Decision details

To seek approval for a 2% increase in allotment rent and water charges for 2021/2022, in line with inflation.

It is recommended that the rent for allotments in 2021/2022 is increased in line with inflation, at 2.0%.

The recommendation regarding the rents effectively enables us to maintain the status quo.

1.    Rents could be left at the same level. However due to inflation this would effectively be akin to a reduction in budget. This was rejected because the current allotment budget is not felt to be larger than needed. A reduction would decrease the level of service and site improvements.

2.    Rents could be increased by a larger amount, or pricing could be changed in some way other than a small percentage increase across the board. However based on the results of the consultation questionnaire in January 2018 and discussions at the Allotment Advisory Group, an increase in line with inflation at 2%  has emerged as the overall preferred option otherwise it would deter people from renting allotments.

3.    Further changes could be made to the discounts. However no suitable alternative changes have been identified at present, although as noted in 2019 it will be necessary to review the impact of Universal Credit on claims for the discount as it is rolled out which may result in a further revision of the Discount Structure in the future.