1. Title and status
1.1 The name of the Party shall be the Suffolk Together Party which shall be subject to this Constitution.
1.2 The geographical remit of Suffolk Together Party is that of the County of Suffolk.
2. Aims
2.1 The aims of the Suffolk Together Party shall be:-
2.1.1 To seek the implementation of Suffolk Together Party policies by recruiting new members and achieving electoral success at all levels.
2.1.2 To ensure that Local Government within Suffolk listens closely to individual communities plus their Parish and Town Councils and works with them in close partnership.
2.1.3 To ensure that local communities receive best practice and value for money from their local councils.
2.1.4 To ensure sustainable economic development and improved future prosperity for the people of Suffolk by developing a 21st century economy.
2.1.5 To develop sustainable local policies that promote and protect the environment and ecology; protect the rich diversity of Suffolk; its countryside its tranquil places; its rich complexity of buildings and architecture; its historic market towns, country villages and farm hamlets - its special character.
2.1.6 And to pursue such other aims as the Party shall from time to time decide.
3. Membership
3.1 Membership of the Suffolk Together is open to anyone who supports the aims and objectives of the Suffolk Together Party.
3.2 Members of Suffolk Together Party shall accept its constitution and the principles and philosophy of the Suffolk Together Party as expressed through its manifesto.
3.3 Only members of Suffolk Together Party may vote at meetings or hold office in it.
3.4 Members of the Party will pay an annual minimum membership fee of £10 to be reviewed annually by the Executive.
3.5 Members of the Party cannot vote at Party meetings until they have been members for a period of three months.
4. The Annual General Meeting
4.1 An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Suffolk Together Party shall be held each year between September and November inclusive, the exact date to be determined by the Executive.
4.2 All members shall be notified of the date of the AGM in writing at least 28 days in advance. Items for the agenda should be submitted to the Deputy Chairman at least 14 days in advance. The agenda for the AGM shall be circulated to all members at least 7 days in advance.
4.3 The AGM shall have the purpose of:
4.3.1 Approving the report of the Executive and the policies it is proposing;
4.3.2 Presentation of the accounts for approval by the meeting;
4.3.3 Consideration of any amendments to the Constitution;
4.3.4 Election of members of the Executive to serve a two year term which can be renewed. Nominations for election should be received by the Deputy Chairman no later than 14 days prior to the AGM and be supported by five members. The Executive shall not exceed a total of 14 who shall be elected at the AGM or EGM.
4.3.5 Determining any other business on the agenda;
4.3.6 The meeting will be considered quorate if it has at least ten members present, or a quarter of the membership, whichever is fewer;
4.3.7 The chairman of the meeting will be elected by the Executive as will all other officers.
5. Extraordinary General Meetings
5.1 Any 10 members, or a quarter of the membership (whichever is fewer), may call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), by stating in writing in a letter to the Chairman or Deputy Chairman, with signatures appended, the business to be conducted. The Executive itself also has the power to call an EGM.
5.2 Except where noted elsewhere in this Constitution, any business that can be conducted at an AGM may be conducted at an EGM.
5.3 Except where noted elsewhere in this Constitution, the rules and procedures for the calling and running of an EGM shall be the same as that for an AGM.
5.4 The Executive shall ensure that the EGM being called takes place within 21 days of the receipt of the call to hold it. All members shall be notified of the date of, and agenda for, the EGM at least seven days in advance.
6. Executive
6.1 The Executive shall be responsible for co-ordinating the business of Suffolk Together Party.
6.2 The Executive shall appoint the following officers :
· Chair, who shall be the Leader of the Party and its primary public spokesperson;
· Deputy Chair, shall co-ordinate the running of the Party, recruitment and oversee membership administration;
· Treasurer, who shall be responsible for the Party's accounts;
· Election Campaigns Officer, who shall co-ordinate election campaigning;
· Press and Communications Officer, who shall co-ordinate communications with the media; the preparation of regular members’ newsletters and the Party’s website;
· Fundraising & Events Officer, who shall co-ordinate the organisation and publicising of fundraising and social events
6.3 Election or removal of Officers shall be by a majority of two thirds of the full Executive.
6.4 Meetings of the Executive shall be considered quorate if no less than 50% of the Executive is present.
6.5 Posts may be left vacant if no suitable nominations are forthcoming. Where a post is left vacant, the Executive shall be responsible for ensuring that the essential functions of that post are fulfilled.
6.6 If an Officer wishes to resign, such resignation should be in writing to the Deputy Chairman.
6.7 A motion of no confidence to remove a member of the Executive may be put only at an AGM or EGM and will require a two-thirds majority of those voting.
6.8 The Executive shall aim to meet regularly in furtherance of the efficient and effective running of the Party. Minutes of Executive meetings shall be available to members upon request.
6.9 The Executive shall operate by consensus where possible. Where agreement cannot be reached by consensus, a vote shall be taken of all Executive members and a simple majority of those voting shall be deemed to be agreement.
6.10 The Executive shall agree procedures to ensure that members' personal data is safeguarded in accordance with data protection principles and legislation.
6.11 The Executive shall agree procedures to ensure that all significant communications and decisions are reviewed and recorded.
6.12 The Executive shall have the power to appoint sub committees, including co-opted members are required. The Chair and Deputy Chair shall be ex-officio members of all committees and sub committees.The
7. Meetings and procedures
7.1 Policies of Suffolk Together Party shall be determined by its membership as proposed by the Executive at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting.
7.2 Suffolk Together meetings are for members only. However, meetings and social/fundraising events open to potential new members shall also be held.
7.3 Any votes taken at a meeting will be on the basis of a simple majority of those voting, except where stated otherwise in this constitution. The Chair has the right to vote. Abstentions will be recorded but will not influence the vote. The exact wording of any motion shall be recorded in the minutes.
7.4 Officers of the Executive should aim to attend meetings where possible. Officers who fail to attend three consecutive meetings without apology shall be deemed to have resigned.
7.5 Members will be included on the distribution list for agendas and minutes of meetings upon request.
8. Finance
8.1 The Party shall operate a current account and, if appropriate, a savings account. At least three elected Officers shall act as signatories, to include the Treasurer. Organising Secretary.
8.2 Two signatures shall be required on each cheque drawn from an account for sums that exceed the threshold set by the Executive from time to time.
8.3 No person may sign a cheque payable to themselves.
8.4 Expenditure may be incurred on behalf of Suffolk Together Party provided prior approval is obtained from the Executive. This expenditure is subject to agreement by the Treasurer that there are sufficient funds to cover it. During election periods, candidates may not incur expenditure without authorisation as defined in section 10.
9. Representing the Party
9.1 Members intending to issue material in the name of the Suffolk Together Party (whether written or electronic), must ensure that such material is approved by the Chair or Deputy Chair.
9.2 An imprint complying with electoral law shall appear on all publicity.
9.3 Members undertaking to represent the Party in the media or on public platforms must ensure that they communicate its agreed policy.
10. Local elections
10.1 The term 'Candidates' here refers to all Suffolk Together Party candidates contesting an election for public office within Suffolk.
10.2 Candidates must be a member of Suffolk Together Party and agree to abide by Suffolk Together Party‘s agreed electoral strategy.
10.3 Suffolk Together Party 's Election Campaigns Officer shall normally act as the legal Election Agent for all Candidates unless they are acting as their own agent
10.4 The procedure for the selection of Candidates shall be detirmined by the Executive.
10.5 During election periods, publicity material must additionally be approved by the Election Campaigns Officer for the candidate(s), who shall ensure that it conforms to any relevant election legislation. The requirement for an imprint, bearing the name of the Election Agent, is additionally a legal requirement during election periods.
11. Constitution
11.1 This Constitution may only be changed at an AGM or EGM and shall require a two-thirds majority of those voting. Any proposed changes to the constitution shall be listed within the agenda for that meeting.
11.1.2 Copies of this Constitution shall be available to members upon request to the Executive.
11.1.3 Dissolution of Suffolk Together. In the event of winding up, the balance of funds shall be transferred to an appropriate Suffolk charity.