Petition on plans to double Merry Hill Allotments fee
A petition has been launched against plans to double fees at a Sandwell allotment.
Dozens of plot holders from Merry Hill Allotments in Smethwick have joined forces to launch petition against the proposed 100 per cent hike in charges.
A report which will be considered by neighbourhoods boss Councillor Ian Jones next Friday states that the Sandwell Borough Council charges compare favourably with neighbouring authorities and work out to the equivalent of £1 per week for those who do not receive a discount – a total of £52 a year.
Councillor Jones has, therefore, been recommended to take no action in response to the petition.
The charges compare to £75 for a standard plot at Birmingham City Council, £59 for non residents and £38 for residents at Wolverhampton City Council and £50 for a standard plot in Dudley.
Those who have signed the Smethwick petition are unhappy about the council's new fees and charges policy for residents and non residents.
People that live in Sandwell receive a 50 per cent discount on fees, however those that live outside the borough must pay the full amount.
At the Merry Hill Allotments, which are located off Perrott Street, the majority of holders live in Birmingham as the site is on the borough's border with the city – meaning they must pay the full amount.
Of those that have signed the petition, 47 are plot holders and 11 members of the public.
Neighbourhoods boss Councillor Ian Jones said: "I will of course be looking at this fully at my meeting and making a judgment then.
"The thing is we cannot subsidise people from other boroughs, due to the ongoing economic problems we have to protect the interests of the people of Sandwell.
In terms of the charges we do make, they do not actually even cover the cost of running the allotments."
