ALLOTMENT holders have shared concerns as prices involved with leasing a plot will rise considerably in the next year.
Long acknowledged for their environmental, social, and mental health benefits, council-run allotments are scattered across 12 sites in St Helens which cater to hundreds of residents, with hundreds more on waiting lists.
Allotment plots are also well known for being an affordable option to grow fresh produce, which have been a particular benefit during the cost of living crisis.
Therefore, concerns have been raised as St Helens Council agreed to hike allotment prices in its recent budget.
The council says these "difficult decisions" have been made as it aims to balance its budget amid soaring costs and government cuts, with the management of allotments costing the council around £50k per year.
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Allotment holders to see a hike in associated costs
St Helens Council documents show that in the budget for 2023/24, the tenancy arrangement fee for allotment tenants will jump from £30 to £100 - a price increase of 233%.
The lease of individual plots will also increase from 30p to 45p per square metre an increase of 50%.
The majority of council-run allotments also have water charges, which the document shows will increase from 8p to 11p per square meter.
Allotment holders argue that tenants were actually charged 6p per square metre last year, so the water price increase to 11p will be a jump of 83%. Tenants also said they had to be reimbursed in 2021 as the council "failed to notify them" of water bill increases.
Totting up the price increases, this would see a new allotment tenant paying almost 86% more than they would have done previously.
Difficulties during the cost of living crisis
Paul Cooper, Secretary of St Helens Federation of Allotment Holders, said: "In the midst of a cost of living crisis, an average new tenant would be expected to pay £260 just to rent their allotment before buying seeds, compost, fertilisers, tools and equipment.
"Currently, that new plot holder would have paid £140 for the same. How can the council justify an 85.7% increase during the cost of living crisis?
"We are told that the allotments budget is in the red by around £48,000 and waiting lists are at their highest [although] there is still empty and unused land on certain allotment sites.
"How much of that £48,000 occurred from correcting the billing fiasco and application of additional water billing that took place in 2022 and 2021?".
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Several more allotment holders got in contact with the Star regarding their concerns over the price increases during a cost of living crisis.
Others are also worried about the prospect of private landowners selling allotment plots due to increasing running costs.
St Helens Council forced to make 'difficult decisions' in budget
A St Helens Borough Council spokesperson said: “The council is responsible for managing 12 allotment sites across the borough, with 600 current allotment holders and a further 700 people on a waiting list after a surge in interest during the coronavirus pandemic.
“As the council strives to achieve a balanced budget in the wake of cuts from central government, the council must look at whether it can continue to sustain subsidising services.
"The management of allotments for example has been costing the council £50k per year. The increased charges are necessary in order to remove this subsidy and to account for increasing costs.
"While this is a difficult decision, the average increase equates to 72p per week or less than £40 per year. Over the course of a year a 250sqm will still only cost just over £110. Allotment holders can explore downsizing to a smaller plot if the cost increases are not acceptable.
“We recognise the benefits allotments bring, from sustainably home-grown produce, to improving mental health and wellbeing, with a number of support groups regularly using our allotments - and we are happy to work with current plot holders to ensure they can continue enjoying these benefits at an affordable rate which suits their circumstances.”
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