The lack of allotments

It seems strange to talk about allotments today – many people now have gardens or seemingly lack interest in gardening. However, there is a growing trend within Cornwall for people wanting to garden!

The latest figures from Cornwall Council show:

A large number indeed. But what, I can hear you asking, does this have to do with this blog? Well, actually, I’m complaining about it. And I’m also using this as an example where we, as voters, can help the council and better our own community relations. As well as have a lot of fun!

The Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 states that is six or more people would like an allotment then the council has a statutory duty to provide them. To be fair it states:

23(2) On a representation in writing to the council of any borough, urban district, or parish, by any six registered parliamentary electors or [persons who are liable to pay an amount in respect of council tax] resident in the borough, urban district or parish, that the circumstances of the borough, urban district or parish are such that it is the duty of the council to take proceedings under this Part of this Act therein, the council shall take such representation into consideration.

A threshold that the council figures show has been met.

Now this may seem trivial in a time of massive public cuts. Indeed, earlier this year councils were looking at how to fund additional allotments through landfil taxes. The Local Governments Association's Environment Board Chairman Gary Porter said in August "Urgent action must be taken to meet this growing demand and allowing councils to use money raised from landfill tax to bring derelict land and empty spaces back into use would help meet this demand".

But why has the council failed to fulfil its legal duty over a longer period of time? The currnet number of puvlic allotments availble (below) does suggest that there has been a neglect of their obligations.Arguably, today, the council has greater problems and should be focussing resources else where. But the current allotment crisis is not new and has been developing for many years. Decades probably.

It’s not is there has not been national pressure. A petition to the Prime Minster gained much support and there is a national campaigns led by groups such as Allot More Allotments.

As a source of inspiration the council can use the many case studies provided in a government led strategy to provide more allotments. In one example, of Islington Council, the council led an inspired project on minimal resources that dramatically increased the number as well as meeting several other council objects.

In another, Tumbridge Wells (the home of complainers) gave a £800 grant for a shed and some tools to allow eight families to garden. The cost can be gained back through a small rent and eventually becomes a slight profit generating scheme.

Inspired leadership indeed – and not expensive either.

Yet the massive backlog of demand has not been met. So why has Cornwall Council seemingly failed?

In this case there is no need for additional evidence – the council figures show there is demand – but the time has come to led the solution ourselves.

The Cornish Complainer calls to you; if you know of a suitable site for allotments to write to the council and make them aware of it. Then, they no longer have an excuse.

Or, if you don’t want to be helpful, to write to the council and to pressure them to meet their obligations.

The number of allotments in Cornwall:

ps: It's amusing how the council have fugures for the number of allowments in Caradon but not a figure for the number of people waiting for one!

Gemma from Torpoint and more confusion about the role of MPs

It must seem like I’m picking on Sherrly Murray? Barely a week into this blog and this will be my second post about her! Well, I’m not – I’m using her behaviour as an example of how our expectations of MPs are not what our MPs should be doing.


Sherrly Murray made headlines when it released that she had been drinking at the House of Commons and was rude to a doorman. Murray denies the claim – fair enough, there is no reason to disbelieve her.

However, the comments section of thisisplymouth.co.uk (showing an article from The Herald) had some interesting comments.

Gemma, from Torpoint, said that this was a classic case of people jumping on the ‘we hate MPs bandwagon’. As if – If I was drinking at work I would lose my job, as I suspect would many others. But Gemma showed a complete misunderstanding for the role of an MP. Her comments can be found here.

For Murrays defence Gemma stated ‘Once in a 'surgery' to discuss why I a well educated, community spirited young woman was out of work for 11 months with no 'break' Sheryl was amazing and I am so pleased to say I am in full time employment and very grateful for her support and encouragement. Sheryl also helped judge a dog show I organised’. Great – organising a dog show is good community work. But it did nothing to help her decide which way to vote in the House of Commons – that is, after all, her job.

The job of an MP is not to organise dog shows. Although, this may form part of their research, but to man the House of Commons, to vote there, and to hold the government to account.

In a previous post, I raised this issue in another form; that we need to support our MPs far more with the kind of evidence that they need to work effectively in the commons. Gemma’s comments perhaps sum this up – it’s all OK because Sherlly organised a dog show.

The longer we continue to look at the ‘community work’ out MPs do – and the less scrunity we place on their appearances at the house – then governments will be able to get away with far more than they should.