An attempt by Labour councillors to soften massive allotment rent increases has been blocked by justice officials, according to leaked emails. As reported earlier this week, the party has tabled an amendment to the proposed increases that would spread them over two years.
They argued that this was agreed by the Labour Cabinet in March, before the Greens became the largest group in the chamber and took over the administration after the local elections in May under the new committee system. But a report to the Public Health and Local Government Committee, which will make its decision on Friday morning (23 August), recommends that the rent increases come into effect in one fell swoop in September 2025, with the cost of some properties more than doubling.
The Labour amendment also called for the creation of a hardship fund or tax exemption to help people on low incomes who are not in receipt of certain benefits and therefore would not be entitled to discounts. But Tim O’Gara, director of legal and democracy services at Bristol City Council, has blocked the move.
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In an email to committee deputy chair Cllr Emily Clarke (Labour, Bedminster), seen by BristolLive, he said: “The amendment would fundamentally alter the officer’s recommendations in the report, so the proposed amendment could not be tabled at the meeting. In fact, it negates the original recommendations in the officer’s report.”
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“The only reasonable decision the committee could take to consider the matters raised in the proposed amendment would be to defer the item with a request to officials to consider these matters and report to a future meeting of the committee, which report would have to include updated financial, legal and equality implications.”
Councillor Clarke responded: “What constitutional basis is there for blocking this amendment? The amendment proposed an increase that Cabinet had already agreed to.”
Mr O’Gara replied: “As the amendment proposes changes to the way the increases are applied, this cannot be discussed in the policy committee without information on the financial implications. Therefore, the constitutional course of action would be to adjourn the item to allow members to make a fully informed decision at the next meeting.”
Cllr Clarke told BristolLive: “I am disappointed to hear that the council has blocked the Labour Party’s amendment to reduce the proposed increase in allotment fees. The committee system is designed to give councillors the ability to influence decisions and encourage cooperation between parties.
“At the moment, the opposite appears to be the case and I urge the Green-Liberal Democrat government to look into this.” This is the latest twist in the allotment leasing saga. Plot owners are currently threatening a rent strike if the plans go ahead.
Following the Cabinet’s decision in March, the then opposition Greens challenged it under a “call-in” process that allows councillors to question whether the decision was made in accordance with the rules of the council’s constitution. The result was Labour agreeing to hold the proposals until after the local elections, pending a reconsideration. The group says the current plans are a “step backwards” from what Cabinet had agreed.
