Post by murrayc on Apr 5, 2017 12:50:42 GMT
Invoices for plots for this year have gone out, accompanied by the notice for this next meeting, as well as the usual covering letter. Whilst looking forward to the meeting and the chance to get together with plotholders from other sites and address issues with the Town Council I would like to make two points about these documents.
Firstly the covering letter states that the plot sizes have been reviewed, and rents adjusted "at the request of the America Lane Plotholders Committee" and then goes on to say "in the interests of fairness the review extended to....Oathall Avenue". This sounds rather like saying "Don't blame us, it was ALP's doing and you've all got to pay for it". May I remind the Town Clerk and his staff that the review of the Council's Allotments Policy was a public consultation that was held throughout last spring and summer, initiated by the Town Council and its questionnaire ,and inviting input from ALP and all individuals and site representatives, and the resulting document received no negative comments at any time, having been published widely here and on the Council website. To put it mildly, the wording used is crass and unjustified.
Secondly the inclusion in the draft Agenda - I'm sure many allotment holders will have items they wish to see raised - of "Allotment Associations versus direct council management of plots (discussion around options)" is rather surprising. My notes of last year's meeting that incorporated the questionnaire responses show that the vast majority , 24 out of 25, were not in favour of such a change in administration. Does the Council have evidence that views have shifted so much since? Otherwise it is hard to understand why this is again being tabled.
Firstly the covering letter states that the plot sizes have been reviewed, and rents adjusted "at the request of the America Lane Plotholders Committee" and then goes on to say "in the interests of fairness the review extended to....Oathall Avenue". This sounds rather like saying "Don't blame us, it was ALP's doing and you've all got to pay for it". May I remind the Town Clerk and his staff that the review of the Council's Allotments Policy was a public consultation that was held throughout last spring and summer, initiated by the Town Council and its questionnaire ,and inviting input from ALP and all individuals and site representatives, and the resulting document received no negative comments at any time, having been published widely here and on the Council website. To put it mildly, the wording used is crass and unjustified.
Secondly the inclusion in the draft Agenda - I'm sure many allotment holders will have items they wish to see raised - of "Allotment Associations versus direct council management of plots (discussion around options)" is rather surprising. My notes of last year's meeting that incorporated the questionnaire responses show that the vast majority , 24 out of 25, were not in favour of such a change in administration. Does the Council have evidence that views have shifted so much since? Otherwise it is hard to understand why this is again being tabled.
