For around 30p/m²-odd a month, the council will:

• Appoint a site Steward for each Allotment site
• Divide the Allotment land at each Allotment site into plots (allotments) measured in both square metres and poles
• Prepare a plan showing the Allotments and give each Allotment a separate number
• Keep a register of vacant Allotments
• Keep a waiting list of people who would like an Allotment
• Allocate the Allotments fairly in accordance with the preferences set out below
  ---To people resident within the Newbury Town Parish boundary
  ---To people who do not have another Allotment
  ---If more than one person with equal priority would like to take over an Allotment the issue will be determined by drawing lots:
• Maintain and manage the common areas of the Allotment sites and vacant plots
• Provide a key (for a £10 deposit) for each Tenant
• Provide adequate water supplies and a minimum of one tap in each Allotment site for use with chemical containers to avoid contamination of the water troughs
• Promote Allotments to parishioners and actively encourage their take-up
• Hold regular meetings with site Stewards
• Respond to concerns of Stewards and Tenants
• Identify neglected Allotments and give notice to the Tenant to cultivate at least 70% of the Allotment within 30 days or relinquish their Tenancy, unless there are mitigating circumstances such as illness, which has been advised to the Council
• Issue no more than 3 "30 days notice" letters to the same tenant for the same plot in any one calendar year. If the tenant once again leaves their plot neglected after 3 "30 days notice" they will be evicted (in accordance with rule 1.m)
• Fix the Rent for each Allotment having regard for its area and review its Rent once a year.

I must admit, I have never seen any attampt by the council to promote or actively encourage me to apply for an allotment! It would also seem that all plots are measured in m²

I remember when I met Simon up at his allotment.
There was a site steward person I believe. I walked up and was greeted as if I was a yoot-dem and told to state my business. I said I'm here to see my friend Simon, and this divvy locked the gate and said oh well in that case you can stay out here

LOL.

Well worth the 30p per meter squared.
That's 25 centimeters

There is something quite nasty going on here, what is the point of these rules? Where does it say no one can complain, or have visitors, etc. etc . Ironically, the question of rent increases is vague. Subject to 'review' every 12 months. In the absence of any other qualification, the consequence is that this would follow normally accepted practice and include a notice period.

As far as I can see Simon K. simply complained about the manner in which a rent increase was implemented. Vigorously no doubt, and nothing out of the ordinary to any of us dealing with commercial contracts. I seem to remember even the Trading Standards people agreed with his stance. Yet he appears to have been personally vilified by the Council and in effect banned for life. All of this goes against what many see as the rules of natural justice. If such a trivial, yet probably justified complaint, triggered such a reaction, one may question the Council's judgement and wonder as to the reason.

NOTE - I have had occasion to complain about the rail service to FGW on several occasions. I asked recently if this meant they labelled me vexatious. The lad I spoke to didn't even know what I was on about 'till I explained. His response, buy a ticket and complain all you want!

Nice!

I would imagine some people he has 'confronted' were in intimidated by Simon. Simon by his own admission doesn't suffer fools gladly, and has little sense of deference. We also should bear in mind that perhaps most people on the allotments are happy with the service. So if people wish to form 'breakaway' groups, they do so in a sensible manner, including keeping the council on board. I suspect with Simon's case there were individuals on the council that resented him, or what he was trying to do, not that is a good reason to not go down the road to self management, of course.

This is rapidly turning into an "Allotment Forum".
I don't particularly have a problem with that as I just try and ignore such threads.
However, arguing on here till you're blue in the face seems to me to be not helping Simon or any other allotmenteers.
Perhaps if you took your case here Simon they may be able to help you better?
No doubt you are already aware, and probably a member of, such an organisation?

Like I have said before, people are free to start their own personal vendetta thread if they like (not that I have one of course... I'm just a sad and lonely forum user who likes to grumble and witter!)!

Yeah fair enough.
I have had crap service from Hotpoint today. I could start that one I suppose!

Or you could tell everyone about good service from a Newbury business that you've received

What a great idea; shame you didn't provide any examples though.

Oh dear! They are supposed to be coming to repair my cooker tomorrow.

You can, but if you do that it can be (and often is) interpreted that you have some sort of vested interest in that company

The repair man was fine but when he couldn't repair the appliance the customer service from Hotpoint "Customer Services" was poor.

Share that then.

Whoa!
I would be accused of "diverting the thread"!

All sorted now anyway after a snotty email (from me)!

Quite, but user23 and dannyboy are trying that on all the time!

yes, I really should only post if I'm going to agree with the OP.

...or post what you actually think!

I'd get banned.

Rather than than post crap!