Report of Executive Director, Operational Services
Decision:
The
report sought approval for an increase in allotment rent and water
charges for 2024/2025 by 5.5% (an increase below current
inflation). |
|
12.2 |
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-
1.
That the rent for allotments in 2024/2025 is increased by
5.5% 2. That this increase is at a below-inflation increase for 2024/2025 only, due to the current cost of living crisis.
|
12.3 |
Reasons for Decision |
12.3.1 |
The
recommendation to increase the rents by 5.5% in 2024/25 protects
the delivery of the service to a degree, whilst taking account of
the results of consultation. |
12.4 |
Alternatives Considered and Rejected |
Rents could be left at the same level. However
due to inflation this would effectively be akin to a reduction in
budget; quite a significant one due to the current high level of
inflation. This was rejected because the current allotment budget
is not felt to be larger than needed. A significant reduction in
budget would decrease the level of service and site
improvements. |
|
12.4.2 |
An increase of 9.4% in
line with inflation was initially considered, however this was
rejected following the outcomes of consultation. |
12.4.3 |
Rents could be
increased by a larger amount, but this would go against the
outcomes of the consultation. Considering the results of the
consultation questionnaire in January 2018, discussions at the
Allotment Advisory Group, the survey of October 2022 and the need
to deliver the service, an increase of 5.5% (below inflation) has
emerged as the overall preferred option. |
Minutes:
The
Service Manager alongside the Head of Parks and Countryside
introduced the report which sought approval for an increase in
allotment rent and water charges for 2024/2025 by 5.5% (an increase
below current inflation). |
|
9.1.1 |
Members
raised points and questions. It was agreed that an up to date answer would be provided to the committee
on the possibility of spreading rent on a monthly basis and a
future briefing was promised on the Allotment Service. |
9.2 |
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-
1.
That the rent for allotments in 2024/2025 is increased by
5.5% 2. That this increase is at a below-inflation increase for 2024/2025 only, due to the current cost of living crisis.
|
9.3 |
Reasons for Decision |
9.3.1 |
The
recommendation to increase the rents by 5.5% in 2024/25 protects
the delivery of the service to a degree, whilst taking account of
the results of consultation. |
9.4 |
Alternatives Considered and Rejected |
Rents could be left at the same level. However
due to inflation this would effectively be akin to a reduction in
budget; quite a significant one due to the current high level of
inflation. This was rejected because the current allotment budget
is not felt to be larger than needed. A significant reduction in
budget would decrease the level of service and site
improvements. |
|
9.4.2 |
An increase of 9.4% in line with inflation was initially considered, however this was rejected following the outcomes of consultation. |
9.4.3 |
Rents could be
increased by a larger amount, but this would go against the
outcomes of the consultation. Considering the results of the
consultation questionnaire in January 2018, discussions at the
Allotment Advisory Group, the survey of October 2022 and the need
to deliver the service, an increase of 5.5% (below inflation) has
emerged as the overall preferred option. |
Supporting documents: