We will having a bramble and hedge cutting day on the 17th Feb 24 @ 10;00am please come along and join us!
AGM November 2023 Minutes
DISS AND DISTRICT ALLOTMENT HOLDERS’ ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2023 AT 10AM Those attending: Committee: Stephanie Hoyle (SH), Anne-Marie McGinty (AM), Valeri Walsh (VW), Kevin Rush (KR), Simon Baker (SB), Lynette Seaman (LS) 1 Welcome: SH, Committee Chair welcomed those present, both old and new attendees. 2 Apologies: Gina Peliti, John Woodessee, Karen Versfield, Bernard Cohen, Karen Strandoo, James & Carol Walker 3 Speaker SH introduced the speaker; Rusty Summers, who spoke on Bee Keeping describing how the hives are made up and what duty each type of bee has; how they keep the hive clean and what predators they have. He asked everybody to look out for the Asian Hornet which eat the bees reducing their number. Any sightings should be reported to Rusty or a member of the committee. Lastly Rusty spoke about what we can do as plot holders to help the bee population as well as other pollinators touching on the subjects of ‘bug hotels’ as well as bat and bird boxes. 4 Review of last year’s minutes: KR gave a breakdown of the 2022 AGM minutes 5 Election of Committee: All current committee members were prepared to stand: Chair, Stephanie Hoyle; Treasurer, Gina Peliti; Membership Secretary, Anne-Marie McGinty; General Secretary, Valeri Walsh, Lynette Seaman, Kevin Rush and Simon Baker. SH stated that new committee members were always welcome. A Shop Keeper was particularly needed to stock-take and reorder as well as look after the shop during opening hours although this could be shared. SH proposed Kevin Rush as Deputy Chair. This was seconded by AM.
6 Chair Report: SH started by thanking the committee and volunteers for their help particularly Graham Butt for looking after the water supply and Brian Cooper & Ian Castleton for grass mowing. Thanks also to AM & VW for the recent plot inspection which occurs 4 times a year. Plot holders are asked to keep their plots clean and tidy to prevent receiving a letter terminating their contract. The weather this year seems to have resulted in lots of flowers on many plots which is always a welcome sight. Achievements over the year have included the installation of a toilet, to be found on the corner of the sheds at the far end of the site. Simon and Kevin worked together to install this welcome addition at a cost of just £2. The BBQ held during August Bank Holiday was well attended and is something we wish to repeat. Future plans include another toilet, a community plot upon which will be built raised beds so that those less able may continue to garden and the possibility of small sheds on plots that could have a water butt attached. This suggestion however needs the approval of the Council. 7 Treasurer’s Report: KR read the report on behalf of GP. If the rental for this year has been paid by BACs previous to 1 November, then receipts and membership cards are to be found in the Rain shed, if paid by cheque after 1st November they would not yet be processed. Plot holders were asked to complete forms to provide the data needed for insurance. Next year it may be necessary to increase the subs by £10 for a full plot, £7.50 for ¾, £5 for ½ and £2.50 for ¼ plot. This increase was given a unanimous vote by those present. The total funds incoming for the year = £2,709.02; outgoing = £2,238.00 leaving a profit of £472.19. The value of the shop stock = £1,677 with sales of £990. 8 Membership Report: There are 111 members at the moment with a waiting list of 18. New members will be allocated a quarter plot at first on a 3-month probation period. The last plot inspection showed most plots were kept in a good condition. When completing the new Tenancy Agreement both names to be included if two work on the plot. There is a lack of vacant sheds but if a plot holder wishes to be added to the waiting list, please contact AM.
9 AOB Hedges on the left-hand side of the site need trimming but this is the responsibility of the Council and they have been asked to do this as a priority. The problems with Muntjac caused a discussion with many different and varied suggestions on how to deter them. The need to increase plot security (fences), asking an expert, using pure soap or chilli water as deterrents were mentioned. A suggestion box will be put in the Rain Shed for this and any other suggestions plot holders may have. 10 Date of next meeting: To be confirmed The chair closed the meeting at 11am.