CONSTITUTION
EDINBURGH ASSOCIATION of COMMUNITY COUNCILS (EACC)
1. NAME
2. MEMBERSHIP
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
4. STRUCTURE
5. MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCE
6. OFFICERS & COMMITTEE
7. VOTING
8. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
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1. NAME
The name of the organisation is the Edinburgh Association of Community Councils
2 MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Association is open to all Community Councils within the City of Edinburgh Area. It is subject to all the policy decisions at a General Meeting of the EACC.
3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
a. To ascertain the views of its member Community Councils on all issues which concern them, to provide a forum for discussion of these views and to communicate them to local and central government, other public bodies and the general public.
b. To increase the collective influence of Community Councils, and to strengthen their identity throughout the city.
c. To facilitate the flow of information between Community Councils and with the City of Edinburgh Council.
d. To ensure that no action of the Association goes against the authority or responsibilities of the individual Community Councils.
e. The Association shall be non-discriminatory.
4 STRUCTURE
a. Meetings – There will be a minimum of one AGM and four Executive meetings each year.
5 MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCE
a. Membership shall be open to all Community Councils in the area covered by the City of Edinburgh Council.
b. Membership fees for Community Councils will be decided by the Annual General Meeting of the Association on the recommendation of the Executive.
c. The Treasurer shall open a bank account in the name of the Edinburgh Association of Community Councils. He/she shall keep proper and accurate accounts of its finances and shall produce an audited statement for the Annual General meeting of the EACC. The signatories will comprise two from the Treasurer, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
6 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
a. Each community council shall be entitled to have one member on the Executive Committee. A Community Council can, if they wish, have a substitute to attend in the absence of their member but each Council is only entitled to one vote. The member will stand down every two years but will be eligible for re-election. Nominations for membership will be submitted to the EACC secretary no less than two weeks prior to the AGM.
The Office Bearers of the Association must be members of the Executive Committee and will be elected at the AGM.
b. The Office Bearers shall consist of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and such other positions as the Association may decide. The Office Bearers shall decide on procedural matters only.
c. Office Bearers will stand down at each AGM but will be eligible for re-election. Nominations for office bearers will be submitted to the EACC secretary no less than two weeks prior to the AGM.
d. The Association’s representative to the Edinburgh Partnership will be a member of the Executive Committee and will be elected at the AGM. The representative will stand down at each AGM but will be eligible for re-election. A substitute representative shall also be elected.
7 VOTING
a. Should a vote be required on any issue, each Community Council (paid up to 31st March of the current year) shall have one vote. The Chairperson will have a casting vote if required.
b A quorum will consist of one third of the Executive members for Executive meetings.
8 ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution can only be altered at the AGM of the Association.
Notice of any wording of a proposed alteration must be sent to the Secretary at least six weeks prior to the AGM.
The Agenda will be issued at least 14 days before the AGM.
Two thirds of eligible votes will be required for approval.
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