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gynn · 20-01-2012, 12:15

It seems there was quite a rumpus at last night's Council meeting over proposals to raise allotment rents. Many allotment holders were present at the meeting to voice their concerns.

In my day, allotments were seen as a valuable service that the local authority provided to its citizens, especially in a town like Accrington with its plethora of grid iron streets with back yards rather than gardens. When I worked for the Council, I never remember there being a great deal of discussion over the annual increases, which were never very great, partly because they were written into long term agreements, but also partly because the Council recognised the value to the wellbeing of the community. The allotments were aleays run at a deficit, but this cost to the Council taxpayer was always seen as reasonable.

I suppose times have changed, and the council of today is not the Council of 20 years ago. Massive cuts in funding have made it review everything it does. And compared to other pressing demands, allotment subsidies have to be considered.

The Observer reporter suggests that the sort of increase we are talking about is from 25 pounds plus water to around 200 pounds. My sympathies go out to those allotment holders who can't afford those sorts of increases, and who have tended their allotments for years to see the fruits of their labours perhaps about to be taken from them.

I just hope there were no allotment holders shouting their mouths off at last nights meeting who, while supporting the Coalition Government's efforts to reduce public spending, could actually put their hands on their hearts and say they could easily afford such an increase.

That would be hypocrisy of the first order.

20-01-2012, 12:15	#1
gynn Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,136 Liked: 10 times Rep Power: 4983	Allotments It seems there was quite a rumpus at last night's Council meeting over proposals to raise allotment rents. Many allotment holders were present at the meeting to voice their concerns. In my day, allotments were seen as a valuable service that the local authority provided to its citizens, especially in a town like Accrington with its plethora of grid iron streets with back yards rather than gardens. When I worked for the Council, I never remember there being a great deal of discussion over the annual increases, which were never very great, partly because they were written into long term agreements, but also partly because the Council recognised the value to the wellbeing of the community. The allotments were aleays run at a deficit, but this cost to the Council taxpayer was always seen as reasonable. I suppose times have changed, and the council of today is not the Council of 20 years ago. Massive cuts in funding have made it review everything it does. And compared to other pressing demands, allotment subsidies have to be considered. The Observer reporter suggests that the sort of increase we are talking about is from 25 pounds plus water to around 200 pounds. My sympathies go out to those allotment holders who can't afford those sorts of increases, and who have tended their allotments for years to see the fruits of their labours perhaps about to be taken from them. I just hope there were no allotment holders shouting their mouths off at last nights meeting who, while supporting the Coalition Government's efforts to reduce public spending, could actually put their hands on their hearts and say they could easily afford such an increase. That would be hypocrisy of the first order.