CONSTITUTION
A - NAME
The name of the association is
“Stockport Nature Network”
B - AIMS AND
OBJECTIVES
Aim:
The aim of the Stockport Nature Network
(the Network) is to address issues of sustainability, biodiversity and
conservation in the area of
Objectives:
1.
To provide a single point of contact for the consideration
of nature and biodiversity issues within the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport
2.
To work in partnership with all interested parties,
stakeholders, landowners, land managers and other agencies where issues of
nature conservation and biodiversity arise.
3.
To consult with officers of Stockport MBC when issues of
nature conservation cause concern on publicly or council owned land
4.
To make representations when planning proposals or developments
affect wildlife
5.
To act as a unified facility, when appropriate, to seek
financial aid for wildlife and nature conservation projects from grant making
authorities
6.
To explore and establish links with the private sector for
the purpose of sponsorship of wildlife projects
7.
To receive and consider reports, when appropriate, from the
various focus groups established under the Action Plan for Nature programme
8.
To promote environmentally responsible procurement of goods
and services, minimise waste production, re-use and recycle.
C
- POWERS
In furtherance of the objects but not
otherwise the Executive Committee exercise the following powers:
1.
To raise funds, receive contributions and make grant
applications.
2.
To co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and
statutory authorities operating in the furtherance of the objects or similar
charitable purposes and exchange information and advice with them.
3.
To appoint and constitute such committees as the executive
committee may think fit.
4.
To buy, take on lease or take in exchange any property
necessary for the achievements of the objects and to maintain and equip it for
use.
5.
Subject to any consent by law to sell, lease or dispose of
all or any part of the property of the association.
6.
To establish or support any charitable associations or
institutions formed for all or any of the objects.
7.
To make, repeal or amend such rules as the executive
committee from time to time consider necessary for the well being of the
association, which rules. Repeals and amendments shall have effect until set
aside by the executive committee. No rule shall be made that is inconsistent
with the constitution.
8.
To do all other lawful things as are necessary for the
achievement of the objects.
D
- TRUSTEES
1.
The members of the Executive Committee shall be the trustees
of Stockport Nature Network.
2.
At the Annual General Meeting held each year representatives
will elect an Executive Committee composed of a chairman, secretary, treasurer
and four ordinary members (by simple majority). Casual vacancies may be filled
until the next general meeting by co-option.
3.
Any member of the network is eligible to be voted onto the
Executive Committee.
E - MEMBERSHIP
1.
Membership will be open to all groups, associations and
societies operating within the
2.
Each member group, society or association will appoint a
representative to attend and vote at the regular general meetings of the
network. Each member organisation will have one vote.
3.
Voting will be on an individual basis and not proportionally
representative of member organisations as a whole. There will be no membership
vote.
4.
The Executive Committee may for good reason terminate the
membership of any individual body. The individual, accompanied by a friend, or a representative of the body shall have the right
to be heard by the Executive Committee before a final decision is made.
F - MEETINGS
1.
Annual General Meeting
i.
The
Annual General Meeting will be held during the first quarter of each calendar
year.
ii.
Members
will be notified not less than 42 days before, of the date and place of the
meeting
iii.
Notices
of the motion, duly proposed and seconded, should be submitted to the secretary
at least 28 days before the meeting.
iv. The
Secretary will notify members of the agenda at least 14 days before the
meeting.
2.
General Meetings of Stockport
Nature Network
i.
Two
General Meetings (including the AGM) will be held in each calendar year (one in
each half).
3.
Extraordinary General Meetings
i.
An
extraordinary general meeting may be called by the Executive Committee giving
at least 28 days’ notice to the membership (except for constitutional change
when the notice must be 42 days).
ii.
On
receipt of a written demand from at least one quarter of the membership, the
secretary must call an extraordinary general meeting which must be held no more
than 42 days after receipt of the demand (except in the case of constitutional
change).
4.
Executive Committee
i.
The
executive committee shall meet four times a year (quarterly). Should the
chairperson be absent the committee will nominate a member to assume the
chairperson’s rôle.
5.
Quora
i.
A
general meeting will be considered quorate if one
third of the member organisations are represented.
ii.
An
Executive Committee will be considered quorate if one
officer and three other elected members are present.
G - FINANCE
1. The Network will be initially financed by a grant from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council intended to cover administrative costs.
2.
Additional finance may be raised by other grants, gifts and
donations.
3.
The Network may, from time to time, seek monies from grant
awarding authorities or bodies from private sponsors to fund specific projects.
4.
The Network will open a bank account in the form of
‘Stockport Nature Network’. All cheques must be signed by two of the three
officers.
5.
The treasurer shall ensure that proper records are kept of
the Network’s financial activities and shall in each financial year prepare a
statement which will be presented to the AGM.
6.
The accounts shall be inspected by an independent auditor
appointed at the previous AGM.
7.
None of the trustees shall derive benefit financially or in
kind from the activities of the Network.
H - AMENDING
THE CONSTITUTION
1. The constitution can only be amended at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called specifically for the purpose. Notice of motion to amend the constitution must be received at least 42 days before the date of the meeting and members must be informed of any proposed changes at least 28 days before.
2.
Any proposed changes to the constitution must receive the
support of two thirds of those members present and voting at the meeting.