Old Lane Allotments Annual General Meeting 5th October 2023
(Minutes from meeting)
Members present 40 +
Mick Hogan Trustee/Chairman opened the meeting at 7.15pm. He thanked all the members who were in attendance. He also highlighted the work that Mark Burton (Secretary) has completed over the growing season. He also thanked Steve Johnston, Reg Brook, Geoff Bradshaw for the continuing work to improve the site. Mick then passed over to Mark Burton (Secretary) to raise detailed points below that are in our constitution .
Matters Arising Read out by Mark Burton
These points were all read to the members who were in attendance.
- New committee members needed it is really difficult with only 5 committee officers and over 75 members on site
2. Y) To cultivate at least 60% of the area of the allotment for the production of edible crops, the remaining 40% maybe used for other horticultural leisure purposes,lawns, flower beds, etc.
3.Z) If your plot is not in a satisfactory condition over the growing season, not cultivated, or you are not utilising the land the OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS has the right to refuse your annual rent & the tenancy of your allotment garden will be terminated.
4. Keeping adjacent paths between plots maintained . It states in our rules. Section D : D) He/She shall keep any hedge on the allotment properly cut & keep all adjacent communal pathways in good order suitably maintained.
5.Members should not be going on other peoples plots without permission
6. Turn standpipe taps off
7. Can we fill water butts up underneath taps for the next person please
8. Mark has ordered another 20 rat bait stations, we will continue to distribute rat poison when required by members.
Steve Johnston – Treasurer
This year has seen yet another great contribution to our income from Mark Burton (Stores Person and Secretary) who has run the stores and raised lots of money for our site. Geoff Bradshaw has also played a role by taking our scrap metal to be re-cycled. Finally, a big thank you to Mick Hogan for building our concrete bins (with help from Reg Brook) allowing us to store metal/wheelbarrows/manure (when available) in the middle car park.
Finally a weather warming. We collected £525 water payments from members but paid an invoice amount of £719.69 to Yorkshire Water. At the moment if you have an allotment rented directly from Leeds City Council the water charge is £18 a year. We only charge £7 at the moment but we will be looking to increase this next year. “
Questions/comments from members.
- Plot 12W/13W Kathryn stated the importance of checking that no wildlife (particularly hedgehogs) are hiding in the bonfires we plan to burn next month.
- Margaret thanked Mark for letting her know when any intruders had been on the site and if there was any damage.
- Plot 55 Sandra Deacon raised a question that the locks continually are on the wrong way round on the entrance gates
- Plot 5 BAFF said the blogs published by Mark on the website are extremely helpful.
- Plot 36N Dave Walker raised a question about having one large bonfire instead of fires all over the site
- Plot 46SA Thomas wanted clarification on small controlled fires.
Members given ballot papers to complete
Committee stood down and were re- elected by the ballot paper vote on the night
Mick Hogan, Mark Burton, Steve Johnston,Reg Brook, Geoff Bradshaw were all voted to run the site for the 2023-2024 season in there respective roles.
Thank you to everyone that attended on the night, also the kind messages about the committee and the work we do.
Minutes – Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
