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DAGA Rules 

 

Preamble

Members must comply with Association Rules at all times.

The Committee is responsible for the enforcement of the Association Rules.

All complaints between members must be made in writing to the Organising Group who will follow the disputes resolution procedure.

 

1. General Allotment Upkeep (Common Areas)

 

1.1. Members must keep the entrance gate locked at all times.

1.2. The dumping or storage of rubbish or other items not related to allotment upkeep is prohibited. Members continuing  so to do, following an Organising Group warning, will lose their right to membership.

1.3. Members are responsible for ensuring that the communal footpath at the end of each plot is at least 6 ft wide, regularly cleared of rubbish, weed free and well drained. Fences must not lean onto or occupy the communal footpath.

1.4. Trees of natural importance must not to be destroyed or damaged. Heavy pruning or major alterations may be done with prior Organising Group approval.

1.5. Members are required to undertake 2 hours of communal work each year.

 

2. Upkeep of Individual Plots

2.1. All allotment paths must be a minimum of 15 inches wide and be kept clear of obstructions. Sheds are to cease 6 feet from the railway bank fence, which should be maintained at a minimum height of 5 feet 6 inches and be kept rubbish free.

2.3. Any building or shed erected on allotment ground must be done so only with the Organising Group approval.

2.4. Compost heaps must be placed as far away from dwellings as practicable.

2.5. Members must remove all broken glass, cans, unwanted metal objects and plastic of any kind from their plots and not leave them on the footpaths.

2.6. The gap between the back garden fence and the allotment fence (when applicable), should be well maintained either as a nature reserve or plot extension by the plot holder. Members are responsible for repair, regular maintenance and upkeep of the neighbours’ rear garden fence.

2.7. Major alterations to party fences should be done with consent and prior Organising Group agreement.

2.8. The watering of allotments must be done by tank water only and not by direct hosing.

 

3. Cultivation of Plots

3.1. Plots must be devoted to the cultivation of vegetables and fruit and be kept clear of bindweed, brambles, bracken and other pernicious and invasive weeds.

3.2. Members are expected to maintain 80% cultivation of their plot or expect to be required to share their plot or in extreme cases, lose the right to DAGA membership and their plots will be reassigned to new members on the waiting list on a first come first served basis.

4. Tenancy

4.1. Only bona-fide members of DAGA and their immediate family have the right to cultivate allotment plots. No plot or part of a plot is to be transferred or sublet without the authority of the Organising Group. Temporary arrangements can be made with prior Organising Group agreement.

4.2. A waiting list of prospective members will be kept by the Organising Group. Plots will be distributed to new members strictly on a first come first served basis.

4.3. Existing members wishing to have more than one plot must put their name on the waiting list and will be treated as if they are new members.

4.4. Notice to give up tenancy by either the tenant or Association is to be given three months in advance in writing.

4.5. Keys may be obtained for the pedestrian gate at a cost of £10.00 and for the car gate at a cost of £25.

 

5. Membership and Fees

 

5.1. All membership fees must be paid by late August bank holiday after which date a £10 fine will be added.

6. Conduct

6.1. Members must not infringe the right of others to use and enjoy their plots by using loud radios, taking or borrowing items without permission (including vegetables, fruit, sticks, stakes, apparently discarded tools, or removing wheelbarrows from the front gate).

6.2. Members must not make racist, sexist, homophobic, aggressive, threatening or other insulting remarks to other members or visitors or to allotment neighbors.

6.3. Members must not enter other members’ plots without permission (this rule does not apply to Organising Group members whilst on Organising Group business)

6.4. Members’ children are welcome on the allotments but must be kept under supervision and confined to the parents’ plot.

6.5. Members’ dogs are allowed on the site provided they are constrained to the owners plot and that dog mess is cleared up and disposed of in an appropriate manner. Responsible dog exercising is welcome.

7. Disputes and Reconciliation

7.1. Members must do everything in their power to ensure good relationships are maintained with allotment neighbours and fellow plot holders. Any complaints must be made in writing to the Hon. Sec. and / or promptly notified to the committee.

7.2. Members should always make use of the Organising Group reconciliation processes when disputes arise and not take matters into their own hands.

 

DAGA Disputes Resolution Procedure

 

a. The Committee will respond to a written complaint within seven days explaining the action to be taken.

b. A meeting of three Organising Group members may be convened to hear and resolve a dispute. Both/all parties requesting a hearing must agree to be bound by the decision of the meeting.

c. The Organising Group may issue an Enforcement Notice in writing to a member in respect of an upheld complaint or breach of Association rules.
d. The Enforcement Notice will detail the action to be taken, improvement or cessation of action required and the time frame for completion/compliance.
e. Failure to comply with the Enforcement Notice within the time frame stated will result in the issue of a final written warning.
f. Failure to comply with a final written warning will result in termination of membership by the committee.
g. In extreme circumstances the Organising Group may suspend membership immediately pending an investigation and final decision by the Organising Group. Suspended members lose their right to enter the plots.

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