Issue - meetings

(a)        That Cabinet endorse the issues identified in the report.

(b)        That the Active and Cohesive Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertake a review of the issues identified with particular reference to local management, meeting future demand and reducing the current cost.

(c)        That a report on the outcome of the scrutiny and consultation process be brought to a future meeting of the Cabinet, in conjunction with a draft reviewed Allotments Policy.

A report was submitted to inform Cabinet of progress with the review of the Allotments Policy and issues which have arisen out of the preliminary work and to present an issues and options report for Cabinet to consider.

The report also sought endorsement from Cabinet of the identified issues for referral to the Active and Cohesive Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration of the options available to progress the review. 

A large amount of work had already been carried out by Officers regarding the allotments review and it was requested that the Active and Cohesive Overview and Scrutiny Committee focus on the following three areas:

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• Local Management.
• Meeting demand.
• Reducing current and future costs.

The Chair d the Active and Cohesive Overview and Scrutiny Committee stated that he was please to see the topic before Cabinet as there had been a significant increase over the last 12 to 18 months in residents requesting allotments. Scrutiny took this topic very seriously especially as rising unemployment and rising food costs made allotments a perfect way to help with family budgets and would also help increase income for the Council.

The request was made that ward members who did not sit on the Active and Cohesive Overview and Scrutiny Committee be involved in the review and this was agreed by the Committee Chair along with a standing invite to the Portfolio Holder to attend all meetings where the topic would be discussed.

RESOLVED:   (a)        That Cabinet endorse the issues identified in the report.

(b)        That the Active and Cohesive Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertake a review of the issues identified with particular reference to local management, meeting future demand and reducing the current cost.

(c)        That a report on the outcome of the scrutiny and consultation process be brought to a future meeting of the Cabinet, in conjunction with a draft reviewed Allotments Policy.