Issue - items at meetings - Public Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:

(a)               Petitions:  

To receive any petitions presented by members of the public to the full Council or at the meeting itself (copy attached)

(i)  Increase allotment volume

(b)               Written Questions:

To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 4 July 2012.

(c)               Deputations:             

To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 4 July 2012

(a)     Petitions

          Increase Allotment Volume

7.1   The petitioner did not attend the meeting therefore a response was provided in writing and is set out below.

7.2    The Chair provided the following response:

“We have 2,943 allotments and waiting list of 2,144 so there is a great interest in food growing which is good news. 

In 2008-2009, a review of the Allotments Service was undertaken to try toaddress the number on long waiting lists and under-utilised plots.  There were issues of under cultivation or neglect of allotment plots. Since that time, changes have been introduced which included managing non cultivation fairly and firmly and  introducing half size plots which are more manageable for those new to growingas well as increasing the number of allotments overtime.

We are also looking to at old sites and new sites, including Race Hill, and Whitehawk Hill.  In fact we are due to consult on the management of the whole area which includes working with the Permaculture Trust on planting an Orchard.  We have also identified a new potential site.  However, there is always a funding issue.

I have called for an Allotment Strategy to be developed with the Federation to work up long term plans for the service and this should includeconsidering how new sites can be financed in terms of the capital needed to set them up and the on going revenue costs such as water charges

Initialdiscussions have commenced and I am positive we can find a way forward even though we have to work within the current financial restrictions”.

7.3    RESOLVED- That the petition be noted.