Rights on an Allotment

[Big Mama]

Folks,
I am new to the allotment scene and am confused as to the rights and legality of our local allotments.
We are taking over an plot next week that has been a chaps who has decided to be the next secretary upon the sad demise (before xmas) of the last secretary.
When we went to view the allotment held by the deceased secretary with his daughter we were approached by the wife of a chap who wants to become the next sec. and told we had to go through them to get the ploat and "anyway I am having this plot" was what we were told, to the surprise of the deceased sec's daughter with whom we had just agreed terms for the greenhouses.
Can plot holders just decide the fate of the plots and who has what when someone dies and without the knowledge of the council. He has put in exchange papers already as well as those for the ajdoining plot for his wife without asking or notifying anyone.
Can someone advise me what to do as this man wants us to have his plot as he "is having" the deceased secs?
Jan

[MKG]

Sounds a tad feudal to me. Other people here will know much more than I do, but it does seem to me that there should be an allotments committee who would elect the next secretary, shouldn't there?

[Mydreamlife]

Round here the council decide as far as I know... they produce a list of available plots and you apply ( and pay for yours ) then away you go! However everywhere's different! Why not check with the gentle man who said you can have it what the usual rules are and then go frrom there, if the council are the deciders that would be my next point of call!!

Good luck and don't let it put you off th eidea of an alotment.... they're great fun!!! and soooooooooo rewarding.

Claire

[maggienetball]

If the deceased chap was secretary then the Council doesn't allocate the plots, the allotment association does. Although this all seems very difficult, it could be that it is a simple misunderstanding.
It is highly unlikely that the "new secretary" has elected himself, although he may have nominated himself, he would need to be approved by the rest of the committee at the least, if not voted for by the membership.
The secretary will normally handle the waiting list and allocate the plots accordingly.
It sounds as if there has been mix up in communication and you have been allocated a plot that has already (rightly or wrongly) been earmarked. Unfortunately, lots of Allotment groups are not as transparent as they should be. But progress is on the way.
I always feel that we shouldn't hold too much of this "old school" committee stuff against people, after all, if they had not been so committed to their allotments over the years many would have folded. Often they took on 4 or more plots just to keep the council off their backs as there were no takers. They maintained them, and now, in our modern age, when plots are in demand, they are being criticised for having too many plots!
Perhaps you could try to see the positive in this? At least you have been allocated a plot. There are thousands of people all over the country who haven't and have been waiting years. Maybe accept the plot that the new secretary is offering you in good grace and accept that a mistake has happened.
Don't let it spoil your view of allotments. It is a truly therapeutic and worthwhile pastime. Enjoy.

[Big Mama]

Just thought I would let everyone know we had the keys brought round today for our allotment, sorted all problems out and have been for a stroll to see what work we have to do.
Lucky for us we only need some staging and a quick hoing and we are ready!!
We cant wait.
Chicks in the back garden in the next mobth or so too!!!!!
Jan

[maggienetball]

Glad it's all been sorted out. You're very lucky to have a plot in need of such little work too! Good luck with your planting, let us know how it goes.

Out of interest, how long have you been on the waiting list and how much do you have to pay for a years rental?

[Big Mama]

We only went to see the plot after a quick decision to apply for one at the end of February...Sorry not a massive wait as some on here have to endure....
There are empty plots as well as those unkemp as the owners choose to ignore them but others are unable to force their hand to keep them tidy.
On the whole they are fine.
There are a few areas of allotments around here and 1 in particular which needs bulldozing!!!
Our plot is £49 but will be increasing 2009/10 by 25% !!!!
We have water and rubbish collection so good facilities.
Hopefully the weekend will see us planning our plot...