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Understand Barnet’s allotment management proposal, key legislation, and future steps through discussion groups and user feedback to implement a Big Society model by April 2012.
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The Future of Barnet’s Allotments Workshop One
Agenda • Welcome • Overview of current allotment management • Introduction to the council’s proposal • Key principles and legislation • Discussion groups • Group feedback • Next steps
Current Allotment Management (1/2) • There are three types of allotment management models that exist in Barnet: • Direct Let - 14 sites • Self Collect - 13 sites • Leased - 18 sites (15 societies) • Over 4,500 plot holders
Current Allotment Management (2/2) • Projected Allotment Budget 2010/11
Council’s Allotment Proposal (1/3) • Cabinet on 29 November 2010 decided: • To explore, develop and implement a Big Society management model for the borough’s allotment sites:- • “Allotments are to be managed by their users in order to devolve as much management responsibilities as possible” • Applications to changes in policy are sought to facilitate this move • An increase in allotment fees for 2012/13 to recover the shortfall in costs and facilitate this move
Council’s Allotment Proposal (2/3) The proposal is: • To develop a model that will facilitate this change • The model/s is to be developed in conjunction with plot holders to enable the development of a workable model • Meets the needs of the council and plot holders • Blank sheet of paper excepting rules and regulations
Council’s Allotment Proposal(3/3) • Target for all allotment sites to the new model before 1 April 2012 • Differing models and levels of responsibility in place • Different sites will be able to move to a greater model of devolvement at different times • Transitional budget issues • Allotment rents to increase as at 1 April 2012
Key Principles and Legislation • Leases - no leases can be issued or renewed • Section 3 of the Small Holdings Allotments Act 1926 - repealed • Leases can be varied in terms of responsibilities • Management agreement/license • Agreement with identified individuals setting out responsibilities • Allotment manager/s • Must be local residents liable to pay council tax • Can be given the council’s powers • Application to central government for a change to legislation
Discussion Groups (1/2) • Two main topics: • Management • Improvements • Governance • Administration • Rents • Rules • Maintenance & Improvements • Operational service costs • Maintenance • Improvement
Discussion Groups (2/2) • Establish key principles/requirements • Opportunities to improve/reduce costs • Remove red tape • Accountability • Regulation/consistency • One for all or all for their own • Meeting needs and demands • Risks
Next Steps • Develop outline model/s to put forward • Further sessions on identifying and developing the details of a model/s • What is the best format to take this forward in order to implement before 1 April 2012?