Labour Council Draft Budget

The Labour Council budget proposals were published on 3 December in the agenda of the Policy & Resources Committee.

The document can be seen here

The part relating to Allotments is Item 81 “Budget Planning & Resources Update” of the agenda, Enclosure 2, page 83-84.

It says; “Rationale: adopt a commercial approach promoting self-managed sport and recreation facilities by users alongside full cost recovery. This covers bowling clubs, tennis courts, football, cricket pitches and allotments.”

What is meant by ‘adopt a commercial approach…. alongside full cost recovery’ is not yet clear. In the Green party budget of 2012, ‘full cost recovery’ meant a proposed increase in allotment rents of 70%, there was a strong campaign aginst this and that rent rise was eventually removed from the budget. Since then, allotment rents have risen broadly in line with inflation, and with comparable rises to other Council managed leisure activities. However this draft budget seems to suggest that the Council may be seeking to remove what they call the ‘allotment subsidy’ again. If that is so then this would mean a proposed new large fee rise is looming. The BHAF haven’t been consulted in regards to the effects this budget will have on us, we are trying to get clarification and will report any information we get to our members asap. We have already had some emails regarding this issue and it will be discussed at the forthcoming Forum Meeting.

You are invited to our Allotment Forum Meeting;

Wednesday 13th January 2015
6.30pm ‘Surgery’
7.00pm Meeting Start
at Patcham Community Centre, Ladies Mile Road, BN1 8TA