Constitution for the Friends of Sylvia Crowe Country Park

 

Name

The name of the group is Friends of Sylvia Crowe Country Park. – and is called ‘the group’ in this constitution.

 

Aims of the group

 

• The group has a sole objective: to achieve the renaming of Banbury’s country park to Sylvia Crowe Country Park.

• The group will work with Cherwell District Council to achieve this objective and group members will, where they can, assist the Council in achieving a name change.

• The group will assist the Council with public consultation on the renaming of the country park as and when appropriate.

• The group will provide information on Sylvia Crowe’s career and contribution to her profession as and when appropriate.

• The group will, where it can, support any plans that the Council may have in formulating plans for improving the profile of the country park in the community, improving the habitat value of the park and improving the infrastructure within the park. Where appropriate, the group will make suggestions to the council about how the park’s design can be tailored to reflect the work and achievements of Sylvia Crowe.

• The group will carry out its activities on a voluntary basis, at no cost to Cherwell District Council or to any other organisation or individual. However, if the Council develops plans for significant improvements to the country park, the group will offer to assist the council in securing funds and grants for their improvements.

 

Undertakings

To further these aims, the group may agree to 

 

• To bring together representatives of voluntary and statutory organisations, and individuals;

• To produce leaflets/posters to publicise group activities;

• To hold meetings;

• To undertake any other lawful activity to further the group’s aims.

 

 

Membership

Membership of the group shall be open to all persons and organisations in sympathy with the group’s aims and willing to abide by the group’s constitution.
Each member will have one vote and will be eligible to stand for election onto the committee. Organisations will have one vote.

The group will be non-party-political, non-sectarian and will be committed to non-discriminatory practices and equal opportunities.

There will be no membership fees of any kind.

 

Management committee

The group shall elect a committee of between three and seven members who will direct the policy and management of the group. They shall be elected to serve for one year after which time they may stand for re-election.

 

The committee will select a chair and a secretary. The chair will have a casting vote in the event of a tie. The committee will not appoint a treasurer for 2026. However, if the group becomes involved in grant applications and similar in connection with improvement works to the country park, a treasurer will be selected.

 

Meetings

 

An annual general meeting of the group shall be held every year in the month of December. All members shall be notified not less than fourteen days before the meeting. An agenda will be circulated. The AGM’s business will include electing the committee; reporting on the activities during the year, amendments to the constitution.

 

An extraordinary general meeting can be held at the chair’s discretion or by a written request to the chair of not less than three members. The meeting shall be called within twenty-one days of such a request and appropriate measures taken to inform all members. An extraordinary general meeting should only consider the business specified in the request.

 

Finances

 

• During 2026, the group will not request any funds from any organisation or individual. The group will not hold any funds and will not open a bank account.

• The committee members will not ask for any fees, expenses or any payment in kind in relation to any of their activities.

• No member shall derive any any financial benefit from the group.

• This section of this constitution will be amended in the event of the need for the group to raise funds in connection with its activities.

 

Amendments to the constitution

If amendment(s) to the constitution are necessary, members will be informed in writing and given the opportunity to consider and vote on the amendments. The amendment(s) will be made if there is a two-thirds majority vote of members.

 

Dissolution

If the committee, by a simple majority, deem it advisable to dissolve the group, it shall call a meeting of all the members of the group, giving not less than 14 days notice. If such a decision is confirmed by a majority of those present, then any assets of the group held at that time shall be transferred to another local voluntary group or community group with similar aims.

adopted on the ………………………..day of ………………………… 20. ..

 

Signed …………………………………………………. (chair)

 

Signed ...................................................................... (secretary)