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HALL GREEN NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM

CONSTITUTION

1. Name and Area:Hall Green Neighbourhood Forum shall also be known as WeAreB28 for social media purposes(hereafter

referred to as the Forum) and shall represent residents living within or near to the B28 postcode.

Aims and Objectives:

The main objective of the Forum is to enhance or maintain where appropriate the quality of the area in which

residents live by:

Discussing and influencing issues affecting the local community. Raising awareness and promoting a sense of community. Information sharing and the sharing of ideas. Undertaking activities and projects that encourage people to show an interest in the area. Bringing together residents and others regularly in order to address community issues of concern, interest

and development.

Promoting the active involvement of residents in decision making.The Forum shall:

Work within the spirit of its Equal Opportunities Statement and encourage the active participation of allsections of the community.

Work with other established groups with aligned aims and objectives. Work with all members of the local community and to promote good practice and community cohesion. Ensure that any issues of concern brought to the Forum are drawn to the attention of the appropriate

authority.

Not align itself to any one political party. Be wholly open and transparent and be accountable to its members.

2. Membership:Any resident who lives within the area covered by the Forum may become a member. The advisory committee will

have the power to co-opt members with the right to vote onto the committee. Ward councillors will be welcome to

attend open meetings and the Member of Parliament relating to the Ward will have the same privilege.

Membership of the Forum shall be open to all, irrespective of age, political party, religion, race, colour, disability,

gender or sexual orientation.

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All persons 16 years of age or over will be eligible for membership Persons under 16 will be admitted but will have no voting rights Other people, not living in but having an interest in the area (such as community, voluntary and statutory

organisations, business owners, religious leaders and parents of children who go to schools in Hall Green

but who live outside the area etc) are welcome to attend open meetings of the Forum, but will have no

voting rights.

3. Management of the ForumThe Management of the Forum will comprise of:

Forum Officers:

The Neighbourhood Forum will be run solely by its members. Day to day management of the Forum will be

undertaken by the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. To ensure that the planning and organisational tasks necessary

to launch the Forum are attended to, these positions will be elected at a meeting of founding members prior to the

first public meeting. These posts will be re-elected at the following years AGM. The Forum Officers will be advised

by the Advisory Committee. Forum Officers will attend meetings of the Advisory Committee.

Advisory Committee:

The Advisory Committee will consist of up to 12 members, and members will be asked to join the committee at the

first public meeting to be held on the 26th September 2012. The procedure used to elect the advisory committee will

aim to achieve the widest possible representation from within the local community. At least one third of the Advisory

Committee will stand down each year at the AGM.

Advisory Committee Meetings:

The Advisory Committee shall normally meet bi monthly and members of the committee will be expected to attend

meetings or extend their apologies. Should a member neither attend nor extend their apologies for two consecutive

meetings they will be informed in writing (within a week of the second meeting missed) that failure to attend the nex

will result in the lapse of their tenure on said committee.

The quorum of the Advisory Committee shall be one third or 4 whichever is lowest.

The Chair may call a special committee meeting by issuing a notification in writing to each member of the

committee. A special meeting should then be held within 14 days, of receiving a written request signed by not less

than half the members of the committee.

Representation on other bodies:

Representation to external bodies will be agreed by the Forum Officers and representatives will report back to the

advisory committee on a regular basis.

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4. Annual General Meeting (AGM):The Forum shall convene an AGM between 11 and 13 months after its first public meeting. AGMs will be convened

every 12 months thereafter. The Secretary shall give at least 7 days clear notice of such meeting. Meetings will be

advertised by utilising appropriate methods as to best inform the local community. This might include the use of

community notice boards, leaflets, website and social media.

Business conducted at an AGM shall include:

Consideration of annual report of work done by the Forum. The submission and adoption of income and expenditure account and balance sheets for the previous

financial year.

Re-election to Officer positions Resignation and election of one third of the Advisory Committee Consideration of any other relevant business as notified in advance. Wherever necessary consideration of and voting on / proposals to alter this Constitution in accordance with

Clause 10 hereof.

5. Forum Meetings:A minimum of 4 Neighbourhood Forum meetings will be held annually.

6. Special General Meeting:These are usually called to discuss business generally conducted at an AGM, or for issues seriously affecting the

Forum: such as a change to the Constitution. If a Special General Meeting is called, it should be advertised in anappropriate manner. A Special Meeting shall be held within 21 days of receiving a written request if signed by not

less than 30 residents giving reasons for the request.

7. Rules of procedure:a) Voting - all questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and

entitled to vote. No member shall have more than one vote. In the case of an equality of votes, the chair shall

have a second or casting vote.

b) Speaking Rights - If more than five members wish to speak on any subject, the chair may impose a time limitfor speakers.

c) Quorum - The quorum for Annual and Special Meetings of the Neighbourhood Forum shall be 15 membersd) Minutes - the Secretary will make notes of proceedings and resolutions and these minutes shall be made

available for any committee and public meetings of the Forum. The minutes shall be open to public inspection

upon request and will be accessible on the Forums website.

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8. FinanceMembership of the Forum is free and members will not be charged a levy or subscription. The Forum may

undertake fund-raising activities to further its aims and objectives.

a) All monies raised by or on behalf of the Forum shall be applied to further the objects of the Forum and for noother purposes.

b) The Treasurer shall keep proper account of the finances of the Forum and shall open a bank account in thename of the Forum. The accounts will be subject to examination at least once a year.

9. Alterations of ConstitutionThe Constitution of the Forum should normally only be changed at the AGM but can also be changed at a Special

General Meeting.

10.DissolutionAny decision to dissolve the Forum must be put to a vote of the members. A Special General Meeting of all

members of the Forum who have the power to vote should be called. Notice should be not less than 21 days andshould state the terms of the resolution to be proposed. If such a decision shall be confirmed by a simple majority

of those members present and voting at such a meeting, the Officers shall be empowered to satisfy any proper

debts and liabilities. Any assets held by or in the name of the Forum shall be applied towards charitable purposes

for the benefit of the residents of the area.

12. Equal Opportunity Statement

Equality underpins this Forums guiding principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility. The Forum will strive to

improve the quality of life for all of the people it represents. The Forum is committed to promoting equality and

advancing the interests of members irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin,

creed or disability. The Forum will seek to ensure that participation in the Forum itself and the promotion of its

activities will be free from discrimination. Particular regard will therefore be paid to the venue and timing of

meetings so as to maximise accessibility. When making representations to statutory bodies and external

organisations the Forum will pay regard to the impact of those representations on all sections of the community.