Kirkby Stephen Town Forum Constitution

1. TITLE

1.1 The Title of the organisation shall be the “Kirkby Stephen Town Forum”, hereinafter called
 the Forum.

2. AIMS

2.1 The overall aim of the Forum shall be to promote the quality of life and prosperity of the town of Kirkby Stephen and the conservation and enhancement of its character.

2.2 This will be achieved by:
 
 2.2.1 Co-ordinating activities of its members.

 2.2.2 Promoting activities funded by one or more of its members.

 2.2.3 Developing initiatives in furtherance of the Forum’s aim.

2.3 Activities undertaken may contribute to the achievement of one or more or the following
objectives:

 2.3.1 To promote Kirkby Stephen as a centre for shopping, business, leisure and tourism
activities.

 2.3.2 To facilitate the physical enhancement of the town and its buildings.

 2.3.3 To enhance the attraction of the town to shoppers and visitors.

2.3.4 To encourage the development of the town so as to provide opportunities and facilities for young people.

 2.3.5 To enhance the employment prospects of the town and counter unemployment.

 2.3.6 To encourage loyalty in the shopping patterns of residents and visitors.

 2.3.7 To secure grants and commercial sponsorship in support of initiatives contributing to
the attainment of the Forum’s aims and objectives.

3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Membership of the Forum shall be open to all residents and businesses of the Kirkby
 Stephen Ward.

4. MANAGEMENT

4.1 The Forum shall be managed and directed by an Executive Committee.  The Executive
Committee shall be elected annually by the membership and made up of the Chairman,
Treasurer, Publicity Officer and a representative from each of the Kirkby Stephen Town
Council and Eden District Council.  Decisions of the Forum will be reached on the basis of a
majority of those present (provided at least 50% of the Executive Committee are there).
4.2 Executive Committee meetings shall be open to attendance by all members.  Wherever
possible such meetings will take place in public, moving into private session only to receive
or determine matters of a confidential nature.

4.3 The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be elected annually, to serve for a period of
 twelve months.  The Chairman will be someone who shall possess an interest in assisting
the town to progress the objectives of the Forum.

4.4 Secretarial support for the Forum shall be drawn from the Community Office.

4.5 The membership  will annually elect a Publicity Officer who will have responsibility for the
promotion of the Forum and of its actions.

4.6 The membership will annually elect a Treasurer to administer funds held by the Forum and to
arrange for the annual auditing of relevant accounts.

4.7 The Forum shall hold a Building Society account requiring two or more signatories from the
Executive Committee.

4.8 The Forum shall meet a minimum of four times per year, although it may determine its own arrangement within that parameter.

4.9 Any four members of the Executive Committee may call an extraordinary meeting of the
Forum.

5. GROUP ASSETS

5.1 Should the Forum cease to exist all assets will be given to another group with similar aims
and objectives.

6. THE CONSTITUTION 

6.1 The Executive Committee may from time to time vary the content and terms of this Constitution to reflect the changing nature of the Forum.  Decisions on such changes must be reached by a 60% majority of the full membership of the Executive Committee.