Croftburn Allotments Association
Committee Meeting Minutes APPROVED

Date: Thursday 29th May 2024
Time: 18:30
Facilitator: Maurice Randall (MR)

In Attendance: Iain McMurtie (IMC) ; Andrew Thompson (AT); India Misick (IM); Maurice Randall (MR); Judith Paton (JP)

Apologies: Gregory Metcalfe (GM); Emma Laughland (EL)

1. Matters Arising

• 02/05/2024 minutes approved with edits.
• Plot xx have a rotting part of their shed, and IMC has offered to assist them and anyone else with shed issues. Members only need contact the secretary to request his help.
• A funding opportunity has come through where we could apply for funding for new hot bins. Maurice will look into this, and would like assistance if anyone has experience with funding applications. 

2. Secretary Update

• We haven’t heard from Marc from Morrison Telecom so will await a response from him but will not pursue them
• A member has been in touch to ask about use of the polytunnel. IM suggested that we should send out an email with more information about this in due course. 
• We’ve been contacted by Plant Grow Share who are asking for donations of surplus veg. It was suggested that we ask members about this at meeting on Saturday to see if any growers are interested. There are logistical issues with leaving veg out such as where to put them for collection and whether the charity collecting them would need an access code. 
• Discussion over how the compost buddy system would work and how to make plotholders aware of this. We agreed that a chalkboard in the tool shed would be a good idea with an email sent out to members explaining how the system would work. We discussed that plot holders who have compost bin space could put their name on the list so that microplot holders could use their bin until they take their name off the list. 
• We still need to contact those who volunteered for plot inspections and organise the volunteers so that they know what they are doing and when.
• Pollinator study is ongoing.

3. Plot Updates

• Microplot R will soon be available
• 31 Waiting List Applicants
• Plot xx has a new named helper
• It was suggested that Plot xx and xx look like they might be struggling. EL to contact them and ask if they need any help. 

4. Treasurer Update

MR and AT have now had a meeting, but full transfer of responsibilities over to AT is not yet complete. 

AT has been approved by BoS as a Signatory and is awaiting documents to enable him to access the CAA Business Account online

• Bank of Scotland Balance £1324.80 (A £10.00 key deposit return needs to be returned to make the balance £1334.80)
• Share 1 – £20
• Share 2 – £870.00 (A £10.00 withdrawal needs to be made to return to BoS account for a Key deposit return to make the balance £860.00)
• Current spend this month included, Paper towels, biodegradable toilet paper, black bags, New Tap and Spray head for hosepipe.
• A vote was taken and we agreed unanimously that the treasurers should not require co-signatures on payments under £50

5. Maintenance Update

• Poly tunnel is still a work in progress and more work will be done to this at the next Communal Day.
• MR has taken home strimmers to repair. There are currently no working strimmers.
• Leaking tap has been repaired near plot 22
• Michael has offered that a friend of his could help us move soil from behind the two bins to extend the size of the wood chip area and will be carried out at the next communal day
• Left-over potatoes should be planted in communal areas where possible

6. Communal Day Planning

• The communal day will be a good time to discuss use of the polytunnel with members, which we will discuss further at the next official Members Meeting Day. 

7. Polytunnel Policy

• MR, GC, EL and JP have been drafting a Polytunnel policy document to submit to the committee for approval soon.
• We discussed offering a space to all microplot holders.
• We agreed that clear signage would be important to show members which areas are designated for each plot, and which areas were communal for donations, and for plugs for sale. 

8. Ongoing Matters

• MR to find time to work with AT on drafting the Health and Safety Document for the allotment.
• The buddy system with composting needs to be covered in the next newsletter email
• The Harvest Show has now been organised for 7th of September and members will be notified by email. IM

9. Next Meeting

TBC via whatsapp at 18.30hrs week beginning 1st of July.