Friday, 17 May 2019

MAY MINUTES


Minutes of the May meeting of abas, held at Astley Bridge Cricket Club on Tuesday 14th May 2019
There were 17 members present representing 11 sites
Apologies: Harpers Lane Allotments Society

Minutes of the April Meeting 
The Minutes having been posted on the Association Blog-site and there being no corrections anyone wished to make, points anyone wished to raise or other matters arising, the minutes were adopted as correct?

Matters Arising from the April Meeting  
A number of matters had been highlighted for the abas committee to take up with the Allotments Section
Road Planings – see Progress Meeting
Tonge Moor Rd. – Plots on satellite site. MR replied that the Council is happy for all plots to be treated as one site, if this is what the current committee agree. As far as the Council is concerned the whole site has statutory site status. There is currently an issue with one tenant on the satellite plots who has been burning trade waste. A Warning has been issued to this tenant.
Moss Lea – Building Control are aware of the issues but MR will pass on the Society’s concerns about the condition of the access road.
Naysmith St. – there are difficulties meeting the request for fencing materials due to problems with the budget. If it is an imminent H&S issue then Allotments can help. (It was clarified by the Naysmith St representative that the matter had been identified as an H&S issue on their monthly report.)
Sapling Rd. – see Progress Meeting
A general point - In the Council’s view many of the points raised by abas as matters arising following monthly meetings should be raised by individual societies directly with the Council through the Monthly Reports.

The general feeling of the meeting was that most points had already been raised through monthly Reports but were brought to the abas meeting in a bid to elicit a more timely response.

PROGRESS MEETING
A Progress Meeting between the abas committee (Messrs: Gibson, Golding, Chapman and Jackson) and the Council’s Allotments Section (Mr M Russell) was held on Tuesday 30th April.

Item 1- Bullying and Harassment on Sites
MR agreed to discuss with “legal” and elected members to clarify whether the existing clauses within the Standard Tenancy Agreement allow the Council to take action against any individual acts of bullying or harassment. 
MR did not feel that there could be any wholesale rewriting and re-issuing of Tenancy Agreements, nor that the elected members would support a wholesale (formal) adoption of the Draft NAS Policy on Bullying and Harassment.
MR stressed that any action against a tenant would require evidence to be provided (especially the need for witness statements). He did however stress the need for societies to keep Allotments informed when there was a feeling that such situations were likely to develop on a site.

It was agreed that ABAS would circulate copies of the NAS Bullying Notice and the Code of Conduct to all member societies for their consideration and possible inclusion into their rules. (This has been done.)
Item 2 - Allotment Budget 2019/20 and Allotment Expenditure 2018/19
The 2018/19 expenditure figures provided were provisional, final figures are not yet available.

The 2019/2020 budget is again a balanced budget – that is expenditure is set to equal the target / expected income from rentals. This means that effectively spending will increase by inflation i.e. 2%

There was discussion as to whether plot-holders would be willing to pay more to ensure an improved service. It was widely thought there would be little support for this. Many plot-holders seem content with / resigned to the current situation and there is also some distrust as to whether additional money paid into the Council would actually be spent in ways that plot-holders valued.
Income Figures
MR reported that income targets had not been achieved in 2108/19. There were four contributory factors:
1.       Number of vacant Plots
2.       Speed of Turnover
3.       Rent-free Probation Periods
4.       The number of tenants claiming the 60 years plus rebate

MR stated that his section are recalculating targets to take account of the rise in 4 (above)

It was agreed that a move to end the rebate would be very unpopular with abas members and MR reported that there is no political appetite for such a contentious move 

Referring to the 2018/19 expenditure it was noted that there had been a rebate from United Utilities relating to overcharges in 2017/8 resulting from leaks. It was also noted that new responsibilities such as those for Statutory Appliance and Water (Legionella) testing had added to costs.
Item 3 –Locks and Keys
It was agreed that (OMA) sites should adopt a system whereby the Society supplies tenants with keys rather than the Council. Societies should either take a deposit from the tenant on handing over the key or keys or should sell keys outright.

Where Societies need to know what model of lock they have Allotments should be able to help. Both abas and Allotments can suggest suppliers for replacement locks and keys.

 Item 4 – the Refresher Monitor
No new Refresher Monitor is currently available, work is in progress.

The current Borough Waiting List stands at 771 people. This excludes (so far as is possible) those buddies (who are essentially hoping to take over the plot they are “buddying” on), and those on probation.
Item 5 – Requests for Waiting Lists
Some sites had stated that they had received no waiting list updates since last summer.
MR sent out two emails at Christmas 2018. However some secretaries may not have received them due to their systems diverting the emails into “junk” / “spam” mail.
The two emails were:-
1.       Instructions on accessing EGRESS (in future ALL waiting list updates will only be available through EGRESS – Data Protection provision)
2.       A December 2018 Waiting List Update for the site (this update also gave vacant plots – which included those whose tenancies had been terminated for non-payment.)

It was agreed that abas would circulate members asking them to check if they had received these emails and if not to contact Allotments. (This has been done) At the meeting Moss Lea and Smedley Avenue reported that they had not received these emails. This information has subsequently been passed to the Council.
It was stated that in future Allotments intend to only issue two Waiting List updates per year. The next scheduled update will be June 2019.

Item 6 – Monthly Reports Replies
It was expected that replies to Monthly Reports would be going out on 30/04/2019.

Item 7 – Invoices to those who have not signed a Tenancy Agreement
MR said that this does happen, if Allotments feel too much time has dragged on between sending the draft tenancy agreement for signing and the need to send invoices.

It was argued that it can be held that by working the plot the tenant has implicitly accepted the Council’s terms and conditions (certainly if they have been doing this for a period (which would usually be post-probation)).
Item 8 – Probation

It was suggested that a suitable length for most probations was 2-3 months.
However, secretaries present felt that the period should reflect the time in the season that the plot-holder took on the plot. Longer periods where a plot-holder takes over in autumn / winter, shorter periods in Spring / Summer. Similarly it was argued that the condition of the plot was a factor. It was again stated that there is not an expectation that a new tenant will have fully worked the plot by the end of probation, merely they have demonstrated (to the satisfaction of the site committee) their commitment to working the plot.

MR reported that he feels probation has obviously worked, it has made it easier to weed out those who won’t make it, whilst some 2/3rds of probationers have gone on to take up tenancies.
Item 9 – Road Planings
There had been a communications breakdown about the road planings. The Manager responsible had gone on long term sick leave and his deputy had not been aware that the planings were earmarked for Allotments and had used them on other work. MR hopes to identify replacements.

Item 10 – Admin Points
As mobile phone cameras become more sophisticated the memory required to store the images sent in with Monthly Reports is expanding beyond Allotments’ equipment’s capacity. Could sites look to use low resolution photos or perhaps convert photos to pdf or even images embedded in Word Files?

MR said that at times opinions minuted at abas meetings had been seen as being over critical of his staff and this had caused some upset in the department. He asked that Allotments be taken off the circulation list for minutes and the minutes sent only to his personal email.

A discussion ensued.
The position of the meeting is that the minutes record what is said at the meetings, no more and no less.

As a secondary point, the Secretary doesn’t think Allotments are on any circulation list for minutes. He feels that actually there isn’t one, just that he sends out a note to site secretaries, saying when minutes are available on the blog-site. He will check that Allotments aren’t sent such a notice. All that goes to the Council is a list of key points which he sends to MR and which he may (he needs to check) copy to Allotments. He will, in future, not copy to the general allotment’s email address.
(as an exception copies of these May minutes have been circulated to all member societies, however no copy has been circulated to Bolton MBC)

Reporting on Progress on BoT Notices etc.
Stewart Draper (SXS) has been doing some work on forms for collecting data on BoT2s, BOt3s etc.
This work continues

Site Security
As previously reported the Secretary wrote (on 18th March 2019) to the Divisional Chief Inspector covering the Bolton Area (C I Michael Russell) asking if time could be found for a representative of GMP to meet with either our committee or (better still) to attend one of our open meetings.

Issues for discussion were:
a.       Problems getting through to the 101 line – recently Tonge Fold reported a better result using 101.we have also advised using LiveChat on the GMP website –
b.      What happens to incidents reported to GMP – e.g. shed break-ins? Both how are they recorded and what actions may or may not follow?
c.       Is there any active process of collating incidents so that particularly vulnerable sites get identified?
d.      What is GMP’s attitude to “allotment crime”? There is a concern that it is seen as petty vandalism but some incidents have cost plot-holders up to £2,000 in damage etc.
e.      What (in GMP’s opinion) are the responsibilities of; The Police, The Council (who after all own the sites), Site Societies and individual plot-holders and what action might each take.

Approximately a fortnight ago a telephone call was received by the Secretary from Beverley Anderson on behalf of the DCI. She said that we would be contacted by representatives of our Neighbourhood Policing Unit.
To date no such communication has been received

GM SPATIAL PLAN
The 8-week consultation period completed on 21st March.
The Final Plan will be issued following consideration of the consultation results

Bolton Allotment Competitions and Show
Abas will again run the Bolton Allotments Competitions

The Fairhurst, Greenhalgh and New Tenant Trophies plus the Rosebowl for “Best Site” – judging will take place w/c June 24th and w/c July 22nd – Entry Forms are now available – please note that contact details for entries should be taken. Can secretaries also ensure that any plot entered is clearly physically marked with its plot number at a point visible from the site road or path. Judges need to be able to identify plots.

As in previous years the prizes will be provided by J Mahers of Bolton. We are very grateful for their continued support.

On August 3rd, Abas will again organise the Annual Vegetable, Onion and Leek Show.
As in previous years Abas will be seeking individual / society sponsorship of the Vegetable Show Classes. There will be 25 classes at £10 per class.

Any society who would like a presentation about preparing items for the show please contact abas
The Show Classes are again:-
Class 1 Best Display of 4 Vegetables
One of each kind selected from a list provided [space allowed 60cm X 45cm with no overhang of produce]
Class 2 Three Carrots [any type with 5-8cm of tops]
Class 3 Three Parsnip [with 5-8cm of tops]
Class 4 Three Onions dressed from sets under 250gr
Class 5 Three Onions dressed from seed under 250gr
Class 6 Three Onions dressed from seed 250gr and over
Class 7 Three Onions dressed one under 250gr one 250gr to 450gr and one over 450gr
Class 8 Two Blanched Leeks with foliage and roots
Class 9 Two Pot Leeks with foliage and roots, not to exceed 6” [15cm] to tight button
Class 10 Ten Shallots dressed under 30mm
Class 11 Ten Shallots dressed 30mm and over
Class 12 Three Red Onions dressed
Class 13 Heaviest Onion as grown complete with foliage and roots
Class 14 Four Tomatoes with calyces attached
Class 15 One Cucumber [with stalk]
Class 16 French Beans 6 pods [with stalk]
Class 17 Runner Beans 6 pods [with stalk]
Class 18 Peas 6 pods [with stalk]
Class 19 One Marrow [with stalk]
Class 20 Four Potatoes White
Class 21 Four Potatoes Coloured
Class 22 Three Beetroot [with 5-8cm of tops]
Class 23 One Cabbage [with 8cm of stalk]
Class 24 One Cauliflower [with 8cm of stalk and trimmed to show curd]
Class 25 One of any other type of vegetable not mentioned above

Entries allowed are Class One only one entry per person
Classes 2 – 25 max of two entries per person per class

NAS and NWCAA

NWCAA have now issued the minutes of the meeting held at Crumpsall on February 10th
The next NWCAA meeting took place on Sunday May 5th - this meeting was attended by the Chair on behalf of abas

Report by the Chair
I attended the NWCAA AGM on the 5th May and the following points were noted
Venue Crumpsall and Cheetham Allotments
Some 19 people attended the meeting
  • John Irwin NWCAA Representative welcomed the attendees of the Meeting
  • There was no minutes of the previous AGM as the Management Committee had resigned following the 2018 AGM and no minutes had been issued
  • Following  persons were elected
           Chair John Gare
           Treasurer Mike Rogers
            NWCAA Representative John Irwin
            Secretary Liz Coupe
            Face Book Sharon Martindale
            Committee No volunteers

            Financial Status NWCAA currently have £4000 in their account
      
           The NWCAA Constitution has been reviewed and was accepted by those present

           Minutes of the Meeting will be issued in due course

         Date of next Meeting is Sunday 21st July  at Liverpool or on the Wirral 11:30 for
         12 noon

        NB   The Chair still has the impression there are problems with Members Contact Details
               and the NWCAA Data Base !!! 

From the NAS monthly Newsletter
Win! A garden security kit with Burg-Wächter! 


With Summer fast approaching the days are getting longer, brighter and warmer. This means that you can enjoy spending time in your garden or allotment. To ensure that you can spend the summer in sunny bliss make sure that you practise good safety habits to keep your tools and shed safe and secure. A simple combination of padlock and security cable or strong secure chain can prevent expensive garden tools from going missing and deter thieves from targeting your garden equipment.

To help kick start your security habits, Burg-Wächter is giving away 5 garden security kits, worth over £50 each, to help make sure your equipment stays in place. Each kit contains a steel ground anchor, a braided steel cable and a steel padlock.

Q. What metal is used in the ground anchor, cable and padlock?
A) Titanium
B) Steel
C) Vibranium

To be in with a chance of winning, email your answer to
burgwachter@clear-group.co.uk

There seemed to be a feeling at previous meetings that abas does not sufficiently promote membership of the NAS. We therefore asked NAS for suitable promotional materials for distribution to members. These materials are now to hand and copies were distributed at the meeting.

Members may have noted (from Allotment & Leisure Gardener) that Salford Council have just opened a new allotment site (Mossfield) and that Rochdale Council are investing £170,000 as part of their Capital Investment Programme to create 500 new allotment plots over the next 5 years. This was contrasted with Bolton MBC’s attitude and priorities, and a debate ensued at which points for and against Bolton MBC’s stance were put.

The Secretary pointed out that given the significant changes in the Council’s make up following the May 7th elections and the imminent appointment of a new abas secretary (see below), there could be a possibility that new personnel might lead to new ideas and perhaps a movement towards a policy more in line with the NAS initiative.

Secretary for Abas
As was circulated to members early this month, a mixture of family commitments and other issues meant that Dave Jackson had decided to step down from the role of Secretary of ABAS.

Dave explained that there were a number of reasons for his retirement, one being the need to provide support to his wife as she continues to receive cancer treatment. However a major factor was that he no longer intends to remain an allotment holder once his current crops are cleared. His plot was the subject of an arson attack at the end of last year in which his shed and one greenhouse were burnt to the ground, and the glass of two other greenhouses destroyed. About a fortnight later there was a further arson attack on his wife’s beehives nearby and all three were destroyed. Dave and his wife feel they do not have the time, money or indeed will to recreate what they had before (especially as they feel this would just provide another opportunity for the arsonist(s)) and have decided to quit the site.

Abas therefore need someone to take over this role initially for the period from May through to the AGM in November.
The duties involved (include)
·         Preparing the agenda for abas meetings (optional) preparing slides etc. for abas meetings
·         Preparing the minutes from abas meetings
·         Posting the minutes on the abas blogsite
·         Communicating relevant matters arising to the Council and others
·         Liaising with the Committee etc.
·         Maintaining the Members’ Contacts Data Base

Dave will assist in an orderly handover and the new post-holder can negotiate the exact parameters of the role with the Committee

Will anyone interested in taking on this role, please contact the abas email address – allotmentsbolton@yahoo.com as soon as possible?

WHAT’S ON IN 2019?
1st June 2019 – Florence Avenue – Flower Sale (12.00 – 4.00 p.m.) – This will be opened by Hilary Fairclough, the newly installed Mayor of Bolton

3rd August 2019 – ABAS – Annual Vegetable, Onion and Leek Show

NATIONAL ALLOTMENTS WEEK 2019 IS THE 12TH TO 18TH AUGUST

National Allotments Week 2019 – Press Release from the NAS
“From the 12 to 18 August we will be once again celebrating the many benefits of allotment life. This year the focus is on the “Shared Harvest”. Most plot-holders share their crops with family and friends, some people take baskets of spuds and green beans in to work for colleagues and others distribute food to care homes and food banks.

How many people will your plot benefit during National Allotments Week? We would like to take a snap- shot during the campaign week of how many people have benefited from allotment grown food. Please SIGN UP now to let us know by emailing
diane@nsalg.org.uk  we will send you a reminder email during the week for you to reply with numbers of lucky people who have dined on your produce.
  

As usual, the Society will also be supporting associations that open their gates for Open Days and Events with a striking poster and publicity.”

24th August 2019 – Moss Lea Open Day and Show

1st September 2019 – Harpers Lane – Open Day and Show

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was some discussion about “buddies’ rights”

It was reported that a buddy on a plot had asserted that as she had been doing the bulk of the work on that plot for 12 months, (a period during which the actual plot-holder had suffered a bereavement and a bout of ill-health) the plot should now become hers and the existing tenant should be forced to leave.
The understanding of the meeting was that the buddy acquires no such right.
Our understanding is that if a person has been a buddy for two years then (if the existing tenant agrees) the tenancy may be converted into a joint tenancy. There would also appear to be a tacit understanding that where an existing tenant has had a buddy for two or more years and the original tenant decides to quit then the buddy (provided he or she has served a suitable time on the waiting list) may request to the Council that the plot be made over to them and that such requests will be sympathetically received. The normal expectation is that such buddies would be high enough on the site waiting list to justify the offer of a tenancy.

MEETINGS SCHEDULE
The following meetings are planned
June 10th
July 8th
August 12th
September 9th
October 14th
NOVEMBER 11TH THE AGM

The minutes of all meetings are posted on the blog site as soon as possible after the event, we also post any other information we feel relevant to our members’ concerns

http://abas2014.blogspot.co.uk




Tuesday, 16 April 2019

April 2019 Minutes


Held at Astley Bridge Cricket Club, 8th April 2019

Present: 16 members representing 11 sites
Apologies: Carole Barlow (Sapling Rd.), Martyn Swain (Rawlyn Rd.)

Please remember our blogsite at http://abas2014.blogspot.co.uk AND our new email at allotmentsbolton@yahoo.com

THE ABAS VISION STATEMENT
Abas exists to achieve fair treatment for all plot-holders on allotments sites within the Bolton Borough boundaries. It seeks to achieve this through effective representation of plot-holders and societies to the Council and the provision of support to individuals and societies.

Minutes of the March Meeting 
The  Minutes having been posted on the Association Blog-site and there being no corrections anyone wished to make, or points anyone wished to raise or other matters arising, the meeting moved to adopt the minutes as correct.

Matters Arising 
The March meeting highlighted the following issues for the abas committee to take up with the Allotments Section
Road Planings – sites requiring road planings have been advised to contact Allotments restating their needs – so far only Florence Avenue has responded
Amended OMA for Moss Lea – this is still on MR’s ‘to do’ list
Florence Avenue – “winter works” – Allotments are not sure what these are – they will check with FA – FA are resubmitting their requests
Tonge Moor – Allotments will check current documentation issued to TM
Keys – situation is varied – Allotments would be happy to see the “deposit” scheme extended to all sites
Settle Street – Allotment’s understanding of events differs from the site society’s – we have forwarded Allotment’s reply to the society.

PROGRESS MEETINGS
Allotments have proposed that we hold a Progress Meeting in late April or early May
At this time Allotments should have the 18/19 out-turn figures and the 19/20 budget figures for discussion. Once again the costs of water usage will be critical (it’s about 30% of the Allotments budget)
The draft NAS Bullying Policy has been shared with Allotments, this should be discussed at the Progress Meeting

We will try to have the meeting in time for us to report at the May abas meeting

Reporting on Council Performance on BoT Notices
Stewart Draper (SXS) has been doing some work on forms for collecting data on BoT2s, BOt3s etc. Jo Robson (TMR) has volunteered to act as a guinea pig for the new system

Site Security
Following discussions at the March meeting the secretary wrote (on 18th March 2019) to the Divisional Chief Inspector covering the Bolton Area (C I Michael Russell) asking if time could be found for a representative of GMP to meet with either our committee or (better still) to attend one of our open meetings.

Suggested Issues for discussion were:
Problems getting through to the 101 line – we have advised LiveChat on the GMP website
What happens to incidents reported to GMP – e.g. shed break-ins? Both how are they recorded and what actions may or may not follow?
Is there any active process of collating incidents so that particularly vulnerable sites get identified?
What is GMP’s attitude to “allotment crime”? There is a concern that it is seen as petty vandalism but some incidents have cost plot-holders up to £2,000 in damage etc.
What (in GMP’s opinion) are the responsibilities of; The Police, The Council (who after all own the sites), Site Societies and individual plot-holders and what action might each take.

To date no response has been received

GM SPATIAL PLAN
The 8-week consultation period completed on 21st March.
The Final Plan will be issued following consideration of the consultation results

Abas membership
The following sites given are in membership
They have 413 members out of 668 plots on their sites, there are 961 plots in Bolton on all sites

Rawlyn Rd
Tonge Moor Rd
Haslam Park
Moss Lea
Settle St
Naysmith St
Sapling Road
Smedley Avenue
Harpers Lane
Shepherd Cross St
Tonge Fold
Green Lane (Horwich)
Dealey Rd
Florence Avenue
Clammerclough

There are individual members at
Firwood Rd.

Ainsdale Rd and Lever Park Avenue have not renewed membership to date, Lever Park are recorded as having paid NAS subs.

Bolton Allotment Competitions and Show
Abas will again run the Bolton Allotments Competitions; The Fairhurst, Greenhalgh and New Tenant Trophies plus the Rosebowl for “Best Site” – judging will take place w/c June 24th and w/c July 22nd – Entry Forms are now available – please note that contact details for entries should be taken

On August 3rd, Abas will again organise the Annual Vegetable, Onion and Leek Show.

As in previous years Abas will be seeking individual / society sponsorship of the Vegetable Show Classes. There will be 25 classes at £10 per class.

Any society who would like a presentation about preparing items for the show please contact abas

Show Classes
Class 1 Best Display of 4 Vegetables
One of each kind selected from a list provided [space allowed 60cm X 45cm with no overhang of produce]
Class 2 Three Carrots [any type with 5-8cm of tops]
Class 3 Three Parsnip [with 5-8cm of tops]
Class 4 Three Onions dressed from sets under 250gr
Class 5 Three Onions dressed from seed under 250gr
Class 6 Three Onions dressed from seed 250gr and over
Class 7 Three Onions dressed one under 250gr one 250gr to 450gr and one over 450gr
Class 8 Two Blanched Leeks with foliage and roots
Class 9 Two Pot Leeks with foliage and roots, not to exceed 6” [15cm] to tight button
Class 10 Ten Shallots dressed under 30mm
Class 11 Ten Shallots dressed 30mm and over
Class 12 Three Red Onions dressed
Class 13 Heaviest Onion as grown complete with foliage and roots
Class 14 Four Tomatoes with calyces attached
Class 15 One Cucumber [with stalk]
Class 16 French Beans 6 pods [with stalk]
Class 17 Runner Beans 6 pods [with stalk]
Class 18 Peas 6 pods [with stalk]
Class 19 One Marrow [with stalk]
Class 20 Four Potatoes White
Class 21 Four Potatoes Coloured
Class 22 Three Beetroot [with 5-8cm of tops]
Class 23 One Cabbage [with 8cm of stalk]
Class 24 One Cauliflower [with 8cm of stalk and trimmed to show curd]
Class 25 One of any other type of vegetable not mentioned above

Entries allowed are Class One only one entry per person
Classes 2 – 25 max of two entries per person per class

NAS and NWCAA
NWCAA have to date issued no minutes of the meeting held at Crumpsall on February 10th despite repeated requests for the abas chair. The next NWCAA meeting has been scheduled for 28th April in either the Wirral or Liverpool – a calling notice for this meeting was received on 09/04/2019

There seemed to be a feeling that abas does not sufficiently promote membership of the NAS. We therefore asked NAS for suitable promotional materials for distribution to members. These materials have subsequently been received by the Secretary.

Grants and Training
Information is available in the CVS Funding Bulletin – copies through www.boltoncvs.org.uk
Abas urge all member societies to become CVS members

CVS have issued details of their training and events programme – see www.boltoncvs.org.uk

WHAT’S ON IN 2019?

5th May 2019 – Harpers Lane – Spring Event
1st June 2019 – Florence Avenue – Flower Sale (12.00 – 4.00 p.m.)
3rd August 2019 – ABAS – Annual Vegetable, Onion and Leek Show
NATIONAL ALLOTMENTS WEEK 2019 IS THE 12TH TO 18TH AUGUST
1st September 2019 – Harpers Lane – Open Day and Show

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The following issues were raised:-
Tonge Moor Rd. – this site is effectively split into two parts by some houses
The main site (which is site managed by Tonge Moor Allotment Society) and a smaller block
The smaller block has plots numbered in the 50s and 60s.
It has previously been stated that this smaller block is not within the management remit of TMAS.
However, one of the tenants in that block has approached the TMAS Committee asking that those plots be considered as part of the whole site and that TMAS should site manage them as with the other plots on the main site.
There is concern that a number of these plots are not being adequately cultivated and the tenant fears that they may be ripe for development.
TMR is a Statutory Site, are these plots considered as being within the site’s protection area?
We have asked for the Council’s view on the request and the current position.

Tonge Moor Rd. – are still having problems with the former tenant who has retained a key to the site. The situation is now further complicated in that an existing tenant appears to have invited this person back onto the site so he can help with watering when the existing tenant goes on holiday. The Council have been informed as to this situation.

Moss Lea – Some housing is being built adjacent to the Moss Lea access road. The activities of the builders have created problems of access and affected the condition of the road. We have requested that Building Regs (or another Council Department) ensure that the builders reinstate the road to at least its former condition.

Moss Lea – Moss Lea feel that there are discrepancies between Council records on who has what plot etc. and the situation on the ground. Moss Lea feel this may be a more general problem. Moss Lea would like to propose that there should be regular (say half-yearly) exercises between Allotments and Societies to cross check records. Moss Lea believe that information as to who has paid their rent should form part of this.
It also appears that “people” are receiving (and presumably paying) rent invoices without signing and returning a Tenancy Agreement –we have asked for Allotments view in this. 

Naysmith St (Horwich) – Naysmith St, asked if the “self-help” scheme is still operating and if so could the Council supply the Society with a short length of chestnut paling fencing material (maybe 10-20 feet) to make repairs. An email has been sent to the Council.

Further to this Abas is considering setting up some kind of “wants and offers” scheme so that Societies can “swop” surplus materials. This has been launched on the blogsite.

Sapling Rd. – is the Council still supplying locks and keys to Societies?

Haslam Parkwhen is the water being turned on on sites?



The minutes of all meetings are posted on the blog site as soon as possible after the event, we also post any other information we feel relevant to our members’ concerns

http://abas2014.blogspot.co.uk

MEETINGS SCHEDULE

The following meetings are planned

May 14th TUESDAY
June 10th
July 8th
August 12th
September 9th
October 14th
NOVEMBER 11TH THE AGM




Saturday, 13 April 2019

Chestnut Palings

Does anyone out there have a surplus short length of chestnut paling fencing.

Naysmyth Street Allotments have a need for a short piece to complete repairs -

If you have any please contact - Ken Whowell at muttguru@aol.com


Friday, 15 March 2019

Friday, 15 March 2019


MINUTES OF MARCH 2019 MEETING


MINUTES OF THE ABAS MEETING HELD ON 11TH MARCH 2019.

19 members attended representing 10 allotment sites

Apologies were received on behalf of Rawlyn Road and Harpers Lane Societies.

Minutes of the October Meeting and the AGM
The  Minutes having been posted on the Association Blog-site and their being no corrections anyone wished to make, or any points anyone wished to raise, or other matters arising, the meeting moved to adopt the minutes as correct.

Matters Arising 
NAS draft document relating to “Code of Conduct” and “Bullying” –see later
NAS still expressing concern about the small number of abas members who are also current members of NAS – see later
NWCAA – report back on recent regional meeting – see later
Monitoring Council performance on BoTs etc. – update
Abas / Council projects – see later
Police Issues and Site Security – see later

Water Usage – at present Allotments can still deliver the road  planings etc. promised. Will those secretaries who asked for them please contact allotments band reconfirm that they still want planings, what they want them for, in what quantity and where they would like them tipped/

Reporting on Council Performance on BoT Notices
Stewart Draper (SXS) has been doing some work on a computer-based system for collecting data on BoT2s, BOt3s etc. Unfortunately, due to a number of circumstances the Committee has not been able to respond properly to his work. We hope to do so in the near future

However Stewart is currently preparing a version for launch. He would like some volunteers to test it out before it goes live. Could any site secretaries prepared to be a guinea pig please contact us and we’ll put you in touch with Stewart.

Projects with the Council
The Handover Pack

Abas had agreed with MR that we would try to develop (for the start of the 2019 “season” a checklist for retiring / succeeding secretaries and treasurers as to what (minimum) information should be handed over when one succeeds the other. Unfortunately, for reasons previously stated we have been unable to achieve this during the winter break. We are reviewing the situation, current plans are for a simple checklist. . Could any site secretaries prepared to help by reading this list please contact us.

Bullying Policy
Abas has acquired the draft Bullying Policy prepared by the NAS. We shall be sharing this with the Council once we have had chance to study it.

GM SPATIAL PLAN
This plan is now out for consultation.

In related matters it would appear that whereas Salford are taking a positive approach to allotment provision Bolton are taking a negative line and blocking anything that threatens to create work or expenditure for the authority “down the line”.

We may also wish to consider the success of the approach taken by the Bowling Clubs in reducing the proposed cuts to their services and what lessons this might hold for us.

THE ABAS VISION STATEMENT
Abas exists to achieve fair treatment for all plot-holders on allotments sites within the Bolton Borough boundaries. It seeks to achieve this through effective representation of plot-holders and societies to the Council and the provision of support to individuals and societies.

ABAS MEMBERSHIP
The sites listed below are in membership. We have 413 members out of 668 plots on their sites
There are 961 plots in Bolton on all sites

Rawlyn Rd, Tonge Moor Rd, Haslam Park, Moss Lea, Settle St, Naysmith St, Sapling Road, Smedley Avenue, Harpers Lane, Shepherd Cross St, Tonge Fold, Green Lane (Horwich), Dealey Rd, Florence Avenue, Clammerclough.

There are individual members at Firwood Rd.

Ainsdale Rd and Lever Park Avenue have not renewed membership to date, Lever Park are recorded as having paid NAS subs. Underlined Sites in are NAS members

Matters raised by Member Societies

Site Security remains a problem – following recent incidents of arson, thefts and vandalism, issues include:

What is the Police’s responsibility? – Discussion included the issue of the 101 phone number (and the lack of a timely response to calls to that number).  The meeting noted current recommendations to use LiveChat on www.gmp.police.uk.

What is the Council’s responsibility? To what extent does the Council have a responsibility to maintain boundary fences and gates to a suitable standard?

What is the Society’s responsibility? As relates to ensuring gates are kept locked and issuing advice to plot-holders.

What is the individual plot-holder’s responsibility? Current advice to all plot-holders is not to keep tools or anything of value in the shed / greenhouse or on the plot. “Take it home” sums up the advice.

Individuals should also check their household insurance policies, in some cases contents of an allotment shed may be included

What can we (as an allotment community) do? Abas will invite GMP to send a representative to an abas meeting to discuss issues such as the police response to break-ins and arson attacks and to explain exactly what (if anything) happens to the reports of such incidents when reported to police – are details collated in any way?

Progress Meetings with Allotments

During 2018 we held a two Progress Meetings with the Head of Neighbourhood Services.

We maintained regular contact by email

We would aim to have more frequent meetings in 2019 and also that the “Refresher Monitor” be updated and circulated more frequently. This will (as always) depend on Council “resource availability”

It was also felt that it would be useful to hold a Progress Meeting once details of the 2019/2020 Allotments Budget and details of 2018/2019 expenditure are available.

Bolton Allotment Competitions and Show

Abas will again run the Bolton Allotments Competitions
The Fairhurst, Greenhalgh and New Tenant Trophies plus the Rosebowl for “Best Site”.
Volunteers are invited to join the judging panel for these events. This involves being part of a team which visits each site and assesses those plots entered into the competition.

On August 3rd, Abas will again organise the Annual Vegetable, Onion and Leek Show.
As in previous years Abas will be seeking individual / society sponsorship of the Vegetable Show Classes. There will be 25 classes at £10 per class.

We will aim to distribute A4 posters relating to these events for use on sites

NAS and NWCAA
There was an NWCAA meeting on Sunday 19th February at Cheetham and Crumpsall Model Allotments at which abas was represented

It was attended by Liz Bunting – the current Legal and Operations Manager of the NAS – she spoke on a) The LANTRA training development and b) the NAS Code of Conduct

We were again approached by NAS officials (Dave Morris) about the small number of Societies in ABAS who were registering members with NAS and the small number of members quoted by those who did.  The Chair again reminded Mr Morris and also Alan Hull (who also attended) that
a) a society does not have to be affiliated to the NAS (and thus register its members with the NAS and pay membership fees)to be part of abas

b) not every plot-holder on a site is a member of their site society (or is required to be as a condition of tenancy)

c)  that the vast majority of the sites they have referred to are very small and have no society and little (if any) contact with abas or its member societies 

There seemed to be a feeling that abas does not sufficiently promote membership of the NAS. The Chair has pointed out that we have promoted the Seed Discount Schemes, we have supported NWCAA participation at the Southport Show and facilitated a discussion of the NAS Insurance Scheme.
We shall however ask NAS for suitable promotional materials for distribution to members

Please note our Mission Statement which stresses that abas exists primarily to represent the societies in their dealings with Bolton Council.

GRANTS AND TRAINING

CVS has alerted members to the existence of grants from the Provincial Walsh Trust, Bolton – details on www.pwtb.org deadlines are March 31st and September 30th.
Other information is available in the CVS Funding Bulletin – copies through www.boltoncvs.org.uk

Abas urge all member societies to become CVS members
CVS have issued details of their training and events programme – see www.boltoncvs.org.uk

PS Abas has received a grant of £827 as a contribution to 2019 expenses

WHAT’S ON IN 2019?
As in previous years please let us know what events, projects you are organising.
Perhaps it would be useful for Site Societies to know that
NATIONAL ALLOTMENTS WEEK 2019 IS THE 12TH TO 18TH AUGUST

OUTSTANDING ISSUES / ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The following matters were raised at the meeting

Those sites who had requested road planings last autumn, have been asked to contact Allotments to confirm that they still want / need them, the quantity they are asking for, the purpose to which they will be put and where they would like them tipped.

Moss Lea reported that a revised OMA reflecting their specific circumstances (which was promised in the autumn) has not been provided by Allotments.

Florence Avenue reported that “winter works” i.e. work on their site which they felt they had been promised would be undertaken during the winter break has not been done.

Tonge Moor raised the matter that a new version of the Tenancy Amendment form which they had expected over the winter had not been issued.

Settle Street reported on a recent incident in which a BoT3 had been served and the person “evicted”. Allotments had then advised Settle St that the plot could be re-let. Settle Street did this. The evicted person then came on to the site, abused the new tenant and stated that the plot was hers. She also stated that she had paid her rent. Allotments then stated that telling Settle Street to re-let the plot had been an error and that Settle St should reinstate the evicted tenant. (And remove the plot from a new tenant who had been making a go of it.) Settle Street’s Committee feel they have been considerably embarrassed whilst they have done nothing wrong.

There have been incidents such as the above previously, it makes site secretaries and societies look bad in the eyes of their plot-holders and gives ammunition to those on sites who take every opportunity to attack site officers.

The Question of KEYS …. It would appear that too many people with little or no connection to sites have keys.
The current understanding is that the Council no longer issues each new tenant with a site key free of charge but that the site society should provide a key. Societies should look into operating “deposit” (as opposed to “sale”) schemes. The key is in effect loaned to the tenant who pays an agreed deposit refundable when the tenant returns the key on giving up the tenancy.

Some site societies also request that tenants surrender any copy keys they have had made during their tenancy and we would encourage this practice.

Abas is a bit short-handed at the moment, Both the Secretary and the Treasurer have family responsibilities which are reducing their ability to commit as much time as usual to abas matters. Members may therefore experience some delays in getting replies. We would ask that if you have to telephone the Secretary you try to do so on Thursdays. However email would be preferred

MINUTES
The minutes of all meetings are posted on the blog site as soon as possible after the event, we also post any other information we feel relevant to our members’ concerns
http://abas2014.blogspot.co.uk

MEETINGS SCHEDULE
The following meetings are planned
April 8th
May 14th TUESDAY
June 10th
July 8th
August 12th
September 9th
October 14th
NOVEMBER 11TH THE AGM