Community growing policy | Shropshire Council

Foreword

Whilst Shropshire is one of the most sparsely populated rural counties in England, with a high percentage of its area classified as rural, it has a diverse range of local towns and villages which form our communities in which many of our 300,000+ residents live.

As part of our core objective to strengthen our local towns and villages the council, through working with the local town, parish council and voluntary sector, may make suitable land and/or buildings available to community groups and organisations.

The Community Growing Policy (CG) policy sets out the Council’s approach to community growing projects. It has been prepared to help support the Council’s core objectives of sustainable places and communities. The policy supports the following organisation principles:

Organisation principles

Statement of commitment

We recognise that community growing projects form a valuable part of the overall framework of supporting and sustaining the voluntary and community sector in Shropshire. We are committed to such projects where they bring benefits to our communities; contributing towards our aims and objectives.

In October 2022, council members resolved to facilitate community growing in Shropshire as follows:

We will expand the group that considers Community Asset Transfer requests to receive expressions of interest from town and parish councils on behalf of their residents and/or local community groups who have identified small parcels of land suitable for food cultivation
If identified land is deemed to be appropriate and is supported by local people within the parish/town council area for the purpose of food production, a licence to operate on the land covering insurance, risk, ground investigation surveys, tree impact assessment etc will be negotiated on a case by case basis with the town or parish council
Councillors would be able to seek out land in their division available for community food gardens
Promote the initiative via our website

In developing this policy, we have committed to making council land available to form partnerships with the voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSOs) that meet our criteria.

What are community growing projects?

Community growing projects create unique forms of open spaces which are accessible to everyone, and a place where everyone can participate. They are self-managed by the community primarily for production of food and to contribute to the development of a sustainable urban or rural environment. They provide demonstration sites for learning and sharing knowledge about sustainable living practices amongst gardeners and the local community. They also contribute to the health and wellbeing of residents by connecting people and encouraging inclusion in the local community.

We recognise community growing as a valuable recreational activity that also contributes to the health and wellbeing of the wider community and provides a range of environmental, social and educational benefits.

We will respond to applications made by town or parish councils on behalf of community organisations, and follow a transparent, defined method for assessing community growing project applications to ensure that projects are made in the best interest of the council and the communities we serve.

Why we support community growing projects with voluntary and community sector organisations

VCSOs are often best placed to manage facilities in their local communities. They make extensive use of volunteers and their local knowledge and hands-on management of the asset can result in lower overheads and better value-for-money, as well as a more intensive use of the asset.
Community management of assets directly supports the council’s devolved decision-making process. community growing projects are an incremental part of empowering local communities, helps puts local organisations in control, encourages pride of place, and improves communities.
The benefits of community growing is widely recognised within our community. This policy will enable community growing projects to grow fresh produce to supplement their groceries and to develop friendships, socialise with neighbours and to connect with residents in their local community.
Through environmental leadership, we support the development of gardens that will be maintained and managed by community gardening groups. We encourage production of organic fresh food while providing social and community development opportunities.
Community growing projects connect with vibrant local communities and economies to create a space for people to meet and share knowledge, learn new skills and harvest in a harmonious way. These activities encourage interaction between diverse people in passive recreation and gardening pursuits.

Eligibility criteria

Principles for a community growing project

The project must allow all sectors of the general community to participate.
The group running the project must be able to hold a legal interest in the land in the form of a Licence, and secure public and product liability insurance
The group must comprise of local residents who participate in and support the project.
The initiative must be supported by the local community, neighbours of the site and the Parish Council.
The group must have the skills and capacity to organise, manage and maintain the project or have a mentor from an existing group to assist them.
The group must demonstrate the capacity to fund the project and provide ongoing maintenance.
The group’s activities to include growing fruit and vegetables, seed collecting, harvesting, organic pest management, composting and worm farming.
Any profits from the sale of produce must be reinvested in the project.
The project must have an approved management plan and design layout.
The group’s knowledge, skills, experience and produce will be shared amongst gardeners and the local community.
The group will be forward thinking with new ideas and problem solving to create productive and well managed community project.

Site specific criteria

Location: These sites can be located almost anywhere on Shropshire Council owned land, but redundant areas with poor appearance are likely to those supported for this type of project.
Community capacity: The site must have the support of the surrounding neighbours and local residents who are willing to participate in the community growing project.
Safety: Sites should be safe with good passive surveillance.
Accessibility: Sites should be accessible to the community, to people with disabilities and for delivery of materials.
Solar access: Sites require suitable growing conditions of at least six hours of full sunlight per day.
Size: Sites should be large enough to accommodate basic garden facilities.
Water: Sites should have access to water or be located close to harvested water stored in rainwater tanks.
Soil contamination: Sites should be tested for soil contamination to ensure that they are suitable for growing food crops.
Multiple uses: Community growing sites should not interfere with other land uses and can be utilised by non-gardeners for passive recreation.
Existing features: The surrounding buildings and facilities should be considered and may be utilised or retained, or integrated within the existing space.
Land suitability: The topography of the land should be reasonably flat.
Utilities: Whether the location of utilities and services on site can be avoided or render the site inappropriate to use.

Transfer terms

The legal agreement covering the community growing project will be in the form of a licence. This will include basic information about who the agreement is between, the permitted uses and activities, and how the licence can be brought to an end. The length of the licence will usually be for a period of 5 years. An example of the Licence is included here.

The application process

The process is summarised below. An application will need to be submitted to us using the application form and guidance documents below.

Community groups should consider and prepare the form as far as possible and approach their local town or parish council to obtain their support and assistance with completing all the necessary checks and obtaining the information necessary to fully complete the form.

The town or parish council will consider:

If the land is owned by Shropshire Council by consulting our interactive map
Whether the proposal scheme meets the eligibility criteria above.
If the site is suitable for growing produce taking into account its history, position, size et
Whether they endorse the use of the land for community growing
Whether adjacent landowners/neighbouring residents/local community support or object to the proposa
Whether the group proposing the project have the capability to manage it successfully
If the responses are favourable and the town or parish council supports the project, then they will submit the application form to us

Stage 1

We will complete a full due diligence check on the site in question. Considerations will include if the land is available, that it is suitable, and any other possible other uses that should be considered. Views and information will be obtained from several internal departments including Planning, Highways, the Tree Officer, Ecology, Grounds Maintenance and Public Protection. We will ensure the site is supported by the town or parish council and the local community.

If all responses are favourable, we will notify the town or parish council and invite them and the community group to progress to stage 2 and to submit a management plan and more details regarding their proposal.

Stage 2

A management plan will be prepared which covers a range of areas. The town or parish council will assess whether the plan is viable and sustainable and whether they are prepared to support it and if so, to submit it to us.

We will assess the management plan and, if approved, draw up a licence for the community group and town or parish council to sign.

The town or parish council will ensure the group has public liability and product liability insurance.

Project monitoring

The Town or Parish Council will be required to monitor the progress of the project should it be granted permission. This will include regular monitoring to ensure the terms of the licence are adhered to and that the scheme progresses as planned and the community involved as agreed. Any issues or concerns should be reported promptly to Shropshire Council along with details of the actions taken to address them so that the project is successful.

An Annual Report which includes information on the following will be required. Community Engagement activities, Management/Membership of the Group, Site maintenance, Group Equipment, Structures on site, Summary of activities/Events, Funding, Health and Safety (risk assessments, incident/accident records) and Insurance. By submitting the application on behalf of the Group the Town or Parish Council’s is confirming its commitment to undertake this monitoring and provide an annual report to Shropshire Council.

Removal / termination of projects

In the event that a community growing project ceases to operate in accordance with this policy or the terms of its Licence, the Council reserves the right to remove it, to allow other community uses to be undertaken or to insist the land is returned to its original state.

Summary of roles

Shropshire Council

Will provide a process for consideration of applications, and determine whether these are successful in accordance with the Community Growing policy
Where appropriate, grant a licence to the Community Group and local Town or Parish Council
Promote the initiative via its website

Town & Parish Councils

Will consider, support and if appropriate endorse a groups application
Will apply for and assist in managing the licence on behalf of the Community Group
Provide regular updates to Shropshire Council on the progress of projects awarded a licence, including an annual report
Encourage community ownership of the project

Community Growing Group

Will address the site selection criteria for a suitable location
Will organise and if necessary create a group to run the project
Will carry out community engagement in the area of the proposed site to secure support and interest in the project
Will seek endorsement from the local Town or Parish Council
Will develop a management plan and design a site layout in discussion with the local Town or Parish Council to be approved by the Town or Parish Council and Shropshire Council
Will have the skills and ability to become self-managed and maintain the project to a high standard through community participation
Will have capacity to enter into licence agreement and secure appropriate insurance cover
Will monitor membership, and keep records relating to finances, site activities, events, ongoing engagement, health and safety and Insurances and make these available to the Town or Parish or Shropshire Council as requested

Definitions

The community garden definitions as set out as part of this policy are:

Term: Community Growing project
Meaning: A unique form of open space which is accessible to everyone, in which everyone can participate. This is self-managed by the community primarily for production of food and to contribute to the development of a sustainable urban environment.

Term: Public open space
Meaning: Publicly accessible spaces owned or managed by the council and available for multi-purpose recreational use by the community.

Term: Self-managed
Meaning: A community garden group that can work together and encourage participation without supervision, or with limited assistance from the council.

Term: Demonstration sites
Meaning: Community growing sites that are well presented, regarded as best practice, accessible for all users and visitors to share ideas, skills and knowledge with the local community.

Term: Management plan
Meaning: A document developed by the community garden group to describe their vision and objectives and the details of the garden, The garden design/layout, the activities required to manage and maintain the site and the responsibilities of the group.

Term: Garden design or garden layout
Meaning: Plan showing details of the garden beds, pathways, composting area, tool shed or rain tanks. It may also show the materials used and development stages.

Term: Public liability
Meaning: Community garden groups have a duty of care to the people who visit the garden areas so should have public liability insurance cover to a minimum of £5m.

Term: Product insurance
Meaning: If community garden groups intend to sell any surplus produce then product insurance will be required.

Term: Sustainable gardening
Meaning: An approach that minimises the impact on the environment by choosing organic, locally grown crops; recycling food waste through composting and worm farming; harvesting rainwater and safely using recycled materials in the construction of the garden.

Term: Composting system
Meaning: A method for breaking down vegetable scraps, garden waste and other materials into rich organic matter to fertilise gardens. This can be compost bins or worm farms.