Trafford Council Allotment rental fee consultation

Overview

Introduction

Trafford Council fulfils its statutory duty to provide allotments through the provision of 35 allotment sites, providing almost 1500 full size plots across the Borough. The Council engaged with allotment tenants and other stakeholders in Summer 2024 to inform the development of the Council’s Allotment Strategy. Having concluded that engagement, the Council undertook a rental charge review in Autumn 2024 and is now proposing an increase to the current rental charge. This consultation seeks representations from the service users and other interested parties on this proposed change. Following assessment of the feedback, Trafford Council will determine the rental charge. Allotment tenants will be given 12 months’ notice of any increased rental charge, in line with the Council’s statutory duty. The earliest any change to the current rental charge would take effect would be from 1^st  April 2026.

Background

The Council employs a full-time Allotment Officer, supported by administrative and management staff. Key service responsibilities include:

• Customer service & administration
• Managing tenancy and lease agreements
• Day to day maintenance costs e.g. replacement padlocks, burst taps, roof repairs, fly tipping rubbish removals
• Infrastructure projects
• Water charges
• Plot inspections
• Site security
• Maintenance of hedges adjoining public footpath, and grass paths within council managed allotments
• Annual Legionella testing / asbestos checks / PAT testing
• Managing Dangerous or Diseased Trees

The allotment plot rental charge was last set in 2014 and took effect in 2015. Although costs have increased over the last nine years, the rent that allotment plot holders pay to the Council has not changed over that period. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid for goods and services (see https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator for more information). Inflation, as identified through the CPI has risen by 33.47% in the period 2014 to 2024.

Allotment Rent Price proposal

Trafford Council proposes that the annual allotment rental charge is increased in proportion with the rate by which inflation has risen over the period 2014 to 2024, resulting in the rental charge being raised from £104 and £52 to £138.80 and £69.40 for full and half plots respectively. This is considered an appropriate charge for that which a tenant may reasonably be expected to pay for the land for use as an allotment. It is proposed that the Council continues to provide a 50% discount for people over the age of 60. 

Why your views matter

Trafford Council is keen to hear your views on the proposed changes to allotment rental charges. We welcome responses from all residents as well as any organisations that operate within the Borough.