Allotments guidance for local authorities: consultation

16. Waiting Lists Management

16.1 It is recognised that local authorities may face difficulties in providing additional land for allotment sites and in resourcing such a policy. The ongoing requirement for additional allotment sites will remain visible through local authority waiting lists, however local authorities may wish to consider parallel activity to identify other food-growing options. The provision of other food-growing options must not be used by local authorities as a reason to provide fewer allotments, unless waiting lists show this is necessary as people opt to remove themselves from the list.

16.2 Care should be taken to distinguish between strategic requirements with regard to Grow-Your-Own opportunities and allotments. One is not a substitute for the other.

16.3 To assist those wanting access to food-growing land, local authorities may wish to identify and signpost prospective tenants to other food-growing options whilst activity is ongoing to identify additional land for allotment sites, and while local authorities consider how they intend to meet the requirements set out in section 112 (Duty to provide allotments). Prospective allotment tenants on the waiting list who are signposted to other food-growing options may or may not decide to take up such alternative food-growing options, however they will remain on the allotments waiting list unless they decide to remove their name voluntarily.

16.4 Local authorities should also consider what relevant training or mentoring opportunities or informative websites that they can direct prospective tenants to when signposting them to other food-growing options. This will help to address the lack of growing skills and knowledge as discussed in paragraph 13.3 above in preparation for prospective tenants undertaking food-growing activities.

Question 27 Are paragraphs 15.1 to 16.4 of the FGS statutory guidance clear and understandable, to allow the local authority to deliver its statutory obligations under Part 9?

Yes
No

If no, i.e. you consider that the guidance is not clear and understandable, please tell us why you think this, and how it needs to be improved. Please include the relevant paragraph numbers in your response.

Question 27 comments:

Question 28 Are there any gaps or omissions in paragraphs 15.1 to 16.4 of the FGS statutory guidance?

Yes
No

If yes, i.e. you consider that there are gaps or omissions, please tell us what you think is missing. If appropriate, please include the relevant paragraph numbers in your response.

Question 28 comments: