Kettering Allotments Society 

DISCIPLINARY AND GRIEVANCE POLICY -reviewed and updated 2022



Preamble The Society has rules and members agree to follow the rules when they pay rent and renew their tenancy. The rules are published on our website and available on request.



Not every possible misdemeanour can be specified in the rules. For some matters there is more detail in policy and guidance documents, also published on our website. Anything illegal may also be considered a disciplinary matter as well as being reported to the Police.

The two underlying principles for all rules and policies are that allotments are intended for cultivation of crops and that we should avoid harm, whether it is harming others, ourselves or the environment.

Bringing the Allotment Society into disrepute will be considered as a disciplinary matter as will abusive language or threatening behaviour towards any person.  Members, plot holders, stewards, committee members and visitors have the right to feel safe on allotments and not be subjected to swearing or intimidation of any kind.



Procedures
1.1 If a tenant breaks the rules, the committee reserves the right to apply disciplinary measures. The ultimate sanction is eviction (termination of tenancy). Eviction for non-cultivation for 3 months (rule 32 and cultivation policy) does not require a formal committee process unless the tenant appeals (1.6 below). The main reason for eviction is non-cultivation for 3 months. Further details on this are found in our cultivation guidelines and policy see http://www.ketteringallotments.co.uk/cultivationguide.html

1.2 Each case will be dealt with on its own merits.

1.3 Initially a fact-finding investigation is expected. Tenants and the stewards should be given the opportunity to talk things through with the aim of resolving things amicably.

1.4 Tenants should be informed of allegations against them including the evidence which should be provided in advance of any formal meeting

1.5 A variety of methods of intervention will be used including:-

  1. Discussion meetings between tenant and stewards

  2. Further discussion and mediation with tenant, steward and an officer of the committee (eg chairman, secretary)

  3. Verbal warnings

  4. Written warnings

  5. Formal disciplinary committee meeting

  6. Appeal committee meeting

1.6 Depending on the seriousness of the problem eg; gross misconduct, one or more stages of intervention could be bypassed. The tenant will be informed of which stages if any have been bypassed.

1.7 The tenant has the right of appeal. 

1.8 The formal disciplinary committee should consist of 3 members of the general committee chaired by a member who is not on the same field as the tenant involved. 

1.9 The Appeal committee should consist of a different 3 members of the general committee chaired by a member from a different field than the tenant involved.

2.0 If a tenant feels they have a grievance with the committee they have the right to have the matter dealt with in a reasonable manner. Grievances and complaints will be taken seriously and dealt with by a complaints committee. Complaints should be made in writing and sent to the secretary. Complaints procedures are listed in a separate policy at http://www.ketteringallotments.co.uk/complaints.html

2.1 The initial complaints committee shall consist of 3 members of the general committee not involved in the original incident from which the complaint arose.

3.0 In the case of eviction the tenant should be given up to a maximum of one month to remove all his/her tools/equipment from the plot. The time period will be decided by the disciplinary committee.

Disciplinary & Grievance Policy ends updated and agreed by committee May 2021