Hi, we got an allotment in August last year. I'm just curious as to how much maintanance is carried out by the council at other sites. Since we got our allotment there has been no sign of anyone from the council at all. The only time we had contact from them was a letter telling us there had been some chippings donated to the the site. The non existant paths are awful, just mud tracks with holes so big i've lost count of the number of times my car has got stuck in them!!
I'm one of the lucky ones as i can at least get my car to my plot but the plot holders at the bottom of the site find it impossible to drive to their plots.
There are loads of plots which are unused as they are so overgrown yet other sites in the area have huge waiting lists.
When we were looking for a plot ours was taken (but neglected) so we viewed some of the vacant ones but you cant even tell which plot is which as they all blend into one.
I just want to know if this is 'normal for council run sites or if it would be worth contacting the council to fight for better overall maintanance to be carried out.
Am i being unrealistic or unreasonable in thinking that the council should be doing more?
I'd really appreciate your views and advice.
We have a similar problem with the lane round our site if we're not careful. Recently we've been getting in the appropriate sort of grit (not sure what it's called), hiring a whacker plate, and doing it ourselves. In the past we've had scalpings from the Council, but they're not so good. We get to keep a fair proportion of the rent money as part of a self-management agreement, and we use that.
On our site, we have working parties for maintenance of trackways and other communal areas. The Council provide us with road planeing material (the money for this comes from our field budget - the council allocate a sum of money to each field for maintenance work but the council control the money, paying for things we need up to our allowance) and our working parties of plot holders distribute this - our working parties are very well supported - and helping on a working party is a good way for people to get to know each other. The council are responsibe for cutting the grass on the main trackway area but we prefer to do this ourselves on a regular basis, as we can do a better job with motor mowers / hovver mowers than the council's tractor pulled mower. We have two field wardens on our field (plot holders who are paid £8 a year) who undertake this grass cutting and other maintenance duties. The mowers belong to our field and were mostly donated as non runners but one of our field wardens is a lawn mower enthusiast who brought them back to lfe and maintains them.
Five years ago our site was very run down, the trackway wasn't useable by cars in the winter because of potholes and muddy areas and the grass areas very long and untidy in summer but with the appointment of a field committee we've turned things round.
tjamj,
I am afraid that there is no such thing as "normal" when it comes to councils and allotments. You will find the whole gamut of Council experiences here from total indifference through to helpful and constructive.
Just a couple of points:
* get the plot holders organised - into a committee, allotment association or whatever - so that you can speak to the Council with one voice. Individual moans and groans very seldom get anywhere
* try to establish a good working relationship with the Council and realise that success usually only comes when the plot holders are prepared to do their bit - lavenderlux above being a good example.
Hi tjamj
Here in Swindon we have a dedicated allotments officer to look after approx 28 sites. She works as part of the parks department and as other duties as well. So it might be an idea to find out which department is responsible for your site. As there are other sites in your town, contact them and see if there having the same problems. The sites here have an allotment rep and we have meetings with the parks department about every 4 months. As well as on site visits from the allotments officer. The local paper as also been involved at various times when the council as dragged its feet. We don't have to do any maintance work on the site other than keep our own plots in order. It is a case of everyone working as one for a common goal. Here, the greater demand for plots the more the council seem willing to spend time and money. I'm afraid its the old,old story of the few working hard so that everyone benefits.
On the plus side this year on my site we have received 3 new water troughs, a new track and new gates. And there will be fencing repairs where needed as and when the council workers can fit us in. Its taken several years to get to this point, so patience is a must.
Enjoy your plot and good luck with the rest.
Taurus
I don't think many plotholders are ever very far away from small piles of old bricks and similar rubble. Pick it up and put it in the holes. End of problem.
We are now entering a new era when the Nanny State is completely and utterly bankrupt and cannot be bothered wiping whingers bums so get used to doing things yourself instead of moaning about it. A few potholes are no big deal.
Look at it another way. Do you really want some office clerk visiting the site on a regular basis making notes about how many weeds you have and sending you letters about non cultivation of the plot?
I have no complaints about our allotment site in Enfield. The Council deliver free compost and sometimes wood chip. They also cut the grass paths around the sites. Once a year (sometimes twice) we have a trailer put on site so we can put our rubbish in it. Also, last week we have had new gates put on the main entrance, not sure if this will work as the fence and gate near the playing fields is still low enough for people to climb over. We have two toilets that flush, not too pleasant, but that is not the Council's fault, perhaps I should clean them, and it is better to stand back when one flushes or you may get water sprayed on you. The water in the water tanks is turned on in April. They also prune some of the big trees if nagged enough. They used to rotovate new sites but not sure if they do that now, as the site has a waiting list. As a pensioner and Enfield resident I pay less than a £1 a year, so how can I complain. I love my site and am grateful to have a lovely place to go and play at planting.
Hi, thanks all for your comments, just wanted some ideas of what other sites are like. I will try to see a few of the other plot holders i think to see how they feel about things and maybe try to set up some kind of organisation.
To eristic, i'm not looking for anone to wipe my bum and am not moaning, but as a working mother who is trying my best to divide my time between everything i find it enough to care for my own plot without trying to take on major work on the site aswell.
And its not just a case of 'a few potholes' its more that everything is so overgrown it would take more than a standard lawnmower to make the tracks useable to reach most plots.
Its great if you have the time and equipment to do it all but unfortunately i have neither.
Anyway thanks to the rest of you for some great advice.
Our council trim the surrounding hedges twice yearly. Thats it. The rest is funded from our budget from shop and nursery earnings. sales = money = other jobs done. 8) 8)
We are a totally independent site, so we have to do and fund everything ourselves. But we have a very pro-active Committee and a very supportive membership. Once everyone sees things are happening, they will join in.
We have working parties to carry out large-scale things: last year it was fencing, this year drainage; plus the regular stuff like hedge-cutting, litter-picks and the like. But plot-holders are also offering their services to repair lockers, run in extra water tanks, mow paths, etc.
Get the membership galvanised and things will happen. If our site's anything to go by, you'll be amazed at the transformation, not just in appearance, but in attitude.
Go for it!