There's an interesting letter on behalf of the local Liberal democrats in the latest edition of the Purbeck gazette on the subject of the town hall finances and a £6 million shortfall for a list of necessary works for which a partial solution might be the selling off of allotments. Is there more information available on that.
Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 3:22 PM
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If the allotments are sold:
1) Where would be a good place to relocate them?
2) What level of compensation to allotment holders would be appropriate in the circumstances to assist in the move.
There was a rumour doing the rounds a couple of years ago that land at the dump was the alternative position for them.
Nice view but a bit windy. anyway how's old Ned going to get his bike up there?
Before the allotments become as a the "target" for raising cash for the Town Hall, is there a list of other 'assets' that could also be considered for sale or redevelopment ? As a first shot, I am thinking that if the King Georges Car Park and the North Beach Car Park are council assets, then they could be decked over and/or redeveloped. Both are total eyesores, being lifeless tarmac out of season, and, well plain boring car parks in season, with neither having any useful environmental plus points other than getting cars off the streets. (But dont lets get started on that one !)
Please, if any decision on the future of the allotments is in the offing, lets get some form of public discussion going on the options and alternatives available, before a deal is done. Once an open space is covered with concrete and houses, everyone loses out in the long term.
My own concerns focus on being clear about what's being done for what reasons.
When the idea of selling the allotments was raised, it was on the back of a statement by the Mayor that the council desperately needed money. (Even though before the recent election, there was apparently no problem about money). It was suggested that the allotments could be sold for housing and raise squillions.
If the council DOES need to raise a lot of money, let's have an open and honest discussion. Say exactly how much is needed, for what purposes, and then look at different ways of raising it and how to prioritise spend.
If the town council is going to get involved in selling land to housing associations to ease the housing problem,let's see that as a topic for debate. We all know that more houses do need to be built.
Knee-jerk reactions are no good for anyone.I think we all know where that gets us. Luxury restaurant at a caravan park being one example.
The town council didn't even have the courage to reverse church hill because one old lady complained, do you really think they will risk 200 fork and spade shaking retired folk and sell the allotments? there'll be beetroot in the streets all right
Have the Council considered selling off the caravan park?
If they made it residential it might raise a lot of dosh.
For the record, this is the 'letter' that appears in August's Gazette (though it was actually sent as a Lib Dem press release to various media).
Local Liberal Democrats express serious concern about conflicting statements about the finances of Swanage Town Council.
On three recent occasions – when the Town Council set the budget, in a Conservative election leaflet in April and at the Parish Assembly in May - the 11 Conservatives (out of 12 councillors) have insisted that the council’s finances are well managed and in good order. However, at the first Finance and Performance committee meeting on 11th June, the mayor stated that there was a schedule of necessary works costing £6 million for which funds were desperately needed. To raise these he proposed selling off the town's allotments . In the ensuing discussion, it was stated that the 'town's finances are paralysed'.
Local Liberal Democrats express serious concern about these conflicting statements, urge the councillors to address the serious funding situation rather than deny that it exists, warn against the adoption of panic ideas like selling off the allotments, call for councillors to be given the full facts concerning the £6 million schedule of works so that they can make considered decisions on the priorities and call for a transparent accounting system so that people may clearly understand the true position.
To discuss further with the Isle of Purbeck Liberal Democrats, contact councillor Mike Hadley on 01929 477171 or Lib Dem Secretary Peter Clark on 01929 422118.
Could not the allotment site be linked to the industrial estate to provide more much needed lock-up units (perhaps with accommodation above), allowing businesses in the Town centre to move out and allow housing infill?
I was talking to some friends from Wareham today and they have a similar situation.
If you know Northmoor Park, then around the edge is a band of land owned by the Drax estate. Around that is the Golf course.
PDC say that Developers are looking at ths land and supplied their name and address. On contact they admitted that they are considering this, and it includes some allotments.
Cllr R Anderson was spoken to and, I best put an, 'allegedly', in here, he said that if allotments are sold off then the council have to replace them with similar in the same area.
Anyone know anything about this?
My personal understanding is that one of the Council's (actually quite few) legal obligations is to provide allotments (and cemeteries). So, yes, if they were to be sold, the council would have to provide equivalent alternatives (which I take to mean similar in quality and ease of access).
But hey, first we need to know if it's true that money is needed or not. Then, we could look at options.
Sites values in Swanage are now above £200,000 per plot. So how many would you get on the allotments? 100, 200? 200 would net £40M, enough to move and compensate all the gardeners, and build a fifty meter pool etc for the next generation.
Unless my logic has failed, that seems to say that STC will sell the land to themselves, and then find the money to develop, build and advertise the project.
And Nick, assuming your Dad still has an allotment, does he have an opinion?
re 5.35 - Would that be all social housing, or all second homes, or a bit of each?
I have no idea, it was the Postman who first mentioned housing.
Why not ask him?
Minutes of the Meeting of the FINANCE AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
held at the Town Hall, Swanage on MONDAY, 11th
JUNE 2007 at 9.30 a.m.
STRATEGIC PLAN
"During the ensuing debate, the cost of maintaining and improving the Council’s assets was highlighted, and a lengthy and detailed discussion followed regarding funding of urgent revenue and capital projects".
You were there Mike.
"lengthy and detailed discussion followed"
Did it?
Yes. Pretty lengthy.
5.35 Does he take sugar?
Bill Storer writes:
With each passing season I have had to face the fact of how much longer I could maintain the effort and keep my plot in a tidy and productive condition.
At 88 I find I need twice as much time to do half the work I used to take in my stride. I am now preparing to retire and giving up the allotment is not so vital to me as it may be to others.
But I have enjoyed my gardening it has been an interesting and productive use of leisure besides the fresh air and exercise. It has produced an abundance of fresh vegetables and soft fruits together with flowers in season in spite of the problems that arise both climatic and disease (Potato blight is prevalent). Gardening is always a challenge.
Some few years ago there was a scare that that the allotment would be turned over for housing development. To counter this plot, holders joined the National Society of Allotment and Leisure gardens Limited
Many of the plots are of long standing. Some a combination of husband and wife with plots of a very high standard which are a ccredit to them. I often envied their achievement. I always did my best but now the future of my plot is not that important to me. Yet in a way it would be a shame if all my effort to build up the fertility of the soil and establish plants, should be suddenly bulldozed rather than the holding being passed on to a new tenant even if shared.
So far I have tried to explain how I know the depth of feeling and attachment that is shared by possibly the majority of the plot holders. But the other larger aspect of the development for housing highlights other civic problems which really need clear answers if the allotment tenants/holders are to make reasonable decisions on the allotments future. This is bound to be more painful in some cases more than others. And the provision of alternative plots and some compensation would surely have to be offered.
And yet there is still another aspect that needs to be addressed. Is the object of selling to provide funds for overdue financial commitments or is it envisaged as a development to improve the prosperity of Swanage. And this must surely be linked with improved job prospects to support the purchase of new housing Any future plans would come under PDC and it is unfortunate that the Purbeck Strategy report is not expected until April 2008. In the meantime they might indicate how they would re act IF the allotment land was sold.
There are other areas of land that have been refused development, the old Grammar school for example. Then there is the Caravan Park. Could this be better developed as a new housing site encompassing modern provision for the elderly, and a mixed housing development? The existing amenities for sport and culture could be developed at the same time. There is a lot to be considered and much more we need to know.
5.35 Does he take suger?
Bill Storer writes:
With each passing season I have had to face the fact of how much longer I could maintain the effort and keep my plot in a tidy and productive condition.
At 88 I find I need twice as much time to do half the work I used to take in my stride. I am now preparing to retire and giving up the allotment is not so vital to me as it may be to others.
But I have enjoyed my gardening it has been an interesting and productive use of leisure besides the fresh air and exercise. It has produced an abundance of fresh vegetables and soft fruits together with flowers in season in spite of the problems that arise both climatic and disease (Potato blight is prevalent). Gardening is always a challenge.
Some few years ago there was a scare that that the allotment would be turned over for housing development. To counter this plot, holders joined the National Society of Allotment and Leisure gardens Limited
Many of the plots are of long standing. Some a combination of husband and wife with plots of a very high standard which are a ccredit to them. I often envied their achievement. I always did my best but now the future of my plot is not that important to me. Yet in a way it would be a shame if all my effort to build up the fertility of the soil and establish plants, should be suddenly bulldozed rather than the holding being passed on to a new tenant even if shared.
So far I have tried to explain how I know the depth of feeling and attachment that is shared by possibly the majority of the plot holders. But the other larger aspect of the development for housing highlights other civic problems which really need clear answers if the allotment tenants/holders are to make reasonable decisions on the allotments future. This is bound to be more painful in some cases more than others. And the provision of alternative plots and some compensation would surely have to be offered.
And yet there is still another aspect that needs to be addressed. Is the object of selling to provide funds for overdue financial commitments or is it envisaged as a development to improve the prosperity of Swanage. And this must surely be linked with improved job prospects to support the purchase of new housing Any future plans would come under PDC and it is unfortunate that the Purbeck Strategy report is not expected until April 2008. In the meantime they might indicate how they would re act IF the allotment land was sold.
There are other areas of land that have been refused development, the old Grammar school for example. Then there is the Caravan Park. Could this be better developed as a new housing site encompassing modern provision for the elderly, and a mixed housing development? The existing amenities for sport and culture could be developed at the same time. There is a lot to be considered and much more we need to know.
s:
Mr Postman,
What we have not been told is what are these revenue and investment expenditures STC would like to indulge in. £6 million for what is in effect a car park and caravan site company with a parish council as a sideline seems rather a lot.
How much could the town hall be sold for? If the frontage was retained quite a lot of flats could be built there and the council could have an office on the industrial estate where other businesses are expected to base themselves.
I wonder if Jonathan Ross has any feelings about a potential social housing site at the bottom of his garden?
I've just had a look at the Councils accounts and Best Value Plan and can't find any mention of £6Million.
Pure speculation, but from the texts, stabilisation and improvement of the foreshore - I've heard stories that the Rec etc is slipping forwards.
Improve Swanage Footie Cub, and other Sports facilities.
And of course the Caravan park is still being Audited.
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