Our Constitution

Name

The association shall be known as the Lower Bloomfield Residents' Association (LB-RA).

Area

LB-RA represents residents primarily on lower Bloomfield Road from the Englishcombe Lane/Bloomfield Road intersection moving north to the Gore. It includes residences on Wellsway, from the Gore moving north to the Co-Op.

Purpose

The purpose of the LB-RA shall be:

• To represent and to promote the interests of all residents living in the area democratically and faithfully.
• To seek to improve conditions for all residents in the area.
• To work in partnership with the council and other agencies to achieve its aims.
• To build a strong local community through activities that reflect the needs and character of this part of the area.
• To actively connect with the elderly and vulnerable to ensure community spirit remain strong.

Membership

Membership of the Association shall be open to:

• All residents (homeowners, tenants, or social housing) living within the defined area.
• All members shall have voting rights on all issues raised at general meetings they attend.
• Others with a clear connection to the area (non-voting unless agreed).
• Membership of the Association is free.
• Members may opt out of the Association at any time.

Code of Conduct

• Members are required to act with honesty and integrity at all times.
• Members must behave in a polite, respectful and appropriate manner at all times.
• Members should value diversity and not discriminate against any person on the grounds of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnerships, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Members should listen to each other during meetings and not have 'meetings within meetings.'

The Committee

The interim management team will be nominated and seconded by members of the Association for a 3-month period (May - July 2026). The team will include a Chair, Secretary, and a Treasurer. In July, the permanent team will be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

• No two persons from the same household can be part of the management team.
• The Committee will provide an update to the residents of the area twice a year on their work and how it will positively encourage participation from all sections of the community. This could be in the form of newsletters.
• There will be a minimum of 4 committee meetings held during the course of the Association's year.
• Seven days notice of committee meetings will be given to all members of the committee.
• Where a casual vacancy (or vacancies) arises on the Committee, it/they will be filled by election at the next General Meeting.
• A member of the committee may be removed or suspended from their post if they bring the good name of the Association into disrepute, or do not abide by the terms set out in this constitution.

Annual General Meeting

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association shall be held once a year (within 15 months of the last AGM). Written notice of the meeting must be sent at least 14 days in advance to every household. Members should be made aware that they will have the opportunity to make nominations for election or stand for election themselves and to vote for the officers and committee at the meeting.

• The minutes of the previous AGM will be presented and approved.
• The existing committee will present a report of the Association's activities in the past year.
• Audited accounts for the year will be presented. The accounts must end in the current year and the year-end must not be more than four months before the date of the AGM. Accounts must be audited by the Council's appointed auditor.
• The existing Committee will stand down.
• The officers and Committee for the next year will be elected.
• Any proposals to amend the constitution must be presented to the Secretary in writing at least 21 days prior to the meeting at which they are to be considered.
• Proposals to amend the constitution must be circulated to all members of the Association with the notice of the meeting.

General Meetings

• The business of the Association shall be conducted at General Meetings, which shall be open to all residents.
• The Association will hold a minimum of 4 General Meeting per year one of which could include the AGM.
• The Association must publicise General Meetings and public events to all household in the Association's area to involve all members and hear their views. All members of the Association will be entitled to attend General Meetings, to speak and to vote.
• Seven days notice of General Meetings will be given in writing to all members.
• All matters for decision will be decided by a simple majority of those over 18, present and voting.
• No member shall have more than one vote.
• Minutes or notes must be kept of all meetings of the Association. The minutes will be presented to the next meeting to be approved. The minutes should be made available to any member of the Association on request and main points should be publicised.

Finance

• Annual Grants are available to the running of the Association. The grant application criteria must be met.
• All money raised by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to cover the running costs of the Association.
• The Treasurer shall keep proper account of the finances of the Association and shall open a bank/building society account in the name of the Association and keep copies of all relevant invoiced and receipts to support expenditure and income.
• The Committee will nominate at least 3 people who can have access to the Association bank account. These people must not live in the same household or be family members. If these committee members stand down, they are responsible for transferring responsibility for the LB-RA bank account to the new committee members.
• The Committee are responsible for the proper use of money raised through grants according to the guidelines issued by the funding body and of income raised from hall or room hire. The committee will agree by consensus how to spend the Association funds, and such decisions must be minuted. The Treasurer should keep records of all income raised and receipts for all money paid out in expenses to committee members for duties carried out on behalf of the group.

Dissolution

• If the General Meeting decides at any time by a two-thirds majority that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, the officers shall call a special meeting of all members, stating the terms of the dissolution resolution to be proposed at the meeting. The resolution to dissolve the Association shall be agreed by a majority of those present and voting.
• All outstanding bills will be paid and the balance of any grants and funds held by the Association will be held in trust by the council for a future Association in the same area of representation for a period of two years. After this, the funds will be made available to the residents of the Association's area for a suitable project in that area via consultation.
• By signing this model constitution, we confirm that our Association will abide by the standards that are defined in the model constitution and recognition criteria.