5-year plan

Under proposed OMA arrangements sites are invited to submit a 5-year forward plan.

So far we think that the following elements could usefully be included:-

PROJECT LIST - a list of the site management and improvements projects (such as installing composting toilets) that the Society would hope to undertake with some kind of timeline. It would be useful to indicate where such projects would be the subject of grant applications and to indicate where support from the Council in the forms of letters of understanding, building leases. etc. would be needed.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - particularly annual and seasonal events - whether fundraising or other - it would be especially relevant to state if the monies from these events are intended to fund the projects referred to earlier  .

COMMUNITY OUTREACH - any initiatives that the Society might hope to innovate with other community groups e.g. having a café in the Amenities Hut once a week, linking surplus produce to Food Banks and / or projects like the recent Diggers' Kitchen initiative, or working with local schools.

Any ideas about formats and content would be gratefully received at ABAS (boltonallotments2014@yahoo.co.uk) and we'll do our best to circulate them.

Answer to Query

We have been asked to clarify the position relating to a Society which has signed an OMA with the Council when carrying out the functions specified in that OMA.

The OMA covers the SITE

The Society is acting as an agent of the Council when

• Issuing a stage 1 notice of Breach of Tenancy
• Providing evidence to the Council at Stage2 - which leads to the Council issuing a warning notice
• Providing evidence to the Council at Stage 3 - which leads to the Council issuing a notice to quit to the tenant

The Society is acting as an agent to the Council when it reviews

• Requests to erect a structure on a plot (the Site Secretary has historically always had a role as the first stage of this process) 
• Requests to keep poultry on a plot

In dealing with these requests the Society applies strict criteria laid down by the Council in the OMA conditions.

It is only where the applicant and the Society disagree over an application that the Council becomes involved as the final arbiter

The Society performs these functions with regard to ALL plot-holders on the site not just those who are members of the Society.

All plot-holders remain tenants of the Council and their rights of appeal to the Council are unchanged

We have also been asked to confirm with the Council the position in relation to tenants who are abusive, threatening or violent towards either Society officers or other tenants.

The Council has confirmed that it would regard such behaviour as a breach of tenancy and where the Society can provide adequate evidence it will take action under the Breach of Tenancy system.

MINUTES OF 12.05.2014

Minutes of ABAS Meeting held 12^th May 2014

 Some 35 people from 9 allotment sites in Bolton registered their attendance at the ABAS meeting.

 The meeting began with a series of presentations highlighting the present situation on the following

Information on Waiting Lists

There are currently around 300 people on the Council’s waiting list.

Where Societies have shown an interest in OMA, then waiting lists will not be issued to Site societies until OMA agreements are in place.

On site where there is no interest in OMA then the council is proceeding to release plots to those on the Waiting List based on centrally held data.. Some 70-75 vacancies have been identified, 10 offers have been made to date and a further 40 are anticipated in the next 10-14 days.

Allotment Competitions

Competition Forms have been issued to the respective Site Societies (and have also been available through boltonallotments2014@yahoo.co.uk The Closing date for entries is the 16^th May

We are still seeking sponsorship / support for the Allotments Competitions – the following were suggested: Warburtons (Jill Kippax), and the COOP Bromley Cross

 OMA Present Status

 Presently some 10 sites have registered with the Council indicating that they are interested in operating the OMA on their sites.

 Council is now progressing discussions and agreements with these individual Societies

 If all these sites sign up they will comprise approximately 590 plots of the 800 plots on eligible sites in Bolton.

 Following their meeting with the Council earlier in the day the ABAS Committee advised that the central core of the OMA is the admin and tenant management tasks – this is what the Council want societies to do. The range of minor maintenance tasks listed in most OMAs is not central to their concerns. Basically if a society doesn’t do them then it will simply have to live with the consequences e.g. uncut grass. Similarly issues around community plots are unlikely to be a deal breaker .A variety of models and approaches are likely to be acceptable.

 Discussions from the Floor regarding OMA

 The cost of Weed killing agents will be met by the individual society.

One site reported that it has Asbestos sheeting on the plots. ABAS advised that this is a H&S issue and removal should be undertaken  by the Council

 Fires are allowed on sites provided that this is in accordance with the tenancy agreement and that fires do not offence to neighbours and no obnoxious materials are burnt

 The ABAS Committee advised that wherever possible fires should be restricted to certain parts of sites and to certain pre-arranged dates.

 Summary

It was the opinion of the ABAS Committee (and the meeting in general) that plot-holders need to realise that the Council will not / is not able to devote the level of resources to allotment management that it did in previous times. We will have to do much more for ourselves if we want things done.

 Leeds Federation

 The Leeds Federation’s former agreement with the Council had been seen as something that ABAS might aim for. However there are now problems as the Council seeks to gain more revenue which the Federation is resisting.

The Federation is taking legal action.

 Grant Applications

 ABAS still needs funding to cover running and administrative cost. The Assistant Secreatry is preparing a bid to the CVS.

 Motion / Proposals None

 General Comments from the meeting attendees’

 Tonge Fold

The site representive mentioned that they had been waiting for 2 and half years for planning approval for a meeting hut to be approved by the Council.

 Bee keeping on allotments,

Interested parties were introduced and are discussing the feasibility and methods of Bee Keeping

 Mobility Access to Individual Allotment Sites

This point is noted, as many sites are not suitable for mobility scooters.

Further Note: ABAS representatives followed up this point at a CVS meeting and are investigating sources of funding to improve access.

 

Date of Next Meeting is Monday 9^th June 8pm Astley Bridge Cricket Club

 

 

 

 

PLANT SALES

PLANT SALES

Florence Avenue Allotments Site - May 18th

Transition Town - Southfields Pub - Green Lane Bolton - 7th June 2014 11 - 2.00 p.m.