DALBEATTIE COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION RULES.

(1)

Allotments shall be cultivated wholly or mainly to produce vegetables, soft fruit and flower crops for the consumption and/or enjoyment of the plot-holder or the plot-holder’s family.

Organic principles are to be encouraged in the cultivation of all plots. Plot-holders may not sell their produce for commercial gain.

(2)

Allotments shall be kept in proper order and operations on it, including preparing the ground and burning or disposal of rubbish, shall be done in such a way as not to cause a nuisance.

Carpets must not be used for weed suppression.

(3)

The paths adjoining the allotment shall be kept in good repair, the path closest to the plot being the plot-holder’s responsibility. The use of any form of chemical weed killer by plot-holders on individual plots is not permitted and plot-holders should use their best endeavours to protect other allotments and the produce thereon. When making the deliveries of manure, soil, etc. plot-holders must take measures to protect the road from damage or spillage.

The ‘controlled’ suppression of weeds on roads, car park and other designated areas will be undertaken by members of the Committee and/or others authorized by the Committee, using methods appropriate to the task (including the use of weed killer).

(4)

The plot-holder shall be entitled to place, and keep on the allotment, a box for holding tools etc, provided that no such box shall exceed three feet in height.

(5)

The plot-holder shall also be entitled to place and keep on the allotment a standard shed or greenhouse. Prior to erecting any structure, however, the plot-holder must advise the Allotment Committee of their intention to do so and of the type and size of the structure. All paintwork shall be brown or green.

(6)

At the termination of the tenancy the plot-holder shall leave the allotment in a clean and orderly state and, depending on the next tenant, may have to remove any toolbox, hut or greenhouse he/she has put on the plot.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the Association having them removed at the plot-holder’s expense.

(7)

Notification of termination of tenancy should be made to the Secretary of the Association. This notice should be made as soon as possible and not later than 20th October in each year. Failure to give reasonable notice of termination may involve a responsibility for rent for the ensuing season.

(8)

The plot-holder shall not be entitled to sublet the ground in whole or in part, nor assign the tenancy thereof, without prior permission of the Association Committee in writing.

(9)

In the event of a dispute between plot-holders, the problem must initially be discussed between the plot-holders concerned and, if no solution is forthcoming, the relevant plot-holder must write to the Association Committee for arbitration.

Any member who fails to observe the rules, or commits any other nuisance, may have their lease terminated.

The Association Committee have the power to terminate leases after writing to the plot-holder and giving them an opportunity to remedy the complaint in question.

(10)

If a plot-holder is to be absent for a significant part of the growing season, or is unable for some reason to cultivate his or her plot, he/she must arrange for someone to maintain the plot in their absence and should inform the Committee, in writing, who must first agree to the arrangements and would then monitor the condition and use of the plot. If the plot-holder has problems arranging cover, he/she should contact the Committee in writing, who will then try to arrange for its temporary cultivation.

When a plot has not been cultivated to the standards expected of a plot-holder and agreed by the Committee at a monthly meeting, then a letter shall be sent out requesting that the plot-holder carries out works to reinstate the plot to an acceptable level before the next Committee meeting. The plot will be inspected by a Committee member the day before the next meeting to ensure works have been carried out. Failure to comply will result in a notice of termination being sent to the plot-holder, who will have one month to vacate the plot.

(11)

Plot-holders should, where possible, walk or cycle to their allotments, thus reducing further their impact on the environment.

(12)

Each plot-holder should have an area of their plot set aside for the purpose of composting.

(13)

All members of the association are invited to contribute to the maintenance of the common areas of the allotment site (e.g. Roads/Car Park/Community Area etc). They can do this by adding their names to the ‘Site Maintenance List’ or by taking responsibility for a specific task/area on the site (e.g. weeding and watering the flower planters long the main drive, keeping the community area tidy, painting benches, etc.) or other tasks as requested by the Committee.

(14)

The growing of trees, the keeping of bees or livestock on the site is not permitted.

(15)

No animals may be kept at the allotments and any plot-holder who brings a dog to the allotments must ensure that it is kept within the confines of his/her plot, preferably on a lead.

(16)

Plot-holders who bring children to the allotments are responsible for their behaviour and their safety.

(17)

All dumping is strictly prohibited and plot-holders must either compost or recycle their waste materials or remove it from the site themselves.

(18)

Plot Occupancy and Allocation

No member should be allowed, on a permanent basis, to occupy more than two full plots.

At the AGM if there is no waiting list, and if plots are available, then members can be allocated an additional plot on a yearly agreement. This plot must be returned in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the growing season.

If there are any available plots, and several members requiring additional plots, these should be allocated from a draw from the list of applicants.

No permanent structures should be placed on these additional plots.

All plot allocations should be managed by the Plot Allocator or the Committee’s Executive members.