Allotment Reps - Advice Please

[Cadalot]

I'm an allotment rep on one of the Local Authority sites I have a plot on, and a committee member on the other site I have a plot on. The local Authority have outsourced the parks and allotments to an independent contractor Idverde.

All the allotments reps have a meeting once a year with the local Authority where we discuss allotments in general but not each site specifically. Further to the Allotment Reps meeting it has taken 5 weeks with chasing copying in local councillors and threatening to go to the press to get the broken lock that was reported on the 29th March replaced.

I have been informed that they will no longer weld the padlocks as it is too expensive. I pointed out that

"Idverde is supposed to be providing the same level of service as we had before they took over and were obviously not aware that the padlocks were welded to chains until it was brought to their attention at the meeting with the reps and confirmed by the council officers present. If they have failed to allow for that within the pricing of their tender that's one thing, if it was not stated within the tender document that's quite another".

Under the freedom of information act, I request a copy of the tender documentation they priced against so that I may establish which one it is?

Until the matter of welding the padlocks to the gates is resolved I would request that additional padlocks be provided to me as in excess of two months to replace a padlock is in no way acceptable, the allotment is in an area prone to fly tipping, and it would be disastrous if we were unable to lock the gates. I have no faith that the level of service promised at the reps meeting is achievable by Idverde, as it was stated by them that the padlock would be attending to it on the day of the meeting and clearly that did not happen.

One only gets one chance to make a first impression and to be frank, I'm underwhelmed and will need some time to gain trust that they can and will do what they say they will"

As a result of my email they are apparently "going to get an alternative clasp to attach the padlock to the gates, one that doesn’t need welding".

I feel that the allotment reps should be in communication with each other, so that we can present a united front to the Local Authority & Idverde.

As the council will be looking for ways of generating funds, I'm sure rents hikes and allotment sell offs will follow. I'm trying to establishing a method say a closed Facebook Group exclusively for allotment Reps in our borough to exchange information and to keep in touch other than the annual meeting that may or may not take place next year

Do any of you communicate with other allotment reps in your local Authority Catchment area?

If you do how do you do it?

Have any of you first hand experience positive or negative with Idverde?

[Thelma Sanders]

I feel that the allotment reps should be in communication with each other, so that we can present a united front to the Local Authority & Idverde.

We have a Borough-wide Allotment society and the reps are on the committee of that, so they meet up and talk regularly.
We also have a meeting with the borough allotment officer, every 3 months, to talk about anything we want, including site-specific problems.


I should also say that we can contact the Allotment officer at any time to bring problems to her attention. She is usually very helpful

[Cadalot]

Hi Thelma

I like the idea of the Borough-wide Allotment society with reps are on the committee of that, so they meet up and talk regularly. That's exactly what I feel should be happening, as it feels a little like divide and conquer the way it's set up at the moment.

When I first became a rep there were two meetings a year and then it was reduced to one meeting a year. There was an annual newsletter now there is nothing.

I like the idea of a meeting with the borough allotment officer, every 3 months, to talk about anything one wants want, including site-specific problems, however all they ever state is that the allotments don't pay for themselves and that they don't have the money or the time to do that.

At the meeting we asked about the support we would get with regards non cultivation notices and have basically been informed that is there is not a waiting list on the allotment that they will not serve an improvement notice followed by an eviction notice as there is no difference between an unworked plot and an empty plot apart from the fact that they loose income.

I asked if they would be strimming these plots to prevent the spread of weed seeds, and again they have no money for that! The committee and reps reaction is if we are not going to be supported why even bother doing the annual inspections.

Site Reps and committees get a lot of flack and we don't even get a reduction on our plot fees.

[Greenleaves]

We meet formerly on a monthly basis, Borough wide and carry out plot inspections quarterly (not on our own sites) but have regular contact like Thelma with our Allotment Officer at the council.

We also have a quarterly newsletter which is circulated amongst the reps

[Cadalot]

Greenleaves

When you meet up on a monthly who provides the venue?

What is the criteria you use if inspecting quarterly I take it that it's documented so that everyone is doing it to the same standard?

The problem we have had historically is there is a vast difference between the sizes of the allotment sites and getting reps to swap has been problematic. In fact we have three sites in the borough that don't have reps at all, basically because it can become a bit of a poison chalice.

[Greenleaves]

The council provide the venue and yes we work to a set criteria.

Over the last few years we have changed things and the over zealous types have been replaced (nothing in the rules about sowing only in regimented lines)

We are strict on things like tyres, carpets etc but less so on levels of cultivation

But the inspection type is rotational

Q1 plots, cultivation etc
Q2 common areas, perimeter fencing, grass verges etc
Q3 plots
Q4 common areas.

[JanieB]

We have one allotment site. Some of it belongs to the National Trust and has someone running their allotments for them. The others are owned and run by our local Town Council. I had one of the NT allotments. I eventually gave it up as I found the stress of dealing with the woman in charge was more than I could deal with. She has total control. She took over from from her husband when he died. She is nominally the chair of the allotment society which never meets and she voted herself into it.

I do have a modicum of input into this still as the chair of the town council committee that administers our allotments.

[Thelma Sanders]

Over the last few years we have changed things and the over zealous types have been replaced (nothing in the rules about sowing only in regimented lines)

You'd think the way some go on, that there were rules about that, rules against raised beds and weed control fabric, oh nearly forgot weedkiller use.
One particular man thinks his way is the only way that people should be allowed to work their plots. Of course he's retired and spends all day on his plot. I do have to be careful what I say in response LOL
We have a minimum 75% cultivation after 6 months rule, then 4 inspections p/a for weed problem/cultivation.