Comments of Tony Heeson - Chair of the NAS' management Committee

Those of you who receive copies of “Allotment and Leisure Gardener” the National’s quarterly magazine may have seen the Chairman’s Comments section in issue 2 2016 (page 5). There were certain elements in that piece that seem to have relevance to the situation here in Bolton.

We reproduce it below, with some of our comments in italics, the National’s Management Committee Chairman – Tony Heeson wrote:-

“Unfortunately, we are still hearing of local authorities that are attempting to make their allotment ‘Service’ cost neutral. This is essentially the case in Bolton with its ‘balanced budget’ which equates spending to the amount brought in in rents. Bolton would argue that the balance is only on ‘direct costs’ and that the (unquantified) costs of administrative and clerical time represent a subsidy. Certain of our members have disputed this, perhaps there is a case for a Freedom of Information Request to gain more information?

The usual way is to hike the rents up by ridiculous amounts (this is not the case in Bolton where rent increases have been kept in line with inflation. The National’s recent Survey suggest that Bolton’s rents are on the cusp between the top of the lower block of 59% (£20-£50 p.a.) and the bottom of the second lowest block of 16% (£50-£80 p.a.) ) or encourage sites to become self-managed or under devolved management (OMAs may loosely fit under devolved management) depending on the politics or fashion of the moment; all attempts to reduce the costs to the LA. Personally I am a big believer in self-management, but I have been around long enough to know that it is not a panacea and is not suitable for all occasions and situations.

We are now hearing of local authorities that are looking to commercial companies, although if the authority cannot run it at a small costs to the ratepayers, I don’t see how a commercial enterprise that by its very nature, has to make a profit, can hope to provide such a service. Others have reportedly asked voluntary organisations such as community groups to undertake the work. Have they the ability and can volunteers provide the amount of effort to run a number of sites that could encompass hundreds of plots, or do they think it will be easy and that profits they make from the rents will enrich their coffers? Are they aware of statutory and temporary sites? Do they know of the many acts concerning allotments and where are they going to get such advice when it is needed? Are they in fact capable of the day-to-day management of such an enterprise? Self-management by allotment federations (for example) has been seen to work successfully, (in Bolton this would mean abas) but others including voluntary groups have failed. Are the local authorities aware that as Landlord Paramount they cannot absolve their responsibilities along with the lease? If the new landlord fails or other such problems occur then the LA still has to pick up the pieces. They should do, as has already happened, and it could be at a very high cost.

We have had assurances from the Council that ‘the Allotment Service’ is not on any current agenda for major restructuring, the basic argument seems to be that costs have been cut to the bone and the likely return to the Council from further action would have negligible effect. This is in a way reassuring but it has meant that (for example) the idea of taking allotment site self-management to the Bolton Innovation Fund was deemed a non-starter (no savings to the Council to be demonstrated). In the past there have been unsubstantiated rumours about transfer to Bolton-at-Home or the Lancashire Wildlife Trust but that is all it has been, rumours.

The Abas Committee’s views on self-management echo the National Chair’s, in principle we find it attractive, in practice the problems loom very large, and we are currently supporting the Council’s middle way (OMAs).

The Chair of the National’s Management Committee’s piece raises a number of points and a number of fears (without it must be said proposing any solutions or ways forward). How do members feel about what’s being said? Let us know.

Notes from the meeting 09.05.2016

Meeting was attended by some 13 people from 7 Allotment Sites.

Apologies Dave Jackson (illness) , Terry Farrell (annual holiday)

Talk

We welcomed our Guest Speaker Mr John Woods FNVS who gave a interesting and informative one hour Talk on “Growing Quality Vegetables for the Table and Show Bench”. John will also be Judging at the Harrogate Show in September and our Onion Leek and Vegetable Show in August.

 Following Mr Woods’ talk, the normal business meeting was held.

Minutes of previous Meeting 

The minutes of the meeting on 11 April (as Posted on our Blog site) were agreed by our Members Present

Matters arising from the Minutes

    Allotment Crime, - it was reported that there had been minor break-ins at Harpers Lane

    The Secretary had reported no progress on finding a contractor /plant hire firm to work with

    us

Abas Concerns Matrix

    Points as mentioned in previous Minutes

    Rawlyn Rd , no one present from Rawlyn Rd to provide an up date

    Shepherd X Street no one present from Shepherd X Street to provide an up date

    Florence Avenue , there has been no development regarding the Car Park

    Harpers Lane have had no action on the Rat infestation

    Smedley Avenue The Council were contacted about their OMA but no one present at  

    meeting to give an up date

Questions of the Meeting

Have all secretaries received up dated Waiting Lists? - Yes but a limited  response from those present. NB Sapling Road reported that they had no-one presently on their Waiting List

Have Secretaries re commenced their Monthly reports and Plot Inspections? - Yes but a limited response from those present

Has Council reviewed / Commenced Eviction Notices re Mal cultivation or Non Payment of Tenancy Renewals, - limited response from those present

Moss Lea has there been any status update from Council regarding Individual Greenhouses, no but we were advised that the Secretary has done a Survey to determine who is interested in having a Greenhouse on their Plot.

Update on the Allotted Exhibition Market Hall 30th June

The Exhibition may be extended till the 7th Aug

  Meeting advised two books are to be produced – the first being the images of the artwork,  

  the second essays, prose and poetry.

 Up-Date on the Allotments Competitions.

 Those present advised Judging will commence W/C 6th June followed by W/C 18th July

 New Tenants Competition - regarding the question regarding whether the effective starting date should be the start of probation or the date a tenancy agreement was offered. Those present were advised that our opinion is that any prospective Tenant on probation should be allowed to enter, this will encourage and not restrict those entering,

Up date on Onion Leek and Vegetable Show

Those present were again advised that we were still seeking individual Sponsors for the 25 Classes. Florence Av to again Sponsor a Class at the Show

Up date on the Harrogate Show

Those present were again advised that if anyone is interested that they should contact Terry Farrell

Sapling Road expressed interest

Report back from NWCAA AGM Southport Sunday 24th April

Those present at our meeting were advised that Terry Farrell and Jeff Gibson attended the NWCAA AGM representing Abas and Minutes and  details of what was discussed and are now on the NWCAA website.

Interesting opportunities mentioned to those present at our meeting were the Opportunities of the B&Q Wastage Scheme and the Tesco Bags of Help Programme

Best Allotment Competition again to be run this Year Sponsored by Maher's again this year  Details on the NWCAA website

E-mail from the Allotments Section

The following points were raised.

 1.    Allotments are moving back to their office today so will have access to all their paper records and information again. The last few weeks have been a bit difficult. 

2.    Allotments have had complaints about smoke from fires affecting neighbouring residential properties, can all societies remind members of their tenancy agreement regarding Nuisance to other plot holders & neighbours. Allotments will be enforcing this rigorously if they get repeated problems. 

3.   Allotments have managed to make some progress with Cemetery Road, Kearsley and a number of Breach of Tenancy letters went to tenants last week. Allotments will be progressing offering plots over the coming weeks. 

4.    Allotments are in discussion with the local Councillors regarding making progress at Longworth Road, Egerton to address unmaintained plots and offer tenancies. 

5.    Allotments have a number of sites with no-one on the specific Waiting List so will be trying to identify anyone on the Waiting List for other sites who might be interested.

 There have also been discussions with the Allotments Section as to the correct action for a Secretary to take should someone refuse the offer of a plot.

The current position (as understood by abas) is as follows:-

In our view there are three grounds for turning down a plot that would mean you should not automatically go to the bottom of the waiting list 

1. Current and temporary incapacity - e.g. we had an applicant who was 8 months pregnant

2. Plot is too large or inaccessible in some way - and that the reasons for this are valid e.g. only some 4 or 5 of the plots at Harpers Lane are readily accessible in a wheelchair or a mobility scooter

3. The applicant is a buddy on an existing plot and is serving time either to gain a joint tenancy or to take over that plot 

We don't think the statement that they wanted a larger plot is valid - policy has often been that you take a smaller plot, serve your apprenticeship and apply for a transfer when a full plot is available

The decision to keep the person in their current position on the waiting list would be communicated to the Allotments section via the monthly report (there is an appropriate section).

If an applicant disagrees with a decision to put them at the bottom of the waiting list then they have the usual rights of appeal.

Anyone now offered a plot is put on probation and therefore should be informed of the criteria and the date at which a judgement will be made

“What's On”

Florence Avenue have an Open Day Saturday 4th June,

Sapling Road have an Open Day Sunday 14th Aug

Harpers Lane have an Open Day on Sunday September 11th

Bolton Onion Leek and Vegetable Show is on Saturday 20th August. Further info regarding Show schedule available end June

Abas Allotment Competitions are to be judged in June and July with the Presentations and Prises on the 20th Aug

The Allotted Exhibition from June 30^th to August 7^th.

We need information about other events as soon as possible.

Meeting Closed at 9:50 pm

Date of next Meeting Monday 13th June 2016 8 pm Prompt

The Secretary would like to thank Jeff Gibson for stepping in to run the meeting at short notice and Carol Deplitch for assisting with the minutes.

ALLOTTED BLOG_SITE

Please note that the correct address for the Allotted exhibition blog-site is 

www.allotted2016.blogspot.co.uk

Guest Speaker

The next meeting of abas is on Monday May 9th at 8.00 p.m. at Astley Bridge Cricket Club.

We have a guest speaker - Mr John Woods of the National Vegetable Society, who will be giving a talk entitled - "GROWING QUALITY VEGETABLES FOR THE TABLE AND SHOW BENCH"

The talk will start at 8.00 p.m. prompt and should last between 45 minutes and one hour.

It will be followed by the normal abas business meeting.

We hope that as many allotment plot-holders as possible will attend the talk.

BOLTON FM

Carol Barlow (Sapling Rd.) and Margaret Jackson (Harpers Lane) will be guesting on Bolton FM's "Community Corner" programme next Wednesday (April 27th) between 7.00 and 8.00 p.m.

They'll be talking about allotments and about the "Allotted" exhibition. 

The Allotted Exhibition

ABAS APRIL MEETING

MINUTES OF ABAS MEETING 11.04.2016

Astley Bridge Cricket Club

Attendance: 17 representatives from 10 sites

REMINDER

Please remember our bulletin board

www.abas2014.blogspot.co.uk

And our email

boltonallotments2014@yahoo.co.uk

Minutes of 14/03/2016 and Matters Arising

The Minutes having been posted on the bulletin board, it was proposed (R Maginn – Sapling Rd.) that they be accepted as a true and fair record.

Matters Arising from the Meeting

The selling of produce – The council had been informed of the views of the abas meeting, the abas observations had been noted. We are awaiting confirmation that the Executive member has authorised this as a policy, but believe that societies may (if they comply with the Council guidelines) now proceed with their initiatives.

Allotment Crime –

Liaison with the relevant PCSO has been maintained.

Abas is using the bulletin board to keep secretaries informed

Abas ‘concerns’ matrix – essentially the remaining items from the 24/02/2016 meeting with the ‘Council’

Tonge Moor Rd have concerns about stock plots on their site. The Council has confirmed that stock plots are not covered by OMA agreements. If however societies have animal welfare concerns they should contact the Allotments section - resolved

Tonge Fold – D Waring confirmed that Tonge Fold has now received planning permission and the community hut and composting toilets are going ahead – resolved

Rawlyn Road – Rawlyn Rd now have up to date paperwork. They would still like to see a report of the Council’s recent asbestos survey on their site. We have previously been informed by the Council that these surveys are being organised by Corporate Property and the allotments section does not have the information sought to hand.

Shepherds X St – There has been no progress on asbestos removal

Florence Avenue – There has been no progress on improvements to the car park

Moss Lea – The communal greenhouse repairs have been done. The society are still awaiting a decision on whether individual greenhouses and sheds will be allowed. This issue is tied up in internal Council protocols.

Harpers Lane – Harpers Lane has a rat infestation. Promises were made (mid-February) by Environmental Services that a Pest Control Officer would visit the site. There has been no contact since.

Haslam Park – There being no representative of this site present we have no update on the issues at Haslam Park.

Smedley Avenue – Smedley Avenue representatives stated that they had sent an email on November 15^th stating that they could now meet the conditions for a simplified OMA put forward by the Council. They have had no response. Abas agreed to contact Malcolm Russell.

Generalised Concerns

No new information from Council on generalised points from minutes

Members reported that they are now receiving Up-to-date Waiting Lists.

Members reported that they have either resumed monthly reports or indeed never stopped sending them in over the winter.

Members will resume site inspections for the mal-cultivation process from April?

There was some discussion about those ‘on probation’.

The abas view is that when a secretary / committee allot someone a plot ‘on probation’ they do so without recommending to the Council that a Tenancy Agreement be issued.

They should state clearly the period of probation (in the monthly report) and the criteria they will apply.

If someone does not meet those criteria, then the secretary should inform the Council (through the monthly report) that they cannot recommend that a tenancy agreement be entered into and that the plot should be re-assigned to a new tenant. Once the Council confirms this, the plot may be re-let.

If the criteria are met then get the tenant to sign a Tenancy Registration form and send it in with the monthly report.

Spending Priorities

The following areas were identified as priority at the March meeting.

·        Assistance with projects to install composting toilets etc. (need to extend toilet provision beyond the current 26 week period)

·        Assistance with projects to improve fencing to improve site security

·        Assistance with projects to install/ improve security cameras and lights

·        Expansion of the self-help scheme with the Council taking a more pro-active role in organising the supply of material (it was suggested that this is a potentially very effective role that the Council could perform)

·        Development of access to plant e.g. mini-diggers (it was suggested that abas assess how much demand for this work exists across sites and if demand is sufficient approach some local contractors to see if a ‘bulk’ deal can be struck. Members were asked to contact abas with the jobs they want doing.)

The question was put that since in most cases the Council have no resources to resolve problems occurring on sites and effectively societies are being expected to undertake a range of maintenance and repair work, where can societies raise the necessary funds?

Abas’ response is that societies will have to be more proactive in fundraising.

Essentially for societies there are three avenues which they may wish to explore.

1.      Setting the level of membership subscriptions at an economic level  – for example where the society arranges collective public liability insurance and membership of the NAS then it would seem reasonable that those costs should be covered by subscriptions. Again it can be argued that the more facilities for plot-holders that a society provides e.g. when it introduces composting toilets it is equitable to ensure that subscriptions cover any additional running costs to the society.***

2.      Running fund-raising events / activities (e.g. Open Days, Produce Sales etc.) which might include seeking sponsorship

3.      Applying for grants (societies are encouraged to join the Bolton CVS (www.boltoncvs.org.uk) and to register with the Greater Manchester Funding Portal (www.gmvss.net/gmfunding) . Societies were also made aware of the National Allotment Gardens Trust – see later)

*** There is a distinct feeling that we are moving ever closer to what in reality will be a ‘self-managed’ or at least ‘self-maintained’ situation. If this is the case we may need to learn from those who have already trod this route e.g. the Leeds Federation and consider replacing ‘subs’ with some kind of ‘service charge’ element.

Allotment Crime

Break-ins and vandalism have been reported at Moss Lea, Florence Avenue, Settle St., Dealey Rd., Sapling Rd. and Tonge Fold and earlier at Shepherds Cross St.

It was thought that the current spate is minor vandalism and theft (‘kids’?) rather than the professional raids for tools and equipment experienced last year.

There is still no movement on any official Allotment Watch but we continue to liaise with the PCSO at the Middlebrook

Funding Opportunity

The National Allotment Gardens Trust (NAGT) can provide funding and advice to support projects that advance and improve allotments and allotment sites. This funding is purely for allotment projects.

To find out if your project might qualify go to: www.nagtrust.co.uk and download the grant applications details.

The ‘Allotted’ exhibition

An exhibition of artworks and writing on environmental and allotment gardening themes is to be held between 30^th June 2016 and 31^st July 2016 at the neo:gallery, upper floor, the Market Place. The exhibition is supported by a grant from Bolton Arts Forum but other funding is being sought

The title is “Allotted” – a number of plot-holders at member allotments are participating.

The exhibition will also provide a space where abas can advertise / promote the Open Days, markets, produce sales, Site Shows etc. that our members are running during July / August. So please make sure we have the details.

There is a bulletin board www.allotted2016.blogspot.com for more information

There was an enquiry as to whether allotment holders with ‘arts’ interests might become exhibitors. The Secretary undertook to speak to the exhibition organisers on Wednesday 13^th April to find out.

Allotment Competitions

Entry Forms for the Fairhurst, Greenhalgh, New Tenants and Rosebowl Competitions are now available from Terry, 0786 393 3064. Terry is posting forms to those secretaries who have not already collected them.

It’s important that all entrants get access to copies of the scoring criteria

Closing date for entries is 16^th May 2016

Judging will be w/c 06/06 (1^st round) and w/c 18/07 (2^nd round)

Prizes will be presented at the Veg Show on 20/08/2016

Posters for the Vegetable Show  were handed out. Terry has additional copies which will be distributed during the Fairhurst judging visits. Alternatively email boltonallotments2014@yahoo.co.uk for an electronic copy.

Sponsorship of Competitions and Show

We are grateful to the Following

J Maher Limited are sponsoring the prizes for the three main allotment competitions

Sponsorship for the Show has been obtained from the University of Bolton

The CVS grant is making a contribution to the costs of both

However we still need individual sponsorship of classes at the show (@£10 per individual class)

External Affairs

Those sites who are members of the NAS should have received an invitation to the NWCAA AGM on 24^th April.

This is being held at the Royal Clifton Hotel, The Promenade, Southport, PR8 1RB

Registration begins at 11.00 a.m. The meeting runs from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. with a break for lunch.

NAS officers will be attending to present the ‘National’ case

If you are attending please inform Andy Percival on lawsonrdallotments@gmail.com

You should also be aware that the NAS AGM is being held on 4^th June 2016 at the Royal York Hotel, Station Rd., York YO24 1AA

Future Programme

John Wood (NVS) will be giving a talk ‘The Growing of Quality Vegetables for the Table and Show Bench’ at the May meeting of abas on 9^th May 2016.

The potential trip to Harrogate Show would be on Sunday 18^th September.

Tickets at the gate would be £16 per person. Reductions should be available by pre-booking.

Transport costs would be dependent on how many are interested, but an estimate of £8.00 per person was given. Payment in advance would be required for the transport element. This would be non-refundable.

Any Other Business

The next meeting will be at ABCC at 8.00 p.m. on Monday 9^th May 2016.

Revive Compost

The meeting was informed that as we are in a new financial year the one pallet free offer on revive compost has re-opened. The address to contact is JBolger@viridor-laing.co.uk

Harpers Lane plot-holders received a pallet in March and so far are pleased with the results.