Local Council Confirms 10% Allotment Rent Increase – But Was It Avoidable?
- teessidetoday
- Feb 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 19
Town Allotment Holders set to be told they will face rent increases of up to 10%, under new proposals set to be agreed by the now Labour Majority Hartlepool Borough Council in just weeks ...
12th Feb 2025
Hartlepool Borough Council, has confirmed allotment holders will face a maximum rent increase of 10%—a move which many are likely to see as 'a relief' following concerns far steeper hikes were set to be proposed....
This decision follows an independent review, which initially recommended rent increases on many of the towns allotment plots of between 25% to 50%, with Hartlepool Borough Council justifying the steep hikes claiming they were necessary to ensure allotment sites remained financially sustainable.
Millions in Extra Government Funding – So Why the Increase?
Hartlepool Borough Council has since benefited from a significant increase in government funding under a Labour Government, receiving millions more in grants than it did under the previous Conservative government.
Some argue this extra cash should have been used to freeze allotment rents entirely—raising, questions about why an increase is still going ahead.
Labour councillors, however, insist they've protected allotment holders as much as possible from what could have been a financially crippling rise in rents which could have led to some allotment plots being abandoned by renters, where In a statement published online, the Hartlepool Labour Group claimed:
“In 2023, the Conservatives tried to double allotment fees—a whopping 100% rise—but Labour stopped them! We requested a full review and demanded a fairer deal for allotment holders, ensuring allotment associations were consulted.
The Labour Group went on to say :
When the review recommended a 25% rise, we rejected that too! Instead, we’re capping any potential increase to 10%—keeping allotments affordable for our community.” "Labour's messaging is clear: The Conservatives wanted a 100% increase, An independent review suggested a 25%-50% increase Labour has capped the increase at 10%
Hartlepool Mail Spun an elaborate web of ‘Misinformation’ Over Allotment Fee 'Rumours'...
Interestingly, in September 2024, the 'Hartlepool Mail' dismissed concerns about potential rent increases which HBC Exposed published as mere ‘rumours’—a claim that now looks to have been completely inaccurate.
At the time, HBC Exposed published that Hartlepool Borough Council had delayed a decision on the increase, waiting until after the government’s financial settlement was confirmed. Now, with Labour securing millions in extra funding, some residents are asking:
Could the rent increase have been avoided altogether? & Was the Hartlepool Mail told by Hartlepool Borough Council to downplay the issue?
One thing is clear—despite Labour’s claims of victory, allotment holders will still be paying more in April 2025. Whether this increase was necessary, or simply a case of political spin, remains up for the public to decide.
Previous Articles
HBC Exposed (17th December 2024)
1st September 2024
