Welcome to Dentdale in the Yorkshire Dales   DENT ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION RULES

DENT ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

NAME

The name of the association shall be the Dent Allotment Association

OBJECTS

The objects of the association shall be:

·         To promote the interests of all members in the gardening activities and to take joint action for the benefits of members.

·         To take action to protect members against damage, trespass and theft.

·         To obtain a supply of seeds, fertilizers, tools and other horticultural equipment on behalf of members.

·         To arrange lectures, film shows, demonstrations, competitions and other social events.

·         To co-operate with other gardening associations and environmental organisations in matters of mutual interest.

·         To work within the aims of the Parish Plan

Membership

• The membership of the Association is open to all persons having a property address within LA10 postal district.

• The Association shall consist of such persons whose applications for membership are approved by the Committee.

• Non allotment holders can become support members of the association, but have no voting rights. They will benefit from some of the objectives of the association.

• Allocation of plots will be by request, subject to availability and there will be 1 plot for wheelchair access.

Subscription. 

• Member shall pay on entry into the Association a joining fee of £15.00 and thereafter an annual plot rental of £0.50 per sqm plus insurance and membership of NSALG, renewable on 1^st November in each year.

• Support members will also pay an annual fee of £5.00 renewable on 1^st November in each year. This will enable them to receive the benefit of the Allotment Association.

• A charge of £3.00 per plot will be levied for water, serviced by 3 stand pipes.

• Grass cutting will be done regular with a small charge to each plot holder

Arrears.

Any member who is one month in arrears with his plot rental shall be held to have ceased to be a member, unless explanation in writing is given to the Committee of extenuating circumstances.

Officers. 

The Officers of the Association shall be a President, Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.  They shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting.  Retiring Officers shall be eligible for re-election. There may also be ex-officio members of the Committee.

Committee.

The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a Committee of Management of not less than 5 members.  The Committee shall retire at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election.  Casual vacancies shall be filled by the Committee and the members so appointed shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.  A quorum shall be 3 members.

General Meetings.

The Annual General Meeting shall be held at such time as the Committee or a General Meeting shall decide.  A quorum shall comprise of 8 members. At the meeting the audited accounts and Secretary's Report shall be submitted to the Officers and Committee for the ensuing year elected.  Special General Meetings shall be called upon the requisition in writing to the Secretary of at least 10 members.  No party-political or sectarian discussions shall be raised or resolutions proposed at either Committee or General Meeting.

Bank Account.

The Committee shall open a banking account in the name of the Association and all monies received from any source on behalf of the Association shall be paid into such account.  Two out of three signatories shall sign cheques.

Auditors.

One auditor shall be appointed, who are not members of the Committee, to audit the accounts and report thereon to the Annual General Meeting.

Membership of The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd

Shall be applied for and it shall be a condition of membership to agree to pay such annual affiliation contributions as may from time to time be prescribed.

       Expenses

        Expenses will be paid to anyone attending meetings on Allotment business, if agreed by the Chairman.

The Plot Holder agrees:

a.       To pay a joining fee of £15.00 to the Association and, thereafter, the annual plot fee of £0.50 per sqm, plus insurance and membership of NSALG on or before 1^st Novemebr each year

b.       Not to use the plot for any trade or business purpose but soley for the cultivation of fruit, vegetables and flower for domestic use.

c.       Not to assign, part with, or sublet any part of the plot without the prior written consent of the Association

d.       To keep the plot free from weeds, well manured and otherwise maintained in a proper state of cultivation and fertility and in good condition

e.       Not to cause or permit nuisance or annoyance to the occupier of any adjoining land.

f.         To keep all pathways and central access way free from obstruction at all times.

g.       Not to cut or prune any tree without the permission of the Association.

h.       Not to erect or place on the plot any fences, building or structure ( other than a structure as defined by he Association).

i.         Not to keep any livestock or animals of any kind on the plot.

10. Lighing of fires should only be used for allotment waste produce.

11. Not to park vehicles on the Allotment area.

l.         Dogs must be on a lead at all times and must stay on the plot of the owner.

13. No trees to be planted on the allotment, only small fruit bushes / canes.

14. Only grass paths are to be used around the allotment and the maintance on the right side of  the plot  facing North should be maintaned by the plot holder.

15. Allocation of plots will be by request  subject to availability  and will have 1 plot for Wheelchair access.

16. The  communal areas  of the  Allotment  will be maintaned by the members on a rota system or by a contractor if agreement  by  the Allotment Mangement Committee.
17. Tenancy agreement for Sunnybank will be for 10 years with Land rental review dates every 2 years with any increase bases on RPI.

18. At the end of the agreement all Allotment plots holders will remove produce and any structure, to allow the land to go back into it natural condition
19. The land owner will supply all Manure to reduce the risk of diseases; a small charge will be made by the Land owner to the Allotment plot holder on the purchases for this product.
20. Bearing in mind our commitment to maintaining the fertility of the plots and also the   sensitive nature of the land and the wild life, we agree to use only sufficient fertiliser to maintain this fertility.
21. Plot holders are committed to organic methods of cultivation, as far as is reasonably practicable

  ___________________________________________________________________

 PLOT HOLDER AGREEMENT

Permitted ‘Structures’

1. Timber boarding (not exceeding 0.4m above ground level) to form raised beds. except  for wheelchair plot.

2. A single cold frame (not exceeding 2m x 1m in base area or 0.6m above ground level) placed on the land (moveable).

3. Water troughs to be supplied by the Allotment Association.

4. Temporary lightweight moveable frames to protect produce.

5. Cloches.

6. Temporary poles, canes, stakes and wires to support beans, fruit bushes etc.

7. Compost bins placed on the plot should not exceed a height of  1m above ground level and must be coloured grey or green.

The Association agrees:

1. To pay the annual rent for the allotment site
2. To maintain all boundary fences,gates and hedges in good order.
3. To join and remain a member of the NSALG with the benefits of;

• Seed discount
• Quarterly Magazine
• Specialist insurance for the site
• Advice and guidance on legal matters

Termination of Agreement:

1. The period of notice to be given to the plot holder on termination of this agreement shall be not less than six months, except in so far as the termination relates to a breach of this Agreement in which case the notice period will be not less than one month.

2. Any notice to be given to the plot holder shall be sent by recorded post to the plot holder’s last known address. Any correspondance relating to this Agreement shall be addressed to the Association‘s Secretary address. Any correspondance relating to this Agreement shall be addressed to the Association’s Secretary.

3. The Secretary should be notified if the individual plot holder has exceptional circumstances   such as illness which prevented their allotment being maintained in a reasonable state. Termination notice from plot holder should be agreed with the Secretary

Signed-------------------------------------------------(plot holder)

 ___________________________________________________________________

 SUPPORT MEMBERS

This Agreement is made on1st November 2009 in respect of Support member

NAME  ------------

and is between the Dent Allotment Assocoation (the ‘Association’)

The Support members agrees:

·  To pay a annual membership fee of £5.00 to the Association due on or before the  1^st   November.

     Benefits of Membership

·   Join with other members in gardening activities arranged by the Association.

·   To obtain a supply of seeds and  fertilizers at discount prices.

·   To attend lectures, film shows, demonstrations, competitions and other social events.

·   To co-operate with other gardening associations and environmental organisations   in matters of mutual interest.

·   To work within the aims of the Parish Plan, fostering stronger communities.

·   Help to reduce food miles reducing your carbon footprint.

     The Association agrees:

To join and remain a member of the NSALG with the benefits of;

• Seed discount
• Quarterly Magazine
• Specialist insurance for the site
• Advice and guidance on legal matters

     Termination of Agreement:

1. The agreement can be terminated at any time

Signed-------------------------------------------------(Support member)