Minutes

Uffington Allotments

Notes taken at Uffington allotment Working group – Sunday 24/10/21

Two Cllrs and members of the allotment working group plus the Clerk met with 9 current tenants to review the allotment agreement which was revised in Nov 2020 and welcomed discussion for any other issue or concerns

Bonfires –

The subject of the current restrictions of bonfires was discussed and points raised by tenants that the permitted timescale of 1st November to 28th February was insufficient. These are wetter ground months and results in tenants having to use oil for starting the fires which would like to be avoided on environmental grounds. The use of incinerators was also suggested. Proposed for the PC to agree for bonfires to be allowed all year – weather and wind conditions dependent. Tenants advised and agreed it was their full responsibility and to take consideration for neighboring properties.

Boundaries -

The boundary on South side (left hand side from entering the allotments) was discussed. Hedges and several large trees are overgrown. It is unclear who is responsible for the boundary and will need to be investigated by Clerk. Tenants volunteered to maintain – risk element. Cllr Hutchins noted the extensive cost of the work. PC to discuss if quotes need to be obtained by contractors to undertake the work needed

Common Area –

Cllr Brown asked tenants present if anyone had objection to the bee hives. No objections made by anyone. Noted that all contact numbers are clearly advertised for anyone who needed to contact a member of the group in case of an emergency or issue. Positive comments made from attendees regarding the bees and most agree they are an important asset to the allotments. A member of the bee group asked if anyone present had objections with school children being allowed to visit for educational purposes. No objections made to this suggestion. Full PC to confirm on this

Currently two tenants are keeping the common area maintained. It was discussed that the area is joint responsibility of all tenants and if area is in need of some upkeep then everyone could take their part in keeping the area tidy. The tenants present were asked if they were in agreement of sharing the cost in their annual rental for the common land and there were no objections to this.

Roadside maintenance & Dyke –

The maintenance of these areas was discussed and noted that one tenant has been maintaining the dyke and has confirmed will do so again to keep area tidy. Cllr Brown noted that if any tenant would volunteer for the upkeep of the mowing of the roadside grass area. It was suggested that this should be put forward to the PC to ask current mowing contractor if this area could be included in our maintenance contract at a cost to the PC

Other comments noted -

Personal BBQs on rented plots to be allowed and agreement to be amended to reflect this

Unauthorised people on allotments. One tenant raised the point regarding visitors on the allotment site. Bee member stated that bee theft is on the rise and this was an important issue to raise. Tenant commentated that they wouldn’t’t feel comfortable challenging anyone on the allotments. Possible sign to be put on the gate –Uffington Allotments - Private/No unauthorised entry. Tenants present did not feel a notice board at the allotment site was necessary

Special thanks was given to Adrian for all the help, work and support he gives to the allotments and tenants

Temporary steps to Naylors field for the bee group are working well

Suggestion of a semi-annually meeting for allotment holders

Agreement to be amended to remove NOT capital’s from the agreement

Agreement amended to read the number of permissible chickens to 6 – as previously agreed

separate document for points raised by a tenant not able to attend the meeting in person and the working groups recommendations for full PC

1. To be eligible for an allotment a person must be 18, or over, and reside in Uffington Parish.
2. Only one allotment will be rented to an Uffington household.
3. A tenant moving out of the parish will automatically lose their entitlement to an allotment.
4. If an allotment becomes vacant existing tenants should be asked if they want to exchange, so long as this is for an equivalent sized plot (this has been custom and practice for many years and should now form part of the tenancy agreement).
5. The current agreement received criticism for the way it was introduced, its tone and its content.  The content is particular was considered too prescriptive suggestion to delete the following sections – 7,8,9,11,12,13,15,18.