Presentation to Environment, Housing and Planning Scrutiny - 16th March 2009

Allotment Service Update ReportAllotment Service Update Report

David Robinson, Assistant Director (Liveability)Bernie Noon, Principal Greenspace Officer

Allotment Strategy for 2009 - 2011, including :

- Pricing Policy for 2010

- Customer Service Improvements

Allotment Infrastructure Improvements

Presentation Agenda

The report was submitted and approved by the Lead Member for Environment in December 2008, and based upon 4 recommendations :-

Allotment Strategy Report

Recommendation 1

Allotment Strategy Report

That the development of the longer term allotment strategy be synchronised with the Core Strategy so that the Environment Directorate is better informed about the Council’s long term ambitions with respect to the supply of allotments, before setting out its longer term plans for new sites

Recommendation 2

Allotment Strategy Report

That any capital funding made available by the Council between April 2009 and April 2011 be directed to the following sites (most important first) :

Site Description of Work Estimated CostCommence

work

Toad Lane, Worsley

Restoration of 1 x plot £5,005 June 2009

Cumberland Avenue, Irlam

Restoration of 15 x plots £99,420 April 2009

Weaste Restoration of 24 x plots £91,680 April 2009

Clowes Park, Broughton

A contribution to the development of 24 plots in the former nursery area.

£209,832 of which £178,895 is included within the Council’s present capital funding bid

April 2009

Recommendation 3

Allotment Strategy Report

That fees for 2010 are levied in accordance with Table 3 in the report [ Achieved ], and that a policy be developed during 2009 on concessions and fees for the period 2011 - 2016. [ Policy is being developed which will be presented to Lead Member ]

Recommendation 4

Allotment Strategy Report

That Lead Member notes the report and officers provide an updated position statement in April 2009 ( ongoing ]

The report contained 8 key actions,

namely :-

Allotment Strategy Report

1. Work with groups interested in self-management and establishment of associations.

Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

Action 1 4 sites presently self-managed :-Cawdor Street, WalkdenDestructor Road, SwintonLorne Street, EcclesTindall Street, Eccles5 other potential new sites being progressed :-OrdsallWorsley and BoothstownBrunswickDuchyIrlam

Revised timeframe : November 2008 - March 2011

2. Liaise with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and other organisations to agree a joint strategy and identify projects and funding to deliver joint objectives.

Action 2 Work on the Cleavley Allotment “Pony Field” has commenced, which is jointly funded by the PCT, aiming to be available for use by Spring 2010.

Revised timeframe TBC on outcome of Big Lottery Bid

Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

3. Include allotment performance information into 2008/09 performance management framework.

Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

Action 3 Performance measurement for key areas such as waiting list, site quality, customer feedback monitored monthly and are integrated into Section (Grounds Maintenance) Business Plans

Revised timeframe : November 2008 - January 2009

4. Establish working group to bring allotment customer services up to required standard.

Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

Action 4 Customer Services Improvements to date are as follows :-newly updated website (content reviewed monthly)on-line application formstwice yearly allotment-holder newsletter (January & August)allotment users’ service leaflet producedwelcome pack for “new tenants”

Revised timeframe : Ongoing

5. To produce a detailed report identifying what works need to be done to bring sub-standard plots back into use and to maintain them. Secure policy decision on the way forward with plot restoration.

Action 5 Capital monies for 2008/09 £50K and £75K for 2009/10, with bids submitted for future years for allotment infrastructure improvement programme.

Revised timeframe : Dependent on funding

Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

6. Liaise with colleagues within the Sustainable Regeneration Directorate and local communities to identify areas for new allotment sites.

Action 6 5 sites have been identified for new allotment sites in :-Worsley & BoothstownWalkden & Little HultonEcclesEast SalfordOrdsall & Langworthy(aligned to Salford City Council Neighbourhood Management areas)

Revised timeframe : Summer 2009

Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

7. Update Salford City Council’s Allotment Regulations

Action 7 The Allotment Regulations are being reviewed at present by Salford City Council key officers and full consultation will take place with the respective associations so that they are adopted by Autumn 2009

Revised timeframe : November 2008 to October 2009

Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

8. Secure policy decision on charges and concessions for the period April 2010 to March 2015

Action 8 A policy decision for individual pricing per plot has been agreed and the new charges for 2010 have been sent to each holder. The concession proposal is being developed by Salford City Council officers and all proposals will be subject to Lead Member for Environment approval. However, full consultation with holders / associations will be undertaken prior to any approvals.

Revised timeframe : November 2008 to October 2009

Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

Allotment Infrastructure Improvements

2008 New fencing has been erected at :- Weaste Lorne Street Tynesbank Cotton Street Bingham Street

Total cost : £21,769

March 2009

New Car Park Littleton Road, Salford £6,000 Ground improvements Mountain Street, Walkden £1,000 Ground improvements Poorlotts, Cadishead £10,000 New allotment site “Pony Field”, Cleavley

Allotments £33,600 *

New fencing and gates Poorlotts, Cadishead £7,000 New fencing and gate Townsend Road, Swinton £2,500 New fencing Tynesbank £2,100

* Inc. £15,000 contribution - PCT

Total Capital Monies : £47,200

Allotment Infrastructure Improvements

RESTORATION COSTS IN DESCENDING PRIORITY ORDER

Site Capital Cost( £ )

Revenue Cost( £ )

Toad Lane 5005 171

Cumberland Avenue 99420 2566

Weaste 91680 4106

Clowes Park 209832 4106

Cleavley 125496 2395

Addison Road 180102 2224

Moss Lane 258557 2224

TOTAL 970092 17792

2009 / 2013 - Capital Monies Allocation = £375,000

Please note the above works will be undertaken in order of priority, subject to funding being available

The Council in its “Salford 2027 - Core Strategy Issues and Options Report” is proposing there should be “a minimum of 10 allotment plots per 1,000 households”. If this level of provision is agreed, the City Council would need to ensure that c.100 new plots are made available each year between the period 2011 and 2027 and distributed in a way that ensures all have access to a site within a reasonable travelling distance of home.

The initial consultation on this document is October 2008 to May 2009.

A full draft Core Strategy will be published for consultation between the period October and November 2009. Although the City Council should have some indication as to the minimum requirement for allotments following the initial consultation, the actual target will not be confirmed until January 2011.

It is proposed that officers within the Sustainability & Regeneration and Environment Directorates commence work during mid 2009 on the development of a plan for the allocation of land for allotment provision to support whatever target is eventually agreed.

Summary

Issues to be considered :-

The Environment Directorate acknowledges the increasing public demand for allotments, and is fully committed to improving our present stock and also developing new sites, in partnership with stakeholders.

Improvement works will continue at all sites, in conjunction / full consultation with allotment holders, to ensure fundamental objectives are achieved for the enjoyment of all users.

Conclusion

Any questions ?