Controversial rise in allotment fees halved following pressure from Greens and Allotmenteers 

• The new Public Health and Communities Policy Committee have reduced Labour’s proposed controversial allotment rent increases by half
• Pressure from the Greens before and since the election has seen the proposals revisited
• Increased revenue will keep allotment service going, protect it from private providers, and protect the parks budget, say Greens.
• Greens praise the work of allotment groups, saying that the decision presents more “positive, collaborative and transparent” decision making in the new committee system.

The new Public Health and Communities Committee have reached a decision on increasing allotment fees across Bristol following a deferral in August. 

The new proposals, agreed by all parties, will increase allotment fees by just half of the rise that was proposed by the previous administration, a decision that was met with universal backlash. 

Greens have previously expressed their frustration with the previous Labour administration’s failure to raise allotment rents incrementally since 2018, which created a lack of investment in allotment services and put pressure on the parks budget to cover rising costs. In 2022, the Council agreed to an inflationary rent rise of 25% to cover the period 2018-2025, but then chose not to implement it.

Green councillors successfully called in the decision made by the Mayor before the election and subsequent change of administration earlier this year, in a process they called ‘an absolute shambles’. As a result, the decision was deferred until after the election to be considered by the new Public Health and Communities Policy Committee.

Greens have said that the decision is positive for the new committee model of governance. Back in March, Cllr Emma Edwards, Leader of the Green group said, “When the city finally gets balanced committees representing all parties elected by residents, the Greens will make sure the committees pick up the pieces and start to listen to the concerns, wisdom, and insight of allotment communities.”

Cllr Fi Hance, who sits on the committee, said: “This proposal is an example of the positive, collaborative and transparent decision making that the new committees are capable of when talking with communities. Today, the new committee-led Council has been able to find a solution where the previous Labour Mayor could not.

“I would like to praise the work of Stephen Williams, the Chair of this Committee on getting to this point. I would also like to thank groups like Bristol Allotments Resist and the Bristol Allotments Forum for their constructive engagement with this issue. I am looking forward to working with them in the future to make sure that we find an equitable solution that allows us to improve the services they receive while keeping allotments as accessible as we can.”

Under the new proposals, the majority of plot holders (band B allotments) will see their rent rise by just £26 a year from £50 to £76. Also for the first time people will be able to pay by direct debit in monthly or quarterly instalments.

The new increases will come into effect from late 2025, as per the allotment act, and will also include a requirement for the council to look at another system of calculating rents in a fairer way in the future in consultation with allotment holders.

The increased money will allow the council to hire another allotment officer and will also cover £55k of savings that was agreed in the 2022 budget, which would otherwise have to come out of the budget for parks. Greens say this will also protect allotments from private providers.

Cllr Ed Fraser, who also sits on the committee, said: “This fairer deal, which was fought for by the Greens and allotment groups across the city, not only will start to improve the service that we provide to allotment holders, but will also protect funding that is needed for Bristol’s parks and success stories like Blaise Plant Nursery.”

“Allotments are an invaluable part of the services that the Council provide, and it is vital that we protect them in the interest of the public. Where controversial private companies outside of Bristol are charging £600 a year for allotment plots, we will still be able to provide a similar sized plot for just £76. This decision also means more people will be able to claim discounts and will help the Council move forward with its Food Growing Strategy.”

Notes:

Full papers here- ModernGov – bristol.gov.uk