Reply - Q7 Providing and Maintaining Allotments

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 11, 2010

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor R. Dowds

To ask the Manager for a detailed breakdown of the €28,000 budget for providing and maintaining allotments?

REPLY:

In 2010 the estimated allotment expenditure, including staff salaries, will be in excess of €28,000, comprising of the following:

Maintenance of all four allotment facilities, including an annual charge to Stewarts Hospital for the maintenance of the facility at Mill Lane
Clearing of unused or abandoned plots
Replacement and renewal of keys and fobs
Clearing of composting areas at Corkagh Park and Mill Lane facilities
Pest Control at Friarstown, Tymon Park and Mill Lane facilities
Payment of water charges for the facilities
Composting talk given to Council staff at Corkagh Park facility
Notice Board at Corkagh Park & Mill Lane facilities
Repairs to gate at Mill Lane facility
Dedicated members of staff who attend to administrative work, carry out monthly inspections and organising maintenance works within the facilities
Renewal of annual letting agreements & servicing of waiting lists

It should be noted that this expenditure does not provide for any extensions to any of the allotment schemes. The income for 2010 for allotments is €10,700, therefore there will be a shortfall in excess of €17,000.

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 intended 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 to 2011. The new scheme will ensure that the shortfall between expenditure and income will be equalised in 2011 and 2012.