Allotments in York will come under the spotlight next week (Monday, 8 December) when the Executive Member for Leisure and Heritage and Advisory Panel discuss changes to the allotment service.

Leisure officers are looking at changing the allotment tenancy agreements which sets out the tenant's and the council's responsibilities and obligations more clearly.

Changes to the agreement include offering concessionary rates to more people, introducing a deposit system to encourage people to leave the allotments in a tidy state, improving access, introducing additional charges for keeping livestock and the introduction of joint tenancies.

If the proposals are agreed existing tenants will continue on their present tenancy until January 2005 when the new agreement will come into force. The new agreement will be introduced with immediate effect for new tenants.

Dave Meigh, head of parks and open spaces, City of York Council said: "The promotion of allotments and increasing their profile has seen many positive results. To date there has been well over 100% increase in tenancy take up this year compared with the last two years. We are delighted that after years of decline allotments are being seen in a more positive light. They offer tenants the opportunity to grow healthier food, to take part in exercise and are places for families and communities to come together. The changes being proposed aim to make allotments more accessible to all and improve the services we can offer."