Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Marie Gray.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No declarations of interest were declared.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Allotments held on 11 October 2010 (enclosed)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group meeting held on 11 October 2010 be held as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Members are asked to consider the response of the Chorley and South Ribble Disability Forum (enclosed)

The Group received for consideration the consultation response of the Chorley and South Ribble Disability Forum on the provision of allotments.

The Forum made the following points:

• People often did not apply for allotments because of the huge waiting lists.
• They felt that some groups were disadvantaged because of the difficulties they experienced in accessing information about the allotments or tenancy agreements. This applied to people with visual impairments, BSL users and those who have learning difficulties.
• Information should be more readily available about charges. There was some concern that there was different charges for similar sized plots but no explanation as to why.
• The overall layout and access to allotments is crucial for disabled people. Wheelchair users and people with visual impairments need accessible parking close to the site, with level, smooth, unobstructed pathways and raised beds.
• The formation of User Groups for consultation purposes.

RESOLVED – That the points made be noted and taken into account when considering the management and maintenance of allotments within Chorley.

To consider the report of the Head of Streetscene Services (enclosed)

The Group received a report of the Head of Streetscene Services that summarised the areas for review with regards to the management and maintenance of allotments within Chorley.

The report highlighted the current position on each issue and some suggestions of areas to explore.

Members were asked to consider these issues in light of the information they had gathered to date, on site visits; from other officers; and from the representatives who had expressed a view.

Standard Charges

The current charge for an allotment is £39.50 per year with a 50% reduction for old aged pensioners. This generates an income of around £6000 and does not currently cover the costs of administration and management of the allotments, which includes on site fresh water supply on two of the sites.

Members agreed that the existing annual rental charges need to be reviewed. Some consideration was given to the differing sizes of plots and whether or not this should be reflective of the cost.

Recommendations:

1.                  That the annual charge of £39.50 increases in line with inflation.

2.                  That the concessionary rate be phased out over the next two years. 75% of rental will be charged in 2011/12 with the full rental being charged in 2012/13

3.                  That the annual charge be regardless of plot size.

4.                  That it be Council policy to carve up the larger plots as and when they become available.

Layout of New Sites:

The last site developed in Chorley had no restrictions on what could be allowed on the plots in terms of shed and fences etc. This has led to a fairly informal arrangement where the plot holders have an open rein to erect what they want. This can lead to sites looking rather untidy as the types of sheds and fences are never uniform.

Although it was agreed that by imposing some restrictions, the sites would look a lot tidier and be easier to maintain, there was also a view that the plot holders should be allowed to recycle materials if able in order to drive through the sustainability agenda. This view had been strongly expressed by allotment holders at the last meeting.

It was felt that the plot holder could define their own boundaries using suitable materials and could erect suitable structures for storage/cultivation, subject to consent, and a defined maximum floor space (to be determined).

If the allotment holder used any materials that the Council considered to be unsafe or hazardous they would be asked to remove them from the plot and this standard should be enforceable through the Tenancy Agreement.

Members were also keen to minimise further costs to the plot holder, particularly bearing in mind that the decision to increase rental costs would impact on a number of tenants.

Recommendations:

1. That the Council provide suitable perimeter fencing on all its new sites, that will be adequately maintained.
2. That the allotment holder be responsible for defining the actual plot, using safe and suitable materials.
3. That the subject to consent, the allotment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.