This report informs the Committee of the findings from the allotment fee consultation with allotment plot holders, and seeks approval of the proposed allotment fees pricing structure.

The Committee received a report which gave an update on the responses to the consultation on allotments fees and charges and sought approval of the proposed allotment fees pricing structure set out in Section 3.28 of the report, which was designed to secure the long-term viability of the service while maintaining fairness through the continued use of concessionary discounts. The following documents were appended to the report:

Appendix 1 - Allotment Survey

Appendix 2 - Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Survey.

The report explained that the Council managed 20 allotment sites across the Borough, comprising of more than 1,600 worked plots over 41.5 hectares of land. For the financial year ending 31 March 2026, allotment rental income had been projected at approximately £66,193, against an estimated annual service cost of £167,598, equating to a subsidy of approximately £99k. For the 2026/27 financial year, allotment fees would increase by 3.25% in line with inflation.

The report gave information on the findings from the allotment fee consultation with plot holders, as outlined in Section 3 and detailed in Appendix 1 to the report. The consultation reflected a highly engaged community, with concerns about affordability balanced by acknowledgement that the service must move towards financial sustainability. Feedback on the proposed rent increases was mixed, with respondents evenly split between supporting and opposing an increase. Affordability concerns were a recurring theme, particularly for those on low or fixed incomes, although many respondents also acknowledged the need for the service to be financially sustainable and less reliant on Council subsidy. While a majority of the respondents had indicated they were unlikely to give up their plot if the increases were implemented, around a quarter had said they might be forced to do so, highlighting the importance of maintaining concessionary support for vulnerable groups. The report noted that allotments legislation placed no obligation on councils to subsidise allotments but, stated that councils might charge a lower rent where justified by individual circumstances, such as financial hardship or disability.

The report also explained that, each year, the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) conducted a survey of local authority allotment services, providing insight into sector trends, operational challenges and emerging best practice (Appendix 2). The survey undertaken between June and August 205 highlighted the increasing financial pressures faced by councils and the range of strategies being adopted nationally to improve cost recovery and long?term service sustainability. Over 63% of councils had reported that they continued to subsidise allotment services, despite efforts to move towards full cost recovery. Concessionary discounts remained widely available, with 60% of councils maintaining reduced rates for eligible groups. However, several authorities had indicated that these schemes were under review to ensure long?term financial sustainability.

Section 3.28 of the report set out the following proposed rent matrix for plots of 125sqm from April 2027:

The report explained that the Council was required to give plot holders 12 months’ written notice of any changes to the rent and discount structure. The decision to increase rents had to be taken and communicated to plot holders by no later than 31 March 2026 in order to apply the new rent levels from 1 April 2027.

Resolved:

(1)      That the findings of the 2025 Allotment Survey, as summarised in Section 3 and detailed in Appendix 1 be noted.

(2)      That the proposed Allotment Fees Pricing Structure set out in Section 3.29, to be implemented from April 2027 following the statutory 12?month notice period, be approved.