Monday 18th February 2026 2.30pm

PRESENT:

Councillors: I Schmeising-Barnes (Chair); B Dawes, K Henderson; P Harrison

Observer: Councillor J Thomas

Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk); K Terry (Parks & Cemetery Superintendent);

5. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

   Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Morris. Councillor B Dawes was appointed as a substitute for Councillor Morris.

6. MINUTES

   It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19^th January 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

7. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

   There were no declarations of interest.

8. VERBAL report from the Parks and Cemetery Superintendent ON PROPOSED AMENDED RULES FOR THE ARELEY KINGS, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN AND KINGSWAY, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN ALLOTMENTS

   The Parks & Cemetery Superintendent presented a verbal report and Members were advised of the following:

   It was perceived that the allotment rules for the Areley Kings and Kingsway allotments needed to be bought into line with each other and following their AGM’s, where the subject of livestock, bees and carpets), the following was proposed:

   Proposal 1 - Livestock/Bees

   No livestock be allowed on the allotments sites and this included chickens and rabbits and also the keeping of bees. The Council should actively try to discourage the keeping of bees and the setting up of new hives on allotments due to the close proximity of other plot holders. If a plot holder wished to have a hive, they would need to apply direct to the Council for permission and not the relevant allotment association. Each case would be looked at individually, taking into consideration the location of the hive and plot. Strict restrictions would also be applied to include only one hive per plot, be a member of a local Beekeepers Association and high fencing or a barrier should be installed on the allotment plot to encourage bees to fly overhead at height when leaving the hive. The plot holder should also have liability insurance in case of bee stings to fellow plot holders and swarming and evidence of the insurance provided to the Council.

   Proposal 2 - Carpets

   Carpets to be banned from allotment plots for environmental reasons including the leaching of chemicals and dyes into the soil and the difficulty for their removal if they are left for a number of years. New carpet will not be allowed on either allotment and existing carpets need to be phased out and removed by April 2027. Following on from the banning of carpets as ground cover, the Council will encouraged the use of purpose made ground cover material, degradable cardboard or mulching.

   In response to a Member question, it was confirmed that plot holders used carpets for weed suppression.

   Proposal 3 - Invasive Species

   Any invasive species will not be allowed onsite and this included Balsam, Knotweed and Giant hogweed. The Government guidelines and Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act for all species should be adhered to. Plot holders needed to be vigilant when importing mulch, compost and manure from off site.

   New bamboo and reeds must not be planted including fast growing trees such as conifers. Existing bamboo needed to be carefully managed in order for it to be contained, existing bamboo would also be monitored via inspections for signs of spreading.

   Other existing evasive species, native or not, including Bramble/BlackBerry, Mint, Nettles, Ransom and Jerusalem artichokes (see RHS guidelines), needed to be managed in a sympathetic way, so they did not spread to neighbouring plots and communal pathways.

   Proposal 4 - Pesticides and herbicides

   The subject of pesticides and herbicides had not been discussed by either of the two associations but it was proposed that, as the Council did not use pesticides and/or herbicides in its parks and open green spaces, the phasing out of the use of chemicals within the Council allotments should be encouraged and alternative methods that would include, mulching, biological control, companion planting, manual removing and prevention be encouraged. It was felt that if pesticides were necessary as a last resort, then the Council propose only the use of approved domestic-grade pesticides/herbicides which would have to follow the Manufacturer’s instructions.

   In addition, these would only be on the allotment of a plot holder and only be applied when weather conditions were suitable to prevent spreading and in addition, they should not be applied near water points. Storage of chemicals will not be allowed on-site and this will include rat poison. No professional grade chemicals are to be used.

   A discussion ensued and it was agreed that predatory mite products could be used.

   Proposal 5 - Cultivation

   It was noted that there were different abilities of plot holders such as knowledge of growing and physical abilities and in some cases these circumstances should be taken into account. This needed to be taken into consideration when it came to cultivation. Plot holders need to be encouraged to talk to the Council or their relevant association if they felt they are struggling with their allotment plot. Awareness should be considered that an allotment plot can mean more than cultivation to some people, i.e. a place to unwind, de-stress and it is well known there are lots of benefits in working the ground and being involved with nature.

   Traditionally, allotments are 75% cultivated, which is the case for Kingsway. However, the recommendation is for cultivation of 70% for both sites and predominantly used for the growing of vegetables, fruit, flowers and green mulch. New fruit trees should be of dwarf root stock and be sympathetically planted and not intentionally shade a neighbouring plot.

   Plots generally needed to be kept tidy and relatively weed free with ongoing signs of cultivation and not used for storage of anything that is not related to the upkeep and cultivation of the plot. Currently there were a few problems with some plots storing items not relevant to an allotment plot.

   Proposal 6 - Subletting

   Proposal that the wording is changed for subletting to read “No subletting of plots”, as opposed to without prior permission.

   Existing rules for both Areley Kings and Kingsway sites are generally the same with no change, but a draft copy of the new combined rules will be prepared and checked prior to circulation.

   Proposal 7 - Inspections

   The two allotment associations can carry out their inspections as they see fit but the Council will only carry out two inspections each year in the growing season so comparisons can be made at the beginning of the year and towards the end of the Summer period.

   In response to a question, it was confirmed that cultivation should be adhered to and maintenance of species should be kept in line with inspections.

   It was agreed that allotments were now more popular that they used to be. Applications for allotments was for anyone over the age of 18. It was also suggested that consideration be given to Stourport High School students should there be no waiting list for either site so that could have a community allotment.

   It was also reinforced that if either of the associations had concerns over any plots, the Council recommended the association had an informal chat with the plot holder in the first instance before any action took place and in the case of no reasonable response, the Council should be informed and an email would be sent to the plot holder, (this had been carried out recently for the Kingsway site).

   If no response was received or there were no signs of improvement, then the committee would carry on with the regular notice letters.

   Members agreed that communication should come from the Council in the first instance. It was important that the two associations had the backing of the Council.

   Members resolved that all of the above proposals be agreed and an electronic copy of the amended rules be sent to the Parks Committee Members prior to them being issued.

   The Town Clerk advised Members that she was waiting for clarification on information in relation to plot holders personal data being issued to a third party. It was hoped that the existing system of receiving allotment enquiries was suffice but she would update Members with any information.

   The Council had agreed in 2025 to go ahead with the electronic system for allotments, whereby plot holders would receive an annual rent invoice via email or via the post if no email address was available. This would be in place for rent due in 2027. Payments would predominately by via BACS but there would also be the option to pay via cash/cheque for those that preferred a different way to pay.

The meeting closed at 2.55pm.