1.1 The name of the Association shall be Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Forum. Its purpose is to foster public involvement in policy making and service provision at community level.
1.2 In the defined Area, the Forum shall:
i Involve local people in shaping and strongly influencing Council and other agencies’ policies and programmes
ii Understand what local people want for their area
iii Demand timely consultation with the Council to raise awareness of Council initiatives at local level
iv Provide a platform for local people to voice their views
v Monitor and comment on the impact of Council policies, programmes and performance on local communities
vi Act as a proactive voice on behalf of the local communities in the area, proposing initiatives and identifying specific priorities and problems
vii Identify, where possible, opportunities for regeneration and investment, while protecting and enhancing the historic and diverse character of the area
viii Use influence to help promote and market the area
ix Identify ways of improving the local environment and amenity
x Strengthen the role of ward councillors as elected representatives
Kennington, Oval & Vauxhall Forum shall serve the area shown on the attached map (appendix 1)
Membership of the Forum shall be open to anyone with an interest in the area as defined. There shall be a list of registered voting members. Registered members only shall be entitled to vote at Forum Meetings. Registration is by filling a form which will be available at meetings or on request from the Secretary
3.1 There shall be five categories of membership
(1) Representatives of residents’ and tenants’ associations within the defined area.
(2) Representatives of other membership-based societies and community groups in the defined area.
(3) Representatives of local businesses.
(4) Representatives of public bodies and other public service providers.
(5) Individual residents of the defined area.
The Forum shall have the power to introduce a membership subscription.
4.1 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Forum shall be held not more than 15 months after the date of the previous AGM.
4.2 There shall be a minimum of 28 days notice of the meeting.
4.3 The business of the AGM shall be:
To receive from the Executive Committee a report on the year’s activities.
To receive the annual accounts of the previous year, independently approved.
To elect Executive Committee members.
To receive reports as organised by the Executive Committee.
4.4 An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be convened at any time by the Chair on behalf of the Executive Committee or on receipt of a written request for such a meeting signed by at least 10% of the membership and specifying the business to be transacted. The Committee must convene the EGM within 35 days of receipt of a valid written request. A minimum of 21 days’ notice shall be given for an EGM.
4.5 Voting decisions at an AGM or EGM, other than on changes to the Constitution shall be made by simple majority, the Chair having the casting vote.
5.1 At its annual meeting (AGM) the Forum shall elect from its membership an Executive Committee with a maximum of 15 members. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Chair (who shall also be Chair of the Forum), Secretary, Treasurer and other honorary officers at the first Executive Committee meeting.
5.2 Nomination for election to the committee, with proposer and seconder, both Forum members, must be in writing and received by the Chair or Secretary 10 days before the start of the annual meeting.
5.3 Members of the Executive Committee holding office shall retain the office for not more than three consecutive years.
5.4 The Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt to full any casual vacancy on the Committee.
5.5 The Committee shall also have the discretion to co-opt non-voting members for specific work or expertise for an agreed length of time, as it sees fit.
5.6 The quorum for a Committee meeting shall be 30% of the members.
5.7 If neither the Chair or the Vice Chair is present the Forum shall elect one of its number to preside.
5.8 The Executive Committee which shall meet a minimum of 4 times a year shall decide the dates of the Forum meetings. Written notice of the time and place shall be sent to all members with minutes of the previous meeting at least two weeks before the next meeting.
6.1 Forum meetings are public meetings and there shall be a minimum of 4 meetings a year. The public are welcome to attend. Non members may speak at these meetings but only members may vote.
6.2 The quorum for Forum meetings shall be a minimum of 20 members.
7.1 The financial year of the Forum shall be 1 April to 31 March.
7.2 The Honorary Treasurer shall, on behalf of the Forum, maintain a bank account in the name of The Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Forum.
7.3 There shall be 3 signatories of the bank account. All cheques must be signed by two of the designated signatories.
7.4 The Treasurer shall prepare a written report for the AGM and also report to each Executive Committee meeting.
Defined in Appendix B
The Constitution may only be amended at an AGM or EGM, if two-thirds of members present and voting are in favour, provided 21 days’ notice of the proposed amendment has been posted or delivered to all members at their last known address.
The Forum may be dissolved by resolution at an AGM or EGM, if two-thirds of members present and voting are in favour, provided that 21 days’ notice of the proposed resolution has been posted or delivered to all members at their last known address. In the event of dissolution, any surplus funds shall be transferred to one or more organisation having objects similar to the Association, chosen by the Executive Committee and approved at the meeting when the decision to dissolve the Forum is taken.
To ensure that Forum meetings are conducted in a spirit of equality and informality the following code of conduct should apply to Forum meetings.
1 All participants have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a way that does not cause offence to others or limits in any way their ability to participate in meetings.
2 This includes any kind of derogatory remark, interruptions, actions or behaviour that intimates people who are speaking or wish to speak.
3 Forum members should be particularly sensitive to those members who may not be used to speaking in public or whose first language is not English.
Forum members or members of the public who feel that this code of conduct has been breached should raise it with the Chair, either at the time or immediately after the meeting.
i The Chair, will judge whether there has been a breach of conduct. The Chair will inform the person responsible that such behaviour is not acceptable.
ii If unacceptable behaviour persists a motion will be put to the meeting to suspend the person or persons from the meeting. Any future participation by that person will be dependent upon a commitment given in writing to the Chair that such behaviour will not recur.
iii Continued breaches of the code by Forum members will result in membership being withdrawn by a simple majority vote by those present at the Forum meeting.