Two Column Layout
Newsletter July 17th 2026
Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on Thursday 9th July 2026
Meeting opened at 7.34pm.
PRESENT: J. Hodges, M. Hubball, C Jones, A. Redfern, P Jones, G.Cross, R. Harrison ,J. Carter-Bown, A. Linnecor, J. Pile.
1.CHAIRMAN’S OPENING ADDRESS
Jason welcomed everyone to the July meeting.
2. APOLOGIES
D. Bonner
Election of Officers
Last month‘s meeting was cancelled so election of Officers needed to be completed today
Mike agreed to continue as Treasurer for the next year.
Allan as Secretary
Jason as Chairman
All were unanimously voted into their roles.
Expenses for the above positions were agreed to continue
Allan- £80
Jason, Mike, Paul- £50
3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Read and agreed.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
Nothing to report.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Show took place at the weekend. It was amazing how many people didn’t know about it despite the publicity. The Show went well, there was an excellent display. The Late Summer Show is the big one and as last year we’re looking to add extra interest outside of the actual Show area.
The AGM left a lot of people unhappy and determined that nothing of the sort should happen again.
Matters arising from AGM - Denise should have been voted on to Committee 2025…a Committee member can only be elected at an AGM. There was discussion about co opting her until the time she can be voted on.
We agreed to have an EGM to discuss the Constitution which needs to be within 3 months of the AGM. Denise could be elected at this meeting. Jason will liaise with Social Club for a date.
Mike will send out suggestions to Committee members to amend the Constitution.
6. SECRETARY’S REPORT
Paul has informed me that we are out of canes. I will order some when we can make an order of value £300 of store shed goods to cover the delivery charge. Please advise me of any goods that we need for the store shed.
I have let some plots that have become available. Plot 23c, for instance. The new plotholder has set about the task of making the plot their own. Long may it continue.
Plot21c . The plotholder on this plot moved on to other things. I thanked them for their long association with us and wished them all the best for their new venture.
Plot 43b became vacant when the plot holder reduced the size of his plot. The new plotholder with her farther have done a great job .
Plot 44b has been re let recently. The plotholder who took on this plot last Autumn has been taken ill and could not continue as a result of their illness. The Plotholder who is now in place has a big task ahead of him. We wish him all the best and look forward to a long association with him.
Plot 42 a has been taken by Dean. He currently has plot 42B and is extending his holding. Dean has been on site for a while now and is doing a good job on the site . Enjoy your gardening Dean.
This concludes my report.
7. TREASURERS REPORT
Shed sales for May were £852.12
Sales for June were £210.75
Total sales for the year since April are £1993.14
Total purchases this year so far are £2395.78, so we have a well-stocked store shed. Thanks to Allan.
Plant sale.
Total sales £178.90 (including "honesty box" £53.00).
This is compared with £324.15 last year.
A few plants left over. Available free.
At the end of June our bank account balance was £5066.19.
Moving on to the Repairs and Maintenance account.
During May we received half of our annual budget allowance from the Council. This totalled £497.22. We can expect an identical amount later in the year.
Amongst the lump sum received was £201.34 for water and £193.34 for maintenance. Also there was £20.83 for cleaning materials. I have passed this on to the Social Club as usual.
We also received the commission for the rent collected last year of £474.90. I have transferred this to our main account.
The account balance was £2091.06 at the end of June.
I understand that the question of bank charges was raised during the AGM.
The reason for these charges is that in January 2025 Lloyds Bank changed all our accounts.
Our Main Account and the Repairs/Maintenance account started to earn interest 0.7% (now 0.5%). These are, in effect savings accounts and cannot be used for paying bills etc. In order to do this I had to open a Community Instant Access Account. This account can be used for all transactions etc but the bank levies charges on this account. The main charge is £4.25/ month, In addition there are charges for cashing cheques etc.
As it turns out, the interest earned on the 2 main accounts, just about balances the bank charges as you will have seen in the end-of-year account statements.
A query was raised at the AGM regarding having a "private section on the website just for plotholders".
Whilst this is possible, I don't know what the objective is. If we had a private section there is nothing to stop a plotter showing the information to another person. I think Whatsap or similar would be a better way to do it.
That's all for now.
8. SITE MAINTENANCE
Water reading 1st June -2187 cubic metres this is an increase of 44 on May 1st reading.
Water reading 1st July- 2241 cubic metres, an increase of 54 on 1st June. We were using more water this time last year.
Hedges have been cut around the car park area in readiness for the Early Show.
PLOT MONITORING SUB COMMITTEE
Letters have been sent to Birmingham. We have done all we can and the conclusion is in the hands of BCC. Correspondence will now be between concerning plot holders and BCC. Denise is doing a good job in the plot monitoring committee. It was suggested we ask her to continue as a co opted member until she can be voted back onto the Committee.
10. SHED SCHEDULE 10.30-12.30
N/A. Committee members to fly their red flags when on the site.
11. EVENTS SUB COMMITTEE
The number of entrants for the Early Show was disappointing….10 entrants with 91 entries. There were a variety reasons for this. However the produce on show was an excellent standard. Entries for the Domestic section were much improved on last year. Thanks to Neil for judging the Domestic and Dave and Lesley for the rest of the Show.
Personally I benefited from John’s methodical approach to the Show. I was very grateful for this. We were pleased to welcome Margaret, the first Show after John’s death.
As we are taking part in ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood ‘ we are not choosing best plots this year . Instead we’re looking for highly commended plots..any size, any reason. Plot monitoring committee will be able to pass on suggestions too. More details to follow.
We are opening up the Show to children…….Children/ grandchildren/nieces and nephews- using a vegetable, any vegetable, home grown or shop bought …..make a character to display at the Late Show. It’s not a competition just for fun.
12. SITE REPORT/HEALTH AND SAFETY
Nothing to report.
13. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Plotters are reminded that Social Club membership renewal is due 1st September.
14. AOB
- Email addresses of new plot holders for Mike.
- Area around the greenhouse/ store shed needs attention. Suggested we have a working party in September to address this.
- Store shed – compost has been put in the wrong bags….need to address this problem.
- Gazebo for the Late Show…Anne has one we can borrow.
- Check plants around Social Club have water…the weather has meant they need attention daily.
Meeting closed at 9.14pm
The next Committee Meeting- August 13th at 7.30pm
That's all for now.Mike
