The name of the Forum shall be North Southampton Community Forum referred to in this document as “The Forum”.
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The aim of the Forum shall be to:-
Maintain and improve the quality of life for all residents in the Forum area.
Act as a focal point for discussion of issues of concern to the community in the Forum area.
Act as a focus for consultation with residents and groups in the Forum area.
Represent all sectors of the community, ensuring equality of opportunity and access.
Consider any matters relevant to the community it serves.
Consider and have an opportunity to raise with the City Council and other agencies matters of concern.
In order to achieve the above, the Forum shall:-
Seek information on relevant matters.
Receive and consider consultations on matters of local or general significance and respond as appropriate.
Publicise its activities, deliberations and meetings for the benefit of the Forum area.
Seek services and support from the City Council and other statutory bodies in the voluntary sector where required.
Make decisions on its operating budget.
Establish sub-groups to focus on particular issues.
A representative from each registered community organisation and group whose activities and support are predominant within the Forum area.
Co-opted, non-voting individuals whether or not resident in the Forum area.
Each community organisation/group wishing to be represented by a member shall notify the Hon. Sec.
The Forum shall appoint from its membership such officers as it considers necessary. This shall include a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Forum Members shall be resident or representative of organisations in the Forum area.
Any community group or organisation wishing to be represented by a member on the Forum should fulfil the following:-
Its activities and support should be predominantly within the Forum area.
It should be properly constituted with democratic electors on its Committee.
Citywide community organisation with no local group within the Forum area, but with interests or support in the Forum area may apply for registration and will be considered on their merit.
Representation from political or religious groups/organisations will not be accepted.
Each organisation or group shall nominate ONE person and a deputy, if they wish, to represent it as a member on the Forum.
Membership of the Forum will commence from the date of the Inaugural Meeting and henceforth from the date of the A.G.M.
Any member of the Forum may terminate their membership by written resignation to the Chair.
Membership of the Forum may be terminated for reasons or activities which may bring the Forum or its Committee into disrepute, subject to confirmation by a full Forum Meeting. Any such matter shall be heard by a Sub-Committee consisting of the Forum Chair and five other Forum members in confidential session, who will decide on a course of action by a simple majority.
The Committee Members will meet as and when required but not less than twice a year in order to progress the activities of the Forum. A minimum of TEN days notice shall be given for such meetings. Notice of these meetings will be publicized or posted on forum website and where practical in writing to members of the Forum.
Open meetings will only be called as necessary.
The business of the A.G.M. shall include:-
Presentation of the Annual Report.
Appointment of new Forum Members and election of Officers.
A Financial Report.
Consideration of co-opted Members.
Any other legitimate business, of which 21 days notice shall be given.
Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote.
Each Forum Member shall have one vote. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
The Quorum shall be 4
Minutes shall be taken of all meetings of the Forum, Public Meetings and the A.G.M.
Sub-Groups, appointed by the Forum Committee, shall keep Forum Members fully informed of their deliberations and decisions. Any decisions of a sub-group that might affect or infringe upon the overall policies or aims of the Forum will need to be referred to a Committee Members Meeting for ratification.
Minutes of sub-groups shall be ratified by the main Committee.
The Forum Committee shall make proper and safe arrangements for the banking of all Forum monies and maintain proper accounts.
The Forum Committee shall be empowered to make decisions to its expenditure for the following purposes:-
Meetings
Research and Surveys
Publicity
Printing
Any other expenditure relevant to the objectives of the Forum.
An account shall be presented to the A.G.M. of the Forum which has been independently scrutinised.
The Forum Committee shall appoint from within its membership four authorised signatories, two of whom shall jointly sign all withdrawals from the Forum funds.
The Forum may be dissolved at an Open Meeting called for this express purpose only. The decision to dissolve the Forum will be determined by a vote from amongst the eligible Forum Members attending the meeting.
A majority of two-thirds of those voting will be required to carry any resolution dissolving the Forum.
All monies remaining shall be used for the benefit of Residents and groups in the Forum area.
Any proposals to amend this constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Forum, no later than four weeks prior to the date of the A.G.M.