The Constitution

Constitution

1. Name
The name of the group shall be the Dean Bank Residents Association

2. Aims and Objectives
a) To take positive action to improve the environmental conditions of the area by making residents aware of their rights and responsibilities.
b) To liaise with the Police Authority to enable them to take positive action which will deter crime and vandalism.
c) To establish good working relationships with local authorities and community networks that has an interest in the area.
d) To set in place social activities which will assist the development of the community spirit.
e) To influence and monitor housing management services and environmental standards.


3. Membership
Membership of the association is automatic, irrespective of nationality, race, ethnic or national origin, sex, colour, political or religious belief, for all residents in the area commonly known as Dean Bank and as defined on the map contained within the constitution, unless they express their wishes, in writing not to be a member.

The committee reserves the right to co-opt three Committee members with an interest in the area, who may advise the association but not vote on issues.

It is a condition of membership that Members always conduct themselves in a reasonable manner at meetings or in any premises used by the Association. A member may be suspended from the Association for failure to observe this. Any member so suspended has the right to appeal to the following General Meeting, before expulsion from the Association takes place.

4. Conduct of Business
The business of the Association will be conducted through a Committee elected at an Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting shall consist of a Chair (and or Vice Chair), Treasurer, Secretary and not less than five other members. As far as possible the Committee shall be representative of the area.

A General Meeting of the Association may only carry out the election or removal of Officers or Committee Members, (elected by a two third majority). The Committee may temporarily fill any vacancy arising among the Officers of the Association from its other members until the next General Meeting of Members.

Any member of the Committee must declare any relevant personal interest. The Committee shall have the right to determine whether that member should withdraw, or be allowed to speak but not vote or not vote but speak.

5. Committee Meetings
The Committee shall meet as and when required.

6. General Meetings
General Meetings are open to all members to speak and vote. The decisions of these meetings shall be binding. All decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of members present.

Members shall be given not less than 14 days’ notice of any General Meeting. A representative from the Landlords Association, The Council, The Police and the Media will be invited to the General Meeting.

7. Annual General Meeting
Members shall be given not less than 14 days’ notice of any General Meeting. A representative from the Landlords Association, The Council, The Police and the Media will be invited to the General Meeting.
At this meeting:-
The Committee shall present an Annual Report of the Association activities and the Treasurer shall present the audited accounts of the Association for the past year.
If any Sub-Committees have established they shall present a report.
The Offices, Committee and Auditor for the next year shall be elected. Each candidate must receive at least five votes to be elected.
Proposals to be considered at the Annual General Meeting must be submitted to the Secretary in writing not less than seven days before the meeting.

8. Special General Meeting
Special General Meeting at the request of a majority of the committee, or receipt of written request by at least ten members of the Association. The Secretary must give at least seven days notice of the Special General Meeting to all members, which shall take place within a month of the request.

9. Quorum
The quorum for the Committee Meetings shall be five Committee Members. The quorum for all General Meetings shall be eight members (including committee Members).

10. Notice of Meetings
Notice of all General Meetings will include the gate, time and place of the Meetings with an outline of matters to be discussed. Notice of Committee Meetings will be displayed locally giving at least three days notice.

11. Sub Committees
If any Sub Committees have been appointed they will be accountable to the Committee.

12. Duties of the Officers
All of the officers of the Association have a duty to further the aims of the Association.

The Chair shall conduct the Meetings of the Association. If the Chair is absent the Vice Chair or Secretary will take over (if neither present a Chair will be elected from the floor).

The Treasurer shall open a bank account and keep proper accounts of income and expenditure and report on them as required by the Committee or General Meeting. A responsible, person must audit the accounts.

The Secretary is responsible for convening al Meetings and giving relevant notice to Members. The Secretary shall ensure that a proper record is kept of all Meetings of the Association, its Committees in the form of minutes and provide them as required by the Committee and General Meeting.

Any Member or Officer delegated to represent the Association in consultation with any other body shall act on the instructions of the Association and shall report back to the following Committee or General Meeting which ever sooner.

13. Alteration to the Constitution
Any proposal to alter this Constitution must be submitted to the Secretary, not less than fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting at which it will be discussed. Any alteration requires the approval of two thirds of those present and voting at the meeting.

14. Dissolution
The Committee, or if a Committee no longer exists, a majority of the remaining Members of the Association, can propose that the Association should be dissolved. They must give at least fourteen days’ notice to all members of the meeting at which the matter shall be discussed. For the sole purpose of dissolution, a quorum need not apply and the Association may be dissolved by two-thirds majority of those present.

Any assets remaining after the Association has satisfied its liabilities shall be given to a local charity, which is active in the area. The meeting shall decide which charity the remaining assets should be donated to.