Stop the allotment fee increase of 143% in Worcester

Petition against the proposed 143% increase of rates (plus extra charge for water) over the next 3 years for allotment plots for Worcester council run sites.

Oraganised by Laura Maddock, Droitwich Road allotments site coordinator

As tenants of Worcester allotment sites, run by Worcester Council, we all realise that a raise in rent each year is acceptable in line with inflation, the growing cost of water and the increase in general costs. However, we feel the proposed raise in allotment fees proposed over the next 3 years is unjust and unacceptable, for the following reasons;

*A 143% increase (excluding the additional fee of £15 per tenant for water) is extortionately high and too much of an increase. taking a full plot from £72 to £175.

*An £80,000 spend on admin costs seems an awful lot, especially as this amount is due to rise considerably over the years to come.

*Tenants will be priced out of their plots

*People on the waiting list are turning down plots as they cannot afford the high price. Therefore, we will have empty plots, and there for the council will lose money.

*This increase isn’t in line within any of the allotment fees within the Uk. Even at £72 we are one of the highest in price.

*Apart from the ‘106’ money received for fixing up parts of some of the sites no maintenance has been carried out by the council. We have plots that are unable to be let due to the overgrowth of hedges, trees, and weeds. Tenants themselves have had to maintain empty plots in order for them to be let.

*On site contractors are not being over seen by the council, thus causing damage and more repair costs.

*The National allotment association agrees that it was an extremely high rise in rates.

*The council have not communicated with any of the tenants about this proposal.

*Our site has many benefits for the community. We have a community garden which provides activities, boosts mental health and wellbeing, and provides free food for the local residents.

*We have a wildlife garden which boosts the biodiversity of our city.

*We have businesses who volunteer on site, clearing plots and communal areas. The local school visits our site to cover their science and geography topics as well as helping us plant over 100 trees and bulbs to enrich the site.

Allotments are such a valuable resource and have such long waiting lists across the country, if Worcester council are allowed to set such a high fee other councils may follow suit and it will price out so many people.