Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning the provision of allotment sites.

Members were informed that this item had been included following a request from a member of the public to assess whether the Council’s allotment provision was sufficient. The waiting list for allotments in Witney was notably high, and while there was no legislation specifying the required number of allotment plots an authority must provide, it was noted that there were varying figures, including best practice to mark them against. Based on the figures provided, the Council’s current provision exceeded them in some areas but fell short in others, especially when calculated as full plot equivalents.

The Committee determined that its current strategy of waiting for land to be allocated or requested from large developments was appropriate, given the limited availability of affordable land within the parish and its surrounding areas. However, it acknowledged the need to adopt a more proactive approach in ensuring that the Witney Allotment Association (WAA) was effectively managing the existing plots and to stay vigilant for any new land opportunities which may arise.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, the current Council strategy of obtaining allotment land from larger developments be continued and;

3.      That, the Council should be vigilant to any suitable and affordable land opportunities and;

4.      That, the town council requests the Witney Allotment Association updates their waiting list and takes action to free up unkempt or unused allotment sites. Following this it would be able to assess provision with more accurate figures.