Things may have been toasty but allotment holders in Whitehill & Bordon are set for a big freeze.

Whitehill Town Council has decided not to increase charges for its allotment holders as the money raised would be minimal.

But it was the hot topic on a sweltering night in the council chamber, as some feel that WTC is spending too much on subsiding holders while others are feeling the pinch.

It was suggested during the Executive Committee meeting that holders are paying more for their plots than their counterparts in Farnham and East Hampshire.

Town clerk, Lorraine Jeffs, disputed the claim, reminding councillors there is no water charge for users locally and suggested it costs more to rent a plot in Farnham.

But with just 38 standard plots available at the Mill Chase and Saville Crescent sites, Cllr Catherine Clarke feels the lucky few should be paying more, especially when fees for things like football pitch rental have increased.

She said: “We’re funding allotments for 38 people, and ok, it’s statutory, but to me the money coming from allotments isn’t enough.

“What we get back is not going to cover a lot but we need to be getting to a level where we less subsidise it.”

Cllr Linda Delve said: “We’re never going to get any more plots – but do we just accept it’s going to be a cost?

“You could say it’s unfair to the rest because we can’t give them a plot, and the statutory right of 38 people is taking precedent above everybody else.”

But despite the calls for an increase, Cllr Andy Tree’s proposal for a freeze was approved as he felt a small increase would “generate nothing except admin”.

He added: “A significant increase could make an impact on our costs but that would be quite draconian.”