A Meeting of the Cemetery & Allotment Committee was held on

Monday 2nd November 2009, 11.00 am at the Ilex Lane Cemetery

 

Committee Members Present: Mr A Forbes (AF),  Mr Geoff Luckett (GLu), Mrs Jenny Nicholas (JN) Orderly,

Ms Denise Powell (DP), Mr John Westlake (JW), and Mr Mike Williamson (MW).

Clerk Present: Mrs Lynne Rampton (LR)                                               Members of public present:  one

 

1

Apologies for absence:  Mrs A Brading (AB) & Mr John Gower (JG)

 

2

Declarations of Interest – none declared

 

3

Public Participation. An allotment holder spoke on the matter of sheds not being permitted on allotment plots at Ilex Lane. He considered the structure erected on allotment 31b would be less obtrusive if painted in a colour to blend with the surrounding landscape and suggestions were given to committee members regarding possible permission for smaller sheds.

 

4

 

Update of the minutes of the September 2009 meetings, already signed at the main Parish Council meeting as being a correct record. MW reported that the official opening of the cemetery & allotment extension had taken place as planned.

 

5

To ensure that a structure erected for the purpose of keeping hens or rabbits on allotment 31b is:

a.      In accordance with that permitted by statute. S. 12 (1) of the Allotments Act 1950 specifies that it shall be lawful for the occupier of the land to keep, otherwise than by way of trade or business, hens or rabbits in any place on the land and to erect or place and maintain such buildings or structures on the land as reasonable for that purpose. On inspection of the large structure by committee members, in it’s current form the building is considered unsuitable to house animals due to lack of ventilation, pop-holes, perches, nest-boxes or runs/paddocks in which to roam. The structure is placed directly on the ground, will be in direct sunlight and the exposed location is not protected from strong winds.

b.      Being used for allowed purposes. No evidence of hens or rabbits as permitted by statute was evident.

c.       Being used for no other purpose. A visual inspection through the high windows identified canes, felt and netting being stored inside the shed.

It was proposed by GLu, seconded by AF, all committee members in favour that a letter should be hand delivered to the home address of allotment holder 31b advising that the structure erected should only be used to house hens or rabbits as permitted by statute. As permission has not been granted to erect a structure for any other purpose this should be removed within the next 5 working days.

This matter should be further considered by the full Parish Council at their next meeting to be held on 19th November 2009.

 

6

Misuse of extended roadway & grass area to cemetery extension.  Verbal reports from allotment holders have been made to a Parish Councillor about a lorry delivering goods to an allotment plot over the week-end of 17th/18th October and driving across the new grass cemetery area. Photographs taken of the land on the following Monday clearly show tracks of a heavy vehicle and concern was expressed for the recently installed drainage system installed at considerable cost during the recent cemetery extension works. In discussion the installation of a barrier or bollard was considered to prevent unauthorised vehicles gaining access to the grassed area but this was considered unsightly and an excessive reaction to one incident of abuse although the situation will monitored. The majority of allotment holders are mindful of the fact the cemetery is located adjacent to the allotments and respect and limit their use of the roadway. It was proposed by AF, seconded by GLu, all in favour that a letter should be sent to the allotment holder concerned in this incident of misuse.

 

7

To consider purchase & installation of an allotment area notice-board. Due to the large number of allotment holders now at Ilex Lane, a notice-board was considered a way of communicating information to allotment holders and could also be a way of communicating information between allotment holders. A quotation of £663 has been received for purchase, delivery & installation of a cabinet style sealed unit that would protect notices from the elements that would be installed on two posts close to the allotments entrance by plot 1. Notices for display in the notice-board could be given to the Cemetery Orderly or the Clerk for display. GLu suggested that due to the close proximity of two notice-boards within Winscombe, the notice-board currently outside the library could be removed from the wall and fixed on legs in the allotment location in preference to the purchase of another notice-board. No support for this suggestion was gained from other committee members. It was proposed by AF, seconded by JW, 5 in favour, 1 against that a new notice-board with an ‘allotment notices’ header be purchased and installed on legs close to allotment 1 with the cost of up to £663 being met from this committee budget.

 

 

Matter for Information – either points of information or subjects for discussion at the next meeting.

·         None

 

 

Date of Next Meeting.           Fri 4th December 2009

 

Meeting Closed:             11.29 am.

 

Signed _______________________________ (Cemetery & Allotment Chairman)   Date     ____________