31 August 2023
Your request
Please focus on Section A and B and then if possible Section C. However, if section C would require an extensive search in a number of locations or exceed the cost limit for FOI then please only complete Sections A and B.
Section A
1. How many allotment sites are there in your area and what are the total number of plots?
2. How many of those allotment sites do you have access to waiting list data for and what is the total number of plots on these sites?
3. What is the total number of people on waiting lists for the sites you have data for?
4. Are any of these waiting lists closed to further applications? And if so, how long have they been closed and what was the total number of people on the list at the point of closure.
5. When applying for an allotment what information is required (ie. name, email, address etc) and how are applicants selected?
Section B
1. What is the total number of new tenancies signed for each full year (January to January) since 2012.
2. In addition, for each of the 10 individuals most recently awarded a plot (at the time of this FoI), please state the date at which there was first contact with the council (i.e. submitting an application) and the date at which they received their plot.
Section C
1. In the last ten full years (since 2012 - January to January) if possible, have any groups of residents made a representation in writing under Section 23(2) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 concerning the duty of Councils to provide allotments?
o If so, how many requests have you received?
o and how many have been successful?
Concluding Remarks
I would ask you to please keep within the 20 day time limit. I do appreciate that your resources are limited and I am grateful for your time.
I do not anticipate that any exemptions will apply, but if you consider otherwise, please carefully note the public interest in favour of disclosure and specify the precise reasons for your refusal.
Our response
Section A
1. There are three (3) allotment sites owned by the Parks and Open Spaces Service for the London Borough of Lambeth; the total number of full plots across all three sites is 74
2. All three allotment sites are currently managed by independent plotholder management committees (MACS) who are responsible for managing plot allocations, plot inspections and any waiting lists – we do not have access to the waiting lists for each of these sites. The total number of plots on these sites is 74 as above
3. As the three allotment sites are separately managed by independent plotholder management committees (MACS) we do not hold data on the number of people on each site’s current waiting list.
4. Yes, the waiting lists for each of these three allotment sites are closed to further applications (in agreement with site independent plotholder management committees (MACS)
They have been closed to new applicants since at least April 2012; is order to help reduce the number of people on each list as plots gradually become available at each site.
We do not have information as to the total number of people on these waiting lists at the original point of closure.
5. In joint agreement with each MAC, applicants for an allotment plot at each site must provide a full name, email address and a postal address which must be within the boundaries of the London Borough of Lambeth; if they move out of the borough whilst on a waiting list, they will be removed from it.
Applicants are selected on a ‘first come, first served basis’, depending on which position in the waiting list they are placed, provided they still wish to have an allotment when contacted about an available plot, and continue to meet the requirement to reside in the borough (a digital or printed proof of address is required). We do not operate any concessionary system, e.g. age, disabilities, etc.
Section B
1. I can confirm that Lambeth Council does not hold the information requested. Regulation 12(4)(a) of the EIR states that a public authority may refuse to disclose information to the extent that it does not hold that information when an applicant’s request is received.
I am advised by my colleagues that Lambeth Council does not hold any such information, as allocations for available plots is currently managed separately by each allotment MAC.
2. As above
Section C
- To the best of our knowledge, no groups have made a representation in writing under Section 23(2) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 to provide allotments
Under Section 55(4) of the London Government Act 1963, Inner London boroughs are exempt from the statutory requirement under Section 23(2) of the above Act to provide allotment plots on representation, or statutory allotment sites; they only have the discretion to provide allotments, if there is suitable land available and the resources to then create them