AGM 2021 Cancelled | Nominations to the Committee open.

Dear Plot Holders and Co Workers,

As we will still be under restrictions during April when we usually have our AGM we will of course not be able to hold it for the second year running. We will though be taking nominations to the Committee again as we did last year. The Committee has continued to do it's work in the last year albeit in a very restricted fashion.

If you feel that you have something to offer the allotment community and are considering joining the Committee please read how to go about that below. If you have any questions then please email us on bhaf.contact@gmail.com

The current BHAF Committee can be viewed here;
https://www.bhaf.org.uk/committee

We can appreciate that the Council is working in exeptionally difficult circumstances at the moment. As many of you know, a large backlog of communications to the Allotment Service had built up, we have been informed that permission for the employment of temporary staff to clear the backlog has been granted and hopefully that will happen soon.

We have also received a lot of messages from people regarding the waiting list and the fact that plots are still not being let. We have asked for clarification about this but unfortunately have not had a response yet. We are especially worried that people are being allowed to join the list on payment of a fee but that plots are not actually being let and we have made our concerns about this known to the service.

As far as we are aware we are still expecting for there to be a delivery plan for the Allotment Strategy to be produced in March as indicated at the ETS Committee meeting in November.

Here's hoping for a super spring and a return to growing. Stay safe.

Mark Carroll
for BHAF Committee

Nominations to the BHAF Committee

As you know, nominations usually take place at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). However due to the pandemic we will not be able to hold an actual AGM again this year, but we can still accept nominations to the Committee as usual.

Here is information on the elections process and timetable and information on the role of the committee and the responsibilities of members

1. If you wish to put yourself forward for election, please send the following information to bhaf.contact@gmail.com by Tuesday 30th March

A. Your name and which site you are on
B. A short paragraph about yourself and the skills and interests you can offer
C. The names of a proposer and seconder

This information will be shared with BHAF members along with the bios of existing committee members who are standing for re-election.

2. The BHAF Committee is the voice of all plot holders in Brighton and Hove. It is funded from a levy on everyone’s annual rent payments. BHAF works in partnership with the Council Allotment Service to deliver the Allotments Strategy, agreed with Brighton and Hove Council in 2014. It disburses development funds to sites, protects tenants’ rights and works to ensure accountability to plot holders. It (usually) holds regular meetings and forums, manages a website and various forms of social media communications and provides advice and support on a wide range of issues. The committee also co-operates with other voluntary organisations and networks across the city on areas of mutual interest such as community outreach, food security and bio-diversity.

The committee (usually) meets several times a year, including BHAF forums (evenings only) on an as-needed basis. (Physical meetings have been suspended during the pandemic) Committee members also communicate regularly through email. Members need to be able to commit to regular attendance. The committee operates a Code of Conduct which members must agree to before joining the committee. The Committee is GDPR compliant and new members will be briefed on these obligations.

All talents very are welcome. We would particularly appreciate new members with on-line communication skills, interest in taking forward planned work on diversity and social inclusion and also members from smaller sites.