allotment management

[Percy T]

ok so I followed my dream (literally had a dream) and got my allotment last Oct/Nov. Was sooo excited started to work it straight away and the thought the paper work would following in the next week or so.


When no lease paperwork, rules and regs of the site or how to make payment for my lottie by about mid Dec, e-mailed the council and telephoned spoke to the site committee and they said they would speak to the person in charge at the council.

Still no paperwork by Feb, though they might be waiting for the new financial year for some reason.

Mid June still nothing, am a little worried that they might reallocate my plot to someone else by mistake because the paper work has not been done. The chaps on the committee tell my to send a cheque in payment with plot number ect. But dont really want to do this as I would still have no title to the plot and does not confirm that its mine.

there were three half plots to be allocated when I got mine I know one of the other ladies has not yet recieved here paperwork, and the third plot has been untouched.

There are about 5 empty plots all overgrown and have been untouched for a couple of years so I am lead to believe however when I pested the council contact for my plot she told me there were about another 8 people waiting.

It seems like a shambles, what would be the best action.

[jaykay]

Percy T
Could you visit the council offices in person and get a receipt for the payment of the rent?

[Percy T]

thanks Julie

I might try that, but unfortunately its not as easy as you may think.

I am a full time carer for my mum who suffers with dementia and canot be left alone. All my carer hours are booked up until Oct when these run out I will not be able to do any allotmenteering until next financial year.

But if I can pop into the local office I my be able to sweet talk my neightbour to sit with her for half an hour.

[rustylady]

Do you know the name of the person who allocated your plot? You must have been told the plot number, shown round, or given a key if it's a secure site. I have worked in administration for years, but have become increasingly frustrated by large(ish) organisations who employ nameless workers. Consequently I always ask the name of the person I am speaking to, whether it be a query on a gas bill, a banking enquiry, or whatever. Even if they only give you a first name it's a start. And remember, a verbal contract is as good as a written one. Do you have a site manager, or is it like mine, just "The Council"?

[Percy T]

I have the name of the of the contact, but she only works on allotments two days aweek and the job was thrushed upon her blah blah blah.

I had thought of maybe approaching the long standing commitee members and maybe going self managed I have heard this term and have assumed that the committee allocated the allotments etc. but not sure if this is how it works and I also dont want to upset anyone as I have only been there a short time and they are so nice when we have a chat on a Sunday morning.

I look forward to our little chats as much as I look forward to seeing what has grown how much digging needs doing etc.