MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
ELM ROAD ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION.
HELD JUNE THE 8TH July 2023 AT ELM ROAD ALLOTEMNT’S SITE.
16 members attended
Chair opened meeting
Minutes of last AGM approved
Election results of Officers announced following nominations and seconds received the five officer posts were announced they are Jim McSherry Chair, Alex Pavlovic, Vice Chair, Lyn Edwards, Secretary and Letting Officer, Pat Carver, Treasurer.
Committee members confirmed for 2023/24
K T O’Malley, Sherry Cheng, Sarah Harris, Iain Watton and Ben Carswell.
Treasurer submitted her report for 2023-2024
The chair submitted his report to meeting:
Advised difficult year for growing and provided issues plot holders had to deal with such as wet spring and dry summer to-date.
That the site had organised 2 successful bonfires, and the success was in most part due to lots of member co-operation. Which included members transporting materials to fire for those who were unable to undertake such tasks, were working or on holiday.
The information was relayed to meeting that the rents would increase by the very small amount of 5 pence per metre, and water charge would increase by 50 pence, in anticipation of water charges going up this year.
Meeting advised that the central corral project was completed and proving to be a great success. That the grant of £6,000.00 from the local authority would be paid to the Association now that the works were completed.
Attendees informed that negotiations were still ongoing with Kingston Council with respect to the renewal of the lease.
Chair informed meeting that the waiting list substantially increased during the pandemic. This was because people were looking for somewhere to go and something to do during lockdown. The list has now reduced, as many applicants during the pandemic were not seriously interested in working a plot. That the list is still lengthy and continuously growing.
Due to the benefits of the hut on the site, run by the Malden and Coombe Horticultural Society, at weekends, and the added benefit of the chair of Elm Road Association, willing to obtain items from the hut for plot holder on weekdays. Given the convenient onsite service Elm Road Allotments Association received. A donation would be to the mentioned horticultural society.
It has been established by very experienced plot holders that at least some of the thefts of strawberries were likely to be by mice and other rodents. Strawberries have been found piled up on some plots and in greenhouses. Losses from rodents and other wildlife can be significantly reduced when fruits are netted. Netting also complicates, slows down, and increases the risk of being caught to any potential human wishes to steal. It was also emphasised the importance of members not providing access at the gates to anyone they did not recognise.
Wood chip deliveries are organised by Pat, Lyn organises the manure deliveries. Wood chip deliveries had some problems over the last 12 months with contractors of loading unwanted logs. Due to Pats intervention this problem has now been resolved.
Chair advised that the drop box system, had stopped as a result o security issues. This can be looked at again.
Meeting advised that this year there were a few new plot holders, who had taken on very poor plots or were totally new to gardening and had transformed their plot would receive a voucher to spend in the hut. Also, a child won a pumpkin competition last year to receive a small waterstones voucher.
Iain on the committee, constructed with his son, and set up the allotments library project where folks can take and swap books. Proving to be very successful.
Group informed two young people had worked on plots as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Chair advised of committee plan for 23/24 to periodically clear weeds at rear of central corral.
Price also to be obtained to remove an historic very large mound of soil and other materials form the edge of a plot, so land can be brought into use.
Working parties to level some of the uneven paths.
That a lot of the yellow plot identification signs needed repainting, and members were asked to advise if the sign on their plot had faded.
Vice Chair spoke about the importance of conserving and harvesting water. Also, the importance of ensuring hoses and tap connections did not have any leaks.
There were no advance questions submitted to the meeting.
Close of meeting