Meeting Dates 2012  18th January 2012 7th March 2012 6th June 2012 12th September 2012 20th December 2012

Next Meeting

LODGE PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION & NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CONSTITUTION Constitution The name of the Association will be Lodge Park Residents Association / Lodge Park Neighbourhood Watch Soho Ward Membership Membership is open to all residents irrespective of tenure within the listed area’s.  Meetings will be held bi monthly. Operational Area Lodge Road. Norton Street. Kent Street. North. Lees Street. Hobson Close .Covely Grove. Devonshire Street. Devonshire Avenue. Foster Gardens. Augustin Grove. Merryhill Drive. Musgrave Road. Talbot Street. Bacchus Road. Kirby Road. Victor Road. Rectory Grove. Preston Road. Markby Road. Willes Road. Allens Road. Benson Road. Heartland Close. Beaumont Gardens. Objectives To safeguard and promote and protect the interests of Local Residents.  The group will uphold equal opportunities and work towards good relations amongst all members of the community, specifically prohibiting any conduct which discriminates or harasses on grounds of race religion, disabilities, political belief, sex or sexual orientation. To safeguard and promote community cohesion and the interests of local residents within the area on matters of housing and the local environment. To help improve living conditions community facilities and services within the group’s area. To work closely with national and locally elected members of Government and their agents in obtaining the required improvements that enhance the local community for the benefit of all. To work closely with West Midlands Police through the Neighbourhood Watch in establishing a crime free and safe community for all residents living within the defined area of operation. To oppose all planning applications that will have a direct effect on the well being of local residents on grounds of Nuisance, Health and Safety issues, and all other issues that effect the quality of life to the detriment of residents within the local area. To lobby and campaign in a lawfully accepted manner in obtaining the aims and objectives of the association, using methods that will not bring the association or its membership into disrepute with any person or legal authority. To create an open and democratic association that is seen to be representative of its memberships views and instruction and has the confidence and trust of local people. To work closely with other residents groups on matters of mutual concern in an advisory capacity. To assist in the establishment of new residents groups within the wider Soho Ward Area if requested to do so, to share with others facilities and knowledge that exists and is at our disposal. To work closely with West Midlands Police on all community safety issues that effect the locality. The Committee [a] The committee shall be elected at the annual general meeting 0f the group held in January each year, and shall serve for a period of 12 months [b] The committee shall consist of the following positions of at least four persons, Chairperson - Vice Chairperson. Secretary - Treasurer - Membership Secretary. [c] The committee and office bearers shall make and carry out decisions in accordance with the objectives of the group. [d] Meetings of the committee shall be open to any member of the group who wishes to attend. [e] There must be at least three members of the committee present for any decisions to be made at a committee meeting. [f ] Committee members can be voted off the committee if they fail to attend three meetings throughout their term of office. [g] Committee members must declare any interest that they have on the topic under discussion and the committee will decide if they forfeit     the right to be able to vote on this occasion. Conduct of Business or Standing Orders [a] Members may speak only through the Chairperson. [b] All decisions will be agreed by a simple majority, voted in through a show of hands, or a secret ballot; scrutinisers selected by the membership. [c] Meeting will end at the time agreed by the committee unless all present agree to an extension of the meeting. [d] Any offensive behaviour, including racist, ageism, sexist inflammatory remarks will not be tolerated under any circumstances. [e] Any member who brings the group into disrepute or who refuses to comply with the constitution will be expelled on a majority vote. [f] Any such member will have the right to appeal within 28 days of the expulsion. the appeal shall be heard by three independent members  of the group. [G] Agendas will be distributed to all members two days before meetings are held, all items for the meetings to be sent to the group secretary seven days before the meeting takes place. [h] Previous minutes of meetings will be distributed two days before a meeting when possible Finances [a] The group may raise funds by obtaining grants from other bodies or by fundraising schemes. All monies raised by or on behalf of the      group shall be applied to further its objectives. [b] All funds shall be kept in a bank account that shall be opened in the name of the group. [c] The Secretary, Treasurer, and the Chairperson shall be signatories on the account and all cheque's will require two signatures. [d] Accounts shall be kept by the Treasurer, and brought to committee meetings where they may be inspected. [e] No member has the right to fund raise on behalf of the group, any member doing so will forfeit membership of the group All fund raising will be discussed and authorized by agreement at a full membership meeting. [fj All expenditure shall be agreed and controlled by the committee, all receipts will be required for all expenditure over one pound. [g] All payments over ten pounds shall be made by cheque , not cash. No officer shall sign a blank cheque — all cheque’s to be filled in before any cheque is signed. [h] Once a year the accounts will be audited and presented at a annual general meeting of the group, the Auditors will be independent of the group. Changes to Constitution [a] This constitution can only be altered or changed at a special public meeting of the group or at a Annual General Meeting. [b] For a decision to be taken to change the constitution a quorum of 51% of the membership must be present and in agreement, the voting will be by simple majority of those present. [c] All members will be notified in writing, 14 days notice will be given on any proposed changes. [e] Proposed changes will be submitted to the Secretary in writing not less than 28 days before the Annual General Meeting. The Secretary     will notify all members of the proposed changes in writing within 21 days of the meeting taking place. Child Protection la] The Group will ensure that any activities that they are involved in will be a safe environment for children, all persons involved in these activities will be C R B accredited and if group activities are to involve children a Child protection policy will be adopted and a committee member will be appointed to take responsibility for its implementation. Dissolution of the Group [a] The group may only be dissolved by a special meeting of all members called for that purpose.  Such a meeting shall come about following a proposal in writing signed by a simple majority of those remaining on the committee being submitted to the Secretary. [b] All members shall be informed of such a meeting at least 21 days before the date of the meeting. [c] Dissolution of the group shall only take effect if agreed by a two thirds majority of the current membership base. [d] Any assets remaining after meeting all liabilities must be distributed among local charities or other community groups with similar aims of the group nominated at that meeting. [c] Any money received via funding bodies should be returned to the founders in relation to the funding criteria. [d] All personal documentation and membership files will be shredded upon dissolution of the group and will comply with all regulations   compliant with the data protection act. Neighbourhood Watch Lodge Park Residents Association operates a Neighbourhood Watch Sub group Meeting Venue Beaumont Gardens Common Room Bacchus Road. All regulations of this constitution applies to all members of this Sub Group without exception.

This constitution was formally adopted by LodgePark Residents Association at a special meeting on 23rd March 2011