Croftburn Allotments Association
Committee Meeting Minutes APPROVED

Date: Thursday 2nd May 2024
Time: 18:30
Facilitator: Maurice Randall (MR)

In Attendance: Iain McMurtie (IMC) ; Emma Laughland (EL), Andrew Thompson (AT); India Misick (IM); Maurice Randall (MR)

Apologies: Gregory Metcalfe (GM); Judith Paton (JP)

1. Matters Arising

• EL is running the instagram page, and is managing the mobile.
• Plot XX requested a change of location for a greenhouse and was approved by the Committee 
• EL has a scheduled a woodchip delivery for Friday 3rd of May
• Gas Personal were in the allotment checking services

2. Secretary Update

• We are still in conversation with Marc from Morrison Telecom and await a response from him regarding access to dig at the base of a telecom post by the recently planted fruit trees – EL and IM to meet
• We have had good communication with Emma Plant from Glasgow University who has started her research at the plots and will be attending the upcoming communal day to talk more about her research as the last communal day was canceled.
• An email was sent out to members asking for volunteers to undertake plot inspections, and we have had a good response to this. It was agreed Inspections are to remain friendly, approachable and conversational from the outset. Possible option of rotational volunteers to manage the inspection.
• One member queried whether these plot inspection volunteers would be anonymous, and it was discussed that the volunteers would not be anonymous, and the comments provided from them via the committee would not be attributed to any singular person.
• IM will forward names to MR and GM to take the next step on introductions to Inspections and arranging a time for the inspections to take place after notifying membership in due course.
• Missives have been kept up-to-date with GCC, and IM will clearly file the newer and older submitted missives within the Google Drive folder.
• No update on Glasgow Food Growing meeting – IM to request online link and forward

3. Plot Updates

• No vacant plots
• 28 Waiting List Applicants
• EL sent an email round to waiting list applicants to check if they are still interested and to invite them to the upcoming communal day, and this received a positive response. It is a great way to keep a check in with the waiting list on a regular basis too.
• EL is catching up with the 12 week follow-up emails
• EL suggested arranging a walk round with MR to look at new plots to see whether changes have been made since she wasn’t sure how they looked previously.
• Plot XX had approval for the erected polytunnel
• Plot XX notified CAA of a personal matter and will return during June.
• EL to contact Plot XX for catch-up
• Plots XX and XX have also had new named helpers added

4. Treasurer Update

The role of treasurer has still not been fully handed over to AT, but AT remains fully informed of all balances.

• Bank of Scotland Balance – £1481.06
• Share 1 – £20.00
• Share 2 – £870.00
• MR has now been paid for all his outstanding expenses owed and now has an authorisation card in his name
• Tap and wheels for trolley were ordered and completed.
• There are no outstanding payments at the moment, although the insurance is due in July. Still to purchase a Strimmer.
• It was agreed MR would be paid £40 towards printing costs
• AT and MR to arrange for a call to work out full transfer of duties in coming week.

5. Maintenance Update

• Poly tunnel is still a work in progress and more work will be done to this at the next Communal Day.
• Hub tap and trolley wheels are now working
• Strimmer has been fixed and mowers are all in order. 
• Tap, near plot 22, is leaking and needs repairing
• Growth behind polytunnel needs to be checked and possibly reduced from neighbours fence line.
• Left-over potatoes should be planted in communal areas where possible

6. Communal Day Planning

• The Member’s Meeting will be held from 12.30 to 13.00 with Emma Plant from the pollinator project joining to talk about her project.
• Potatoes can still be purchased on a donation basis

7. 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
• Harvest Show towards the end of August/September remains to be organised.

8. Next Meeting

Wednesday 29th May 2024, 18.30hrs