Kells allotments project in jeopardy over start-up costs

The future of the proposed Kells allotments were put in doubt on Monday night when councillors heard that the initial set-up costs would be around €30,000. Kells Town Council was told it would have to either take on much of the cost themselves or the allotments would cost those taking them on over €800 each. The issue will come back before the council again at the October meeting when the council will be seeking further legal advice on the matter. Councillors heard that the cheapest tenders for rotavating, spreading of lime, providing internal and external fencing, provision of a footpath and the provision and intallation of water meters would be in the region of €30,000. The initial proposal by councillors to provide allotments for the town was on the basis that they be cost-neutral, but the recent estimates would mean allotment holders would have to pay over €800 if the council wasn't to incur costs themselves. Town clerk, Jarlath Flanagan, said it had initially been envisaged that the charges would be €120 for a small plot of €180 for a larger plots and there would be 34 plot in all. He explained that those prices would mean that the council would have to incur some of the cost of the development or else the price of the allotments would be in the region of €850 each. Area mananger, Brendan McGrath, said the council was advised that if it leased the land to the allotments committee for them to develop, there was a danger that the council could, in time, lose its title to the land. He also said that if the council wanted to provide the allotments, it would have an effect on the budget for next year. Mr McGrath explained that they could only spend what money is in the council's budget this year and could not plan to pay the cost of the development over time as yearly revenues came in. Cllr Brian Collins said they would have to look at cutting costs or else the project would be dead. He pointed out that the allotments committee had been prepared to develop the plots themselves. He suggested leasing the land to them for 11 months on the basis that in that time they would have a limited company in place. Cllr Bryan Reilly said that, based on the report before the council, they simply could not afford to provide the allotments. Cllr Oliver Sweeney said that, for a small investment, it would provide a great facility for the town and said they should look in the budget to see if they could do anything. Cllr Sean Drew said it was not practical to spend that kind of money as it would put five per cent on the rates. He could not agree to the outlay of €30,000 but if the allotments committee could come up with a proposal that would satisfy the manager and legal representatives, he would support it. Mr McGrath told the councillors he would speak to the legal advisors again and would bring the matter back before the October meeting.