Content

9.1

This report seeks Committee approval for a 2%
increase in allotment rent and water charges for the period
2026-27. The report summarises allotment law and explains how the
rent increase enables the Council to work towards the outcomes of
the Council Plan and continue its statutory duty to provide
allotment sites for people to grow their own food. Tenants must be
given 12 months’ notice (usually in January) of any increase
in rents. Committee approval allows the service to give legal
notice.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the
Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-
 

1.    
notes the contents of the report; and
 

2.    
approves a 2% increase to allotment rents for 2026/27.

 

 

9.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

9.3.1

The recommendation to the Communities, Parks
and Leisure Committee is to increase the rents by 2% in 2026/27,
this protects the staffing levels within the team to continue to
provide support to allotment holders and their allotments and
maintains a small site improvement budget. It takes in to account
the results of the 2018 consultation, increasing rent by a
relatively small proportion.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Rents remain at 2025/26
levels for 2026/27.
 
This option was rejected as the proposal would
significantly decrease the level of service and site improvements
that can be undertaken. Following previous years of
below-inflationary rent increases, this would represent a reduction
to the budget for the service.

 

 

9.4.2

Alternative Option 2: Rents increased by an
amount greater than inflation.
 
This would allow much needed investment in the
estate's attainment of ‘Sheffield Standard; by 2030.
Additional budget could be allocated to those plots that are
currently unlettable due to their unviable condition, reducing
extensive waiting times for allotments and increasing revenue.
 
This option was rejected as the proposal may
impact on those in our communities who rely on allotments to live
healthy, fulfilling and sustainable lives. With the lasting effects
of the ‘cost of living crisis' those existing tenants may
face financial hardship and allotments would become
unaffordable.