BHAF Council Draft Budget
Patcham : 13th Jan 2016

Dear Allotmenteer,

The Labour Council budget proposals were published on 3 December in the agenda of the Policy & Resources Committee.

The document is here
 
The part relating to Allotments is Item 81 “Budget Planning & Resources Update” of the agenda, Enclosure 2, page 83-84.
 
It says; “Rationale: adopt a commercial approach promoting self-managed sport and recreation facilities by users alongside full cost recovery. This covers bowling clubs, tennis courts, football, cricket pitches and allotments.”
 
What is meant by 'adopt a commercial approach.... alongside full cost recovery' is not yet clear. In the Green party budget of 2012, 'full cost recovery' meant a proposed increase in allotment rents of 70%, there was a strong campaign aginst this and that rent rise was eventually removed from the budget. Since then, allotment rents have risen broadly in line with inflation, and with comparable rises to other Council managed leisure activities. However this draft budget seems to suggest that the Council may be seeking to remove what they call the 'allotment subsidy' again. If that is so then this would mean a proposed new large fee rise is looming. The BHAF haven't been consulted in regards to the effects this budget will have on us, we are trying to get clarification and will report any information we get to our members asap. We have already had some emails regarding this issue and it will be discussed at the forthcoming Forum Meeting.
 
You are invited to our Allotment Forum Meeting;
 
Wednesday 13th January 2015 
6.30pm 'Surgery'
7.00pm Meeting Start
at Patcham Community Centre, Ladies Mile Road, BN1 8TA
 
All allotment holders and co workers are invited to attend.
Site Reps are expected to attend as part of their role.
 
 
 
We look forward to seeing you.
Best Regards,
BHAF Committee.
 


 
 
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Allotment Forum Details
The meeting is in 2 parts; the first half hour, beginning at 6.30pm, is an informal surgery where people have an opportunity to speak to BHAF members or the Council Allotment Officer on a one-to-one basis over a cup of tea.  This allows individual and personal issues to be dealt with more quickly and efficiently. 
 
The second part of the meeting begins at 7pm and relates to more general and city-wide allotment issues.  If you have a problem/question or an item for the agenda, come and talk to us during the surgery and we will do our best to help.

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). 
 
Timetable details can be found here:
 
The BHAF Committee is always in need of volunteers to help us run the Federation effectively, if you can spare some time to join the Committee, please get in touch!

 
 

Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation  www.bhaf.org.uk