Constitution

Name and Objects

1. The Association shall be called “The Barnet Residents Association”.

2. The object of the Association shall be to watch and safeguard the interests of the residents in High Barnet and the surrounding area, promoting and facilitating the development of its cultural, economic, social and environmental well-being.

3. In pursuance of this object the Association shall encourage (amongst other things):

a. the provision of enhanced public services, including transport, health, education, youth services, libraries and other leisure and cultural facilities.
b. the management of traffic, parking, road safety, and cycling.
c. the management of the environment, including appropriateness and quality of new and adapted buildings, parks, open spaces and street cleaning.
d. the management of public safety and nuisance.
e. the provision of private sector retail, leisure, commercial and industrial premises and facilities.

4. The Association shall engage in the above matters only where an issue is determined to have a clear general impact on the whole community or a significant proportion thereof. The Association shall not normally become involved in planning applications or other disputed issues of an individual nature unless it is determined that such an issue shall provide a precedent that may have a wider impact on the community.

4a. At the discretion of the Committee the Association may make financial donations to local organisations.

Membership

5. The Association shall be non-party political and will not engage in any form of discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

6. Household membership of the Association shall be open to any person over the age of 18. Corporate membership shall be open to organisations with a presence in High Barnet or the surrounding area. Membership will be subject to payment of the appropriate subscription and approval by the Executive Committee.

7. [Clause deleted]

8. Membership fees including any concessionary rates shall be fixed annually at the Annual General Meeting and with immediate effect.

9. Members whose subscriptions are 6 months in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned.

Management of the Association

10. The management of the Association shall be undertaken by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and up to nine other members, all to be elected annually by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Members of the Executive Committee may be given designated job titles at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

11. The Executive Committee shall have power to co-opt individuals to fill any vacancies which arise during the year. The Executive Committee shall have the power to remove any member who fails to attend 4 consecutive meetings after affording such member an opportunity of giving his reasons.

12. A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be not less than five members.

13. The Executive Committee shall meet at such intervals as the officers and members deem appropriate, but a meeting may be called on the written requisition of any 3 officers or members.

14. The Executive Committee may appoint such sub-committees which may from time to time be expedient, the membership to be determined by the Executive Committee and may include individuals who do not qualify as members of the Association.

15. The Executive Committee may seek representation on or affiliation to other associations, bodies or organisations where it is considered that this would further the objects of the Association.

16. The financial year shall end on 31st December each year and the Annual General meeting shall be called within 7 months of the end of the financial year, on giving the membership not less than 14 days notice. Auditors shall be appointed by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.

17. A Special General Meeting may be called upon receipt by the Secretary of a requisition signed by five members of the Executive Committee or by not less than twenty members of the Association. The Meeting will be called within 14 days of receipt of the requisition, giving not less than 14 days notice. The notice of the meeting shall state the business of the meeting and only such business shall be discussed.

18. A quorum for a General Meeting shall be not less than 10 members. If a quorum is not present 15 minutes after the time the meeting has been called the meeting the meeting shall stand adjourned.

19. No alteration or addition shall be made to this Constitution except by approval of the membership in a General Meeting. Notice of any proposed changes shall be included in the notice of the meeting. At least 28 days notice shall be given to the Secretary of the proposed change or addition.

20. In the event of a tie, the Chair of any meeting shall have an additional casting vote.

21.In the event of the suspension of the Association’s activities, the assets of the Association shall be disposed of in accordance with a decision of a Special General meeting called for the purpose of winding-up the Association.