Councillor reacts to upsurge in allotment use (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Councillor reacts to upsurge in allotment use

February 13, 2006 3:45 PM

Cllr Stewart Golton, Chair of the Allotments Working Party has commented on the recent statement by the Leeds & District Gardeners Federation regarding the massive growth in allotment gardening in Leeds.

Councillor Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Weetwood) said, "I welcome the recognition that the Gardeners Federation has given to the Council's new policy of investment in the city's allotment provision. The present administration has committed itself to halting the neglect of allotment gardening of the past. As such we have spent more money on security and regeneration in two years than the previous administration managed in over 20 years."

"Previously only one low ranking council officer was responsible for managing our sites. We believe that this was part of the problem as he was easily overlooked when it came to setting budgets. We have instead ensured that the development of allotment gardening is fully incorporated in our investment strategy for greenspace citywide. Allotments are now the responsibility of a senior Service Development Manager, a technical officer ensures that site

associations are well provided with tenancy information, and day to day maintenance is looked after by a team of 14 workers based locally around the city."

"We work closely with the Gardeners Federation as the voice of allotment holders in the city, and we have achieved much together. However, there is a big job ahead to turn around the short-sighted indifference of the past".

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.