FORMAL COMPLAINT
From: Paul Griffin Plot 84
at: Rochford Road Allotments
Date Started: Monday 10th March 2025
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Introduction
Note: The extra information and background is because I intend to seek a third party to arbitrate as my observations of the actions of the site manager and [Committee Member A] and her partner [Committee Member B] seem extremely unscrupulous and unfair. I have helped other plot holders that they have picked on over several months and now they have started on me. The observation is the committee have done little or nothing to deal with it and seem to support it even though it is causing so much unrest as the plot holders are bullied by [Committee Member A] and [Committee Member B]. So, my thoughts are if I will be treated fairly by the committee or should I seek independent arbitration to ensure fairness. I have opted for the latter, but because of that I am including a brief history of my experience at the allotment.
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My Contribution to the Allotment Community
I have had a plot at Rochford Road Allotments for several years. In that time, I have been open about my disabilities and been helped by various plot holders and helped others including site repairs and the committee events.
My contribution over the last 5 years is:
1. Baking Cakes for RRA Events
2. New roof on the Toilet Block
3. Removing old broken sinks and fitting new sinks
4. Fixing burst pipes in the ladies' toilet
5. Turning off the standpipe supply as a pipe had burst
6. Getting tonnes of compost trade for other plot holders
7. Helping countless other plot holders
I do this and never charge. I enjoy helping. Other plot holders have helped me when I need it and I am hindered by various health conditions as well as recognising we all have different skill sets. It isn't just the mutual benefits for me—the friendships, comradery and community all matter greatly to the opportunity of growing organic produce to take home and eat.
I believe genuine people at the allotment look past each other's issues and differences of opinion and get on because of common ground and the allotment community with all of its friendships and diversities. Basically, they look to understand rather than judge and have no desire to make any other person's life a misery. In fact, my experience in general is quite the opposite!
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Early Concerns
I attended the first AGM in my first year of being a plot holder. It was over quickly as it was basically concluding no changes and all was to remain the same. Two weeks later [Plot Holder A] in the corner plot remarked he had been kicked off the committee! That was surprising as I was there for the whole meeting and it wasn't mentioned, and they concluded no changes. I found this conflicting but didn't raise any formal complaint.
My water butt had run out as I shared it with other new plot holders who needed water for seedlings before the site had turned on the water supply to the standpipes. I cobbled together several hose pipes to run a hose from the gents' toilets to my water butt. I could have used a watering can but the sink was broken and the watering can would cause further damage. As I was putting the hose pipes away, [Committee Member C] pulled in the carpark and discussed the issue. She was not best pleased and she remarked I was lucky that she had caught me and implied if it was the Chairman ([Committee Member D]) I would have been in trouble. I enquired why, to which the answer was: "If the Chinese see you doing that, they'll all be doing it—they like their plots underwater!" I didn't engage after that as it didn't really justify anything at all. About an hour later [Committee Member D] turned up on my plot and told me I am not to do that again.
On replacing the broken toilet sinks with new ones a year later, I mentioned the damage was probably caused by watering cans being forced under the taps. I was asked by various plot holders if I could fit a bib tap. I already had one and asked various people who all referred me to ask [Committee Member C]. The reason I was given for refusing the request was that the water would be stolen. I didn't fit the tap and didn't want to cause an issue or confrontation.
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Committee Culture and the Handbook
Quite often different plot holders congregate and chat about issues. I picked up site nicknames—"the witches" for the committee. I think it was a term used in jest or when the rules were changed and the handbook was enforced. I actually thought it was funny in many respects. I had noted that any changes in the handbook were a surprise to all the plot holders and no consultation outside the committee had taken place. The committee was mainly women and seemed to have a fast turnover as there seemed conflict from those who left.
The handbook was a point of contention as the "Council Tenancy Agreement" is a document that has been scrutinised legally by the Council's legal team to ensure it complies with the 2010 Equality Act so everybody had equal flexibility and opportunity whether they had busy jobs, big families, busy lifestyles or disabilities etc. That way it would be a sanctuary and place of enjoyment. The handbook did not seem to reflect the Council's Agreement and limited flexibility. I understood it as the committee should be enforcing the Council Tenancy Agreement, not enforcing a handbook created by committee members without any input from the majority of the plot holders who are not on the committee.
The committee members are selected and cherry-picked. It is not an opportunity that has been offered to every plot holder. I have never been invited while other plot holders—seemingly women—are approached frequently. So it seems a very limiting and autocratic process selecting candidates who go with the flow when it should be a fully open democratic one. So, I don't feel the committee can represent the plot holders or their needs.
A recent issue regarding plot allocation: a plot holder was led to believe he could get another plot for a family member and then refused because of a long waiting list. I thought the priority of all committees is its plot holders—the waiting lists are just that!
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Pathway Safety
Pathways! They are a nightmare with badgers and foxes digging up holes. Spring last year (2024) I fell down one and am still undergoing treatment hopefully to avoid surgery. Signs on the gate are not enough. The owner of the paths is liable. I could have gone to a no-win no-fee but haven't as I do not want to create further havoc. If people cannot read or miss the signs because they are in a rush, it will remain the liability of who is responsible for the pathway. So it is a duty of the site manager to keep the plot holders and all site visitors safe.
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The John Incident – Stopping Me from Helping a 92-Year-Old Veteran
In October, [Plot Holders B and C] in the shop were chatting about [Plot Holder D] leaving their plot and how they were going to manage their plot as [Plot Holder D] had helped but left. I offered to help etc with the corn cage etc.
A few weeks later after I returned from a holiday, I went into [Plot Holder B]'s corn cage and started weeding. After a little while, [Plot Holder E] approached me and said "I had to stop, [Committee Member A] said I couldn't help [Plot Holder B]!" On challenging the "not to help" request with "it's [Plot Holder B]'s plot", [Plot Holder E] informed me [Committee Member A] can do what she likes. Anyway, I stopped and cleared my tools.
On returning to my plot, [Plot Holder F] had received a text from the site manager saying "stop Paul from helping [Plot Holder B]". Then I got an email from the committee secretary informing me of the same!
I was a little bewildered, anxious at this time as I knew that it was not lawful and to deny a pensioner help was an abhorrent thing to do. It plunged me into a situation that has caused so much stress.
Then I spoke to [Plot Holders B and C]. Loads of related issues came up, but what was apparent was that [Plot Holder B] was an ex-paratrooper, 92 years old, almost blind. He had run the allotment shop for years, given fantastic service to both his country and the allotment, and really wanted his plot. My reasoning was to say to [Plot Holder B] what do YOU want. He made it clear he wanted to keep his plot but needed help. I then said look, IT IS YOUR DECISION TO MAKE. He made it, so I helped. Help YOU wanted to stop!
On the Saturday prior to bonfire night, I turned up to support the event and the site manager [Committee Member A] spoke to me and said sorry for the confusion over [Plot Holder B]'s plot and then said if I help him, they couldn't get his plot off of him! I went quiet and [Plot Holder F] was pulling me away as she knows from the prior requests I was going to argue the point.
I have a moral compass and it was being really pushed. So I didn't get much sleep, got up early, looked at my phone, found my [Committee Member A] / [Committee Member B] number and sent [Committee Member A] a text. I have since learned that was [Committee Member B]'s number. [Committee Member B] must have informed [Committee Member A] and she then called [Plot Holder F] upset and moaning. That error has led to a misplaced unreasonable accusation of me being misogynistic.
Note: [Committee Member A] has not approached me and used other committee members and [Plot Holder F] on BOTH OCCASIONS to either stop me from helping [Plot Holder B] or address my issues with the situation. Then I engaged with [Committee Member B] via text clearing up the situation. I wasn't happy but since other committee members were complicit in denying me helping [Plot Holder B], I had some anxiety.
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Further Incidents
A few days later I noticed a new chap on a plot and said "I haven't seen you before, do you want any raspberry or gooseberry plants?" He said yes. He went on to say "I used to have that plot and said the bloke got funny with him" pointing at [Plot Holder B]'s plot! This triggered anxiety and I was then explaining [Plot Holder B] was ok, old, and wasn't getting funny with him, and the committee was trying to get his plot off him. He disputed that but I offered to show him the email and evidence and said it was a "shit show" committee decision.
Bearing no grudges, I had spoken to [Committee Member B] when he had been passing through and given him a car battery.
Rats had been discussed and [Plot Holders G and H] had been clocked feeding the wildlife and there were some discussions at various points regarding rats. Some people wanted to point the finger at [Plot Holder H] as he is a bit grumpy sometimes and not a particularly good communicator, but he has a heart of gold and has helped me and been generous with small gifts etc. I was moaning about the rats along with everyone else but I had made no official complaint verbally or in writing.
[Committee Member B] then asked me to get the plot holders together and write a letter complaining so he could go to the council and get [Plot Holder H] off! I was silent and needed to think about that. Instead of pointing the finger or blindly following a request that effectively could destroy another pensioner's life, I chose to explore the situation in a fair way. I was uncomfortable with the situation and didn't want conflict but nonetheless was not prepared to be that horrible and vilify [Plot Holder H] to the council on [Committee Member B]'s say-so.
I asked the council to visit the site as I had concerns that people were being bullied and I did not know who to turn to as they seemed to support these actions and there seemed a lack of equality. I made it clear I didn't want to cause trouble for any individual and believed the committee needed guidance.
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Council Visit
The council visited and I introduced [Council Officer] to various plot holders who had their say. This included [Plot Holders G and H] who showed him around. We established that there is no law prohibiting feeding any wildlife and rats will go where the food is, and that [Plot Holder H] will feed the wildlife along the wildlife run to the left. Rats can be attracted to all food including bird feed and grain, and by [Plot Holder H] feeding them to the left of the site they will be pulled that way more—which actually helps the plot holders.
[Plot Holder H] has changed since then and decided he is stopping feeding the wildlife all together. I can't see it'll make a difference as rats were only a bigger issue after the new housing development and [Plot Holder H] has been feeding the wildlife for 20 years.
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The Confrontation
On Friday evening, [Plot Holder I] called me and said "I'm bringing the digger over to do the earth pile on his plot as [Committee Member B] had mentioned it." He said he didn't really feel he wanted to help on the committee's pond as he felt he wasn't being treated fairly and it seemed to be all take and no give.
On Saturday I came into the allotment and got on with my usual routine on my plot. Then I noticed [Plot Holder I] using the digger on excavating the pond. Past experience from [Committee Members A and B] and relating concerns and the conversation with [Plot Holder I] knowing he isn't confrontational and having recently lost his mother so he was more vulnerable, led me to going up to him in the digger. I said "[Plot Holder I], get back to your own plot—you've got to prioritise your needs."
Anxiety kicked in at this point and I then approached [Committee Member A]. I didn't even get a full sentence out before she shouted accusations. The shouting triggered an episode, so when [Committee Member B] marched over to help [Committee Member A], I wasn't functioning as I couldn't think. I was preoccupied with [Committee Member A] shouting "You're misogynistic" and trying to show her my phone and her and [Committee Member B]'s name.
On engaging with [Committee Member B] who wasn't shouting, I still could not use my phone—nothing made sense because of [Committee Member A]'s unreasonable response before she quickly walked away spouting accusations. [Committee Member B] time and time again said and repeated "I know nothing; I am not on the committee." He then said "Do you want to be site manager?" and various other intimidating things.
I was quoting various things that had been discussed with the council officer but [Committee Member B] said it was wrong and I pointed out I was repeating what I had been told. He still insisted it was wrong even though [Council Officer] is the landlord effectively.
[Committee Member A] then joined the situation but still did not want to listen or engage about any issue, making background comments. She said I said I couldn't remember and she said "You can remember"—just intimidating comments, as [Committee Member B] did when he said I'd complained about the rats when I was moaning alongside various plot holders.
I then told [Committee Member A] "You have picked on me—you reported my structure and pointed out others that had not been reported." She said she had to as [Plot Holders J and K] had written letters complaining, so she had to.
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My Position
I reported my concerns to the council in late 2024 before these accusations from [Committee Members A and B] came to light to show it is not sour grapes on my part.
People need to be approachable and respectful as well as understanding, realising that opinion and law are different.
From what I understand, [Committee Member A] has been tearful and apologetic to several plot holders. I'm not sure why the site manager would go around the site doing that, or if it's really appropriate either. If she cannot cope, why do it?
I haven't approached [Committee Member C] as she has her own set of issues, but then I haven't approached any other committee members either, so there is no stress from me there either.
I, like them, have my own issues and principles. I don't want ever to be asked or involved with bullying in any capacity, and it is my choice who I help. I have my own vulnerabilities and I am only in the firing line because I have protected other vulnerable people. I don't want to go to the allotment when it is made such a precarious place for everyone.
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What I Am Seeking
Am I seeking punishment or placing blame and wanting people punished? NO!
My concerns are how it is for me, my perspective, what I heard and feel. So what is written in this complaint is not about me getting even or targeting [Committee Members A and B]—which is extremely difficult as truth is truth.
I strongly suggest asking other plot holders on a one-to-one basis rather than taking my word or [Committee Members A and B]'s word, as ultimately if it does get to a tribunal or court, you need to do it with facts.
Nobody on the committee seems confrontational—in fact it's the opposite, like most plot holders including me—we don't like confrontation. That doesn't mean I won't stick up for myself or say what I think.
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What I Want
What I want is procedures to be put in place that are fair and processes to prevent situations like this, and should they arise, be able to deal and resolve them without causing site-wide bad feeling.
I am not interested in the committee membership or being site manager, but I will do what it takes to make it right and improve the current atmosphere even if it means using legal avenues via a mental health charity that supports people with autism or signing up as a committee member. Let's hope it doesn't get to that.
The committee members have jobs or are retired and don't need this, but I have no choice but to try and get the issue resolved as I am now a target.