Presentation to Environment, Housing and Planning Scrutiny - 16 th March 2009 Allotment Service Update Report David Robinson, Assistant Director (Liveability) Bernie Noon, Principal Greenspace Officer

 Allotment Strategy for , including : -Pricing Policy for Customer Service Improvements  Allotment Infrastructure Improvements Presentation Agenda

 The report was submitted and approved by the Lead Member for Environment in December 2008, and based upon 4 recommendations :- Allotment Strategy Report

 Recommendation 1 Allotment Strategy Report That the development of the longer term allotment strategy be synchronised with the Core Strategy so that the Environment Directorate is better informed about the Council’s long term ambitions with respect to the supply of allotments, before setting out its longer term plans for new sites

 Recommendation 2 Allotment Strategy Report That any capital funding made available by the Council between April 2009 and April 2011 be directed to the following sites (most important first) : SiteDescription of WorkEstimated Cost Commence work Toad Lane, Worsley Restoration of 1 x plot£5,005June 2009 Cumberland Avenue, Irlam Restoration of 15 x plots£99,420April 2009 WeasteRestoration of 24 x plots£91,680April 2009 Clowes Park, Broughton A contribution to the development of 24 plots in the former nursery area. £209,832 of which £178,895 is included within the Council’s present capital funding bid April 2009

 Recommendation 3 Allotment Strategy Report That fees for 2010 are levied in accordance with Table 3 in the report [ Achieved ], and that a policy be developed during 2009 on concessions and fees for the period [ Policy is being developed which will be presented to Lead Member ]

 Recommendation 4 Allotment Strategy Report That Lead Member notes the report and officers provide an updated position statement in April 2009 ( ongoing ]

 The report contained 8 key actions, namely :- Allotment Strategy Report

1.Work with groups interested in self-management and establishment of associations. Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions Action 1 4 sites presently self-managed :-  Cawdor Street, Walkden  Destructor Road, Swinton  Lorne Street, Eccles  Tindall Street, Eccles 5 other potential new sites being progressed :-  Ordsall  Worsley and Boothstown  Brunswick  Duchy  Irlam Revised timeframe : November March 2011

2.Liaise with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and other organisations to agree a joint strategy and identify projects and funding to deliver joint objectives. Action 2 Work on the Cleavley Allotment “Pony Field” has commenced, which is jointly funded by the PCT, aiming to be available for use by Spring Revised timeframe TBC on outcome of Big Lottery Bid Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

3.Include allotment performance information into 2008/09 performance management framework. Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions Action 3 Performance measurement for key areas such as waiting list, site quality, customer feedback monitored monthly and are integrated into Section (Grounds Maintenance) Business Plans Revised timeframe : November January 2009

4.Establish working group to bring allotment customer services up to required standard. Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions Action 4 Customer Services Improvements to date are as follows :-  newly updated website (content reviewed monthly)  on-line application forms  twice yearly allotment-holder newsletter (January & August)  allotment users’ service leaflet produced  welcome pack for “new tenants” Revised timeframe : Ongoing

5.To produce a detailed report identifying what works need to be done to bring sub-standard plots back into use and to maintain them. Secure policy decision on the way forward with plot restoration. Action 5 Capital monies for 2008/09 £50K and £75K for 2009/10, with bids submitted for future years for allotment infrastructure improvement programme. Revised timeframe : Dependent on funding Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

6.Liaise with colleagues within the Sustainable Regeneration Directorate and local communities to identify areas for new allotment sites. Action 6 5 sites have been identified for new allotment sites in :-  Worsley & Boothstown  Walkden & Little Hulton  Eccles  East Salford  Ordsall & Langworthy (aligned to Salford City Council Neighbourhood Management areas) Revised timeframe : Summer 2009 Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

7. Update Salford City Council’s Allotment Regulations Action 7The Allotment Regulations are being reviewed at present by Salford City Council key officers and full consultation will take place with the respective associations so that they are adopted by Autumn 2009 Revised timeframe : November 2008 to October 2009 Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

8. Secure policy decision on charges and concessions for the period April 2010 to March 2015 Action 8 A policy decision for individual pricing per plot has been agreed and the new charges for 2010 have been sent to each holder. The concession proposal is being developed by Salford City Council officers and all proposals will be subject to Lead Member for Environment approval. However, full consultation with holders / associations will be undertaken prior to any approvals. Revised timeframe : November 2008 to October 2009 Progress to date on Strategy Report Actions

Allotment Infrastructure Improvements

RESTORATION COSTS IN DESCENDING PRIORITY ORDER Site Capital Cost ( £ ) Revenue Cost ( £ ) Toad Lane Cumberland Avenue Weaste Clowes Park Cleavley Addison Road Moss Lane TOTAL / Capital Monies Allocation = £375,000 Please note the above works will be undertaken in order of priority, subject to funding being available

 The Council in its “Salford Core Strategy Issues and Options Report” is proposing there should be “a minimum of 10 allotment plots per 1,000 households”. If this level of provision is agreed, the City Council would need to ensure that c.100 new plots are made available each year between the period 2011 and 2027 and distributed in a way that ensures all have access to a site within a reasonable travelling distance of home.  The initial consultation on this document is October 2008 to May  A full draft Core Strategy will be published for consultation between the period October and November Although the City Council should have some indication as to the minimum requirement for allotments following the initial consultation, the actual target will not be confirmed until January  It is proposed that officers within the Sustainability & Regeneration and Environment Directorates commence work during mid 2009 on the development of a plan for the allocation of land for allotment provision to support whatever target is eventually agreed. Summary Issues to be considered :-

 The Environment Directorate acknowledges the increasing public demand for allotments, and is fully committed to improving our present stock and also developing new sites, in partnership with stakeholders.  Improvement works will continue at all sites, in conjunction / full consultation with allotment holders, to ensure fundamental objectives are achieved for the enjoyment of all users. Conclusion

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