CONSTITUTION
The name of our Group is MID COTSWOLD TRACKS & TRAILS GROUP, hereinafter referred to as "The Group".
The Group will be affiliated to the British Horse Society (BHS).
1. Administration
The Group and its property will be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution by the Committee. (see section detailed below).
2. Aims of the Group
The Group's aims are:
To improve and expand the tracks and trails network to enable horses to be ridden off road in safety;
To develop new links and create additional multi-use routes to benefit horse riding;
To promote use of local riding routes and facilities to promote sustainable tourism, which may include publication of maps and guides;
To establish good relations with local authorities, landowners and other user groups, such as walkers, cyclists, disabled, trail riders and carriage drivers, in order to achieve the above;
To provide assistance in maintaining existing tracks and trails;
3. Area
The approximate area the Group covers is defined (though not exclusively) as:
- Northern boundary - the A40
- Western boundary - the River Severn
- Southern boundary - the County Boundary
- Eastern boundary - the County Boundary
Any areas adjacent to or outside the above boundaries will be included where necessary in order to benefit from any of the overall aims of the group.
4. Powers of the Group
In aiming to achieve the Group's aims the Committee will have the following powers (while conforming to the relevant requirements of the law):
- to raise funds
- to pursue and receive contributions, grants or donations
- to buy, lease or negotiate property or items required;
- to dispose of any properties or items owned, leased or acquired;
- to liaise and co-operate and enter into agreements with other groups, organisations, authorities etc.;
- to do all other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the Group's aims.
- to employ such persons as the Committee deems necessary
- to enter into any contracts the Committee deems necessary
5. Membership
Membership of the Group is open to any individuals who are interested in furthering the aims of the Group, subject to the agreement of the Committee and payment of the appropriate membership fee.
6. The Committee
The Committee shall consist of a minimum of five members who are elected at the Annual General Meeting to hold office until the next AGM. All the members of the Committee shall stand down from office together at the end of the next AGM after the date on which they came into office but may be re-elected or re-appointed.
Committee members are free to resign at any point and the Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional members who must be submitted for election at the next AGM.
It is at the discretion of the Committee that any Committee member who fails to attend at least three consecutive Committee meetings without good cause, may have their membership of the Committee withdrawn.
All persons elected to serve on the Committee shall make a declaration of acceptance and willingness to act in the interest of the Group and to support its aims.
All persons elected to serve on the Committee shall make a declaration of possible conflict of interest.
A quorum will be four Committee members.
The Committee will produce a Working Practices Handbook which may be updated as necessary provided that it is consistent with the Groups aims and that it is consistent with current legislation.
7. General Meetings of the Group
The Group Secretary or other such appointed person shall endeavour to make an accurate record of the proceedings at each meeting;
Matters will be determined by the majority decision of members in attendance at meetings;
8. Annual General Meeting
An Annual General Meeting will be held each year at an interval not greater than fifteen months;
Changes to the Constitution can be made by majority vote at the AGM provided that the proposed changes have been circulated to the members not less than four weeks before the meeting.
9. Extraordinary General Meeting
The Committee will call an Extraordinary General Meeting, with at least two weeks notice, on written request of not less than 25% of the membership stating the reasons and the motions to be put to the meeting.
10. The Group's Accounts
All types of funds raised or acquired by the Group will be paid into a bank account under the name of MID COTSWOLD TRACKS & TRAILS GROUP
All funds are to be used only in furthering the aims of the Group;
All withdrawals from the Group account are to be signed by not less than two agreed signatories
The Committee will be responsible for financial management and the appointment of an auditor for the yearly financial accounts.
11. Dissolution of the Group
In the event that the Committee decides that the Group should cease to continue, for whatever reason, then any assets remaining after the payment of any debts or liabilities shall be given or transferred to any other such organisation, group or charitable institution that has the same or similar aims and objectives of the Group as the members of the Group's Committee may determine.
A copy of this constitution can be downloaded from here