'Win-win' sought
I WOULD like to respond to Brian Stephens' article regarding the Durrington toilet upgrade.
My aim is to clarify a few points on costs and set the record straight.
The price of the new toilets is 5,500, plus installation costs of 4,500.
The money was obtained from the DDA (Department for the Disabled) budget which is allocated for projects within the district where our corporate buildings and land need to be adapted or changed to provide access for the disabled.
In my role as chairman for the overview and scrutiny allotments sub-committee, part of my remit is to make the allotments cost neutral and improve the allotment facilities.
My committee is currently looking at ways of obtaining outside national funding to better the facilities at no cost to the taxpayer (e.g., The Allotment Regeneration Initiative).
I would also like to give a few facts regarding allotments.
There is a renewed interest in allotments nationally, perhaps due, in part, to the credit crunch; growing your own fruit and vegetables is cost-saving and healthy.
One of the cost-saving benefits is reduced demand on the NHS due to the healthier lifestyle of the people working on the allotments.
Surveys prove that there is a demand for disabled people having their own allotments, thus we will be having raised beds starting on the Humber Avenue allotment site.
Older and disabled people will live longer if they are healthier as a result of exercise by working the allotments.
Children of families who have allotments benefit from the hands-on education of learning how things grow and eating fresh produce.
There are approximately 550 people on the allotment waiting list and, therefore, we are looking at ways to increase the number of allotments in Worthing.
In summing up, what we would like to achieve is a win/win situation – healthier residents at no extra cost to the taxpayer.
Councillor Michael Donin
Worthing Borough Council
Town Hal
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Monday 13 February 2012
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