Everyone urged to have their say to shape allotment service for the future

The Council operates 16 allotment sites, covering a total of 1,000 plots, and it has now started a six-week process of public engagement.

Gemma Ptak, the Council’s Assistant Director (Preventative and Community-Based Services), said: “As well as simply providing and managing sites as we do at present, we want to put much greater focus on the needs of individual plot users, both current and future.

“We’re very keen to hear people’s thoughts and ideas on a range of topics from future priorities for individual sites and the development of community and family spaces, to exploring additional ways people might be able to get involved on allotment sites.

“What people tell us will be used to draw up a strategy to guide us for the future, and we’re really keen to hear from people of all ages across the town, whether you’re an existing allotment tenant or not.”

Existing allotment tenants are being sent a questionnaire as part of the engagement.

There are also several other ways everyone can get involved and have their say:

• Go online at Yoursay.hartlepool.gov.uk/allotments-consultation2021 

If people don’t have internet access at home they can use the People’s Network computers free at Community Hub Central in York Road. Staff will be on hand if anyone needs help to use the computers.

or

• Come along to any of the consultation meetings at the allotment sites:

or

Come along to one of the consultation meetings at Community Hub Central in York Road:

All fully completed consultation questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw to win £30 of garden centre vouchers.