SECOND DRAFT
CFAS COMMITTEE MEETING 12TH AUGUST 2025 8.00PM ON ZOOM
1 Attendance
Present:Adam Butler (AB) Claudio Dagostin (CD) Sina Beier (SB) Philippa Slatter (PMS) David Newcombe (DN) Viv Hilken (VH).There were no apologies.
2.Committee reports
a) Viv Hilken and David Hilken were proposed to join the committee and confirmed unanimously
b) The following committee roles were discussed and confirmed:
Chair: Adam Butler
Treasurer: Claudio
Secretary : Philippa Slatter
Ex officio representative of Plot 38 : Sina Beir
In addition, Adam Butler is the nominated member of the committee for contacts with c) Membership of the National Allotment Society (NAS): AB reported that CFAS has now renewed membership of the NAS, and Society members can now open individual accounts with Kings’ Seeds
The website will need to be updated regarding committee membership & NAS access
Action: AB
c) Financial Report (CD)
3. Future Management of Clay Farm site
a) AB reported that he had received an email from John Parrott suggesting that the CFAS takes over the management of the CFA site. This email has been circulated to the committee. AB had responded that there was no immediate prospect of CFAS becoming self-managing, but that the committee would discuss it.
b) The meeting agreed that several key conditions would have to be met before such a major undertaking. PMS proposed that she and Howard Slatter draw up a possible road map. DN affirmed that although the Trumpington Allotment Society (TAS) has rejected the Council’s suggestion that they could take responsibility for the new sites, there are experienced people in the TAS who would be happy to advise us. He and Barbara would certainly help with designing the initial proposals, for the committee to consider.
[both Howard and Barbara have considerable past & present experience of working on the TAS committee]
Action: PMS & DN
c) PMS suggested that a question relating to the proposal could be included in the members’ survey to inform the membership and invite participation in the process.
Action: PMS
d) It was agreed that establishing effective communication between the committee and ALL tenants was a requirement for any progress towards self-management.
e) AB was asked to email John Parrott to tell him that the committee has discussed the issue and would be sending initial proposals in due course.
Action: AB
4. Communication with CFAS members
a) It was agreed that an email update should be sent out to CFAS members at the end of August, together with attached documents and a link to the members’ survey.
b) The committee was generally content with the draft survey, with additional questions regarding the orchard and the future management. Committee to assess second version when circulated.
Action: PMS and ALL
c) PMS will need access to and be able to use the CFAS Mailchimp account. AB will assist
Action: AB & PMS
5. Update on S1
a) The Orchard. CD updated the committee on possible sources and cost of fruit trees. There was agreement that the trees should be as substantial as could be afforded and the cost would be budgeted for in any increase in subscriptions. AB confirmed that Scotsdales were used as a supplier by his employer (Queens College) CD will research further and report back on WhatsApp group
Action: CD
b) Overall layout of S1
PMS shared the draft plan and the committee did not suggest any amendments at this stage. This plan will be circulated to members and shared as widely as possible.
Action: PMS
c) PMS suggested that a parasol could be bought. She will research and report back on WhatsApp group
Action PMS
6. AOB and Agenda Planning for future committee meetings
– Setting subscription (ALL)
– review of ‘no structures’ planning condition (PMS)
– encouraging participation and recruitment (ALL)
7.Dates of next committee meetings
It was agreed that four committee meetings a year should be helpd at these seasons Oct/Nov, Feb, May, July/Aug. Date of 2026 AGM
AB would suggest dates for October/November
Action: AB
The meeting was closed with thanks to all attending at 9.10ish
( Sorry, but recording not stored successfully)
PMS 13/08/25