Minutes of ABAS
Meeting held 12th 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 9th June 8pm Astley Bridge Cricket Club
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