Child’s Hill Allotment Society
May 2011 emails from CHAS committee
Proposed rent increases - general update May 15 2011
Lawyers acting for allotment holders sent a 'letter before action' to the Council setting out the case against the proposed rent increases and giving the Council a chance to settle without court action. The Council's reply - refusing to settle - has now been discussed with the barrister together with other information which has come to light. As a result, lawyers propose to refine the case against the increases and offer the Council a final chance to reach agreement. Depending on the Council's reply to this offer, a decision will be taken as to whether or not to start court proceedings.
In order to be able to go to court, the Federation needs more contributions to its legal fighting fund. CHAS has already pledged £500 towards it, but you can help individually by making a cash contribution. We are told that generous individual donors at other sites have already offered substantial donations. Please chip in to the fighting fund - even £10 would help. If the action is successful, you stand to save a substantial amount if the site stays with the Council next year or if the self-management negotiations drag on.
If you wish to donate, please put your contribution in an envelope and post it through the shop's letter box; cheques should be made payable to Child's Hill Allotment Society. If, in the event, the money is not needed, we could either refund it to you or add it to the society's funds to be used for the benefit of all. If you would like it to be refunded, please make sure that your name and plot number are written on the envelope.
CHAS committee
(email dated 15/05/2011)
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