The Long Mynd & District Bridleways Association
. . . caring about South Shropshire's bridleway network
The Constitution
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. . . caring about South Shropshire's bridleway network |
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The Constitution |
1. Name
The Association shall be known as The Long Mynd and District Bridleways Association,
hereinafter referred to as the Association
2. Purpose
The purpose of the Association is:-
1) To lobby for the improvement and creation of off–road riding.
2) To establish where bridleways and other rights of way (i.e. byways open to all traffic and unclassified county roads) exist, that can be used by the ridden or driven horse within the area of the Association.
3) To have surveyed all those rights of way described above, to establish their condition and to note any obstructions or unsafe sections and to report the survey’s findings to the appropriate Highway authority. To encourage, and assist where appropriate, the Highway authority to carry out its statutory duty of maintaining and improving access for horse riders and carriage drivers on those routes.
4) To submit claims to the appropriate Highway authority for the upgrading of paths not currently defined on the definitive map as bridleways or byways where evidence exists that such paths should so be defined. Also, submit to appropriate Highways authority suggestions for the creation of paths which would improve the bridleways network (and not unreasonably affect other interests) without necessarily having to find evidence of previous use.
5) To lobby the Highways authority to improve the safety and suitability of classified roads, particularly when such sections of the road or road crossings form an essential part of a desirable “community circuit”.
6) To establish good relationships with landowners, occupiers and Local Authorities (County and Parish Councils) in order to promote the interests of riders and carriage drivers, while at the same time keeping on good terms with other path users such as ramblers and cyclists.
7) To promote awareness of the network of bridleways amongst members and communicate interesting rides and routes in the area for members to explore.
8) To promote the ideals of safe riding and road safety amongst members and riders generally.
9) To co-operate with appropriate organisations on any project that will enhance off-road riding within the area of the Association.
3. General
In furtherance of the above mentioned purposes, the Association shall have
the following powers.
1) The Association may raise funds by the way of contributions, subscriptions, donations or grants or any other lawful method for or towards the purposes of the Association.
2) To do all such lawful things necessary for the attainment of the purposes of the Association.
4. Membership
1) Membership is open to any persons wishing to advance the purposes
of the Association subject to approval from the Committee. There are
the following categories of membership:-
a) Adult membership.
b) Family membership (Maximum two adults and their children up to the age of 18). Family members shall receive one copy only of any newsletter, notices or correspondence which the Association may issue from time to time).
c) Junior membership – up to the age of 18.
2) Each adult member is entitled to one vote. No applicant is entitled to vote until his application for membership has been accepted.
3) Members shall pay the prescribed subscription fee on acceptance of application for membership and thereafter annually in advance on the first day of October. The prescribed subscription fee shall be established at the Annual General Meeting.
4) A member may resign from the Association at any time by giving notice in writing to the Secretary.
5) In the event that a member has not paid their annual subscription within three months after it becomes due then the person’s membership is assumed to have terminated.
5. Committee
1) The Association shall be managed by a committee of officers,
consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, along
with the Local Group Co-ordinators for each of the areas. Where
appropriate the Committee may co-opt additional members, or members to replace
any who resign, but the maximum number of the Committee members, including
officers, shall be 16.
2) Committee members shall be elected by majority vote at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. All posts shall come up for re-election annually.
3) The Committee will normally meet four times a year. Seven members of the Committee shall be the quorum. Each member of the committee shall be entitled to one vote. In the event of equality the Chair shall have the casting vote.
6. General Meetings
1) The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held each
year and within fifteen months of the preceding Annual General Meeting. Notice
of 14 days shall be given to the membership. Reports will be presented
by the Chair and the Treasurer along with a statement of the Association’s
annual accounts. Matters arising shall be decided by a simple
majority of those present from the membership. Each member attending shall
have one vote. The Chair will have a casting vote in the case of equal
voting.
2) Election for the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer will take place at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for these posts should be communicated to the Secretary in writing 48 hours prior to the AGM.
3) An Extraordinary General Meeting can be called whenever desirable at 14 days written notice. Matters arising shall be decided by a simple majority of those present from the membership. Each member attending shall have one vote.
7. Finances
1) The Committee and the Treasurer shall be responsible for the finances
and a bank account shall be opened in the name of the Association into which
all monies shall be paid and applied for the use of the Association. Three
people shall be nominated as signatories for the drawing of cheques. Any two
of the three signatories to sign each cheque drawn.
2) The Association shall levy subscriptions and other payments for the general purposes of the Association.
3) The Accounts of the Association shall be subject to annual checks. This assessment to be carried out by a qualified independent assessor to be appointed by the committee.
If the members of the Association decide to close the Association, then its assets after payment of all outstanding debts and liabilities shall be given to charitable associations or associations with similar aims as determined by the membership.
No amendment to the constitution shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for the purpose. Any amendment shall require the majority vote of the membership who are present at the meeting.
Constitution as amended adopted at Annual General Meeting held on Friday 10th October 2008.