I would agree with what Mum has said and if the council is run properly then they should be contacting the plot holder to discuss if they wish to continue using the plot as with our allotments the terms and conditions state that the plot should be cultivated for growing veg each year and the same should apply to most allotments T&C'S
my Daughter was contacted last year by the allotment committee to ask her if she still wanted her plot as she was a bit late starting cultivation she pointed out that was a bit late starting because my son in law had contracted covid there where a few red faces from the committee the when she explained the reason why she was late starting the allotment plot
so your dilemma what to do as Mum said write to the council ask them if the plot has been paid for this year and if so will the people who have paid there rent be cultivated as its been left uncultivated and could it not be offered to someone who is waiting for an allotment? a no brainer me thinks
as far as the paths concerned I'm not sure if there's any requirement for path widths on the allotments for safety reasons for the use of access to each plot mite be worth looking into that if the council have a plan of the allotments like we do because if the paths where not in compliance with such then that would leave the council open to non conformance and may result in a claim if someone was to injure themselves because the path did not conform to there T&C'S of the allotments plan you could also ask the clerk should there be one or that department of the council dealing with allotments to show you the allotments plan and point out where your referring to on the plan also they should have a record of who's paid for that plot if indeed its been paid for?
i find it a bit lackadaisical of the council not to have appointed someone on the council to oversee the
allotments with periodic checks obviously someone needs to get there act together on that council a few new appointments on your council would not seem out of place
i suggest you put pen to paper ASAP to the council but before that ring the council ask who you should refer this matter to and keep a copy of the letter sent i hope this advise helps you to resolve the present situation