An allotment holder in Long Eaton has accused the borough council of "daylight robbery" amid a wrangle over an increase in fees.
Nick King contacted Erewash Sound accusing the local authority of a a lack of action, stating that allotment fees had increased for him by 300% from £19.95 and £15.01 to £60.00 and that the authority would not give any dispensation for allotment holders to pay in installments, including pensioners.
Providing a number of supporting documents to the radio station, Mr. King launched a fierce attack on the Borough Council which he accused of being able to "scam" allotment holders "whenever they please", and suggesting a lack of value for money for relevant fees, particularly in the wake of the increase, claimed that authority officials hadn't carried out any kind of work in the 20+ years that he had been on his site, without referencing what he expected any work would necessarily entail.
Speaking to Erewash Sound in Long Eaton Town Centre recently, Mr. King said that the only action he had seen being taken by officials was to switch off the water supply in October ahead of the winter freeze, and to turn it back on again in April.
Operational Services at Erewash Borough Council wrote to Mr. King on 15th August 2023, providing a new tenancy agreement to sign and return, and giving notice of the end of any previous agreement, with current tenancies under the old pricing structure ending on 29th September 2024.
An allotment agreement provided to Erewash Sound, dated 31/01/2024 and addressed to Mr. King for his plots, set the figure at £60 per annum, payable on 30th April each year, with an initial term beginning on 28th September, ending on the following year end date, continuing on a yearly basis until the agreement is terminated.
Mr. King evidenced prior fees of £19.25 and £15.01 for two allotment references detailed on a reminder received in June 2023, and that he had written to Erewash MP Maggie Throup to bring her attention to the matter.
On the 5th October, Erewash Borough Council Neighbourhood Services Manager Scott Cartledge replied to a letter from the MP raising her constituent's concerns, stating that, although allotment fees have been subsidised by the Council for a number of years, following a review, changes have been made to the pricing structure in order to ensure the long-term sustainabilty of the service.
He also advised that all plot holders were given 12 months' prior notice by Erewash Borough Council before these changes came into effect, and were given the choice as to whether to commit to renewing their tenancy agreement under the new terms. (Mr. Cartledge's letter did not make reference to how fees are and could be paid, suggesting that this particular concern was not raised by Mr. King in his letter to his MP. Mr. King has been approached by Erewash Sound for comment.)
Ms Throup replied to Mr. King in November 2023, stating: "The rent increases are a matter which I have been contacted about by a number of constituents and I share your concerns.
"The dramatic increase in rent seems to conflict with the Labour-controlled Erewash Borough Council's claim to be helping residents through the cost-of-living crisis, and I quote the Leader of the Council, Cllr James Dawson when he said, at the meeting of the Council Executive on Tuesday 5th September: "Helping residents amid the cost-of-living nightmare is our top priority"
Ms Throup's letter to Mr. King continued: "As you are aware, the matter is the responsibility of Erewash Borough Council which, as an MP, I do not have any jurisdiction over"
She then detailed Mr. Cartledge's response to Mr. King adding: "Whilst I understand that this will come as a disappointment to you, regrettably, there are occasions where I am unable to influence decisions or achieve a positive outcome."
In her detailed letter to Mr. King issued in November 2023, Ms Throup suggested that it may be beneficial to establish a "Save the allotments" petition, which she said would not only be very impactful, but that she felt sure that it would also be widely supported by fellow allotment holders.
Ms Throup concluded: "I firmly believe that having an allotment is a great way for residents to have access to valuable gardening space, provide an ideal opportunity to get outdoors, offers a number of health and wellbeing benefits, including preventing isolation and provides a valuable community spirit. Thank you again for contacting me about this important matter."