Issue - meetings

To report to the Committee the results of the self-managed allotments consultation.

The Committee received a report reporting the results of the self-managed allotments consultation.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the outcome of the self-managed consultation.

(2)      Agree not to progress with options of self-management with all existing Council managed allotment site holders except for those who occupy plots at Epsom Common.

(3)      Agree a further consultation with Epsom Common allotment tenants to include a copy of the terms and conditions of the self-managed scheme, to be actioned once the current allotment database has been subject to data cleanse to ensure integrity of information stored.

(4)      Agree to a change in the self-management criteria to read: “At least 65% of the current plot holders support the application to join the self-managed scheme, non-responders will be treated as a vote to remain council managed”.

The Committee received a report detailing the results of the self-managed allotments consultation.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Committee terms of reference. The Chair informed the Committee that allotments had previously been managed by the Council’s Community & Wellbeing Committee and had changed to be within the Environment & Safe Communities Committee’s remit following amendments to the Constitution in May 2022.

b)            Income. The Committee noted that income from self-managed allotment sites was provided to the site management body, rather than the Council. If an existing Council managed site were to become self-managed then the Council would endure a loss of income.

c)            Threshold for self-management. The Committee noted the proposal to lower the threshold of allotment plot holders required for a site to become self managed. It was proposed to lower the threshold from 75% to 65%. Non-responders would count as a ‘no’ vote as was presently the case.

d)            Database. The Committee noted the proposal that a data cleanse be implemented for the allotment database to ensure its integrity and accuracy.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the outcome of the self-managed consultation.

(2)      Agree not to progress with options of self-management with all existing Council managed allotment site holders except for those who occupy plots at Epsom Common.

(3)           Agree a further consultation with Epsom Common allotment tenants to include a copy of the terms and conditions of the self-managed scheme, to be actioned once the current allotment database has been subject to data cleanse to ensure integrity of information stored.

(4)      Agree to a change in the self-management criteria to read: “At least 65% of the current plot holders support the application to join the self-managed scheme, non-responders will be treated as a vote to remain council managed”.