Allotments, this is what you get for your money! Options

[Andy Capp]

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