Draft Constitution 2024
BURTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION - to be ratified at the 2024 October AGM
1. NAME: The name of the association shall be “The Burton Residents’ Association” hereinafter known as BRA
2. OBJECTS: The object of the BRA shall be to promote the interests of all residents in the area, and maintain good relations within the community. It will value equality and diversity and welcome people from all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic classes, religions, disabilities and ages. It is a non-political organisation.
3. MEMBERSHIP: Membership of BRA is open to all residents of the village of Burton, CH64, subject to payment of the annual subscription.
4. LEGAL AUTHORITY: The BRA does not have legal authority and can not, for example, make decisions over planning policy. It can, however, represent members’ views as a consultee to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) where appropriate. Similarly it can report members’ suggestions and concerns to other authorities such as Cheshire Police and liaise with the local councillor.
5. COMMITTEE and OFFICERS: The BRA committee shall comprise: Chair, Vice-chair, Treasurer and Secretary, together with at least three other committee members. Each member who has not been elected or re-elected in the last three years must stand down at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) but is eligible to be re-elected.
6. GENERAL MEETINGS: • An AGM must be held every year and at least 21 days notice must be given. • Any motions to be raised at the AGM must be notified to the secretary at least 10 days prior to the meeting. •The AGM will receive a report from the committee and the annual accounts. It will agree arrangements for review of the annual accounts by an appropriately qualified person. Each AGM will agree the appointment of the officers and other members of the committee. • An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be held either by authorisation by the committee or if 25 or more members request one. • An attendance of 20 or more persons will be required for either an AGM or EGM to be valid.
7. COMMITTEE MEETINGS: •These must be held at least 4 times a year and require a minimum attendance of 4 committee members to be valid. • Any committee member may co-opt another person/s to discuss relevant issues.
8. SUBSCRIPTIONS: The subscription fee must be agreed at a general meeting and can only be subsequently altered by agreement at an AGM or EGM. Payment is due by 6th April and members 12 months or more in default with payment will have membership suspended.
9. FINANCE: •The treasurer shall guard all BRA monies in account/s bearing the name of the organisation. •The accounts shall be reviewed annually by an independent person with appropriate financial experience.
10. VOTING: • Decisions taken at all meetings shall be determined by majority vote, with the exception of voting on an amendment to this constitution (see 11.) •In the event of a tie in any vote the Chair’s vote shall carry.
11. ALTERATION to CONSTITUTION: An amendment to this constitution can only be made at an AGM or EGM when at least two thirds of the vote is in favour of the amendment.
12: GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS: The organisation will abide by its obligations according to the The Data Protection Act (2018) 13: COMMUNICATION: The committee will make all reasonable attempt to communicate with members over issues of importance, such as AGM, EGM or other significant matters arising. The BRA does not have the facility to guarantee hard copy delivery to every home in the village. email will be the default method of communication as well as the use of the BRA noticeboard and website if available.
14: DISSOLUTION of BURTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION: In the event that the committee should decide to wind up the BRA, this will be discussed at an AGM or EGM. In the event of closure, all funds will be passed to a charity approved by The Charity Commission. In the event of all committee members standing down, an EGM or AGM will be held to decide the future of the association and use of the financial reserves.
3. MEMBERSHIP: Membership of BRA is open to all residents of the village of Burton, CH64, subject to payment of the annual subscription.
4. LEGAL AUTHORITY: The BRA does not have legal authority and can not, for example, make decisions over planning policy. It can, however, represent members’ views as a consultee to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) where appropriate. Similarly it can report members’ suggestions and concerns to other authorities such as Cheshire Police and liaise with the local councillor.
5. COMMITTEE and OFFICERS: The BRA committee shall comprise: Chair, Vice-chair, Treasurer and Secretary, together with at least three other committee members. Each member who has not been elected or re-elected in the last three years must stand down at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) but is eligible to be re-elected.
6. GENERAL MEETINGS: • An AGM must be held every year and at least 21 days notice must be given. • Any motions to be raised at the AGM must be notified to the secretary at least 10 days prior to the meeting. •The AGM will receive a report from the committee and the annual accounts. It will agree arrangements for review of the annual accounts by an appropriately qualified person. Each AGM will agree the appointment of the officers and other members of the committee. • An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be held either by authorisation by the committee or if 25 or more members request one. • An attendance of 20 or more persons will be required for either an AGM or EGM to be valid.
7. COMMITTEE MEETINGS: •These must be held at least 4 times a year and require a minimum attendance of 4 committee members to be valid. • Any committee member may co-opt another person/s to discuss relevant issues.
8. SUBSCRIPTIONS: The subscription fee must be agreed at a general meeting and can only be subsequently altered by agreement at an AGM or EGM. Payment is due by 6th April and members 12 months or more in default with payment will have membership suspended.
9. FINANCE: •The treasurer shall guard all BRA monies in account/s bearing the name of the organisation. •The accounts shall be reviewed annually by an independent person with appropriate financial experience.
10. VOTING: • Decisions taken at all meetings shall be determined by majority vote, with the exception of voting on an amendment to this constitution (see 11.) •In the event of a tie in any vote the Chair’s vote shall carry.
11. ALTERATION to CONSTITUTION: An amendment to this constitution can only be made at an AGM or EGM when at least two thirds of the vote is in favour of the amendment.
12: GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS: The organisation will abide by its obligations according to the The Data Protection Act (2018) 13: COMMUNICATION: The committee will make all reasonable attempt to communicate with members over issues of importance, such as AGM, EGM or other significant matters arising. The BRA does not have the facility to guarantee hard copy delivery to every home in the village. email will be the default method of communication as well as the use of the BRA noticeboard and website if available.
14: DISSOLUTION of BURTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION: In the event that the committee should decide to wind up the BRA, this will be discussed at an AGM or EGM. In the event of closure, all funds will be passed to a charity approved by The Charity Commission. In the event of all committee members standing down, an EGM or AGM will be held to decide the future of the association and use of the financial reserves.