Agenda Document Pack - Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee - 26/03/2025
Perth and Kinross Council · 26 March 2025
Back to Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee — 26 March 2025 and its agenda
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Ambition | Compassion | Integrity Our vision is for a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities Council Building 2 High Street Perth PH1 5PH 19/03/2025 A hybrid meeting of the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 at 09:30. If you have any queries please contact Democratic Services on (01738) 475000 or email Committee@pkc.gov.uk. THOMAS GLEN Chief Executive Those attending the meeting are requested to ensure that all notifications are silent on their device and other devices are in silent mode. Please note that the meeting will be broadcast online and recorded. The recording will be publicly available on the Council’s website following the meeting. Members: Councillor Tom McEwan (Convener) Councillor Sheila McCole (Vice-Convener) Bailie Chris Ahern Councillor Peter Barrett Councillor Bob Brawn Bailie Rhona Brock Councillor Angus Forbes Councillor Ian James Councillor Iain MacPherson Councillor Carol Mair Bailie Claire McLaren Councillor Frank Smith Councillor Colin Stewart Councillor Jack Welch Bailie Mike Williamson Page 1 of 24
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Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee Wednesday, 26 March 2025 Agenda Members are reminded of their obligation to declare any financial or non- financial interest which they may have in any item on this agenda in accordance with the councillors’ code of conduct. 1 WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3 MINUTE OF MEETING OF HOUSING AND SOCIAL WELLBEING COMMITTEE OF 22 JANUARY 2025 FOR APPROVAL (copy herewith) 5 - 8 4 OUTSTANDING BUSINESS STATEMENT (copy herewith 25/64) 9 - 12 5 SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE STRATEGIC UPDATE Verbal Update by Local Senior Officer 6 PERTH AND KINROSS ROAD SAFETY PARTNERSHIP Joint Partner Thematic Presentation 7 ALLOTMENT SITE REGULATIONS Report by Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities (copy herewith 25/65) 13 - 24 Page 3 of 24
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HOUSING AND SOCIAL WELLBEING COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee held in the Council Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth, on 22 January 2025 at 9.30am. Present: Bailies R Brock, C McLaren and M Williamson; Councillors P Barrett, B Brawn, A Forbes, D Illingworth (substituting for Bailie Ahern), I James, I Macpherson, C Mair, S McCole, T McEwan, F Smith, C Stewart and J Welch. In Attendance: C Mailer, Depute Chief Executive; E Ritchie, Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities, A Singh, Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice, N Rogerson and E Lindsay (both Children, Families and Justice) (up to Item 7); N Lennon, J McColl, J Kent (all Housing and Communities); S Coyle (Finance and Business Support), S Hendry, J Guild, S Dockerill, R Ramsay and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance). Also in Attendance: E Mackie (Tayside MAPPA) (up to Item 7), L Palmer (Tenant Representative). Apologies: Bailie C Ahern. Councillor T McEwan, Convener, Presiding. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES Councillor T McEwan welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no Declarations of Interests in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct 3. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minute of the meeting of the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee of 27 November 2024 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. OUTSTANDING BUSINESS STATEMENT The Outstanding Business Statement was noted, and it was agreed to remove the completed actions. 5. COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRESS REPORT 2023-24 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice (25/7) providing (1) an update on the work of council services and partners to meet local and national outcomes for Community Justice for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, (2) an update on the effectiveness of the arrangements for the 3 Page 5 of 24
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supervision of serious offenders and the approaches being used to help people make positive changes in their lives and tackling the underlying causes. Resolved: (i) The approach being undertaken by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) teams in respect of the Perth and Kinross Community Justice and Safety Partnership (the Partnership), and the content of the Community Justice Progress Report 2023-24 (Appendix 1), be noted. (ii) The contents of the report, be endorsed. (iii) It be requested the Strategic Lead for Children, Families and Justice brings forward an annual report regarding the activity and performance. 6. TAYSIDE MAPPA ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice (25/8) introducing the Tayside Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Annual Report for 2023-24. Resolved: (i) Assurance be taken about the work being undertaken in respect of the MAPPA in Tayside, and specifically, Perth and Kinross; (ii) The contents of the report, be endorsed. (iii) It be requested that the Strategic Lead for Children, Families and Justice brings forward future Annual Reports to this committee. 7. HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PLAN INCORPORATING THE 5 YEAR CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME AND RENT STRATEGY TO 2029/30, RESERVES STRATEGY AND OTHER HOUSING CHARGES FOR 2025/26 There was submitted a joint report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities and Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support (25/9) (1) seeking approval of the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for five years from 2025/26 to 2029/30, (2) outlining recommended increases to rents for houses and other HRA property service charges, and an appropriate level of reserves, (3) also seeking approval of the proposed budget for the next five years of the Capital Investment Programme, totalling £90.6 million from 2025/26 to 2029/30. Motion by Councillors T McEwan and S McCole (i) The HRA 30-year Business Plan has been updated to reflect and confirm the affordability of the proposals, be noted. (ii) The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2025/26 and provisional budgets for financial years 2026/27 to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix 1, be approved. (ii) The proposed Housing Revenue Account Capital Investment Programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix 3, be approved. (iii) The Rent Strategy for 2025/26 and a provisional Rent Strategy for the following 4 years to 2029/30 as stated in Section 9, be approved. Page 6 of 24
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(iv) The rent increase of 6.0% in line with option 1, for the year commencing 7 April 2025 for all Council houses, be approved. This means an average weekly rent increase of £4.78 per week, giving an average weekly rent of £84.52 per week based on 52 weeks. (v) The rent increase of 6.0% for the year commencing 7 April 2025, be approved for: • all lock-ups • all garage sites • dispersed tenancies owned by the HRA • Greyfriars Hostel. (vi) The Housing Revenue Account Reserves Strategy proposed in Section 10, be approved. (vii) The final movement in the Housing Revenue Account in 2024/25 is transferred to an earmarked Reserve (HRA) as proposed in Section 10.10, be approved. (viii) The proposal to set Housing service charges from 7 April 2025 as stated in Section 13, be approved. (ix) Where necessary, the revised level of all housing related charges as detailed in Appendix 5, be endorsed and approved. (x) The progress made to date in delivering and maintaining the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) for improving and managing the housing stock as set out in Section 7 and the related Business Cases, be endorsed. Amendment by Councillors B Brawn and I James To agree to all recommendations as laid out Paragraph 2 of the paper, subject to additional wording to item 2.1 (viii) as below – Approves the proposal to set Housing Service Charges from 7th April 2025 as stated in Section 13. However, recognising the substantial increase in Garden Maintenance Charges by £330.20 and the potential pressure on service user finances, that this increase be spread over two years- £165.10 increase in 2025/26 and £165.10 increase in 2026/27. THERE FOLLOWED A RECESS AND COMMITTEE RECONVENED AT 11:50AM. In terms of Standing Order 21 a roll call vote was taken: 8 Members voted for the Motion as follows: Councillors P Barrett, I MacPherson, C Mair, S McCole, T McEwan, Bailie C McLaren, Councillor J Welch and Bailie M Williamson. 7 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Councillor B Brawn, Bailie R Brock, Councillors A Forbes, D Illingworth, I James, F Smith and C Stewart. Resolved: In accordance with the Motion. Page 7 of 24
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8. REVIEW OF COMMON ALLOCATIONS POLICY There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (25/10) providing members with an overview of the recent review of the Common Allocations Policy and a summary of the proposed changes and their impact. Resolved: (i) The content of the report, the rationale for the review, the methodology used and the stakeholders who have been involved, be noted. (ii) The proposed changes to the Common Allocations Policy, including the enhanced ‘downsizing’ offer, and the implementation of the revised Policy from April 2025, be approved. (iii) Three Housing Associations are partners in the design and delivery of the Policy and that they will follow their own, internal approval processes prior to implementation of the Policy in April 2025, be noted. ~~~~~~~~~ Page 8 of 24
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HOUSING AND SOCIAL WELLBEING OUTSTANDING BUSINESS STATEMENT (OBS) (Report No. 25/64) Please note that this statement sets out outstanding decisions of Council / this committee / sub-committee along with an update and estimated completion date. Actions which are overdue are shaded for ease of reference. Where an update reflects that an action is complete then agreement will be sought to its removal from the OBS. No Date / Minute Reference / Report Number Subject Title Outstanding Action Update Lead Officer /Service Action Due/completed Action Expected 27. 27 November 2024 Item 5 – Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Mid- Year Performance Report & Item 6 – Police Scotland Mid-Year Performance Report Summary of RTC locations and areas for improvement to be shared in conjunction with Road Safety Partnership. Thematic Road Safety Partnership session scheduled for March 2025. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service / Police Scotland / Road Safety Partnership COMPLETE 26 March 2025 28. 27 November 2024 Item 6 – Police Scotland Mid-Year Performance Report & Item 8 – 16 Days of Activism Breakdown of incidents of domestic violence to be broken down into P&K residents and visitors to the area. Shared with Elected Members via email 28/01/2025. N Russell/G Burns/S Gray, Police Scotland & J Middlemiss, Safer Communities Officer COMPLETE 26 March 2025 29. 27 November 2024 Item 6 – Police Scotland Mid-Year Performance Report Mountain Rescue Team winter preparedness communication information to be shared. Shared with Elected Members via email 28/01/2025. N Russell/G Burns/S Gray, Police Scotland COMPLETE Prior to end 2024 4 Page 9 of 24
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No Date / Minute Reference / Report Number Subject Title Outstanding Action Update Lead Officer /Service Action Due/completed Action Expected 30. 27 November 2024 Item 6 – Police Scotland Mid-Year Performance Report Breakdown of individual/instituti onal fraud instances to be provided to both H&SW Committee and Adult Protection Committee. Shared with Elected Members via email 28/01/2025. N Russell/G Burns/S Gray, Police Scotland COMPLETE 26 March 2025 31. 22 January 2025 Item 5 – Community Justice Progress Report 2023-24 Further information to be provided on Council work placements for offenders. Shared with Elected Members via email 13/03/2025. Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice COMPLETE 26 March 2025 32. 22 January 2025 Item 5 – Community Justice Progress Report 2023-24 Further information to be provided on impact of function of Local Action Partnerships. Shared with Elected Members via email 11/02/2025. Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice COMPLETE 26 March 2025 33. 22 January 2025 Item 5 – Community Justice Progress Report 2023-24 Further information to be provided regarding comparison of community disposals vs. custodial disposals. Shared with Elected Members via email 11/02/2025. Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice COMPLETE 26 March 2025 Page 10 of 24
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No Date / Minute Reference / Report Number Subject Title Outstanding Action Update Lead Officer /Service Action Due/completed Action Expected 34. 22 January 2025 Item 5 – Community Justice Progress Report 2023-24 Further information to be provided in relation to difficulties working with GEO Amey and bail supervision. Shared with Elected Members via email 11/02/2025. Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice COMPLETE 26 March 2025 35. 22 January 2025 Item 5 – Community Justice Progress Report 2023-24 Further data to be provided regarding electronic monitoring. Shared with Elected Members via email 11/02/2025. Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice COMPLETE 26 March 2025 36. 22 January 2025 Item 6 – Tayside MAPPA Annual Report 2023-24 Further information to be provided in relation to reoffending comparison data across Scotland. Shared with Elected Members via email 28/01/2025. Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice COMPLETE 26 March 2025 37. 22 January 2025 Item 7 – Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Strategic Financial Plan Further information to be provided in relation to SMART Meter installation across Council properties. Shared with Elected Members via email 28/01/2025. Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities COMPLETE 26 March 2026 38. 22 January 2025 Item 7 – Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Strategic Financial Plan Further information to be provided in relation to new Shared with Elected Members via email 28/01/2025. Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities COMPLETE 26 March 2026 Page 11 of 24
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No Date / Minute Reference / Report Number Subject Title Outstanding Action Update Lead Officer /Service Action Due/completed Action Expected build statistics within P&K and comparison to similar Local Authorities throughout Scotland. Page 12 of 24
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee Date of Meeting: 26 March 2025 Report Title: ALLOTMENT SITE REGULATIONS Report Number: 25/65 Report Author: Sarah Auld, Food Growing Officer – Community Greenspace Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The purpose of this Report is to set out the proposed Allotment Site Regulations for all allotment sites on land owned or leased by Perth and Kinross Council and to seek approval for them. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendation(S) 3. Background/Main Issues 4. Impact Value Assessment 5. Appendices 2. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Agree to the proposed Allotment Site Regulations set out in Appendix 1 for all allotment sites on land owned or leased by Perth and Kinross Council. 3. BACKGROUND/MAIN ISSUES 3.1 Historic Information/Context 3.1.1 The Perth & Kinross Council Food Growing Strategy (FGS) was approved in October 2021 following public engagement in October 2019 and January 2021 (Report 21/196 refers). 7 Page 13 of 24
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The FGS responds to the Scottish Government’s vision to increase the health and wellbeing of Scotland’s communities by encouraging more people to grow, and eat, fruit and vegetables. Four key objectives were identified in the FGS, split into actions, one of which sets out to develop Allotment Site Regulations in line with the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. 3.1.2 The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 defines an allotment as land that is owned or leased by a local authority or person from the authority and is used or intended for use wholly or mainly for the cultivation of vegetables, fruit, herbs or flowers, and otherwise than with a view to making a profit. 3.1.3 Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) established a devolved management model between itself and Community Allotment Associations (CAAs) (Report 11/304 refers). Under this model, the CAAs manage the day- to- day activities on their sites, the collection of rent from the plot holders, manage the waiting lists and provide suitable, available plots to those on the waiting list. Additionally, the CAAs each have their own set of rules and regulations that have been established alongside their constitution and lease, which they implement on their sites. 3.1.4 PKC supports communities to create allotment sites, where there is a proven demand by helping to establish the CAAs, to identify a suitable site by looking at underused/ derelict land owned by PKC, that is not suitable for housing, and creating a lease between itself and the CAAs. PKC also provide adequate training and guidance to the CAAs to adequately manage their allotment sites. Through this management model, PKC has successfully created and supported an additional four allotment sites since 2011. In total there are six allotment sites on land owned by PKC with a devolved management model and seven allotment sites on private land. 3.1.5 The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (sections 115(1) & 107) requires local authorities to make allotment site regulations for all allotment sites on land owned or leased by the local authority. Section 115(3) sets out what local authorities must include in the regulations, and section 115(4) sets out what local authorities may include in the regulations. Local authorities may make different provision for different allotment sites. 3.1.6 The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (section 116) requires local authorities to consult with persons appearing to have interest in the regulations. The current CAAs were consulted with for one month and a public advertisement was placed in The Courier stating the Council’s intentions to make the regulations. No representations were received. 3.2 Options Available to Elected Members 3.2.1 The Committee agrees to the proposed Allotment Site Regulations set out in Appendix 1. Page 14 of 24
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3.2.2 The Committee proposes alternative regulations be developed under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. 3.3 Rationale for Recommendations made in Section 2 3.3.1 The Allotment Site Regulations will enable the CAAs to be better supported in managing their allotment sites. 3.3.2 The Allotment Site Regulations will also provide a standard template for other CAAs to use when creating their own new allotment sites. 3.3.3 The Allotment Site Regulations will also make it fairer to plot holders across all of the allotment sites by providing a standardised set of regulations. 4. IMPACT VALUE ASSESSMENT Allotment_Site_Regulations_._05_02_2025.__._Report_author__Sarah_Auld__- Committee_Checklist___IVA.pdf 5. APPENDICES 5.1 Allotment Site Regulations 5.2 Map of all allotment sites on land owned by Perth and Kinross Council and their annual rents from the 2023/2024 financial year. Page 15 of 24
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Appendix 1 ALLOTMENT SITE REGULATIONS These Regulations apply to all allotment sites on land owned or leased by Perth and Kinross Council (the Council). Failure by Community Allotment Associations (CAAs) or plot holders to comply with the terms of these Regulations shall be a breach of the Regulations and may result in the plot holders being subject to termination of their tenancy agreement for the allotment plot or the Allotment Association being subject to termination of the lease of the allotment site. Reasonable amendments will not be unduly withheld and should be incorporated into the lease. 1. Allocation of allotments 1.1 A request to lease an allotment plot shall be made to the CAAs by submitting an application stating requirements of growing area and any provisions, including a request for an accessible plot or alterations due to a disability, in accordance with the CAA’s own rules and regulations. 1.2 Eligible applicants must be a resident of the Perth and Kinross Council area. CAAs may make additional location criteria with the prior agreement of the Council. 1.3 Joint tenancies are permitted and will be managed accordingly by the CAAs. 1.4 The plot shall be allocated by the CAAs to the plot holder by managing a waiting list on a first come first serve basis and will have regard to the size of plot requested and any other specified provisions. 1.5 The Secretary of the CAAs will maintain an accurate waiting list of members and report their waiting list figures to the Council on a biannual basis in May and December and when otherwise required. 1.6 All eligible persons who apply for an allotment shall be placed on the waiting list for the allotment site requested. 1.7 The waiting lists shall remain open to new applicants irrespective of the length of the waiting list. 1.8 Plot holder tenancy agreements will be offered following the procedures reasonably determined by the CAAs. 1.9 Any plot holder who does not wish to renew their tenancy must give at least one month notice in writing. 1.10 If it appears to the CAAs that there has been a breach of the conditions of these rules and regulations by the plot holder, or rent or any part thereof is in arrears, the CAAs will follow its own procedures, which may result in ceasing the tenancy agreement. In such circumstances the CAAs will follow their own procedures of enforcement. If such measures are unsuccessful, the Council will refer to the steps laid out in Part 9 Section 126 in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. 7 Page 17 of 24
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2. Rent 2.1 The CAAs shall be responsible for setting the annual rent for each individual plot, which shall be disclosed to the Council at the end of each financial year for the Annual Allotment Report. 2.2 The CAAs shall determine a fair rent that takes account of services, the costs of providing those services, the circumstances that affect, or may affect, the ability of a person to pay the rent payable under the lease of an allotment and the size of an allotment plot leased to a plot holder. 2.3 Plot holders shall pay the rent to the CAAs on the date specified by the CAAs, which will be agreed upon at the start of the plot holder’s tenancy. 2.4 The CAAs may decide to set a timeframe for the rental agreement, with prior agreement with the Council. The plot holder must have the option to extend the rental agreement. 3. Cultivation of allotments 3.1 The plots shall be used wholly or mainly for the growing of fruit, vegetables, herbs or flowers. 3.2 The plot holders shall ensure their plot be kept as weed free as possible, so that they do not adversely affect any other plots. 3.3 Trees may be planted to the number and height restrictions determined by the CAAs, be maintained within the allotment plot and shall not cast shade on neighbouring plots. 3.4 The CAAs will decide the appropriate level of cultivation expected from its plot holders, written in the CAAs own rules and regulations, with prior written warning if cultivation standards are not met. 3.5 Cultivation of plots should not result in the encroachment on surrounding plots; the branches of any hedges or trees should not shade any plots, no roots should grow into any surrounding plots. 4. Maintenance of allotments 4.1 Allotment plots must be kept in a good and tidy condition and as weed free as possible; plants should be cultivated and harvested and not left to rot; structures to be kept in good condition and any sheds or polytunnels kept water and wind tight. 4.2 The plot holders shall be permitted to create a compost making facility on their plots using green waste generated from the plots and/or make use of communal composting bins. Any non-recyclable waste generated by the CAAs and the plot holders shall be removed from the ground leased and disposed of in accordance with the Council’s Recycling Guide. 4.3 The plots shall not be used for the growing and/ or storage of prohibited, illegal or hazardous plants or any illegal materials. 4.4 Plot holders will be responsible for the surrounding paths keeping them weed and obstruction free. 4.5 Any sharp tools, pesticides, fertilisers, glass, fuel or any other hazardous materials and substances required on the ground leased shall be stored according to all relevant statutory or other regulations. Page 18 of 24
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4.6 Plot holders shall be responsible for ensuring that any pest and disease control is carried out on their plot and is as organic as possible. 4.7 Rainwater collection and the use of water butts is encouraged with the responsible storage of water to avoid the risk of water-related diseases by keeping water temperatures below 20oC and scrubbing any vessels holding water at least once a year. Where mains water taps are present, plot holders should use water with care and use sparingly. CAAs will cover the costs of mains water access into the cost of the rent. 4.8 Allotment plots must be left in an acceptable condition for the next plot holder. The CAAs will decide the extent that the ground is to be prepared for the next plot holder. If costs are incurred in bringing an allotment plot up to an acceptable condition, the CAAs may decide to recover these costs from the previous plot holder. 5. Maintenance of allotment sites 5.1 CAAs shall provide adequate and accessible paths within the ground leased, to allow free passage between each plot. 5.2 Plot holders must help to ensure that any part of the allotment site not used for allotments, and any unused allotments, are maintained in a neat and tidy condition and free from weeds and debris. CAAs can organise the communal work in whatever way they deem suitable. 5.3 CAAs and plots holders shall not be permitted to cut down or prune and/or lop any trees, out with the plots, without the Council’s permission. Any material arising because of pruning and/or lopping shall be disposed of as previously mentioned in paragraph 4.2. 5.4 Plot holders shall ensure that any soil, mud and debris that has been carried on to access paths, the public footpaths or surrounding roads is cleaned up in so far as reasonably practicable. 5.5 Plot holders shall not obstruct or store any materials on any access paths. 5.6 The CAAs shall ensure that all aspects of their use of the ground leased always comply with all legislation (including without prejudice to the foregoing generality, Planning legislation) relevant to the use. 6. Buildings and other structures 6.1 The CAAs may allow individual plots holders to build sheds, greenhouses and polytunnels, to a maximum size in accordance with the CAA’s further rules and regulations, on their plot in accordance with planning legislation, making sure any structures do not cast extensive shadow on neighbouring plots. 6.2 The CAAs shall ensure that all necessary statutory and other consents (including planning permission) are obtained for a communal greenhouse and all other buildings and structures erected on the ground leased. 6.3 Fencing around plots will be agreed upon prior by the CAAs, who may enforce height and material restrictions. The upkeep of any fencing around plots will be the responsibility of the plot holder. 6.4 Barbed wire and razor wire are not permitted on an allotment plot or on the allotment site. Page 19 of 24
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7. The keeping of livestock (including poultry) 7.1 No animals, domestic fowl, or pigeons shall be kept on the ground leased. 8. Landlord inspections 8.1 Plot inspections will be carried out by the CAAs to assess cultivation standards to a frequency decided by the CAAs. 8.2 The Council can inspect the allotment site with prior written notice to the CAAs. 9. Acceptable use of allotments and allotment sites 9.1 Whilst on the premises, plot holders shall not cause fear, alarm, disruption or make any noise, smoke or smell that causes nuisance or annoyance to any other plot holders or surrounding properties nor do any other act which, in the reasonable opinion of the Council might be dangerous or prejudicial to the CAAs, other plot holders or owners of neighbouring and surrounding residents. 9.2 Plot holders are not permitted to sleep overnight either on their allotment plot or in any building on the allotment site. 9.3 Any friends or family visiting the site must not be a nuisance to other plot holders or visitors. The plot holders are responsible for any visitors they bring on site and children must be supervised at all times. 9.4 Plot holders may not operate business from a plot or the allotment site. This includes the use of the allotment to accommodate/ store materials, plant, or machinery in relation to any other venture other than the allotment. 9.5 Other than being permitted to let the individual plots, the plot holder shall not sub–let the allotment site without prior agreement from the CAAs. 9.6 Plot holders shall not take or sell any material from the allotment, soil, sand, gravel or clay without the prior written consent of the CAAs. 10. Liability of loss of or damage to property 10.1 The plot holders are responsible for their own property kept on the site and shall be held responsible for any damage they have caused to the CAA’s or Council property. Plot holders will look after the property of others as they would their own. 10.2 Where applicable, plot holders will pay a refundable deposit for a key, and it will be the responsibility of the plot holders to ensure any gates are locked at the times specified by the CAAs. 10.3 The CAAs and the Council are not responsible for any damage, theft or loss of any objects or materials of the plot holder. 11. Sale of Surplus produce 11.1 The plot holder shall not be permitted to use the ground leased for any commercial purpose. The sale of produce is permitted on the premises for the purpose of any funds going back into the maintenance/ improvement of the site. Such activities will be organised by the CAAs. Page 20 of 24
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12. Disputes 12.1 Any disputes between plot holders or any other occupier of an allotment plot shall be reported to the CAAs for resolution in the first instance. 12.2 Either the plot holder or the CAAs may raise a concern with the Council by writing to the Community Food Growing Officer at allotments@pkc.gov.uk, who will seek to resolve the dispute. 12.3 Where a plot holder is not abiding by allotment regulations, and the dispute cannot be resolved amicably, the CAAs may seek to terminate their lease (see 1.10). 13. Additional regulations which may be applied on a site by site basis CAAs can choose, with the agreement of the Council, which of the following will apply to their site. Bees Plot holders shall not keep bees on the allotment plot. Or Beehives will be permitted on allotment plots, however numbers will be limited per site at the discretion of the CAAs. The expressed consent of the CAAs must be sought to keep bees. Beekeepers must have a relevant certificate or qualification or be able to demonstrate adequate experience to the CAAs. Location of the beehives must be with the expressed consent of the CAAs taking in to account the impact for other plot holders and neighbours. Burning and Bonfires No bonfires or burning of waste shall take place on the allotment site. Or No bonfires shall take place, however, with prior written permission from the Council, the use of a small incinerator to burn dried, organic waste may be used, ensuring there are no winds and no nuisance to surrounding plot holders or neighbours. The time and location for the use of the incinerator will be agreed in advance by the CAAs. Dogs No dogs shall be allowed on the allotment site unless a guide dog or hearing dog. Or Dogs shall be permitted on site on a lead and shall be kept to paths and within the dog owner’s plot, with all fouling removed immediately by the owner. The CAAs will have no responsibility for any harm sustained to a dog that is brought on site. Page 21 of 24
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Appendix 2 Map of all allotment sites on land owned by Perth and Kinross Council and their annual rents from the 2023/2024 financial year. Allotment Association Allotment Site Annual Rent Payable to PKC Plot holder annual rent payable to CAA Auchterarder Allotment Association St Margaret’s Hospital Field, Auchterarder PH3 1GB £225 Full - £90 Half - £65 £5 membership fee Letham Climate Challenge Kingswell Terrace, Perth, PH1 2BZ £225 Full - £56 Half - £35 Letham Climate Challenge 44-46 Kinloch Terrace, Perth PH1 2HE £120 Full - £35 Half - £20 North Perth Allotment Association Tulloch Road, Perth, PH1 2PF £225 Plot - £70 - £85 Raised beds - £25 Perth Working Men’s Garden Association Moncrieffe Island, Perth, PH2 8NR £240 Full - £60 (£40 concession) Half - £30 (£20 concession) £20 refundable key deposit South Perth Community Garden 20/22 Glengarry Road, Perth, PH2 0AQ` £1 Plots - £1.20 per m2 Raised beds - £12.50 Polytunnel spaces - £6 7 Page 23 of 24
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