Please note that this consultation is now closed.

As outlined in our Corporate plan, Government funding cuts mean we must reduce budgets by 2026. To achieve this, subsidised services must look to become cost neutral.

An increase in fees and charges is a last resort to achieve a cost-neutral service.

We have carried out investigations with a view to reducing costs or enhancing income in other ways. We were unable to identify alternative options whilst retaining leaseholder value.

Our investigations ruled out increasing income through empty plots or additional sites. It also identified that service reductions offer no substantial savings but do have an adverse effect on allotment holders. Therefore a rent increase was considered the most feasible option to support a cost-neutral service.

Background information

• Allotments are measured in rods. 1 rod is the equivalent of 25 sq. mtrs.
• Allotments have varying sizes of plots from 2 rods to just over 10 rods, and so fees will vary dependent on the size of the lease.
• Senior citizens rates ended in 2014, so allotment holders that joined after 2014 are not entitled to a reduced rate.
• Currently 87% of plots are 5 rods or less, and we no longer allows lease agreements above 5 rods.

 

Please see our response to questions asked about this review below.

 

How are these proposals worked out?

• Our proposal is to apply a 5% inflationary uplift which is rounded (as generally occurs across the our fees and charges) with a uniform £3 applied on that price per rod directly. As a result, any uplift in terms of fees is proportionate whether you have concessionary arrangements in relation to water or senior citizen fee.

Are alternative pay arrangements available?

• Monthly or quarterly payment arrangements are already available on a case-by-case basis where allotment holders require it.

2023-24 fees and charges clarified:

• In 2023-24 the cost of 1 rod was £8.35 on a site with water.
• In 2023-24 on a site without water, it was £6.65.
• In 2023-24 for any senior citizens that were lease holders prior to 2014 it was £4.20 (for the first 10 rods (250m2) only).

In real terms the rod increase proposed for 2024-25 translates to:

• The cost of one rod is £11.80 on a site with water in proposals.
• The cost of one rod on a site without water is proposed at £10.05.
• For any senior citizens that were lease holders prior to 2014 the proposal is £7.45 (for the first 10 rods (250m2) only).

This means an increase of:

• A rod with water would increase from £8.35 - £11.80, or by £3.45 per annum, or 29p per month.
• A rod without water would increase from £6.65 - £10.05, or by £3.40, or 28p per month.
• A rod for legacy senior citizen rates holders would increase from £4.20 -£7.45, or by £3.25 per annum, or by 27p per month.

Summary of allotment accounts

Expenditure	Detail	2022/23 (Actuals) £	2023/24 (Forecast) £	2024/25 (Budget) £
Pay for admin staff	F034 Allotment	1.00 FTE 35,014.15	1.48 FTE 57,894.25	1.48 FTE 59,600.00
Pay for admin staff	F144 Administrative Apportionment	0.48 FTE 13,389.93	0	0
Premises	Water	14,103.05	14,345.60	6,880.00
Premises	Legionella Testing	1,957.84	2,080.00	2,120.00
Premises	Other	6,685.00	10,032.54	9,180.00
Supplies & Services	Skips	1,820.00	1,640.00	1,640.00
Supplies & Services	Other	184.18	2,997.00	2,100.00
Transport Costs	All	144.80	0	0
Recharged Services	Public & Green Spaces maintenance charges	1,210.00	8,250.00	8,645.00
Recharged Services	Rats & Mice	204.00	350.00	0
Recharged Services	Wasps	340.00	140.00	0
Total Expenditure	All	75,052.95	97,729.39	90,165.00
Total Income	All	-55,177.71	- 63,350.00	TBC
Net Cost to Council of the Allotment Service	All	19,875.24	34,379.39	TBC

Please note:

• Plot clearance & grounds maintenance were not recharged in 2022/23 this expenditure was accrued elsewhere.  This is additional cost is unaccounted for in the 22/23 breakdown and is why the figure is lower than 23/24.
• In 2022/23 pay for allotment administration was £48,404.08 (apportioned over two cost centres). After annual pay awards this increased to a forecasted spend of £57,894.25 in 23/24. Further national pay awards have been budgeted for at 4.5% for the 2024/25 uplifts, however the actual agreed sum will be subject to National Joint Agreement with the Unions and as a result may be higher.
• Whilst the budget for water in 2024/25 is c.£7k the actual expenditure is expected to be c. £14k as per the previous years.