As of Monday 27th January, York is in the new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).
This means that all allotment holders who keep birds must keep them housed to protect them from bird flu. Please follow the guidance here to make sure you are complying with the housing and biosecurity measures to keep your birds safe and prevent further outbreaks.
In order to celebrate the diversity of York’s allotment sites and the dedication of allotment gardeners, in 2023 YACIO launched an allotment best plot competition. Following last year’s success, we are running the competition again in 2024.
Categories
There are two categories of plots:
We’re contacting all allotment holders about the changes to rents and concessions that’ll be coming into effect from 2024. In case you’ve missed this communication, here’s a summary of changes.
There have been no changes to rents since YACIO took over running the allotments from the Council in 2017. It had hoped to avoid an increase for 2024. Unfortunately, due to the high rate of inflation, YACIO’s costs have risen, for example we are paying substantially more for grass and hedge cutting. As a result, so that we can continue to maintain the allotments there will be a small overall increase in rents for all tenants from next year. The new rates for 2024 will be (current rent in brackets): quarter plots £25 (£24); half plots £50 (£48); full plots £100 (£96); extra large plots £135 (£130).
In addition, there will also be some changes to concessionary rents. At present a concessionary rent providing a 40% discount is available to those in receipt of state pension or universal credit, those registered as disabled and full time students. As from 2024 these concessions will no longer apply. Instead an increased concessionary rate of 50% will be introduced and be available to any tenant in receipt of a means tested benefit. This does however mean that those in receipt of state pension will no longer be automatically entitled to a concession unless receiving a means tested benefit.
Trustees have thought long and hard about these changes. Although it is appreciated that some tenants will pay more as a result of the concession alterations, we believe the adjustments are fair and will help make allotments more affordable for many people. It also helps YACIO ensure it can continue to maintain and develop the allotments for the benefit of all tenants. The changes were also discussed at the Annual General Meeting and endorsed by the majority of members (tenants) present.
We would also like to emphasise that any tenant who feels they are genuinely going to struggle to pay their rental fees (whether or not they are in receipt of a benefit), can apply for a concession, in complete confidentiality, by contacting YACIO. We do not want any tenant to give up their plot because they can’t afford it.
It is over 10 years since City of York Council held a Best Kept Plot Competition for allotment tenants. To celebrate the diversity of York’s allotment sites and the dedication of allotment gardeners, we are launching a new allotment competition this year.
Categories
There will be two categories of plots:
YACIO has been approached by a student from York University with a view to plot holders taking part in a survey, which is part of his dissertation work.
Harry Matthew Partridge is a 3rd year student studying BSc Environment, Economics and Ecology. His research is on Allotment holder perceptions of nature-provisioning features on allotment sites: barriers and opportunities.
Further details about his research and the survey can be found on the link below.
https://york.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3sLHk8xrR9wNtrw
Prize Draw – Plot Holders who complete the survey will have an option, at the end, to submit their email address and enter in a prize draw, for £50 gardening supplies from a local garden centre/nursery.
If you wish to help this young man in his studies please complete the survey as soon as possible but no later than mid-Feb.
Thank you.
We’ve updated our Tenant Handbook! Take a look at the new document here.
This is the revised Tenancy Agreement coming into use from January 2022.
In the September newsletter we highlighted that a new Agreement was in process and posted an initial draft on the website for information and comment. A number of tenants got in touch by email with the suggestions for changes and improvements. There were also three online Zoom consultations that provided additional helpful feedback. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed. Wherever possible we’ve tried to incorporate all comments and suggestions received.
The new Tenancy Agreement is intended to help everyone get the best out of their plot in a way that respects and cares for everyone and everything on allotment sites, now and in the future. There is no need to sign and return the Agreement, payment of your 2022 rental invoice will signifies consent to the revised terms.
Updated Tenancy Terms and Conditions January 2022
[THIS CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED – For the New Tenancy Agreement please visit this page: Updated Tenancy Terms and Conditions January 2022]
It’s now nearly four years since YACIO took over running the allotments from the City Council. One of the problems we inherited was a Tenancy Agreement that was overdue for review. A hotchpotch of clauses, some of which are outdated, we’ve been conscious for some time that this needs improving. We did make a few changes last year but we’ve now given it a complete overhaul.
Ideally, we’d present the revised Tenancy Agreement at a YACIO members’ meeting. We had hoped to hold one on the 9th October, but due to continuing uncertainty about Covid and social distancing restrictions on numbers imposed by our usual venue we’ve decided it’s not feasible for this to go ahead.
Trustees want to have a tenancy Agreement that’s as clear as possible and has the support and confidence of tenants. We welcome comments and suggestions from members. These can be made by email or via three consultative Zoom sessions we’re holding on the following dates: 12th, 20th and 28th October between 7 & 8pm.
To comment or for Zoom joining instructions please email contact@yorkallotments.org. We look forward to hearing your views.
In order to bring the Tenancy Agreement up to date YACIO has made a few changes to the Terms and Conditions set out as standard for all of our Tenancies.
A summary of the changes is as follows:
Clause 1 – Your deposit may be withheld if the plot is not in a lettable condition when your tenancy ends.
Clause 3 – YACIO’s policy on antisocial and abusive behaviour has been clarified.
Clause 5 – Confusing wording has been amended. (Fruit Trees can be pruned without permission, all other trees still require permission.)
Clause 8 – Hedges and fences should not exceed 1.5m. Tenants should gradually reduce the height of existing boundaries where this limit is exceeded.
Clause 9 – No barbed wire is to be used anywhere on the allotments.
Clause 10 – No sprinklers should ever be used for watering crops and water supplies should only be used for watering crops.
These changes will come into force from the 1st January 2021. Payment of your annual invoice (sent to you by post in January) will be deemed acceptance of the new terms and conditions. If you feel for any reason that you are unable to comply with these amendments then please let us know as soon as possible that you wish to terminate your tenancy as of 31st December 2020.
Green Lane Growers have prepared this wonderful video about the Green Lane Allotments as their entry for the NSALG Allotments Week competition. Check it out!
If you are interested in getting an allotment of your own and joining an allotment community you can add your name to the waiting list for up to three sites on our application page.
