A PENSIONER blasted Luton Borough Council’s decision to remove over 60s’ allotment discounts, calling it “scandalous”.
As an allotment-holder of 50 years, 80-year-old Douglas Peck is horrified by the increase in charge from £12.50 to £26.50 a year.
Currently, over 60s get a 50 per cent reduction on their first plot, but at an Executive meeting on January 23 councillors supported the scrapping of this.
Mr Peck said: “The people that have made this decision get nearly £8,000 each a year for going to meetings, but they want to take money from 325 elderly people who live on pensions, which will save £8,000. There was no discussion with secretaries of local allotment associations. This is absolutely undiplomatic.”
Leader of the council, Hazel Simmons, receives an annual total of £23,245 for her work as a councillor and Councillor Mohammed Ashraf, the lead Executive member on this decision, gets £13,125 a year. Scrapping pensioners’ discounts will save the council £8,400 a year.
In the meeting Councillor Simmons said the allotment reduction, which will see pensioners paying 50 per cent more than now, is “quite minor really”, but the decision provoked outcry from allotment holders.
Mr Peck, whose allotment is in Riddy Lane, gave a scathing description of the service the council provides.
He said: “There is very little input from the council and the allotments are neglected. We suffer constant vandalism, there are no toilet facilities – really the council has done absolutely nothing for the last five years.
“We have to put up with the young hooligans who smash up your cauliflowers, break your runner beans and steal your flowers. It’s the same old thing. I’ve always helped everybody all my life but now when we need help it’s not very forthcoming.”