Hartlepool allotment holders to have their say to end 'Chinese whispers'

Earlier this year it was agreed to develop a new allotment strategy looking at priorities for the area and seeking to “build bridges” between holders and the council.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s adult and community based services committee has now approved an allotment communication strategy.

This will allow holders on the 1,000 council-managed plots and those on the waiting list to have their say on the service.

Cllr John Riddle with allotment owners father and son Graeme, right, and John Horn at Chester Road allotments earlier this month.

The consultation will take place from mid-August to the end of September with initial results shared in November.

Cllr Tim Fleming, chair of the committee, said the consultation will help lead to positive change.

He said: “We’re going to get in touch with as many holders of allotments as we can, all means will be used. It’s not just online, it’s not just by written communication.

“We’re going to work out what’s best for the allotment holders.

Cllr Sue Little said the questionnaire seeks to end any "Chinese whispers" surrounding the town's allotment service.

“The way things used to be is finished, it’s going to be finished, we’re going to move forward.”

Cllr Sue Little, vice chair, added the strategy was a “brilliant idea” and will help put an end to “Chinese whispers” which would previously circulate around feedback from allotment focus group meetings.

Consultation will include hard and electronic copies of questionnaires and drop-in sessions on allotment sites and at central locations.

The council will also directly approach voluntary and community groups, including allotment associations, and carry out a social media campaign.

Gemma Ptak, assistant director for preventative and community based services, stressed it will be a transparent process which everyone can get involved with.

She said: “We acknowledge we could do communication better.

“We really want this to be a good, proactive and positive experience because the asset that we have there is phenomenal.”

The strategy will also look at anti-social behaviour within allotments sites and work to prevent such issues.

Earlier this month Independent councillor John Riddle called for a review on allotment security across the town after incidents of arson and animals being killed at one site in Chester Road.

This came after a plot holder caught three young people on CCTV in his shed decapitating one of his breeding rabbits.