Gilroy Road Allotment Development

We may be on the land in the new year!!

2010-12-26T08:33:00.002Z

The Council have now agreed to let us have the lease for the land, it is now just a matter of time whilst the legal department draft the appropriate paper work. The most exciting change over the last couple of weeks has been the beginning of the works which the council are paying from their Allotment Development funds which include clearing part of Tip Lane, erecting the fence and gates.

Ist Newsletter

2010-10-29T15:19:00.002+01:00

The first newsletter available on the society website at:

http://sites.google.com/site/gilroyroadcommunityallotment/news

Annual General Meeting 24th November 2010

2010-10-29T15:15:00.002+01:00

The Annual General Meeting of the Gilroy Road Community Allotment Society will be held at 8pm on Wednesday the 24th November 2010 at the Scout Hut, Grange Community Park, West Kirby.

Nearly there!

2010-10-29T15:09:00.003+01:00

The Asset Management Department of the council have prepared a report to one of the committees which should allow us to get the lease for the land. I hope we will have the lease before the end of the year.

There was a fantastic response to the working party held at the Gilroy Nature Reserve on the 12th of September 2010 with about 20 adults and children turning up and clearing paths, trees and a canoe from the pond!

Next Meeting-14th July

2010-07-01T13:52:00.002+01:00

Now we are beginning to make progress we need to hold another meeting. I have amended the original management plan I wrote earlier in the year which hopefully will be the background to an application to the Lottery for funding. We are currently collating prices of various bits and pieces which will give us some idea of how much we need.

The next meeting will be at the Scout Hut, Grange Cemetery on Wednesday the 14th July at 8pm.

We have some progress

2010-06-16T21:14:00.002+01:00

After a meeting today with members and officers of the Council we have had a reassurance that we will offered the lease in the near future and can start developing the site soon. The break through has be helped by the intervention of Councillors Green, Elderton and Reisdorf and also help from Dave Morris NSALG and Margaret Campbell from Transition Town West Kirby.

Now we can start to plan and then bid for funding and eventually start digging!!

Campaign hits the Wirral News

2010-05-27T11:56:00.002+01:00

Margaret has been busy speaking to the Wirral News over the last couple of weeks and as a result an article has appeared in the News which can be viewed by following the attached link.

http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/2010/05/26/west-kirby-allotment-plan-hit-shed-planning-permission-stumbling-block-80491-26517677/

The Saga continues

2010-05-26T14:58:00.002+01:00

I have not updated the blog lately as there has not been that much happening. We hit a little bit of a problem with regards to the lease as before we are allowed the lease we need to get to the bottom of whether a shed, greenhouse or poly tunnel requires planning permission.

The local authority planners believe we need planning whilst the NSALG (National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners believe we do not.

I have met with the council's principal planning officer who wants us to obtain planning permission for all structures on the site and she does not support us potentially having a shed or greenhouse on each plot, only on those on the periphery.

I have asked the NSALG for some help in understanding the council's position but it is incredibly frustrating when we have so many enthusiastic people and we cannot actually move forward.

Latest update

2010-02-28T13:13:00.004Z

We held a meeting at the site today when about 20 people had a walk around and discussed what to do next.

I was asked to put the plans on the website which I have done, they are aslso on the blog.

We should have a letter confirming we will be given the lease int he next fortnight and also we will be given a licence to use the gate at the side of the shops for access for diabled users and also for deliveries. The side entrance off Tip Lane will be the main access point.

I have had various quotes for fencing but after dicsussions today we may try to progress the hedging.

We hope to have a planning meeting a week on Wednesday the 10th of March,dependant on the availability of the hall.

Latest update and meeting tomorrow

2010-02-09T19:10:00.003Z

We held our meeting in January and agreed to consult those people who back onto the site. We did this on Sunday the 31st January 2010 and had a really positive response. Last Saturday we went to visit Pilkington Allotments in St Helens and Ashfield in Knotty Ash, which really opened our eyes to what we could do.

Our next meeting is tomorrow evening at 7.45 at the Scout Hut, Grange Cemetary, West Kirby which will also incorporate a public consultation for any one who want to come.

Society meeting tomorrow evening

2010-01-12T18:56:00.002Z

Just a reminder that the meeting which was cancelled last week will take place at 8pm Wednesday 13th January 2010 at the Scout Hut, Grange Community Park, West Kirby.

Tonights meeting cancelled

2010-01-06T10:37:00.001Z

Due to the icy conditions and the likelyhood that it is going to freeze again tonght I have cancelled tonights meeting.

Useful weblinks

2010-01-01T13:00:00.003Z

I have been searching the net for useful weblinks over the last couple of days and come up with the following.

Gardeners Click:- http://www.gardenersclick.com/
Grow Veg:- www.growveg.com
Allotments for all:- http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/
Allot more allotments:- http://www.allotmoreallotments.org.uk/
NSALG:- http://www.nsalg.org.uk/
Wirral Allotment Federation:- http://www.wirralfedallotments.org.uk/index.htm
Allotment Regeneration Initiative:- http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari/
BBC Dig In:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/digin/

Update 30th December 2009

2009-12-30T09:56:00.003Z

I am sorry but I have been a bit busy over the last few weeks and have not had chance to update the blog.

Since the inaugural meeting on the 18th November a sub-group meeting has been held to discuss consultation with the local community and a questionnaire has been written which will be used in the next few weeks to garner the opinion of those who overlook the site.

There has also been a meeting of the funding sub-group.

The next meeting of the society will take place on Wednesday 6th January 2010 at 8pm at the Grange Scout Hut.

2009-11-28T13:28:00.002Z

The Inaugural meeting was held on the 18th October and the constitution agreed. I was voted as the Chair for the first year with Peter Fitzgerald as the secretary and Sue Williams as Treasurer. About 30 people attended the meeting and it was agreed that the next steps were community consultation and funding. Two sub-committees were established to take this forward. The next full meeting of the society will be on Wednesday the 6th January 2010 at the Scout Hut, Grange Cemetary

Important week for the allotment society

2009-11-15T10:05:00.004Z

8pm Wednesday the 18th November at the Scout Hut, Grange Cemetary- that is the time of the inaugural meeting of the society, when we will agree a constitution and also elect the committee.

I have spoken to the Asset Management of the Council who cannot proceed any further until we are constituted as a formal body.

Margaret Campbell has submitted a funding request to YourWirral so that we can commission a wildlife study before we go any further.

Roger Calvert has been really helpful, I should have a copy of an intitial possible plan of the site in the next couple of days and on our behlaf he is chasing up an enquiry I made to planning as to what they will expect us to do.

Below is the latest copy of the proposed constitution and the proposed agenda for Wednesday night.

The Constitution of Gilroy Road Community Allotment Society

1. Name

Gilroy Road Community Allotment Society – hereafter the Society.

2. Aims

To develop a thriving, attractive and multifunctional allotment site that benefits plotholders, visitors, the local community and wildlife.

3. Objectives

The Society will operate as a non-profit making organisation to further the following objectives:
To liaise with local residents, other gardening associations, environmental organisations and community groups in support of the Society’s aims
To seek and administer funding in support of the Society’s aims.
To conduct negotiations with the local authority on all matters relating to the site.
To manage the site and seek ongoing improvements in standards and facilities

3. Membership

Membership of the Society shall be open:-
a) To all persons wishing to become involved in the development of Gilroy Road Allotment site, until the site is formally adopted at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society.

Thereafter, applications for an allotment will be considered by the Committee in a fair and transparent process, taking into account the individual commitment and effort shown in developing the site.

Membership will then be open:-
b) To all persons over the age of 18, who having made an application for an allotment, have been approved by the management committee and granted a tenancy. Where the tenancy is held in joint names or by a community group, membership may be in joint names and will entitle one vote in any Society ballot. Plot-holders under the age of 18 may be admitted as junior members free of charge.
c) Anyone interested in supporting the site but who are not plot-holders have the right to join as Associate Members. Associate Members shall not have the right to vote at Members meetings.

4. Termination of Membership

The General Committee shall have the right, for good and sufficient reason which includes non payment of any subscription, to exclude from meetings an individual member, provided that the individual member shall have the right to be heard by the Committee before a decision is made.

5. Subscriptions

All individual members shall pay such subscriptions as the members may determine at an Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.).

6. Society Committee

The Society will have a Committee drawn from membership of the Society and elected by the members at each A.GM. The Committee may determine the powers and terms of reference of any Sub Committee and duration of its activities.

The policy and general management of the affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a Committee, which shall be responsible to the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

All Society members are eligible to be nominated for the Committee. Individuals interested in serving on the committee will need to be nominated by two existing society members.

The officers of the Committee will be a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer plus as many additional committee members, to represent the membership as a whole, as the members decide at each A.G.M. The whole committee will stand down at each A.G.M. but can seek re-election at the same meeting.

The Committee may co-opt further members, who shall not exceed one third of the total membership of the committee as defined above.

If vacancies occur among its members, the Committee shall have the power to fill these until the next A.G.M. from amongst the members of the Society.

The Committee will meet at least 4 times a year. A written record of the meeting will be made. A quorum at a committee meeting shall be 4, including at least two officers of the Committee. The committee will have full powers to supervise and manage the day to day work of the Society.

There shall be appointed an Auditor, or other person, who is not a member of the Committee, to independently examine the accounts and submit a Report to the Annual General Meeting.

7. Annual General Meetings (A.G.M.)

An A.G.M. shall be held each year. At least 14 days' notice shall be given of the A.G.M. and at which the audited/independently examined accounts, Chairperson’s and Secretary's report shall be presented, any proposals to amend the Constitution received and a Committee elected for the ensuing year. An Extraordinary General Meeting (E.G.M.) may be held at such times as the Committee may determine or at the request of at least 10 members of the Society. 10 members shall form a quorum, for the A.G.M and in the case of equal voting the Chairperson shall have a casting vote. Voting shall be on the basis of one vote per allotment holder, irrespective of the number of plots cultivated

8. Finance

The Society’s Committee has the power to determine how monies raised by or on behalf of the Society shall be applied to further the objects of the Society and for no other purpose.

The Treasurer shall keep proper account of the finances of the Society and shall open a bank account in the name of the Society.

The accounts shall be audited or independently examined at least once a year by a person independent of the Committee and appointed by the Annual General Meeting.

9. Dissolution

If the Committee, by a simple majority, decides at any time on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Society it shall, giving at least 14 days notice, call an Extraordinary General meeting of all members of the Society. If such a resolution shall be confirmed by a simple majority of those present at such meeting the Committee shall have the power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the Society. Any assets remaining after meeting of any proper debts and liabilities shall be donated to the Wirral Federation of Allotments or if Federation has ceased to exist, donated to a charity for the benefit of the local community.

10. Alterations to the constitution

Changes to the Constitution may be proposed by any members. Any amendments to the Constitution may be approved by a simply majority at either an A.G.M. or E.G.M.

THIS CONSTITUTION was adopted as the constitution of Gilroy Rd Allotment Society at a meeting held at

___________________________ on _______________________20

Signed ___________________________________ (Chairperson)

____________________________________ (Secretary)

INAUGURAL MEETING AGENDA

1. Introduction and Welcome

2. Election of meeting chair

3. Actions to date

4. Discussion as to the name of the Society

5. Agreement of initial Rules (copy attached)

6. Election of Officers and Committee of Management members
(a) Chairperson
(b) Secretary
(c) Treasurer
(d) 3 committee members
(e) Honorary Auditor(s)

7. Discussion regarding membership fees

8. Layout of site-how many allotments?

9. Funding

10. Community Consultation

11. Next steps-sub committees?

12. Date, time and place of next Annual General Meeting

Plan of how many allotments can be put on the site being produced!

2009-10-30T18:10:00.003Z

Today I went to meet Roger Calvert and Jackie who works in his department.
Jackie is going to produce a plan for use of what may be possible on the site in terms of pathways and numbers of allotments.
There is a major sewer which runs under the site to the pumping station near the tip, which they are going to mark on the plan as well as the mains water supply which runs along the pathway to the Nature Reserve.
Margaret dropped off a number of documents today that I need to read and digest-back to work on Monday after a week off so I will have to do things in the evenings again.

The story so far

2009-10-28T21:44:00.000Z

12/08/09 Margaret Campbell wrote and sent out the E-petition

21/09/09 Petition with 56 signatures submitted to Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee-council agreed to support allotment proposal.

24/09/09 Wirral Partnership Homes were contacted asking if access could be gained to the site via the rear of the Coronation Buildings

29/09/09 Reply received from WPH that they were willing to support the project by allowing the society to lease the area behind Coronation Buildings.

Discussions are ongoing with the Borough Council's Asset Management department by Roger Calvert on our behalf as to whether it will be a transfer of ownership or a lease. A lease would be the favoured option initially

13/10/09 I took a number of photographs of the site

13/10/09 meeting of Jane Marsden, Margaret and I at Jane’s house when it was decided that there was a need to establish the society formally.It was agreed that a meeting would be held on 18/11/09 at 20:00- location to be confirmed.

16/10/09 following sent via Wirral BC website to clarify position with regards to planning permission:

Is there a need to apply for planning permission for the land to change use from agricultural to horticultural? The National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardens gives the following guidance:- "The Chairman and the National Secretary, NSALG have argued for some 20 years that planning permission for sheds, greenhouses and poly-tunnels on allotment sites is NOT required. The Legal Consultant has endorsed this argument, citing the High Court Case CROWBOROUGH PARISH COUNCIL - v - SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCIL [1980] Property & Compensation Reports, 229, High Court (Queen’s Bench) as authority. NSALG sought Counsel’s Opinion on this issue, and is delighted to say that Counsel has confirmed the opinion of the Secretary and Chairman; and confirmed the opinion of the Legal Consultant that the Crowborough case is authority for the premiss: Planning Permission is NOT required for sheds, and/or greenhouses on an allotment plot! Please note: a shed or greenhouse over the standard size of 8 x 6 (available from most garden and DIY centres) that require foundations or are connected to services, might be construed as a permanent structure."Can you confirm if we will require planning permission? If we have to seek planning permission will there be a cost to the society to submit the application?

19/10/09 Councillor Elderton contacted me via Roger Calvert as he had been approached by a constituent regarding provision of allotments in West Kirby

20/10/09 The Scout Leader agreed that we could hire the Scout Hut for our meeting and also offered the support of the Scouts and Cubs once the society was established.

27/10/09 Meeting at site with Roger Calvert and Allotment officer Stella Joseph a walk around the site which revealed it is not as overgrown as first thought. It was also identified that there are 5 free garages at the rear of Coronation Building-WPH have been e-mailed asking if we could use them.

28/10/09 Blog established to record the developments

Model Rules obtained from the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardens in Word form so they can be edited as appropriate for the society. Model Rules can be seen on the NSALG website http://www.nsalg.org.uk/uploads/article459/Model%20Rules%20unregistered%20simple%202006%20A4%20format.pdf.

How it all started

2009-10-28T13:31:00.000Z

I have wanted an allotment for a couple of years and had put my name down on the waiting list for Newton Allotments and Grange allotments but was getting no where. I had had a couple of conversations with Margaret Campbell and Jane Marsden about what Transition Town West Kirby were doing. I had been looking out for redundant land which could be turned into allotments and one day when I went to the tip on Greenbank Road thought that the old football fields behind Greenbank Road may have been ideal.
A few days later I went for a ride on my bike around these fields. I sent an e-mail to the Borough Council who identified that the land was unsuitable as it had been a tip for brick and concrete in the 1980s when they knocked down Oak and Elden Grdens in Birkenhead, but they did identify that there was a piece of former agricultural land behind Coronation Buildings which they may consider allowing to be used for allotments.

Well that is how it began, over the next few posts I will blog the rest of the story so far and then keep everyone updated as to future developments.