Rules

Henley-on-Thames Allotments Association Rules as Amended 2005

1. This association shall be named the Henley-on-Thames Allotments Association and shall be open to members resident in the Henley area or within 15 miles, who rent an allotment from Henley Town Council.
2. The Association shall be governed by a Committee consisting of Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary (the Officers) and eight members, all of whom, together with an auditor, shall be elected annually at the AGM, to be held before 31st October each year. The eight members shall be made up of four members from each site and constitute each site committee, six out of eleven to form a quorum (there must be two members from each site) for the transaction of business. In the event of any vacancy occurring in the Committee, the Committee shall have the power of filling such vacancy until the next AGM. The Town Council has the right to nominate two additional members of the Committee (These members are non-voting).
3. Allottees shall cultivate their respective allotments in a satisfactory manner and shall keep the same free from weeds and any allottee not so cultivating his/her allotment in accordance with the rules of the Association will have his/her tenancy referred to the Town Clerk. Care must be taken at all times with regard to the use of toxic chemicals. Carpet as ground cover is unacceptable.
4. In cases of stealing from the allotments or malicious damage by allottees or other persons, the matter should be reported at once to the Secretary who will institute the necessary action.
5. Each allottee shall pay rent to the Town Council within the prescribed period.
6. Officers and members of the Committee shall be entitled at any time to enter upon and inspect the allotments.
7. Allottees should avoid allowing plants to grow over neighbouring allotments or paths.
8. Allottees should be considerate and behave appropriately to other allottees in all parts of the allotment site. Parking must be in the designated parking areas only unless unloading.
9. Allottees shall be at liberty to grow any kind of vegetables, flowers, herbs or fruit on their allotments but shall be restricted to approximately one third of the area for the cultivation of fruit. Standard fruit trees or any other tree shall not be planted.
10. Allottees shall cultivate the allotment for and shall only use it for the production of vegetables, flowers, herbs and fruit for domestic consumption by himself/herself, family and friends.
11. Allottees shall not obstruct any path set out by the Council for the use of the occupiers of the allotments. Each allottee shall be responsible for, and must keep their half of the path mown. The path being a minimum of 2', 1' coming from each allotment.
12. Allottees shall not dump any refuse or rubbish of any kind on the Council's land or bring on to the site any refuse or rubbish to store or burn. Allottees shall not store any household equipment, nor building materials including wood on the allotment or on the allotment site.
13. Allottees shall not remove from the allotment to any other part of the site any material whatsoever, but shall dig in compost or burn (see good bonfire guide) on the plot all weeds, rubbish and waste products.
14. Allottees shall not store any vehicle or vehicle parts on the allotment or allotment site.
15. No allottee may erect a shed for tools without the sanction of the Committee, which on quitting they shall be at liberty to remove or sell to another allottee. All sheds should be kept in good order.
16. Allottees shall not keep any livestock of any kind on the allotment, except poultry as laid down in the guide lines.
17. Allottees shall ensure that dogs brought onto the allotments are kept under control at all times.
18. Allottees shall not erect any fencing or barbed wire on the allotments.
19. Allottees shall ensure that the plot number allocated to them is kept in goood condition and clearly displayed.
20. Allottees shall only use hand held hosepipes and watering cans, the use of sprinklers is strictly forbidden.
21. Allottees may only take firearms/weapons on to the allotments with written consent of the Town Council.
22. Allottees must inform the committee of any change of name or address.
23. Allottees must seek permission of the Committee before reassigning plots.
24. If you plan to give up your allotment can you please let the committee know in writing in good time.
25. These rules shall not be amended except at the AGM or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, of which 14 days notice shall be given, and then only by a 2/3rds majority of the delegates present. Notice of amendments must be sent to the secretary in writing, not less than 7 days before the date of such a meeting.
26. General Meetings can be called by the executive committee. The Quorum for a General Meeting is 25 members. A quorate can overturn any decision of the executive committee. If a special general meeting is requested by 25 members within a 4 week period, it must be called within 3 weeks of the 25th request being received.
27. Any matter not provided for in these rules shall be dealt with by the committee at their discretion.