Council thinking of losing the plot

The council is now asking allotment holders to self-manage or face losing their plots altogether.

Talks are in early stages but an approach to Dick Lancaster, chairman of Bexhill Gardens and Allotments Society which has 450 members, did not received the response RDC was hoping for.

He said the sites would be too difficult to manage because they are scattered across town and that his group would not be prepared to take on responsibility.

Amenity Services Manager Penny Stevens commented: “I am therefore looking to the allotment tenants or groups of tenants to work with the council in achieving self-management of the individual sites or all the Bexhill allotment sites as a whole.

“If a local management solution cannot be found, it will put the existing allotment provision and service at severe risk as the council will simply not have the resources to continue with the service.”

The letter she sent out to allotment holders has already caused concern and dismay.

Mick Hewitson, who lives in St James Avenue and has an allotment off Pebsham Lane, felt it would be “a crying shame” if council cutbacks meant allotments would be lost.

He said: “I got the letter yesterday, and was annoyed, as I pay so much on tax, and council tax, and get little back. I have expressed my interest in self managing a site, but will pull out if it’s too much hassle.

He added: “Allotments have been used in this country since the Saxons! And would be a crying shame to lose them all.”

His view were echoed by Judith Hattam of Penhurst Drive who told the Observer: “It is hard to understand – on the one hand the Government is advocating us to live a healthier lifestyle and on the other hand giving the means for the council to take away this.

“The amount saved by cutting the funding to allotment provision is minimal in the scheme of things, and perhaps the council should look to reducing the salaries of their chief executives to make savings so that the facilities that really matter to the people of Bexhill and Rother such as libraries, school’s walking buses, lollipop persons, allotments – the list could go on – can be maintained.

“We are also concerned that if it is impossible for groups to form a committee to run their allotments, this land will be up for grabs.”

Dick Lancaster has said it would “not be practical” for his society to attempt running the allotments because they were too “itsy-bitsy” and spread about.

He commented: “With a big site it is easy – you have a trading hut and it can be done quite simply. Here though, we have eight different sites, which are here, there and everywhere. It’s not an impossible task but a very difficult one.”

He felt it unfair that allotments should be singled out as an area for potential savings but hoped to continue talking with RDC to find a solution, and said: “We have got to. We have got to get round the table and thrash it out.”

Rother’s chief executive Derek Stevens said:  “Following the government cuts, which have left Rother District Council needing to find £1.7million of savings over the next two years, the council is looking at more efficient ways to deliver services.

“As a result we have approached societies and town councils on the matter of managing allotments in Rother.  This will give us the best chance of maintaining this popular service without having to consider cuts in provision in future.

“In the case of Bexhill, the gardens and allotments society have decided not to take up this offer.  That being the case we are looking to other organisations that might be willing to manage an allotment or group of allotments and anyone interested should contact the council.

“I recently met with Mr Lancaster to discuss the matter.  Despite rejecting our offer, we will stay in touch with the society and draw on his advice and expertise, which he kindly offered.

“This is part of a wider move where the way services are delivered to the public is likely to change, including increased levels of ‘community ownership’ under the government’s Big Society agenda, and it will not be limited to just allotments.”