Maureen Winder has flagged up a local recycling scheme. They will give you jumbo bags which you can fill with recyclable waste from your site, a bag for plastics, glass and even metal. Dealing with waste on our sites is an everpresent problem. This scheme seems reasonable as each bag will only cost £1.50 to have removed. This is a small price for an association, and BHAF may be able to help with sites where there is no association. Come along and hear about the scheme. Moulsecoomb Estate will be running a trial shortly.
A two tier payment system for allotments
Whenever a rent rise is discussed we find the community is split.
Half the tenants say that allotments are supposed to be very cheap and that any rent rise would start pricing out the very people that allotments are intended for. Cheap rents make them accessible for everyone and makes working them worthwhile financially.
The other half of tenants say 'allotments are unbelievable cheap, I'd gladly pay double what I am charged!'
Allotments do cost more for the Council to run than they receive in rent. There was a deficit of about £30,000 at the last audit. We are trying to reduce this deficit to zero. If allotments are a cost neutral service then they are much safer in the long term. We have already been trying to reduce our water bill, which is quite large, but it won't wipe out the deficit entirely.
On allotments we have a broad cross section of society. Some tenants are unemployed, retired or on very low wages, while others are fairly high earners. One idea that keeps coming back is that there could be a two tier payment system, so that those that can afford it could (voluntarily) pay more in order to keep the service accessible for those on lower wages. We would like to discuss this option with you.
Allotment Site Rep Meeting Details
There is free parking at Patcham Community Centre and on surrounding streets.
For those travelling by bus, the 5 and 5A buses stop within 2 minutes walk of the centre (The Ladies Mile bus stop, just past Old London Road).
Timetable details for the 5 and 5a can be found here:
We look forward to seeing you.
Best Regards,
Mark Carroll
for
BHAF Committee.