my own Countdown

[SarzWix]

Absolutely VC. I wish we could do more than be there in spirit, but you definitely have lots of support here

[veggiechicken]

We're with you all the way, AP

[Aberdeenplotter]

Next Court hearing set for a week today so having to try to commit time to this nonsense once again. The Council has declined to give me the information asked for in my Freedom of Information requests as they consider it to be environmental information. I have responded by making it clear that the information requested is not environmental information but is in fact 100% Financial and pointed out that I asked how rent for half plots came to be set at �35 when full plot rents were set at �50 in the Council's main budget meeting on 14 February 2008.(There was no mention whatever of plots of less than full size). It is unlikely that I will get the information requested before the Court hearing but I will at least be able to point the Court to the Council's failure.


I'm informed that the new Council Finance Convenor is to meet with the City Solicitor the day before the Court Hearing to discuss the matter. Whatever comes out of that meeting, it will only enable me to respond at the very last minute which to say the least is unfortunate.

Having said that, nothing has changed the merits of my own arguments and I remain positive.

[ladylottie]

Yes well done AP - you've just got to keep hanging in there, the end is nearly in sight.

[Bigmallly]

Well done for sticking in there AP, many would have folded by now.

[lottie dolly]

with sound of things,you got them between a rock and a hard place,well done for holding out your determination,he who laughs last and all that,

[donnakebab]

Hope you get the answers. Should be interesting reading if there's actually anything to read!

[Aberdeenplotter]

Should have said, recently obtained the minutes of the Council meeting at which plot rents were increased in February 2008. The only references in the minutes are the proposal to increase full plot rents to either �40 or �50 and the Higher increase was approved. No detail of the discussion or argument. By way of an FOI request I've asked for sight of any briefing notes issued to elected members so that I can determine why the rent was increased.

As above, full plot rents were increased to �50. No reference to half plots. Either half plots were not increased or they automatically should have become half the price of a full plot in the absence of any other decision by the Council. Tenants of half plots were subsequently charged �35. If we had been charged �25 we would have accepted it.(Grumbled like hell but accepted). Another foi request made asking how rent for half plots was set at �35 and for sight of minute of relevant committee which approved figure and also for sight of any briefing notes to elected members for that meeting.

[Feral007]

Very funny old world AB! Hope that things go well and easily. Sounds a little like they are trying to fix some of the things they have not bothered with so they don't look so bad when they back down.
Hope so anyways.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Right guys, Auchterarder was a good distraction. It's a lovely wee place, long narrow development with I think the longest high street in Scotland. Full of lovely wee eateries. We particularly like Cafe Kisa. Clean, friendly, nice menu prompt service. Just my cup of tea .

Anyways, progress - none. Don't want to push new Council in case I hack them off so leaving things to settle. Will have to do something closer to the new Court date but soft peddling for now.

However, things are getting done on our site. Council refused to obtemper(think that is the word) its absolute obligation to remove buildings on two adjacent plots which were not approved in terms of our allotments law. I used this failure in a counter claim. Funnily enough, the buildings have now been removed.

Also, a local transition group obtained funding from the Climate Challenge Fund(this may be a Scottish Fund) to remediate vacant allotments that had been allowed to deteriorate to the state of dereliction. The plots were indeed remediated using people on Community SErvice Orders but the plots couldn't be let as the surrounding trees (crow sown sycamores) - weeds had totally overgrown. The Council had initially agreed to cut back the tree canopy to allow light in but then balked at the cost and refused. The sycamores are now to be totally removed. Funny old world innit

[Peas'n'Kews]

Hope all goes well for you AP, and enjoy your wee trip to Auchterarder!

[donnakebab]

You've earned a break AP. Have a lovely time at Auchderwotist. (Sounds German!)

Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.

[SarzWix]

Just catching up with this AP, and I must say it's looking promising for you, although I agree, no counting of chickens yet.

But I also wanted to thank you, on behalf of all other allotment holders and the members of the forum, for continually posting and updating us, and sharing all your research for others to make use of. It may well make a difference to lots of other plot holders fighting similar incursions on their rights by desperate councils, seeing that determination can pay off. x

[Aberdeenplotter]

VC, your a doll. One of the Chickens I have been able to count on all the way through this . The support from the Forum has been amazing all the way through. I've been lifted when I've been down and I've been down a lot even although I've never throughout my life been a being down person. Usually super confident. I'm not going to thank folks yet, but I will do however the thing finally pans out when it pans out

[veggiechicken]

I sincerely hope you're right AP and that you don't have to go through any more of the legal process to achieve your objectives. Don't lose sleep over it. Have a great weekend getting on with all the things your enjoy the most.