ALLOTMENT holders have moved a step closer to self-management but say the council need to make the transition “practical”.

Barnet Council held a workshop with allotment holders this week to discuss handing over management responsibilities to the borough’s sites.

The council’s cabinet agreed to the new management system which was inspired by the coalition Government's "Big Society" management programme.

One allotment site representative said: “There’s a lot of work to be done and some very difficult stuff to be sorted out.

“In the end, a new system has to be something practical that will work for us.

“It’s no good the council just writing down a load of rules that suit them if we can’t make the whole thing work on our sites.”

Richard King, secretary of the Barnet Federation of Allotment and Horticultural Societies, said: “We have always been ready to work with the council on self-management if that’s what our member allotment societies want – and most of them do.”

Councillor Brian Coleman, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “To be honest, plot holders can run their own allotments a lot better than the council ever could.

“This will allow holders to get on and run sites in the way they see best.

“Whether it is installing accessible plots or areas for community group use for example, then it will be up to them.”