Seven allotments in Reading are set to become self-managed, under new plans from the council.

After holding a consultation with Reading’s plot holders, the council is planning to transfer control to a third of the 20 allotments in Reading.

The seven sites set to take control are Bulmershe, George Street, Mockbeggars, Newcastle Road, Scours Lane, Waterloo Meadows and Ardler Road.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) Housing, Leisure and Neighbours committee will vote on whether to approve the plans on Tuesday, December 15.

READ MORE: New plans for large extension to A+E department at Royal Berkshire Hospital

As part of the handover, the council will clean up all 20 allotments this winter.

Why is the council handing over the keys?

RBC is looking to make savings to help achieve a balanced budget, including cutting the costs of managing allotments.

While this could be done by increasing the cost of renting allotments, the council says this may impact badly on some tenants who rely on the food that they grow on their plots and for whose physical and mental wellbeing allotments gardening is important.

Therefore, the council has considered ways to reduce costs without increasing the charge to those with allotments.

It says it has been approached by allotments tenants looking for more say in the management of sites, faster turn-around times in letting vacant plots, and different ways of delivering a range of allotments services.

READ MORE: Oxford Road gets new ‘supermarket’ – but superstrength booze ban imposed

After consulting with plot holders, the council is now looking to hand over management of its allotment, to streamline its use of resources, which it says is now even more urgent due to the extra costs of the coronavirus pandemic.

RBC says plot holders at seven sites have shown an interest in self-management, which would include identifying plots, resolving whether they are available for reletting, and issuing offers.

Site representatives will also notify the council about when it needs to send notices about overgrown plots and will meet prospective new tenants to show them available plots and hand out keys once a contract has been exchanged.

RBC will retain administrative and invoicing functions.

Clearing the sites and looking to the future

The council will clear unkempt plots on the seven sites as a priority, along with other winter works, such as hedge cutting and fence and driveway repairs, before management committees, made up of plot holders, take over.

Maintenance on the other 13 sites will follow, so that no site is left untidy at the end of the winter.

READ MORE: Reading allotments in short supply as one man waits 12 years

And next year, the council will set out its long-term objectives for the allotment service in Reading, with a revised Allotments Plan.

Fees, charges and concessions will be reviewed, with changes to be implemented in January 2022.