COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 14, 2010

MOTION NO.6

MOTION: Councillor R. Dowds

That this Council recommends that no extra charge be placed on hiring allotments this year, especially for people on low income.

REPORT:

REPORT:

The Council at its meeting in October 2009 (Minute number M9/1009) noted a report advising the Members of a review of the Allotment Scheme adopted by the Members in September 2005.  The Members noted, following considerable discussion,  that the fees for Allotments for the years 2010 - 2012 inclusive were increasing to  €1 per sq. metre and that the increase was necessary to fund  the servicing of existing sites and extensions of these and new Allotment Sites to facilitate a waiting list of over 450 applicants.   The increased fee structure is considerably less than those prevailing on the open market and represent excellent value for money.

The scheme provides for, where applicants demonstrate their sole income to be from one of the following, they are entitled to a discount of 50% of the allotment fee.

·        Job Seekers Allowance

·        Job Seekers Benefit

·        OAP Contributory

·        OAP Non Contributory

·        One Parent Family

·        Disability Allowance

·        Disability Benefit

The Council, in considering the Annual Budget for 2010, agreed to defer the increase in fees for the year 2010 to allow the Council adequate time to notify existing Allotment holders of the pending increase and to allow adequate notice to be given to applicants on the waiting list seeking an allocation of an Allotment.

If the Council is to continue to provide and service Allotments within the County and to consider extensions of the sites, it is strongly recommended that the scheme, as noted in October 2009, be implemented for the years 2010 – 2012 inclusive with the exception of the deferment of the increase in fees during 2010.