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Fratton Neighbourhood Forum Constitution

NAME

OBJECTIVES

1. To benefit the residents of Fratton by promoting a discussion between them and Portsmouth City Council and other appropriate organisations on issues of concern locally and on improvements to the area and its environment, appearance and/or amenities.

MEMBERSHIP

1. All residents, aged 18 years and over, living within the current boundaries of Fratton Ward are automatically members of the Forum and entitled to vote.Anyone under the age of 18 years of age can attend and express their views.
2. Portsmouth City Councillors for Fratton Ward, together with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council shall be honorary members without voting rights but are welcome to speak.
3. Non residents working in, or with an interest in, the area are welcome to attend Forum meetings but do not have the right to vote.

MEETINGS

1. The Forum will meet at least twice a year and aim for four meetings per year. Meetings will be called by the Secretary, at the request of the Steering Group or in response to a written request signed by any ten members. An agenda, stating the subjects to be discussed at the meeting shall be displayed locally and circulated to every household in the area at least 7 days before the meeting.
2. If for any reason the agenda fails to be delivered to any individual household this will not invalidate the meeting.
3. Meetings will be open to everyone living in or with an interest in the neighbourhood.Any decisions at the meeting will be taken by a show of hands majority vote of those present who have voting rights. The quorum for such meetings is 15.
4. All meetings shall be conducted in a manner mindfull of Equal Opportunities principles.

OFFICERS

1. Vice Chair will deputise in the absence of the Chair, the Secretary will receive requests for meetings, arrange the circulation of the agendas and minute the meetings and the Treasurer will maintain accounts.

FRATTON STEERING GROUP

1. Meetings of the Steering Group may be held as agreed by its members. The role of the Steering Group will be to primarily suggest issues for full forum meetings, prepare agenda etc., for full forum meetings and deal with any administrative issues concerning the running of the Forum. The quorum for such meetings shall be 50% of the membership of the Steering Group.
2. The Steering Group shall not have the authority to represent its view as that of the Forum or to make any decisions on substantive matters of concern to Fratton, but in instances when timescales do not allow issues to be raised at full forum meetings the Steering Group may make decisions and respond accordingly. Such responses should be clearly stated from the Steering Group and should be communicated to the next full forum meeting.
3. The Forum shall have the power to remove Officers as defined in 5 or any member of the Steering Group by a majority vote.
4. Names and addresses of officers and members of the Steering Group shall be published to facilitate communication between residents and members of the Steering Group.
5. Any member of the Steering Committee who fails to attend three consecutive meetings without an apology and/or explanation will no longer be regarded as a member of the Steering Committee and will be so informed, in writing, by the Secretary. The word 'meetings' refers to all public, Steering Group and Sub-committee meetings.
6. Subgroups may be set up, as appropriate, under the control of the Steering Group and ultimately the full forum.

FUNCTIONS

1. The Functions of the Neighbourhood Forum are:
   • to discuss matters of interest and concern to Fratton;
   • to discuss these matters with the City Council and other agencies and organisations and represent the views of local people to those bodies;
   • to raise issues where action is requested to improve the environment, appearance and/or amenities of the area, and to receive progress reports on action taken;
   • to comment on any proposal before the City Council or other agencies or bodies which affects the local neighbourhod;
   • to make bids to, and assist the City Council in prioritising schemes in the Fratton area under various public spending programmes;
   • to provide feedback on City Council services, and to advise the City Council on the development of its corporate priorities and service plans;
   • to comment, and when appropriate, make representations on wider issues affecting the area.

CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

1. This constitution, and/or the area covered by the Forum, can only be changed by a 2/3rds majority vote of members present at a meeting of the Forum. Notice of any such proposed change or changes must be given at the preceding Forum meeting and must be included on the agenda circulated at least 14 days in advance of the meeting.