Open Meeting 1.7.2011
COMMUNITY SMALLHOLDING 1 July 2011
19 members of the group were present plus a temporary scribe. It is suspected that Andy Murray was a more attractive draw.
Apologies from Michael Wyatt, Chris Featherstone and Representative from NFU.
1. Introduction
Colin Smith took the Chair. He announced that the meeting would provide clarity over the operating structure needed in order to move the group forward.
Alistair Gibson thanked Elmham News for the positive Editorial comments.
2 Steering Group
It was made clear that there have, to date, been only 3 Steering Committee meetings, one before the first public meeting and one before each of the June and July public meetings. To date, attendees have consisted of the 3 Directors, Colin Smith, Marigold Thompson and Mark Tasker, plus the produce group Leaders plus specific individuals whom the Directors feel were necessary to contribute input or advice. It is not a decision making group and exists to sift through what has to be done, any information needed to respond to agenda items proposed by members and to try and put it into order. The discussions/findings would then form the Agenda for the next meeting to be discussed by the Members. It was confirmed The Directors would be “on rotation” so interested persons could put themselves forward for nomination as a Director at the AGM.
Suggestions from the floor were that perhaps each group should elect its own representative as group leaders may not want to be on the Steering Group.
Following much discussion on this and it was agreed that The Steering Group should consist of the Directors, 1 representative from each group plus other nominees ie Treasurer, Secretary, etc.
Because of the shortage of members present at the meeting ie approx half of the membership it was proposed, after much debate, that items would be voted upon this evening but if any of the absentees were totally against the items decided upon, they could raise their concerns for consideration at the AGM . Everyone present was in agreement.
3 Membership Fees.
These had been agreed on as £30 pa and they should be paid by the end of July, BAC’s, cheque, cash or Paypal subscription would be accepted – details to be forwarded to members very shortly.
Renewal date is to be 1 August for original members with new members taking out a year’s subscription from the date they joined.
4 Produce Group Finances
The members of the group would finance it by their produce group fees. Any equipment bought for the group and paid for by Produce Group finances or from central funds will remain the property of the Community Smallholding if paid for from central funds or else become the property of the Community Smallholding at the termination of the project. All profits after expenses / initial investment is met will also go into the central community smallholding account to be applied as the members see fit.
5 Allotments
17 parishioner members of the group had applied for allotments to start at Michaelmas 2011. Allotment holder members will pay the appropriate allotment holder membership fee. A letter to the Parish Council pointed out one or two anomalies in their thinking and the information on the Charity Commissioners website has been amended to more accurately reflect the deed. Ali acknowledged the thorough job that Peter Wade-Martins had done in amending the Councillors’ understanding of the charity.
6 Insurance & NFU membership
Mark was obtaining quotes to cover everything necessary ie public liability, employer’s liability, general farm insurance, environmental liability, comprehensive cover and all livestock are covered. He is waiting to see if some amendments he had proposed would make a difference to the premiums – if so this will be shared with the group. In addition, Ali has requested a rival quote against which the NFU quote can be benchmarked. The group were to be members of the NFU.
7 Costings for Produce Groups
There are 2 categories i.e.:
Non Perishable – those items that can be stored without refrigeration at an ambient temperature.
Non Perishable groups – suggested that 75% of what is produced is for the produce group members who will meet the produce costs – 25% will go to the Community Smallholding to be sold for funds
Perishable – meat, pickles, preserves, honey
Perishable Groups –
Active Produce group members will pay share cost + 10% (allowed for in initial project costings and cost per share determination)
Other Community Smallholding members will pay share cost plus +20%
Any left can be sold to the General Public at share cost +30%
The prices may be comparable to the market value (perhaps slightly higher) but the provenance and quality will be excellent.
In the case of a group undergoing an unforeseen disaster i.e.: huge vets’ bills, etc, NECS would – if possible – provide support from central funds to help them out and draft guidelines will be drawn up regarding things that could go wrong. Insurance will be put in place to deal with obvious costs.
8 Permission for a New Chicken Group
Chris & Deb had done research on this and by starting small would be able to learn as they went along. They would buy 5 week old chicks and rear then for a 3-4 week turnaround. They would be cornfed/ growers pellets/barn reared. Approx costs could be 2kg chicken for £11-12. If successful, larger numbers could be produced driving the costs down.
The motion was proposed by Clive and seconded by Arlene and it was unanimous that the group could be formed, subject to agreement with neighbours.
9 Cattle Group (CG1)
3 The red Poll bullocks are presently enjoying life in the Old Hall Meadows. According to a local farmer, a good deal has been done and they should return a good profit, albeit that with cattle it is a long term project. The farmer has offered to show members how animals should be handled and also is prepared to give an insight into a breeding programme.
10 Pig Group (PG1 and PG2)
Running well. Pigs have come and gone and the 2 sows remaining from PG1 are being well looked after. Mark asked all members to make sure that the animals had plenty of water especially in the evenings.
Would people who want beef/pork from CG1 or PG2, please pay £50 via Joy Dawson as soon as possible.
Swanton Morley butchers will deal with the PG2 butchery and produce ham, bacon and sausages. He can vacuum pack bacon, etc.
Pete Vokes produced a “Wants” sheet for Orders and requested that Members express their interest in different cuts. Pete will deliver the butchered meet as soon as he can, with the butchery costs initially paid for from the cash in hand held by Pete following the Church Fete (to be replenished from the payment on delivery). Obviously, any PG2 meat will be shared as equably as possible, subject to demand.
11. Bee Group
Clive has caught another small swarm. He will use a site at Stanfield so that the news bees do not fly back to their original home. The Bee Group spent a very constructive workshop making frames and 200 were made in a couple of hours with everyone working hard and enjoying themselves.
12 YARD WORKING DAY
Proposed as Sunday 17th July 10-4pm followed by Sunday 24th July 10-4 pm, subject to agreement from Mark and Hetty.
Come prepared for mending, cleaning, shifting etc. There’s a mound of goose dropping to be dealt with!
13 Produce Group Rotas have been implemented on the website – check them out. Ali asked for produce group leaders to provide Mike Wyatt with the data for the rotas.
14 IT LINK
Ali asked that members register on the village website at northelmhamvillage.co.uk and follow the links. You can send comments to Mike via this link. The email for the community farm mailing list was provided on the bottom of the agenda.
15 Sponsorship
The need to explore local businesses to see if they would sponsor a project was discussed. Chris has a company in mind that might do that but he needs NECS to be well established before approaching them.
After discussion, it was agreed it would be a good idea and MERRYN WALTERS agreed to be the Liaison Officer. Merryn will scope her role for discussion at the next meeting.
16 BARBECUE and MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
It was agreed to hold a barbecue as part of a membership drive on Sunday SEPTEMBER 4th from 3pm. Two members volunteered their share of a PG2 pig so that a HOG ROAST could be produced, albeit that this may not be necessary given current PG2 subscription levels. Elmham News would be asked to advertise this, both in the magazine and on the website.
FLOWER FESTIVAL - AUGUST 27,28,29
A stall would be run on the same lines as at the Garden Fete on the Paddock opposite the church.
ARLENE 01362 668645 wants Raffle prizes
Date of the next meeting is Friday August 5th, 7pm at Tracks.
Meeting ended at 9.41pm