Local Food Growing Scrutiny Review 09/10
Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission
This short review was completed as the Commission wanted to understand how the council supported local growing initiatives, either through the provision of allotments or in developing community growing schemes in other locations. There was broad recognition that the number of these community growing schemes is growing quickly whilst the demand for allotments greatly outweighs the current supply.
Opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables locally offer numerous benefits to residents, communities and the wider environment. As trends for growing schemes swell, it is crucial that the council harnesses these advantages, and is aware of potential obstructions.
The Commission greatly appreciated the input of many local food growing organisations, who varied considerably in size, format and approach. The review found positive examples of support to these groups within the council and Hackney Homes, but no coordinated approach to sharing information or demonstrating corporate commitment to food growing initiatives.
The Commission's final report
In drawing together the findings of the evidence, Living in Hackney made 5 recommendations, including that the council sign up to the Capital Growth 'borough commitment' pledge, a first point of contact for all food growing enquiries be named, and the council publish clear information about local food growing on a dedicated section of the council's website. This information can be viewed on the local food growing page.
Response from the Cabinet Member
Cllr Linden (Cabinet Member for Crime, Sustainability, and Customer Services) responded to the recommendations, noting the Executive's support for local food growing and saying "I therefore welcome this short scrutiny review of local food growing initiatives, which looked at how the Council can better support local residents and community groups in this area". She accepted all the recommendations.
What has happened as a result of the review?
An update on what progress had been made in implementing our recommendations was received in March 2011. The Commission commended the progress made so far, but raised a concern that the response suggested that the recommendations were not being implemented in the spirit that was hoped. As a result, the Chair wrote to the Cabinet Member for Crime, Sustainability, who agreed to re-focus attentions within the responsible services.
Page updated: 22 Nov 2011
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