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(Revised July 2010)
1. Name
The name of the Association shall be the North West Association of Civic Trusts and Societies
('The Association').
2. Aims and Objectives
The Association is established for the public benefit for the following purposes in the area
comprising the counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside,
which area shall hereinafter be referred to as "the area of benefit".
To act as a co–ordinating body so that local Civic Societies can meet together and discuss
local issues towards the furtherance of the following aims and objectives:
i. To promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit.
ii. To educate the public and facilitate the understanding of geography, history and the built and
natural environment of the area of benefit.
iii.To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic
or public interest in the area of benefit.
In furtherance of the said purposes but not otherwise the Association through its
Co–ordinating Committee shall have the following powers:
(1) To promote civic pride in the area of benefit.
(2) To promote research into subjects directly connected with the objects of the
Association and to publish the results of any such research.
(3) To act as a co–ordinating body and seek to influence local authorities,
government bodies, other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and charities.
(4) To promote or assist in promoting activities of a similar nature throughout the area
of benefit including participation with or in appropriate bodies.
(5) To publish papers, reports and other literature, either in hard copy or electronically.
(6) To make surveys and prepare maps and plans and collect information in relation
to any place, structure or building of architectural or historic interest within the area of
benefit.
(7) To hold meetings, lectures and exhibitions and to exchange best practice.
(8) To inform and influence public opinion and to give advice and information.
(9) To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions from any person or persons
whatsoever by way of subscription, donation, sponsorship, sales and otherwise.
(10) To promote the development of Civic Societies and the creation of new ones.
(11) To do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the
said purposes.
3. Membership of and Affiliation to other Organisations
The Association shall through its Co–ordinating Committee have power to affiliate to or become a
member of other appropriate regional or national organisations.
4. Membership
Membership shall be open to the following organisations based and operating in the area of
benefit:
Civic Societies, Trusts and other local groups with similar objectives and shall hereinafter
be referred to as 'Member Societies'.
5. Subscriptions
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5.1 The annual subscription to be paid by member societies and groups shall be agreed at the
Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
5.2 Subscriptions are due on 1st January and must be paid before the last day of February in
any calendar year save that for the remaining part of the year 2010 the subscription shall be
half of the agreed sum, shall become due immediately after the change of these rules and shall
be paid by the last day of September with future financial allowance for advance subscriptions
already made.
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6. Affiliated Organisations
Federations of Civic and Amenity Societies shall be entitled to be affiliated with the
Association and attend and speak at meetings as observers but not vote.
7. The Co-ordinating Committee
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7.1 The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a Co–ordinating Committee of not
more than fifteen people elected at the Annual General Meeting.
7.2 The composition of the fifteen members to be elected shall include at least two drawn from
each of the five counties of the area of benefit: Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater
Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.
7.3 Elections to the Co-ordinating Committee and the officers of the Association shall take
place at the Annual General Meeting. The Secretary will issue nomination forms to all
Member Societies not less than six weeks before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Any Member Society wishing to nominate one of its own or another Society's
member(s) in its county for election must notify the Secretary not less than two
weeks before the Annual General Meeting and send a brief outline of the nominee's
professional, business and Civic Society experience, together with the Member
Society's endorsement. In the event of there being more nominations than vacancies a
ballot shall be held at the Annual General Meeting with all Member Societies present
having one vote.
7.4
Officers
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The officers shall be: a Chairman, two Vice Chairmen/women, Secretary
and Treasurer who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting save that they shall
be members of the Co–ordinating Committee at the time of their election. The
duties of the Secretary may be shared, subject to the agreement of the
Co–ordinating Committee and the officers of the Association.
7.5 An Independent Examiner of the accounts shall be appointed at the Annual General
Meeting who shall not be a member of any Member Society.
7.6 The committee may co-opt additional members or form working groups as necessary.
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8. Meetings
8.1 The Annual General Meeting
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i. The AGM of member societies shall be held within three months of the end of the
financial year ((see Clause 10.2) The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall
each submit reports on the previous year's business.
ii. Every Member Society may send one or more representative(s), each Member
Society present having one vote and the Chairman of the meeting having a casting vote
in addition to his own.
iii. Fifteen Member Societies present shall constitute a quorum.
iv. At least 28 days notice of the AGM shall be given to all Member Societies.
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8.2 Special General Meeting
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The Chairman or any five Member Societies may require the Secretary to call a Special General
Meeting at any time, stating the business they require to be transacted. Not less than 28
days notice of this meeting must be given to all Member Societies, the Co–ordinating
Committee and its Officers. A quorum shall be twenty Member Societies present, each having
one vote and the Chairman of the meeting having a casting vote in addition to his own.
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8.3 Meetings of the Co–ordinating Committee
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i. The Co–ordinating Committee shall meet at least twice a year.
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ii. The Committee quorum shall consist of at least two Officers and four other elected members.
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iii. Other meetings may be called by the Co-ordinating Committee as need or opportunity
arises.
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iv. The Co-ordinating Committee may invite representatives from other relevant bodies
to attend any meeting but they shall not have a vote.
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v. At least 14 days notice of a committee meeting shall be given to committee members
save that were there is an emergency or urgent business the period of notice shall be 7 days.
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8.4 Chairman of Meetings
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For any meeting of the Society, in the absence of the Chairman, a Vice Chairman shall
chair any meeting. Should the Vice Chairmen also be absent, the meeting will appoint
a Chairman for the occasion.
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8.5 Minutes of Meetings
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i. The Secretary shall keep Minutes of all Co–ordinating Committee meetings and then
distribute them to members of the Committee.
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ii. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all General Meetings of the Association and make them
available to Member Societies.
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9. Declaration of Interest
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It shall be the duty of every member who is in any way directly or indirectly interested
financially or professionally in any item discussed at any meeting of the Association
to declare an interest and refrain from speaking or voting unless by specific invitation
of the Chairman in the full knowledge of the declared interest.
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10. Finance
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10.1 The Co-ordinating Committee shall seek the resources to sustain the
Association's activities whether in talent, cash or kind. The Co–ordinating
Committee shall, out of the Association's funds, have power to pay all proper
expenses of its management and administration and make rules to facilitate this process.
10.2 The Association's financial year shall run from 1st April to 31st March the
ensuing year.
10.3 The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the Association's transactions and
funds and shall present them for approval at the AGM, having previously had them checked
for accuracy by the Independent Examiner.
10.4 Member Societies (or their individual members) shall meet the routine cost
for the time and travel of their representatives to Association meetings unless otherwise
agreed by the Co–ordinating Committee from the date of this constitution.
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11. Change of Constitution
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11.1 This constitution may be amended by a two–thirds majority of the total
number of votes cast at any AGM or SGM provided that not less than 28 days'
notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all Member Societies. Absent
Member Societies may send postal votes.
11.1 This amended Constitution shall come into effect immediately on the passing of
the vote to approve it.
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12. Dissolution
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Should the Association be dissolved, its assets shall be used to meet its outstanding debts or
liabilities. Any balance remaining thereafter shall be paid to any other Civic Society
successor association organisation or organisations with similar aims and objects.
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