Agenda item

Allotment Fees and Charges

Minutes:

Purpose of Report

 

To outline a proposal to increase allotments charges in order to deliver a contribution to the Towards Financial Sustainability Programme.

 

Decision

 

That the Executive supports changes to the fees and charges for allotments with effect from the annual billing in 2022 and new leases thereafter, as follows:

 

(a)        Removal of the 50% discount based on age.

 

(b)        Protection of discounts for those on means tested benefits at 50%.

 

(c)        Increase in base charges by 50%.

 

(d)        Income achieved above £30,000, linked to inflation, be ringfenced for allotment projects.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

 

Numerous options had been explored as indicated by the pricing matric set out in the report.

 

Reason for Decision

 

As a result of the financial challenges the Council faced, the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-26 would require a significant reduction in the Council’s net cost base to ensure it maintained a sustainable financial position.

 

A programme of individual reviews had been developed which included a review of the net cost of the allotments service, with a requirement to reduce the net cost by £20,000 per annum. In addition, the review would also address the existing £10,000 per annum underachievement of income which had been the position in recent years. Achievement of these two objectives would reduce the net cost of the allotment service to approximately £67,000 per annum.

 

Proposed changes to the fees and charges for allotments with effect from the annual billing in 2022 and new leases thereafter, were noted as follows:

 

·         removal of the 50% discount based on age;

·         protection of discounts for those on means tested benefits at 50%;

·         increase in base charges by 50%;

·         income achieved above £30,000, linked to inflation, be ringfenced for allotment projects.

 

Councillor Ric Metcalfe highlighted the challenging circumstances currently facing the Council in balancing its budgets and contributions from services such as this needed to be made. He reminded the Executive that a substantial capital investment had been made in respect of allotments in the city so it did not seem appropriate to start making cuts to the service or even close sites in order to achieve savings. The proposal therefore reflected a position where those using this valuable service were asked to contribute slightly more in order that service provision could be maintained. He was confident that service users would recognise this as being the preferred solution, particularly in view of it being a modest increase with concessions in place as well as changes not coming into effect for twelve months.

 

Councillor Bob Bushell agreed with Councillor Metcalfe’s sentiments and reiterated that significant investment had been made in allotments, particularly in respect of security, access to water, accessibility and a new site. Councillor Bushell was very keen for the service to continue to operate, especially in the current circumstances, as owning and maintaining allotments did contribute to improvements in physical and mental health. He added that the proposed increase was a small amount and that service users would still consider the service as being good value for money.

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