County Body and Regional Panel 3 for the National Allotment Society
Salford Federation
Patricroft Methodist Church, Eccles M30 7HJ
23rd October 2016
12.30pm
MINUTES
Attendance: Chairman Alan
Hull, Secretary Andrea Hallissey, Regional Rep John Irwin, Councillor Mr Lee
along with 32 assorted NW Federation and Association representatives
Chairman’s Welcome: Alan welcomed members and thanked Salford
Federation for hosting the Forum meeting. He introduced the panel and
apologised for the absence of the Vice Chair Andy Percival due to ill health
and the Treasurer Derek Copper who is recovering from major surgery. He then
informed the meeting that he would be once again out of action for a while as
he will be undergoing a heart bypass operation in the near future. The meeting
wished them all a speedy recovery.
Apologise: Noelle Ryder,
Colin Pilcher, Francis Beswick, Cath Holmes, Maggie Mackay, Andy Percival,
Derek Cooper, Steve Dennison, Jeff Hewitt and Bill Taylor.
Minutes of last meeting:
Apologise for not issuing the minutes earlier. Alan proceeded to read the
minutes to the meeting. Proposed and seconded by Barry William/Don Booth.
Secretary Report: Andrea
apologised for not attending the last meeting and reported things had been
quiet over the last few months with Alan out of action.
Item’s covered
included: The issue of nomination forms for the NWCAA AGM will go out with
the Dec Newsletter. Any articles and announcements for inclusion in the NWCAA
Newsletter to be received by the 24th of the month prior to the
event. Contact details on the change of Association committee members should be
directed to NAS as well as the NWCAA. Encouragement for associations and
Federations to contribute articles to the NAS Allotment magazine.
Treasures Report: Attached.
Dave Morris NAS Treasurer explained how the Regional grant from NAS operates.
As our finances are now sound the subject of small grants being made available
to members was discussed and welcomed by members.
Regional Rep’s Report:
John covered a wide range of topics.
Items covered included: The encouragement for committee’s
members to have deputies in place. The NAS new rules will be available before
the end of the year. NAS will be reviewing continuity between Regional and
Federation constitutions. NAS will be highlighting the issue of bullying and he
advised members to have systems in place to deal with such situations. Farm terrace
court battle discussed. BT working with NAS regarding old BT sites being
allocated for allotments.
Mentor Report: Alan
reported on Knowsley Council problems regarding the administration of their
sites. He appealed to members to supply any contact details they might have for
the department responsible for allotments in their area. He informed members
that this is a growing problem as these details are being lost to NAS with the
changeover of management systems within councils. Problems with Shield Insurance
charges. Both John and Alan recommended the publications “Voluntary but Not
Amateur” Ruth Heys and Jacki Reason and “The Law of Allotments. 5th
Edition” to members. He also expressed his concern at the lack of attendance to
county meetings by a number of NAS affiliated Federations, many of which he
personally had spent a lot of time helping to set up. These concerns have come
to light over the last twelve months with a growing number of enquiries from
member associations in these areas. Reports of limited or very little contact,
co-operation, encouragement to participate or information being circulated by
their local Federation.
Best Site Competition: Encouragement
by the panel for members to enter the 2017 competition. A preliminary poster
will go out with the November newsletter before the issue of the official
poster at NWCAA AGM in April.
Salford Federation Presentation: The chairman of the
Federation Don Booth proceeded to inform the meeting of the positive
relationship the Federation has forged with Salford Council. He appealed to the
members to get involved in the Federations “Dig for the Future” campaign. A
suggestion was put forward that those Federations affected by the Manchester Spacial
Framework should work together. He thanked the NWCAA for all the support for
the Federation over the last few years and as a thank you the Federation
presented Alan hull with a small token of their appreciation.
Councillor Lee also gave a short presentation on his support
for green space and allotments.
Area Reports: Reports were
presented by Trafford, Oldham, Bolton, Rosendale, Wirral and Eden Gardens. If
you wish a report to be filed please return the NWCAA secretary.
A.O.B: Andrea remarked that she
personally would like to thank Maggie Mackay for her courage in standing at the
previous meeting to air the issue of bullying.
Alan regretted the lack of attendance from area Federations.
The NWCAA has had no response or reports from a number of Federations over the
last 12 months. Reasons to be investigated
The panel encouraged members to help in the NAS membership
drive. Oldham and Trafford area to work with secretary.
The issue of NAS issuing receipts to
Associations/Federations for sub payments
A proposal was put to the meeting regarding possible problems
with the allocation of plots in the West Cheshire area. John Irwin will
investigate. No West Cheshire federation members attended. Proposed and second
by Bill Smethurst/Dave Morris
Plea to members to vote for Andy Percival in the NAS forth
coming election for the post of President.
NEXT Meeting: January
meeting to be held on the Wirral. Date, time and place to be notified.
The panel and members would like to thank the hosts, Salford
Federation for the excellent venue and lunch
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