AC June 2025 Agenda
Appendix 2 – Clerks Report June 2025
An email was sent to all tenants on 21 January 2025 requesting the removal of car tyres from site and where they can take them if they wish, the fee is to be paid by the tenant. The Tenancy Agreement will be changed to reflect tyre ban from October 25.
The Assistant Clerk contacted Bourne Town Council to arrange a meet between Cllr Bowell and the Bourne Allotments Councillor. Councillors Bowell, Halls and the Assistant Clerk met with Cllr Pattinson, the Clerk and Council Support Officer from Bourne Town Council at their allotments for a general chat about allotments and allotment management.
In January 2025’s Allotments Committee Meeting, it was considered to raise the administration fee from £30 to £50, to assist in covering the cost of plots that are left in a poor state; this was resolved in the January Full Council and the Tenancy Agreement has been changed to reflect this.
As considered in January’s agenda item 37.25, a speed limit sign has been ordered, received and installed on 29 January 2025.
The Assistant Clerk received anonymous correspondence on 10th February 2025 regarding chickens being kept on plots. The Parish Council is complying with the Allotments Act 1950, which states that are obliged to allow people to keep chickens, unless there is:
“(1)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any lease or tenancy or in any covenant, contract or undertaking relating to the use to be made of any land, it shall be lawful for the occupier of any land to keep, otherwise than by way of trade or business, hens or rabbits in any place on the land and to erect or place and maintain such buildings or structures on the land as reasonably necessary for that purpose:
Provided that nothing in this subsection shall authorise any hens or rabbits to be kept in such a place or in such a manner as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance or affect the operation of any enactment.”
In March faults were reported with water tanks 1, 2, 4 and 7, and the maintenance men have repaired them. Further reports of faults have been reported and the maintenance men are attending to resolve as they arise.
The Allotments Association Annual General Meeting was held on 25 March 25 and attended by Councillors Bowell, Fowler and Halls.
Plot 20B won rent for half plot in oct 25.
Deeping St James Parish Council were advised that the Allotments Association membership fee is due to raise from £5 to £6 from October 2025, due to an increase in NAS membership and the insurance premium.
Two Allotments Inspections have been held so far; the first was held on the 1st May 2025, where five first breach letters, one second breach letter and one notice to quit were sent.
The second Allotments Inspection was held on 29th May where one first breach and one second breach letter were sent.
Furthermore, a general email has been sent out asking for maintenance on fences and sheds, to prevent hazards. To keep an eye on the types of tree and hedges situated on plots and boundaries; noting the height of tree on the plot, with a view to managing after bird nesting season following the Tenancy Agreement and finally to raise wood and minimise any miscellaneous piles, to prevent providing homes for rats. As the Parish Council in particular, have received complaints about neighbouring plots with weeds and miscellaneous piles of things on certain plots hiding rats, we have asked tenants to review and manage these.
Tenants were reminded that as of October, tyres will no longer be accepted on site.
The Allotments Association are holding the 19th Allotments Show on Sunday 10th August 2025 at the Clubhut plot 32A and B.
Appendix 3 - Allotments Association Report June 2025
Since we last reported in January a number of events and occasions have been successfully organised by our Allotment Committee.
1) On March 23rd a ‘lend a hand’ day was organised where all plot holders were asked to help with site maintenance for which the Allotment Committee were responsible or wanted to help. Tea and coffee was provided and a good attendance was achieved. Tasks completed included were .Breaking up bricks and rubble which had been acquired during the year and used to repair the many pot holes on the car park and the roadways. A litter pick was undertaken removing unwanted rubbish mainly in the hedges. A tree on plot 32 was given a severe pruning following a complaint from plot 31 as it was casting a big shadow on the plot. The water system to the tanks was switched on and any leaking found was reported to the Parish Council.
2) On March 25th we held a successful and well attended AGM. Attendees were provided with wine, soft drinks and nibbles. The current committee was re- elected . One member attending won a year’s rental for half a plot in a draw where all plot holders who attended the meeting were eligible
3) A coffee and cake event was organised by the committee for all plot holders and families to encourage a get to know you event, especially new plot holders. The refreshments were provided free of charge by the committee with well over 60 people attending. Also at the event was a plants man from Spalding who displayed a very large selection of plants for plot holders to buy and many people made purchases.
4) The Parish Council have stated that all car tyres on plots are to be removed by the end of the year. The Committee thought if inappropriate that we were using tyres on plot 32 as planters . As a result, all tyres were removed from plot 32 and were given to a Peterborough school to use them also as planters. The transfer benefitted both the committee and the school and to show our appreciation that we didn’t have to pay a considerable sum for their disposal a donation was made by the committee to help the school buy plants to start their display.
5) The trade shop was opened in March with our well stocked shop selling key items at competitive prices
Our major concerns centre around rats which are being regularly spotted on site which is a big concern so early in the year especially after the devastation they caused before Christmas
We are still looking for funding to replace our badly dilapidated storage shed on the car park.