Agenda item

To receive an update on the self-management of Rotherham allotments.

Consideration was given to an update report which outlines progress associated with the transfer of operational responsibility for the management of the Borough’s allotments from the Council to a community benefit company, Rotherham Allotment Alliance (RAA). The update provided information regarding the recent achievements, activities, challenges and future steps for the management and administration of these allotments.

In discussion, Members requested clarification around the role of the Councillors who serve as directors of the RAA. The response from the Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion noted the need for a second Councillor representative to serve on the Board and welcomed any expressions of interest from Members of the Commission.  

Further clarification was requested around the parameters of the Allotments Act. The response from the Cabinet Member and officers clarified the relationship between parish councils and the RAA to explain that allotments under the jurisdiction of parish councils were outside the scope of the update.

Clarification was requested around a particular allotments site. The response from the Allotments Administrator noted the ongoing efforts to educate plot holders, to put rents back into improvements despite COVID challenges, and to move forward using the Community Payback scheme and labour arrangements whereby the RAA provides a toilet and a skip for labourers who undertake the work themselves.

Given the health and wellbeing benefits associated with allotments, members expressed interest in opportunities for external funding. The RAA Administrator and Chair described various avenues for external funding beyond the Community Payback schemes, including Serenity which supports addiction recovery and mental health. The Chair of RAA expressed gratitude for Councillors who had contributed community leadership funds to support allotments by paying for security cameras.

Members requested clarification around the future of a further site. The response from the Cabinet Member and officer noted that under the Allotments Act, if land has historically been used for a substantial length of time as allotments, the land cannot be repurposed. Therefore, a Council-owned site that has previously been used as allotments is available to the RAA should there be future increase in demand.

Members expressed interest in knowing how easy it is to make plots accessible. The response from the RAA Chair and Administrator described previous and ongoing efforts to retrofit existing plots for wheelchair access and to ensure new site plans are designed for accessibility. There was more work to do in this area, but progress had been made in respect of accessible allotments.

Toward promoting an inclusive and diverse culture among allotment holders, members inquired as to the availability of literature in multiple languages. The Administrator noted that no letters were posted out and that communications take place on social media, but that the use of multiple languages in these communications could be explored.

Members also expressed curiosity if there were any trends emerging in terms of complaints. The response from the Cabinet Member and officer noted that the Council had received no complaints from Allotment plot holders since the handover to self-administration. RAA Chair noted that any complaints received from the community are related to burning at the Rawmarsh site, which had been addressed. It was further noted that the particular site holder who had frequently been burning had discontinued leasing the allotment.

Regarding the unlet plots, Members requested clarification around efforts to improve these to a lettable condition. The response from the RAA described the ongoing efforts to improve the plots which have become unlettable due to flooding and/or overgrown conditions. When this is the case, the plot is let rent-free.

1.    That the update be noted and that the next update be presented in 12 months’ time.

2.    That consideration be given to how best to reach prospective allotment holders in other languages.