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Annual Bank Holiday Plot Inspection – May 07-08 2018 carried out by the Plot Inspection and Allocation Group ( PIAG)

 

1.  Plots and Membership

 

As established at the November AGM of 2013, the plot inspection function was combined with custody of the waiting list. Since the last report, membership has been stable with two new arrivals:

  • CM has taken on plot E3.

  • SN (plot 37b) vacated by NR who moved to plot 29B following the death of KF better known as Thirsty - RIP.

There has been some internal movement of existing members:

  • J and FM have moved from sharing half plot 6 to plot 28 which MR (plot 25) offered up.

  • KW and EH have moved from E3 to plot 10 following departure of PW in the new year.

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DAGA now consists of 63 Plots, 59 Members and 22 Associate members. We have a waiting list of five persons. The site was 100% occupied at the time of the inspection. This is now a large Association and all members have responsibilities to assist in its successful operation. 

 

PIAG regularly reviews the members’ list so that it accurately captures details of plot-holders and associates and updates the xls membership database which is password protected. Updated copies are periodically forwarded to the Secretary and the Treasurer.

 

We are pleased to say that CS (Plot 41) has re- joined the PIAG team which now consists of RS Convenor (plot 18) and SW (plot 01) and E J (Plot 39). SN (Plot 30) unfortunately was ill and did not take part this year.

 

PIAG has been active in path management – particular acknowledgement to SW. PIAG has also assisted members who have been ill – acknowledgements to CS. As always, we have been active in assisting members to settle into new plots.

 

2.  Procedure

 

This is the fourth time the inspection has taken place at Early Spring Bank Holiday - previous inspections were conducted ONE MONTH later at the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. The earlier date allows DAGA to identify plots causing concern and to enter into dialogue with the plot holders concerned. If the plot is being given up, this results in people on the waiting list being contacted in time for the growing season.

 

The inspection pro forma is based on the Rules of DAGA as agreed at the AGM of 2012 (which can be found on the website at http://deptfordallotments.shutterfly.com ) and individual contractual obligations.  Plot-holders are required to demonstrate 80% cultivation (agreed at November 2013 AGM and recently reconfirmed at October 2017 AGM).

 

3 Findings

 

1 Standards


We should all take pride in the site which has improved year on year. Members have carried out some fantastic work.

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2 Water

Following the Organising Group’s February meeting and its discussion and resolutions concerning water on the site, PIAG has used the 2018 inspection as an opportunity to assess current water harvesting arrangements on plots. The table at appendix 2 is for reference and can be updated over the coming months as plot holders begin to address harvesting responsibilities. It is clear that there is A LOT more we could be doing as an Association and the review is intended to assist that progress. Headlines are:

  • x plots have standing water pipes on their plots.

  • Only x have accompanying tanks

  • Of those that do have tanks only 2 have stop cock mechanism

  • Of those plots that have sheds, only 13 have guttering

  • There are 65 

 

3 Plot usage

The recommendation that we move to full 100% usage was not agreed at the AGM. However, land use remains an issue given the size of DAGA plots and fees well below the national average. Even applying the 80% requirement, a lot of land is still not being used.

In the 2017 report we identified plots that were not complying with the 80% cultivation contractual requirement. A number have been sorted but the list below continue to cause concern:

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  • E8        - FB - untouched

  • 15        - FA –  minus 80%

  • 16A      - PS – back half untouched / minus 80%

  • 16B      - BB - back half untouched /minus 80%

  • 22B      - AP - derelict polytunnel at rear end of plot AND too near railway

  • 23        - DM - back third untouched / minus 80%

  • 24        - AM – back third untouched / minus 80%

  • 27        - I excessive building cover …

 

Additional causes for concern arising from 2018 inspection:

 

  • Plot B1            - PC - untouched

  • Plot B2            - JH - untouched

  • Plot E7            - JL – neglected / minus 80%

  • Plot E8            - FB - untouched

  • Plot 22A          - AM – neglected / minus 80%

  • Plot26A           - LG – minus 80%
     

ACTION: See recommendation 1

 

4 Health and safety

 

The issue of unprotected canes, poles and metal posts was highlighted in the 2016 report and individual plots identified. However, the problem is far more widespread – see rec 2

 

Paths that are too narrow - plot 40

 

5 Trees

Plots 30-40 Network Rail trees obstruct light in morning session

 

PIAG identified Network Rail trees as the 3rd priority (phase 3) in the tree maintenance strategy detailed in the PIAG Report of 2015 (phase 1/ Norbert Rd and phase 2 / trees on plots). The difficulty is to convince Network Rail to spend the money.

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6 Fires

Please see appendix for correspondence on this – see rec 3

 

4.  Recommendations: 

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1.  Plot holders listed above at 3.1 to be sent a DAGA letter / email by the Sec. from the Organising Group and alert to a follow up assessment at end of September before 2019 fees collection -wording to be agreed.

2. Awareness campaign – along lines of water harvesting – but protruding posts need hammering in and exposed points need bottle covering etc. But how to apply this plot by plot?

3. No fires in BST i.e. from last Sunday in March till the last Saturday in October (starts Saturday March 24 ends Saturday 27th 2018)

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PIAG

May 2018

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