Penrith Town Council is facing growing questions over how public money has been spent on improvement works at allotment sites across Penrith, after some allotment holders say they offered to clear plots for free but were ignored while the council paid for contractors to do the job. The council has so far refused to answer questions on the decision or disclose how much the work cost.

The improvement works are being delivered in partnership with the Penrith Allotment Association (PAA) as part of a £10,000 budget agreed for 2025/26, with more funding already planned for 2026/27. The allotments at Brackenber, James Street, Salkeld Road and Folly Lane were handed to Penrith Town Council in 2016 by the former Eden District Council. They included:
• Salkeld Road – 21 Full plots, 16 Half
• James Street – 11 Full, 6 Half
• Folly Lane – 26 Full, 28 Half
• Brackenber Close – 66 Full, 64 Half plus 38 hen runs

After receiving ownership, the Town Council passed management of all the allotments to the PAA, which continues to handle enquiries, manage vacancies and operate a waiting list on behalf of the council.

In January the town council set a budget for works to the allotments following representation by the allotment association to the town council.

Among the works recently undertaken by the town council are repainted railings at James Street and the installation of a new storage shed at Salkeld Road. At Brackenber allotments, a number of long-neglected plots have been fully cleared of rubbish and overgrowth so they can be brought back into use and rented out again.

But several allotment holders claim that thousands of pounds were spent on a contractor strimming only a handful of plots and removing waste, even though other Brackenber tenants had offered to clear them without charge so the money could be spent elsewhere.

One current Brackenber allotment holder told Penrith.Town News:

“There was no consultation with the majority of Brackenber allotment plot holders. No 'open' meeting or consultation took place. PAA and PTC taken a full twelve months to get this work done.”

The same tenant added that concerns about poor site conditions had been repeatedly raised but not acted on:

“Been continually reported and questions asked (but left unanswered by both PAA and PTC). This mismanagement cost precept council taxpayer £7,500 plus twelve months lost plots fee income.”

Although allotment holders pay rent to use their plots, the Town Council’s finance records over the last decade show no rental income listed in the council’s accounts from the allotments, despite the council being the official landlord. Records of the Penrith Allotment Association show that during almost a decade of managing the council’s allotments, committee members have collectively received thousands in Honorariums for running the association.

When asked to confirm the cost of clearing the Brackenber plots and why volunteer labour was not accepted, Penrith Town Council has so far refused to comment. The town council has issued a statement made Cllr Barbara Jayson, Deputy Chair of Penrith Town Council and Deputy Penrith Mayor. She said:

“The Penrith allotments represent an important part of the fabric of our town, and I am pleased to see the Council investing in maintaining and improving such a valued community asset.
“This jointly agreed programme will help ensure the sites remain safe, accessible and productive spaces for all tenants. It is another great example of partnership working delivering real, practical benefits for local people.”
“This programme of works represents progress in the delivery of the Council’s Business Plan, under the Partnership Priority where we commit to Encourage and support Penrith Allotment Association to have fully occupied and well-maintained allotments, providing funding for improvements.”