This report sets out the findings of the Allotment Survey 2023 and proposes increases in allotment rents and reductions in discounts to be implemented in April 2025.

Further to Minute 8 of the meeting of the Housing, Neighbourhoods & Leisure Committee held on 6 July 2023, the Committee considered a report setting out the findings of an Allotment Survey and proposing changes to allotment rents and discounts.  Attached to the report at Appendix A was a summary and analysis of responses to the Allotment Survey.

The report explained that the Survey had been conducted in November and December 2023. Respondents had been strongly supportive of Option B, which was to remove the 10% Your Reading Passport (YRP) General Discount, reduce the 84% YRP Concessionary Discount to 40% and increase rents by approximately 20% to align to benchmarked rent for 2025.  The report set out the effect of the proposed changes for plots of 125sqm in the three different categories of site, for which rents varied depending on coverage of water supply.  The proposed changes would see rents and discounts on the Council’s allotment sites align with levels within other Local Authorities as determined through a benchmarking exercise.  It was proposed to write to all current tenants giving 12 months’ notice of the changes to be implemented from April 2025.

Resolved –

(1)          That the findings of the Allotment Survey 2023 be noted and the proposed increases in allotment rents and reductions in discounts be approved as follows:

•   Removal of the 10% YRP General Discount

•   Reduction of the 84% YRP Concessionary Discount to 40%

•   Increase in rents of approximately 20% to align to benchmarked rent for 2025;

(2)          That plotholders be given 12 months’ written notice of the changes in March 2024 and the changes be implemented in April 2025;

(3)          That the proposed Allotment Rent pricing structure be approved.