Site Rules

Litherland Allotments and Land Fertility Association Rules

1. The name of the club shall be Litherland Allotments and Land Fertility Association.

2. To promote interest of the allotment holders and to take joint action for the benefit of members.

3. Membership will be for plot holders only.

4. Rents will be set for each calendar year for each plot and be due on 30 days from the date of the AGM. This rent covers the period 1st April to 31st March (inclusive).

5. Rents must be paid to the Association bank, Treasurer or another officer of the committee by the last last due date each year. Any member who fails to pay in this timeframe shall cease to be a member and their plot will be re-let without further notice.

6. Application for plots shall be made to the Secretary who shall have the power to let same or re-let same in accordance with Rule 5.

7. The tenant [plot holder(s)] shall keep their plot in a good state of cultivation by the application of manure, fertilisers and lime and in a clean and weed free condition to the satisfaction of the committee. At least 75% of the space must be allotted to growing fruit and vegetables and flowers. In addition all trees must be edible fruit or nut and pruned in both height and width so they do not interfere with other tenants’ enjoyment, safety or sunlight.

8. Inspections will take place monthly throughout the calendar year on the 1st Sunday of the month following the committee meeting. New plot holders will be inspected after 28 days.

9. The plot holder shall also keep the roadway and paths adjacent to their plot clear, safe and weed free including bushes and brambles, and should allow wheelbarrow width access for all members. The committee are empowered to visit plots periodically. The tenant of a neglected plot shall be given one month to clean and cultivate their holding and if they do not do so without reasonable excuse the committee shall have the power to re-let the plot without further notice and without refunding any monies already paid.

10. Plot holders shall at times carry out the instructions of the committee and co-operate with them in administering these rules.

11. Plot holders shall enter and leave by the recognised entrance gates and ensure they are locked at all times after entry and after departure.

12. A copy of these rules shall be given to full paid members, acceptance of these rules is a condition of membership. In paying rent members agree to comply with these rules.

13. The officers shall be Chair, Treasurer, Secretary who shall be ex- officio members of the committee.

14. The committee shall retire at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election. A quorum for a committee meeting shall be given as 5 committee members. Co-opted members may not form a quorum.

15. The funds of the association shall be lodged with a local bank or building society and all money received shall be paid into the account. Cheques shall be signed by any two from Chair, Treasurer or Secretary.

16. There shall be two auditors, appointed from the members, who are not members of the committee, to audit the stock in the shop each year.

17. The annual general meeting shall take place in April of each year. The quorum shall be 20 members and in case of a tied vote the Chair shall have the casting vote. The secretary’s report and accounts shall be submitted and officers for the ensuing year shall be elected. The notice of the meeting and the agenda shall be forwarded by post, social media, Whatsapp or handed personally to a member seven days before the meeting. Special meetings shall be called upon request, signed by at least ten members. The meeting shall decide who pays the expenses of the meeting.

18. No party political or sectarian discussion shall be raised, or resolution proposed either at a committee meeting or general meeting of the association.

19. There shall be no fires at any time (other than November 5th) on association land. Any member lighting a fire will cease to be a member of the association and their plot be re-let without further notice and without refunding any monies already paid. Said member would be afforded 7 days to remove their property.

20. There shall be no carpets kept on association land for any reason.

21. The speed limit on association land shall be 5 miles per hour.

22. All new members shall have one month to organise and cultivate their plot or their plot will be re-let without further notice and without refunding any monies already paid.

23. Any skips supplied by the council shall not be over filled and members shall not tip rubbish anywhere on the allotment site. Material that is compostable shall not be placed in the skips.

24. If any member is caught tipping, their plot be re-let without further notice and without refunding any monies already paid.

25. No person shall be allowed to remove produce from any allotment (other than their own) unless the plot holder is present or unless they have written permission of the plot holder. Husbands/wives and children over the age of 16 are the exception. Any member caught stealing from another members plot or acting abusively or violently towards another member shall be evicted and their plot be re-let without further notice and without refunding any monies already paid in line with LA&LFA Harassment and Anti Bullying Policy.

26. If any member finds evidence of vandalism they shall inform the plot holder. It is for the plot holder to decide if they shall inform the police.

27. All dogs must be kept on a leash in communal areas. Any member bringing pets onto the site should carry at least two dog poop bags at all times and clear any fouling immediately.

28. No person under the age of 16 is allowed on site unless supervised by an adult member

29. Motorcycles are not allowed on association land. Drivers of cars and cyclists must exercise care, keep within the 5MPH speed limit and give way to pedestrians on association land.

30. Keys to the entrance gate will be provided by the association upon payment of a deposit of £25.00. £10.00 will be refunded when the key is returned. If a key is lost/misplaced a second key will be issued provided that a further £15.00 [non-refundable] is paid.

31. Any member shall have the right of appeal against any decision made by the committee and shall have the right of a personal hearing by the committee. The member may be accompanied by a friend who may speak for/with them.

32. Any matter not dealt with in these rules shall be dealt with by the committee at their discretion.

33. Sheds, Greenhouses and any other buildings permanent or temporary should not be erected without written agreement of the committee. All structures will be inspected monthly during committee inspections and the tenant of any deemed unsafe written to and given notice to amend or remove.

34. Complaints by members shall be made in writing, signed and handed to an officer of the management team or committee or sent via email. Anonymous complaints will be ignored.

35. Should a person leave and another tenant take over the vacant plot no refund will be given to the person leaving.

36. When a new person takes over a plot they will pay the full rent due. However if a person takes over a plot between Oct-Mar then only half of the rent will be payable for that year.

37. In the event of the death of a member all items on the deceased plot will be offered to the deceased’s family and a period of 28 days allowed to collect. The plot will be transferred to a family member if confirmed in writing. After 28 says all items on said plot become the property of the association. Any claim otherwise must be accompanied by a letter from the deceased or their family to support the other members’ claims. Verbal agreements will not suffice.​

38. There is an agreement with local residents that “The Allotment Association recognise that there may be occasions when tenants may wish to maintain their fence line, from the allotment side. On these occasions, we request that be put in writing to us and we will endeavour to provide access. It is helpful if as much notice as possible can be given, as our tenants may have produce growing on our land which needs to be safeguarded from trampling.” All tenants must leave a 3ft gap on the external boundary of all plots that run adjacent to Norwood Avenue, Litherland Park, Hatton Hill Road, Stanley Park. This excludes structures already in situ when the plot is issued.

39. Gates should be closed and locked at all times. All members are responsible for this (and should not rely on anyone else who may be on the site at the time) without exception.

40. No additional plot will be let to an existing Plot Holder or a Helper of a plot in the event that the current plot worked by the Plot Holder and/or Helper has not been maintained to a suitable standard in accordance with the rules of the Association.

​