As I expect you are aware, the Allotments Dept of BCC is consulting BDAC members about changes to the current Allotment Rules. In April this year, the Allotments Officer issued for consultation a whole raft of possible changes and additions that they wish to introduce.
We can all agree that a review is long overdue, but without looking at the current site management problems overall – including our difficulties in getting some Rules respected – we’re left wondering what this will achieve on its own.. The BDAC Executive agreed that we should be involved in the consultation, but we have asked the Council to engage with BDAC members on the sites to look at the ‘bigger picture’ AND consider OUR suggestions for a better set of Rules that we – as plotholders and committees trying to manage sites – are prepared to support and promote. .
So we are not just commenting and responding to BCC suggestions.
We are taking legal advice and are told that we should have a new Tenancy Agreement which INCLUDES the Rules. The National Allotment Society has recently updated its Tenancy Agreement template so we can also borrow ideas from this. This includes Rules, some of which are in the main body of the Agreement and some in a Schedule covering different topics so this is what the BDAC proposes to negotiate with the Council at the same time as considering and agreeing any Rule Changes.
In the documents attached you will find both the BCC changes to the current Rules and comments and suggestions for how to respond. Some are not controversial – they are acceptable to most and/or necessary because of legal changes. In other cases, we don’t all agree. Opinion is split as you’ll find if you follow the comments on Facebook and our website (which is currently down at the moment)
There’s a lot to look at so if you’re short of time, please at least take a look at the topics which concern and interest you and just respond to those.
How it’s set out: in each of the attached, you will find in column 1 the proposed BCC Rule changes – and suggestions for alternatives in column 2, OR recommendations for agreeing with the existing Rule or proposed changes. This is an on-going process and more suggestions are very welcome.
The Tables cover various topics and include the Rules which would come under these headings, so they don’t go through the Rules as they are currently numbered and organised (but Rule numbers are given).
Please note that the suggestions in these documents come from various sources such as ideas from associations or individuals who have already responded OR wording from the NAS template for a Tenancy Agreement, AND/OR discussions by the BDAC’s Management of Sites and Associations Working Group (MOSA) on 25th September about 4 of the topics.
The Council is keen to introduce THEIR changes straight after the Half Yearly Meeting of the BDAC on 15th November. We’ve said this is not reasonable given the number of changes and the fact that we have had no meaningful ‘talks’ about any of the other changes we have proposed to the Council about site management. However, we could offer some responses on some Rules if enough of our member organisations are prepared to support particular non-controversial Rule changes.
Currently, our website is out of action for technical reasons, so respond in other ways such as emails to this address (secretary@bdacallotments.co.uk) AND by coming to our Half Yearly Meeting at 2pm on Saturday 15th November, at Bordesley Green Allotments where there will be opportunities to put your comments on each of the topics which will be displayed on the walls and you can also comment during the meeting.
Regards
Hester Blewitt
Secretary BDAC