‘Gestapo’ blast over allotments

3:20pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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Allotment tenants in Romsley have likened the parish council to the Gestapo for failing to tell them new site rules.

Plot holders at the Winwood Heath allotments on Winwood Heath Road claim the council, who act as the trustees of the site, have failed to consult them over a new tenancy agreement.

Speaking at a meeting of the parish council on Monday July 14, plot holder Terry Hall said many on the allotment had no idea what the terms of the new agreement were.

He said: “I find it incomprehensible the people who are actually going to be affected in this agreement have not been asked to contribute.

“At least you could have stuck a copy on one of the notice boards.”

Fellow plot holder Brian Hamblett added: “There is no communication.

“You smack people’s hands for certain things and you let certain tenants get away with murder.

“It’s just like Poland and the Gestapo – that’s the reputation you are getting among tenants.”

Allotment holders criticised councillors earlier this year after claiming several plot holders were wrongly criticised for the tidiness of their patch during an inspection.

Speaking after a meeting of the trustees held after the council meeting, parish council secretary Ruth Mullett revealed it had now been decided to invite a member from allotments to attend future meetings of the trustees.

Ruth said: “We are going to write and ask them to nominate somebody.”