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GOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL
SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
ALLOTMENTS WORKING GROUP
(Councillors Clinton, M Russell and Train)
BOROUGH-WIDE REVIEW OF
ALLOTMENTS
PUBLIC MEETING
18 FEBRUARY 2004
Purpose
of scrutiny
The
Working Group was set up by the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee to
carry out a Borough-wide review of allotments.
Purpose
of this public meeting
Part
of the Working Group's information gathering process was to hear the views of
the allotment holders and the community on any issues of concern, such as the
management of the sites, security facilities, promotion of vacant plots,
access, parking etc.
*********************************
Councillor
Train chaired the meeting and Councillors Clinton and M Russell were also
present. Several other Councillors attended as observers.
There
were 11 members of the public, including the Chairman of the Gosport Allotments
Holders and Gardeners Association, who shared their concerns and experiences
with the Working Group and assembled public.
Summarised
below are the main points that were raised during the meeting. The Working
Group will take these matters into account as part of the Borough-wide review
of allotments when considering their recommendations and final report to the
Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee later this year.
The
Working Group thanked all those who attended.
***********************************
VIEWS
AND COMMENTS FROM THE MEETING
Security
.
There was support for improved security to boundaries of the sites.
. Speakers requested replacement fencing and for security locks to be placed on
sheds and all gates.
. There was concern over duplicate keys being copied generally,
and at Camden in particular.
. Work carried out by contractors should be agreed on commencement and
inspected during and on completion by Gosport Borough Council.
Access
for the disabled
.
Ensure that allotment facilities are available to all by adapting sites for use
by the disabled and those less mobile
. Great concern was expressed by one allotment holder whose wheelchair bound
husband would like to accompany her but was unable to because of unsafe
pathways
Children
and the future
.
Allotments are a valuable asset and if sufficient children's interest was
generated this could secure future use
. The Caretaker at a local school regularly showed children around the
allotment site to generate interest
. It was suggested that schools should be encouraged to manage some plots as
part of the school curriculum.
Site
improvements and unoccupied/untended plots
.
Requests for GBC to clear vacant plots to encourage new plot
holders
. Re-allocate vacant plots more quickly to avoid untended plots and
reduce weed and seed migration to cultivated plots
. Control height of grass during the growing season
. Request for Councillors to investigate why use of wood chipping was no longer
permitted
. Some pathways were narrow and unsafe, some were
being encroached upon by neighbouring plot holders
. Improve the water systems generally and in particular at Camden and Elson
. Provision of skips on a regular basis
Funding
and costs
.
There was support for the reduction in GBC admin costs
. Any increase in rents was felt to be generally too high for the vast majority
of pensioners
. Suggested there be a discount for long serving plot holders
and concessionary rate for pensioners although subsidy by Council Tax payers
should not be expected.
. There was concern over the length of time taken to be provided with a
breakdown of allotment costs from Leisure, GBC
. Councillors confirmed that a breakdown of costs would be published in their
final report later in the year
. It was questioned as to how much of the income received from the sale of
Camden site would be used to make improvements to allotments?
(The Working Group were unable to answer to this question as the matter would
be explored by the relevant Council Board)
Allotment Holders' organisations
.
There was support for the Gosport Allotment Holders' Association to run the
allotments although this was not the general consensus.
Planning
matters and site status
.
It was requested that Elson site be made permanent; this issue would be investigated
. There was concern about allotment land being earmarked for other purposes, ie car parking for the SHRT at Rectory and land at Brockhurst to be used for a cemetery.
Badgers
.
There had been some difficulties relating to badgers at the Brockhurst
site
. Badgers were protected by the Countryside and Wildlife Act and could only be
moved at certain times of the year
Communication
and moving forward
.
Councillors emphasised the importance of effective communication between all
parties during the review process
. Councillors were anxious to work together with GBC officers and the allotment
holders to improve the allotments
. Payment of rent was available on-line although a telephone call had to be
made to get instructions
. A 5 year structure plan for the allotments was suggested
Wardens
.
There was support for Wardens to be reinstated with a 'voting-in' system
. Park Rangers were only available during working hours [i.e
9am-5pm Mon-Fri]
. No response had been received despite repeated requests for an individual to
become a Warden
. A new Warden was required at Brockhurst
Suggestions
for advertising, promotion and regeneration of allotment gardening
.
The Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association suggested producing a
newsletter
. Publish information on the GBC website
. Welcome packs for new tenants
. Suggestion boxes on all sites, with suggestions collected regularly
. Free sites for those on benefits
. Concessions for senior citizens
. Allotment allocation forms to be kept in the site sheds
. Re-allocate vacant plots more quickly
. Recognition for longstanding plot holders - one plot holder had tended a plot
for 45 years and another had been a plot holder in the Borough since 1948!!!
. Allotments should not be allowed to deteriorate as they maintained
gene banks and also helped to provide a remedy for obesity, promoting exercise
and healthy eating
. Provision of electricity, so that plot holders could use
their own tools
. Provision of rotavaters, although there were
insurance implications if used by plot holders
Reading,
Research and suggestions
.
Include allotments in the Borough's Community Strategy Partnership document
. DETR Government report; 'Growing in the Community - A Good Practice Guide to
Allotments' available for purchase, a good starting point for research
. LGA report relating to allotments
. Allotment Regeneration Scheme
. Local Agenda 21/Community Planning
. Towards a Better Future' a 41 page report by the
Gosport Allotment Holders
. A more effective audio system was requested at the Town Hall as the
audience had difficulty in hearing those speaking
. A larger hall would be needed for a future meeting
The
allotment holders thanked the Council for inviting them to this meeting and the
Working Group indicated that a further meeting to progress the review was
probable.
'WORKING
TOGETHER TO IMPROVE OUR ALLOTMENTS'