What would you do?

**SarzWix** · 31-01-2013, 10:23 AM

Couldn't they fight it on the grounds that other council provided facilities haven't risen in price that much and therefore it's discrimination? That's what I'd be doing...

**veggiechicken** · 31-01-2013, 10:34 AM

Fight it - of course!!
But if it came to the crunch you have to ask yourself whether its worth �3 a week to you. What would you do with all your free time - I'm sure it would cost you a lot more than �3 - and you wouldn't get the pleasure (or food) that you do from your lottie!

**kathycam** · 31-01-2013, 10:36 AM

In my area all the allotments were going to put up their rent and my allotment managed to fight this, and is now independantly ran. It was before I joined, so I don't really know the ins and outs. Well I joined up about the time it came through, so I was there when we signed over the deal of a peppercorn rent for 38 years.

I don't think the other allotments in the area have managed to do it yet, but they are trying. It's def worth fighting for. It's so greedy to put the rents up that much, when it will discourage the very people who will benefit the most. As in young families on low incomes and it can be a lifeline for elderly people too.

**Bigmallly** · 31-01-2013, 10:39 AM

The �38 in the link is the same price I pay for a half plot............God help my neighbour who has 2 full plots...........

I'm hope HM will join this discussion as it will then become more personal.

**FROSTYFRECKLE** · 31-01-2013, 10:40 AM

Fight BM. That rent rise is takng the Michael.

**alldigging** · 31-01-2013, 11:05 AM

Rent rises

Allotment holders fight back against 400% rent increase - South Leeds Life

The Council is planning to increase rents at Old Lane from �38 to �160 a year, a rise of 400%.

It might be that many more councils will seek increases in rents as their budgets are cut.

This site has info about an important case
Allotment Rent Rise Victory

And lots more here from JohnMac
http://allotmentheaven.blogspot.co.u...ent-rents.html

The council could look at ways of reducing costs - do they employ a full time allotment manager? Are water bills paid by the council or plot holders?

Is self-management the answer? (Did our council do a cost implication assessment on going self-managed and decide it was in the council's financial interest?)

**Bigmallly** · 31-01-2013, 11:14 AM

I'm not sure fighting is going to solve anything if waiting lists are as high as published. I am sure many folk would happily pay �160 a year for a half plot, unfortunately I am not one of them. What is more upsetting is the amount of time & money already put into it.

**Bigmallly** · 31-01-2013, 11:17 AM

Mods, please merge my thread ("What would you do" - in chat forum) with AD's........Many thanks.

.....done

**Rhona** · 31-01-2013, 11:22 AM

I think you're right - many people would pay �160. Our rents are going up just over 50% this year. Rueful shrugs all round but still a bargain for we get to be honest, and 50% ain't 400%! I'm sorry you're in this position - rotten when as you say, you've put so much work in.

**lottie dolly** · 31-01-2013, 11:25 AM

How extortionate is that the greedy so & so's,when brocken down,�3 a week,is not a lot,but,add all the other usual expenses on,it is,we pay aprox the same as BM,for 2 full plots,fees,and water included,we do get �2 per plot age reduction,even full wack,we have a very good deal and site,with some vaccancies,
just to add,no way would we pay anything like 160,and certainly others on our site would not either,

**Nicos** · 31-01-2013, 11:54 AM

Personally I'd fight it- but certainly keep your plot. We all know how much effort you've put into it.

�3/week is still in fact a bargain when you step back and take another look at the pleasure/health benefits you gain from having it

Perhaps you can make small savings on the day to day running of the plot...seed/plant cuttings swap; bulk purchases of 'safe' manure,lime,fleece etc?
Do you have access to an allotment society shop?...if not is it worth getting peeps to getting involved in setting one up?
Team work by bulk purchasing/swapping 'stuff' would certainly help to reduce some of the running cost.

**Hans Mum** · 31-01-2013, 11:58 AM

& here comes the cavalry......

An increase is coming though we dont know what it will be yet. Like a lot of councils Leeds is having to make savings cos of central government imposing more cuts grrrrrrrrrrr....& just to clarify the misquoted figure of �160 is for a full plot!!!

The Leeds & District Allotment Gardeners Federation (LDAGF) are fighting the cause on behalf of all allotmenteers in Leeds (regardless if they are members or not) & I feel that strongly about the potential increases I have taken a position on the executive committee of LDAGF (as if I dont already have enough to do) to do my damned best to make sure the rises are as palatable as possible. Although I think we have to accept that some inrease is inevitable. LDAGF are currently carrying out a feasbility study (with the support of LCC) with a view to perhaps taking over the management of all sites in Leeds, a massive undertaking but one I'm prepared to help facilitate if thats the best option for allotments in Leeds. Its early days yet & am sure there'll be a lot of late & sleepness nights and lots of questions to ask (some on here).

So BM if I shout Help & need a hand on my beautiful new plot you know why

because as well as all the above and our own site I start a new job on MONDAY

**veggiechicken** · 31-01-2013, 12:41 PM

Good Luck HM - and all other's who are fighting for their allotments.

**Bigmallly** · 31-01-2013, 01:56 PM

Well I don't know if it's called bailing out but am going to look at a private site with empty plots over the weekend.........�25 for a full plot ...........so the Leeds City Council can.................no I won't.

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