Issue - meetings

(Report of the Assistant Director – Recreation)  To provide Overview and Scrutiny with an implementation update on Executive recommendations resulting from the 2005/6 Scrutiny Review on Allotments.

Councillor Hare declared a personal interest in this item, in respect of being an allotment tenant.

The committee received this report to be provided with an implementation update on the Executive recommendations resulting from the 2005/6 Scrutiny Review of allotments.

Officers updated Members on progress against each of the recommendations as detailed in the report.  In response to enquiries over initiatives to encourage those with disabilities to utilise allotment provision, Officers responded that projects had taken place in the past, but that these were reliant on external funding.  Members were pleased to learn however that a current project with Adult Social Services around Mental Health was currently ongoing.

The committee noted that clearance work had commenced on the Salisbury Road site, with active support from local groups.  The project would take approximately two years to bring the site back into use.

In response to queries from the Chair of the Haringey Allotments Forum, Officers stated that a 50% rent increase figure in the report was merely an illustrative demonstration of the level of investment required in allotments: there was currently no proposal for an increase of this nature to be introduced, as the budget setting process was ongoing.

Officers stated they were always looking to improve access to allotments, but that bringing new provision into use was more of a priority, as demand currently outstripped supply.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the committee be provided with information as to which allotments are lacking statutory protection, being held under housing powers, and potential mechanisms for bringing these under the allotments act.

2.      That the committee be provided with a note on available funding sources for allotments, including which had been pursued.

3.      That Senior Planning Officers ensure that allotments feature in Section 106 agreements in the future.