 - 19.25 To receive a report on progress with reallocating Allotment plots, together with an update on current tenants.

As at 4th September 2024, we have 116 plots currently available for tenants:-
(Not including club house and Plot 32B).
8 plots are full sized.
108 plots are half sized.
10 tenants have two half sized plots
2 tenants share 3 half plots.
17 plots have been relinquished/reclaimed since last year’s renewals. 
28 plots taken by Market Deeping tenants.
86 plots taken by Deeping St James tenants.
1plot is taken by a Deeping Gate resident.
1 plot is taken by a Baston resident.

The waiting list status is currently at 37: -
2 people waiting from Deeping St James.
7 people have a plot and are asking for another.
28 people waiting from Market Deeping and surrounding areas.

Appendix 5 - 20.25 To receive a report of the budget position to date and expected outturn for the financial year 2024/25. 

Expenditure 2024/25

Income 2024/25