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Our Constitution

GENERAL

1. The Society is established for the public benefit in Burford and the surrounding parishes. It is an unincorporated association registered Charity (No. 261784). Its aims are to protect the town’s historic heritage, to stimulate public interest in the local area, and to promote its cultural and artistic life.

 

2. In pursuit of these aims the Society: -

  1. comments to the local planning authority on applications with significant implications for conservation or development;

  2. arranges an annual programme for members of talks, visits, and other events;

  3. makes grants from its funds to local charities and other good causes;

  4. publishes a guide of local walks for residents and visitors.

 

POWERS

3. The Society, through its Executive Committee, has power: -

  1. to raise funds and receive contributions, but not to undertake permanent trading activities;

  2. to accept gifts of property which do not incur liability for expenditure inconsistent with its aims or beyond its financial capability.

  3. to sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of its property or funds;

  4. to borrow or raise money for the Society’s aims, provided that the liability of each member does not thereby extend beyond the amount of their annual subscription.

 

MEMBERSHIP

4. Membership of the Society is open by subscription to all residents in the area and any others interested in its aims. The amount of the subscription must be approved by the Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

 

5. Membership is annual and individual (no life or joint membership). The Committee may from time to time recommend to the AGM the award of honorary membership to persons who have given long or special service to the Society or the local community.

 

6. The Committee may declare a membership to have lapsed if the annual subscription is unpaid three months after it is due.  

 

MANAGEMENT

7. The Committee manages the Society’s business. It comprises: -

  • the Officers of the Society (Chairman, Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer), who are also trustees of the charity;

  • up to six ordinary members.

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8. The Committee will take into account both the interests of the villages and town in fulfilling its purposes set out in clause 2.

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9. The trustees are responsible for the Society’s assets.

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10. The chairman, other officers and members of the management committee shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and shall serve up to a maximum of ten years.

  • a request for nominations for the officers and ordinary members be circulated to all members along with the agenda and related papers no less than twenty-one days before the AGM.

  • names of members duly nominated and seconded to be sent to the Hon. Secretary no less than fourteen days before the AGM.

  • where there are more nominations for the officers and ordinary committee members then an election will be held before the AGM.

 

11. For Executive Committee meetings the quorum is five, at least two of whom should be Officers.

 

12. The Committee’s responsibilities are: -

  1. to arrange a programme of talks and other activities for the Society’s members. There should be at least six such events during the year, including the AGM.

  2. to examine planning proposals in the local area which are of interest to the Society.

  3. to arrange the publication of ‘Walks Round Burford’ and any other publications required for residents and visitors.

  4. to approve the payment of grants to local charities and other good causes.

  5. to recommend the level of subscription for approval by the AGM.

  6. to appoint a vice chairman when necessary and establish sub-committees.

 

13. The responsibilities of the Officers include the following: -

  1. Chairman:

  • to preside at the AGM and committee meetings;

  • to take the chair at talks and other events, welcome the speaker and arrange for any vote of thanks;

  • to appoint the membership of sub-committees.

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  1. Hon Secretary:

  • to arrange the business and take the minutes of the AGM and committee meetings;

  • to arrange for posters and other publicity regarding events;

  • to conduct correspondence regarding events and maintain contact with speakers;

  • to ensure that the Society complies with the requirements of the Charity Commission.

 

  1. Hon Treasurer:

  • to maintain the Society’s financial records, make payments and take receipts;

  • to be responsible for claiming gift aid:

  • to arrange for the annual certification of the Society’s accounts;

  • to maintain the list of members and chase overdue subscriptions

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

14. The Society’s financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December. The AGM should be held as soon as practicable after the accounts for the preceding year have been certified, and not later than 31 March. The quorum is eleven members including the Officers.

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15. The business of the AGM is: -

  • to approve the accounts for the preceding year;

  • to determine the level of subscription; 

  • to approve any changes to this constitution.

  • to approve the appointment of Officers and members of the committee. 

The agenda and related papers circulated no less than twenty-one days before the AGM.

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SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING (SGM)

16. A Special General Meeting may be called by the Committee or requisitioned by no fewer than ten members. A SGM shall have the power to approve any changes to the constitution.

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