Update 2011

Harrow in LEAF’s Allotment Protection Sub-Committee, chaired by Mike Beech (Rep for Streamside allotments), began dialogue and a series of meetings with Dave Corby, the officer in charge of parks and open spaces within Harrow.

Items discussed were the Councils figures on the number of allotments in the borough. Harrow in LEAF has continually insisted that these figures are wrong and that the number of allotments per head is actually far lower than is stated. Mr Corby was given Harrow in LEAF’s figures and accepted that the council’s figures may indeed be incorrect. Partly this was due to a ‘Half-Plot’ being identified as a plot, which had raised the figures considerably.

Another item discussed was the allotment rules and Mr Corby agreed to meet again with the group to discuss amendments and alterations with the view to implementation. Harrow in LEAF’s chairman Georgia Weston praised Mike Beech for the fantastic amount of work and effort he had put in as Chairman of the sub-committee, and the sub-committee as a whole, for running such an effective campaign to help secure the future of allotments and in maintaining “effective dialogue” with Harrow Council.

Update 2010

There was a further meeting of a group of newly identified (by Harrow Council) allotment representatives in 2010. These included some of Harrow in LEAF’s longstanding, organised allotment site reps, and some self-appointed representatives who, it was hoped, would be working with other plot holders on their prospective sites. Georgia Weston, Harrow in LEAF’s Chairman was also invited to attend.

The new allotment rules were discussed and the general consensus was that they were too long and might be difficult to apply. There was some heat within the room as it seemed that the Councillor in attendance may have expected to preside over the meeting, pass on her opinions and that these would just be readily accepted by all in attendance.

One or two reps, who had great historical knowledge of allotments in Harrow, took the opportunity to air their opinion of the perceived mismanagement of allotment sites within the borough and a plethora of discussion emerged, leading to some, quite heated, exchange.

“I had some sympathy for the poor woman [Cllr. Susan Hall], who bore the brunt of the misgivings, which were probably mainly due to the feeling by of those present, that their voices had been largely ignored by Harrow Council over the years – but I think on the whole people left the meeting feeling that there was some real progress made”.

Unfortunately the jubilation was short lived as no further meetings were scheduled, the allotment rules were not re-drafted, or put into place and tenants continue to get incorrect and/or late bills.

Let me start by saying that there was an excellent turnout at this meeting. The Member's Lounge at Harrow Civic Centre was packed full of allotment holders from across the borough.

Dave Corby the Public Realm Service Manager began the meeting by briefly describing the advantages and benefits of owning an allotment and how important allotments were to people’s general well being. He then introduced Councillor Susan Hall who is the portfolio holder for Environment and Community Safety.

Councillor Hall stated that she had provisionally obtained; "in excess of fifty thousand pounds", for capital
expenditure for this financial year to be spent on allotments. The Councillor further explained that the aims of the
meeting were to find out what problems the allotments have and to determine the most important problems; "to
decide where to spend the money". She also stated that a further aim was to obtain; "a consensus view on
allotment strategy".

The people present were then divided into groups, each group representing several allotment sites. The groups
listed the problems with the existing Council allotment service and then decided which of these were the most
important.

The most important issues raised were:

1 – The lack of a specific annual ring fenced budget set at an adequate level for spending on
allotments – (without regular protected funding it will not be possible to implement any improvement
in the allotment service provided by Harrow Council).

2 - Poor maintenance of allotment sites – (this includes improving security by repairing gates and
fencing and providing access by cutting down trees, bushes, wild brambles etc).

3 - Poor administration and communication – (the current situation consists of late and inaccurate
billing, incorrect data regarding the letting of plots and difficulty knowing who to speak to).

4 - A total lack of management of allotment sites – (if each allotment site was inspected at least twice
a year by a Council employee they would be able to monitor the state of fencing, gates, invasive trees etc
and see which plots were not being worked by tenants).

Despite Councillor Hall stating that one of the aims of the meeting was to obtain; "a consensus view on allotment
strategy", most of the issues raised had nothing to do with strategy, but more to do with day to day issues
associated with running an allotment service at the standard that the people of Harrow have a right to expect.

What next?

Councillor Hall explained that a smaller working group consisting mainly of site representatives would work with
Council staff to formulate the ‘strategy’ document.

As a long standing recognised group working with allotment holders and a variety of allotment associations it is
expected that Harrow in LEAF will be invited to attend any further discussions regarding the councils Allotment
Strategy. We will endeavour to keep our website regularly posted with any updates.