WELLINGTON FIELDS!
Hixon Allotments Association
 

Wellington Fields Hixon Allotment
Wellington Fields Allotment Development Plan 2015/16 (Draft)

Cultivating Hixon’s Future Growing for Fun 

Key Drivers:

1. Partnership to attain the maximum improvements of the allotments for plot holders; (Partnership with the Parish Council, Land Owner, Local Societies, National Association and others.

2. Growing safe and healthy, fresh fruit and vegetables locally;

3. Good access, good security, well maintained pathways, adequate water supply, sufficient storage facilities, good facilities, adequate site drainage and freedom from neglected plots; 

4. Opportunities and encouragement to individuals and communities wishing to be involved in the cultivation and management of allotments; 

5. Effective and appropriate allocation of resources; fair, open and equitable treatment and safe tenure;

6. Opportunities for developing gardening skills; 

7. Encouragement and support to sites to develop self-management; 

8. Fair and transparent charges and rents for allotments and allotment services;


Areas discussed with the Plot holders at the AGM: (Themes)
1. Premises and Allotment Environment 
2. Finance
3. Health and Safety
4. Communication and Partnership Working 
5. Advice and Guidance
6. Social and Fund Raising 

Wellington Fields success in delivering the Strategy Objectives will be measured against: 

Customer satisfaction with the allotment site;

  • Safe Knowledgeable Growers; 

  • Total occupation levels; 

  • Ease of access for different groups in the community;

  • Average waiting time for plots; 

  • Value for money.

PREMISES AND ALLOTMENT ENVIRONMENT

Theme 1

Objective

Actions

Outcomes

Lead /Who

Priority

Cost

When

Rag Rating

Green/ Amber/Red 

1a)

To provide a shelter for plot holders for storage, social facilities, a shop and other facilities.

Check with the land owner the position re the present building.

 

Decide the type of building required.

 

Discuss match funding with the Council.

 

Explore other funding sources e.g. National lottery.

A strategy determined with a specification for the building.  

 

 A plan devised re the development of this shelter

Secretary

 




Committee

2

To be investigated

Summer 15

 

1b)

To improve the layout of the existing composting area.

Plan to be created

A plan to be submitted to the Allotment Committee

Alan Hartley

3

To be indicated in the submission

Summer 15

 

1c)

To improve the drive way making the entrance safe and resolving the health and safety issues crossing Egg Lane and preventing the pedestrian slip hazards/vehicle entering issues.

Letter to be written to the Parish Council requesting this work.

Safe and improved access

Allotment Chair /Parish Council

 

1

Taken from the set aside funding

To be within this plans cycle Summer 15 to Spring16

 

1d)

To maintain the paths ensuring the hard core surface

A site survey to occur checking the state of the plot paths

Actions to be communicated
to the Council via the innovations/
liaison group.

Parish Council

2

Taken from the Parish Council Fund

Summer 15

 

1e)

To ensure all tap systems work effectively.

A site survey   to occur checking the state of the taps requiring repair.

Actions to be communicated
to the Council via the innovations/
liaison group.

Parish Council

2

Taken from the Parish Council Fund

 

 

1f)

To ensure biodiversity through wild flower areas attracting bees and other pollinators

Use the site survey to look for these opportunities

Plot holders
benefit from the pollination of crops with greater yields.

Allotment committee 

4

No initial costs

Summer 15

 

1g)

To provide bark chippings for the plot holders as mulch

Local bark chippings to be sourced.

Plot holders have access to mulch with the impact of:

  • Less watering required.

  • Weeds reduced.

Alan Hartley

4

To be explored

Summer 15/Spring 16

 


FINANCE

Theme 2

Objective

Actions

Outcomes

Lead /Who

Priority

Cost

When

Rag Rating

Green/ Amber/Red 

2a

Annual Review of rents

Rents to be reviewed each year prior to the AGM. A proposal to be put to all plot holders.

Equitable affordable rents to be clearly communicated and achieved.

Treasurer

1

0

AGM June 16

 

2b

Bids /Match funding for committee priorities to be made.

Sources of external to be identified for specific projects.

Allotment  events supported

Treasurer

2

0

Summer 15/Spring16

 

2c

To have fundraising events /CF social

The committee to devise a programme of events to raise money for the improvements required.

Social events lead to a pot of money to support innovations.

Committee

2

To be determined

Summer15/ Spring16

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Theme 3

 

 

Objective

Actions

Outcomes

Lead /Who

Priority

Cost

When

Rag Rating

Green/ Amber/Red 

3a)

To create risk assessments for the use of equipment e.g. Strimmer

To list the activities requiring risk assessment and create some actions related to this.

Safe use of equipment and plot holders trained for specific heavy duty equipment.

Chairman -Simon

1

To be determined by the initial action

Summer 15

 

3b)

To have training for plot holders on certain types of heavy duty/dangerous equipment

To list the activities requiring risk assessment and create some actions related to this.

Plot holders work safely

Chairman -Simon

1

To be determined by the initial action

Summer/ Spring16

 

3c)

First Aid Training

To identify who would like to take part. Use the Parish Council Training.

Qualified First Aid people available.

Mark Pearce

2

Parish Council funded

?

 

3d)

Supportive Plot Checks 1 per year

To check the plots periodically to ensure any potential issues are managed e.g. weeds, blight, pests.

Plot holders supported with issues ensuring all other plots are not impacted upon.

Committee

1

19th August

Summer 15/16

 

3e)

Watering Rota/Volunteers

To set up system supporting watering for individuals and  helping plot holders who are ill and unable to work the plots over a short period.

Plot holders benefit from mutual support

Committee

2

Time

Summer 15/16

 

COMMUNICATION AND PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Theme 4

Objective

Actions

Outcomes

Lead /Who

Priority

Cost

When

Rag Rating

Green/ Amber/Red 

4a)

Work with the Parish Council to develop a capital funds pot for innovations.

Liaison group to meet with the council to establish joint working.

Meetings on a regular basis to achieve the establish a working fund. A parish counsellor to act as regular liaison person attending innovation meetings.

Chair of the Allotment Committee 

1

0

Summer 15

 

4b)

Partnerships to be developed with other allotment groups. Haywood Allotments, Produce Guild.

            Establish a contact list and activities/

Interactions required.

Joint Activities established/ Competitions /advice and guidance.

Allotment committee

3

0

Summer/ Spring16

 

4c)

Develop a new Face Book Page and system of administering. Make people aware through the Compass. Committee members’ info on here and on the noticeboard.

To develop and establish putting this in place and sharing with membership.

 

Regular articles, news to be communicated.

Allotment Committee 

1

0

Summer 16

 

                 

ADVICEAND GUIDANCE

Theme 5

 

 

Objective

Actions

Outcomes

Lead /Who

Priority

Cost

When

Rag Rating

Green/ Amber/Red 

5a)

A Fact Sheet of important information to be prepared for new plot holders but trialled on existing.

Information to be defined e.g. committee members, rules, rent, safety, social help and support.

Well informed plot holders a good induction and support to all new members.

Committee?

2

Cost of printing?

Summer 15 in preparation for Spring 16

 

5b)

Annual Planner for growing on the website

A year planner to be created by the committee

 

Chris Hilton

1

Time

Spring16 but information on the Face Book as an interim.

 

5d)

 

 

To improve plot holder information 

An e-newsletter to be created but paper copies to be provided for members without ICT.

Well informed plot holders and contributions to the e-newsletter by all.

To be decided

2

Time

Spring 16

 

                 

SOCIAL AND FUNDRAISING/Additional

Theme 6

Objective

Actions

Outcomes

Lead /Who

Priority

Cost

When

Rag Rating

Green/ Amber/Red 

6a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6b)

To have a range of Social events and activities to improve information and develop relationships both internally and with the community. To raise funds. CF finance.

 

 

Additional

To develop a memorial garden for the Hixon Rail Disaster

A range of activities to be developed. Initial
 e.g. Open day, Quiz, Gardening Experts, Competitions, Gardeners Question Time

 

 

 

 

Discussion at a future meeting.

Funds raised People get to Know who is who. Community aware of the resource and new plot holders found where appropriate.

Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Committee

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
3

To be investigated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  To be investigated

 

Summer15-16 19th August to discuss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


A future meeting