Allotments on the One Show, Greenwich allotmenteers fight 200% rent hike Options

[Simon Kirby]

I mentioned the other day about the plans of Greenwich Council to increase their allotment rents by 200%, and they were featured on the One Show last night - item starts 1 minute 45 seconds in.

Tenants there are facing a 200% rent increase - that would increase the cost of a standard plot from £67 to £200. Greenwich allotmenteers are fighting the increase on the basis of a 1982 High Court decision which requires councils to apply the same subsidy to allotments as it does to its other leisure services. There are a number of councils who are looking at similar price hikes, not least Newbury Town Council who have already proposed that a standard plot should cost £250, and similar legal challenges seem likely.

The significant difference between Greenwich and Newbury is that Greenwich is actively encouraging its sites to self-manage to avoid the increase:

The Council is very keen on the idea of sites moving to self-managed status. Self-managed sites would be able to set their own rents and manage their own maintenance

Newbury Town Council admit that their administration of their service costs the tax-payer around £80 per plot, and this compares rather poorly with commercial administration at around £8 per plot, and self-managed administration at around £2 per plot. I understand that an allotments management company has already made a formal approach to the Town Council to take on the management of the Council's six sites which would save the tax payer at least £40k by the Council's reckoning, and more likely twice that, with no increase in rent for the allotmenteers. It will be very interesting to see how the Town Council respond.

[NWNREADER]

I don't like to do it, but I have reported this 'panda' person to the mods. Hopefully they will rid us of him.

Him?

I still think Panda is on the pull but Simon will not react. Unrequited love lasts for ever

[Andy Capp]

Him?

I still think Panda is on the pull but Simon will not react. Unrequited love lasts for ever

The language of panda doesn't seem feminine to me.

[panda]

The language of panda doesn't seem feminine to me.

I think you should look at the things that were said on bbwsouth's post. Not very nice and you are going to report me??

[Cognosco]

I think you should look at the things that were said on bbwsouth's post. Not very nice and you are going to report me??

Revelations Panda? I thought you were going to explain Simon's crackpot ideas? Where are they?
Always nice to hear both sides of an debate? Or do you have nothing to reveal?

[Andy Capp]

I think you should look at the things that were said on bbwsouth's post. Not very nice and you are going to report me??

I have reported you, but you needn't worry, the admin on this site are very lenient. How about posting something worthwhile, rather than simply Simon Kirkby is a git?

[Biker1]

I have reported you, but you needn't worry, the admin on this site are very lenient. How about posting something worthwhile, rather than simply Simon Kirkby is a git?

Why does everybody keep "panda-ing" (get it? ) to this person?
Every reply plays into their hands.

[panda]

I think you should look at the things that were said on bbwsouth's post. Not very nice and you are going to report me??

Like I said, the comments that were put on bbwsouth's post were not very nice from any of you. But you seem to sweep that under the carpet.

[Andy Capp]

I'd rather panda post something that supports their vitriol.

[Biker1]

I'd rather panda post something that supports their vitriol.

Fair enough, but until they do.................................................

[panda]

I'd rather panda post something that supports their vitriol.

Maybe you should apologize to bbsouth for being rude.

[the bloke on the...]

please folk, don't enter into a battle of wits with panda

it's not fair to do battle with an un-armed opponent

[panda]

please folk, don't enter into a battle of wits with panda

it's not fair to do battle with an un-armed opponent

yeah lets just chat amungst ourselves so noone can critisize us

[Andy Capp]

Maybe you should apologize to bbsouth for being rude.

Maybe, but until then, how about substantiating your vulgar attack on Simon Kirkby. I presume a lack of detail is because you have nothing on him.

Meanwhile; show me where I was rude to bbwsouth?

[panda]

Maybe, but until then, how about substantiating your vulgar attack on Simon Kirkby. I presume a lick of detail is because you have nothing on him.

Meanwhile; show me where I was rude to bbwsouth?

There were a few of you with unkind remarks

[Andy Capp]

There were a few of you with unkind remarks

You said I was rude and should apologise to bbwsouth. Please show me?

Below are all my posts on her(?) thread: A new venture for ladies size 16+ in Newbury.

Is size 16 over-weight?

Smokers might be a burden on the NHS, but they pay far more tax than they receive in care. Overweight is more complex than simply being gutty. It is the people that can control their weight that are abnormal. We are programmed to seek food, unfortunately modern living standards conspire against natures will. Meanwhile; even 'overweight' people need clothes to dress too, even if they are on a diet.

The student was promoting a service that was possibly illegal.

No.

I didn't say it was.

It's called being a human being, but beyond that, there are conditions like hypothyroidism, HRT, polycystic ovary syndrome , genetics, etc.

...which gives you the moral right to insult people?

[Andy Capp]

...and more:

No one said anything about smoking until you had already had been rude, and as it happens, smokers do stink. I rarely meet anyone with genuine BO. And one I did recently, was 'skinny'. I stopped smoking because it is expensive , stupid and smells. Not to mention dangerous. I can live without ever smoking a cigarette.

Smokers cost NHS ~£3b; smokers pay ~£9b. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7654153.stm I don't smoke, but I do walk on the cracks of the pavement.

Unless it is of something that is 'copyrighted'!

[user23]

please folk, don't enter into a battle of wits with panda

it's not fair to do battle with an un-armed opponent

That's a bit rude.

Just out of interest, which street in West Berkshire are you a bloke on?

[Andy Capp]

Like I said, the comments that were put on bbwsouth's post were not very nice from any of you. But you seem to sweep that under the carpet.

While some were rude, they at least do post something occasionally. Up to now, I don't think you have posted anything but anti-Simon Kirby rhetoric. Put some meat the bone!

[panda]

While some were rude, they at least do post something occasionally. Up to now, I don't think you have posted anything but anti-Simon Kirby rhetoric. Put some meat the bone!

he knows why, thats all that matters

[Simon Kirby]

he knows why, thats all that matters

But truely, I have no idea what your issue is. I invite you to put your side of the story.