1. Name

The name of the Association shall be the Hospital Street Association.

2. Objectives

The Association will be a residents' association and community group to work for the improvement of living conditions and amenities and the enhancement of the environment in Hospital Street and adjacent streets and public spaces for the benefit of the local community.

The Association will seek to foster community spirit and actively encourage all members of the Community to become involved.

The Association will represent the interest of residents to the Local Authorities and other bodies.

The Association will affiliate to any body whose aims may be of benefit to our members.

The Association will be non-party political.

3. Area

The area covered by the Association shall include the whole of Hospital Street and all adjacent streets, cul-de-sacs, etc., including Church Lane, Rookery Close, Rigby's Row, The Gullet, Pratchitt's Row, Bollands Row and Spring Gardens.

4. Membership (amended in respect of traders AGM on 09/03/05)

Membership of the Association shall be open to all residents of Hospital Street and adjacent streets, cul-de-sacs, etc. Membership will also be open to non-resident owners of residential property in Hospital Street and adjacent streets, cul-de-sacs, etc.

Membership is open to all adult residents irrespective of nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, race, colour, age, sexual orientation, politics, religion, creed, marital status, caring responsibilities, disability and physical characteristics.

5. Subscription (amended in respect of businesses at AGM on 09/03/05)

The annual subscription of the Association shall be decided for the ensuing year at the AGM but shall not be altered save by a two-thirds majority of the members attending a general meeting. The annual subscription shall be a payment per dwelling/household/ business, not per individual resident.

The membership year shall run from 1st January to 31st December and annual subscriptions shall become due on 1st January and should be paid by not later than 30th March.

6. Officers

The officers of the Association shall comprise three principal officers: a chairperson, an honorary secretary, and an honorary treasurer, and such other officers as the committee considers necessary or desirable. All officers shall be members of the Association. Officers shall be elected annually at the AGM and shall serve for one year but may be re-elected.

7. Committee

The committee shall consist of the three principal officers and not less than three or more than six other elected members. Elected committee members shall be elected annually at the AGM and shall serve for one year but may be re-elected.

The committee may co-opt such further members onto the committee as it sees fit. Co-opted committee members must be co-opted or re-co-opted annually.

The quorum for any meeting of the committee shall be five which must include at least two of the principal officers.

In the event of a tied decision, the chairperson shall have an additional casting vote.

The committee must meet at least four times a year, at intervals of not longer than four months.

The committee can set up such sub-committees as it sees fit. Any such sub-committees must report back to the main committee

8. General Meetings (amended in respect of quorum AGM on 09/03/05)

An AGM will be held annually some time between 1st February and 30th March in 2004 and each subsequent year.

Other general meetings can be called whenever required during the course of the year by the decision of the committee or by written request of not less than 20 households.

At least 14 days notice must be given to all members of all general meetings, including the AGM.

The quorum for the AGM and any other general meeting shall be 25% of paid up subscribing households/businesses.

Voting at a general meeting shall be on the basis of one vote per household.

The names of all members attending the AGM and any other general meeting shall be recorded.

9. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken of all committee meetings which shall be made available to any member on request.

Minutes shall be taken of all general meetings, copies of which shall be issued to all members.

10. Communication

Communication with members, including advanced notification of general meetings and circulation of agendas and minutes of general meetings etc., shall be by hand delivery.

11. Finance

Any subscriptions, donations, grants or other monies raised by or on behalf of the Association shall only be used to further the aims of the Association.

The treasurer shall open and maintain a bank account in the name of the Association. The treasurer, secretary and chairperson shall be entitled to sign cheques. All cheques should be signed by two signatories. No two signatories should be members of the same household.

The treasurer shall keep proper accounts of income and expenditure and report on them to the committee.

The Association's financial year shall run from 1st January to 31st December. The Annual Accounts shall be presented to the AGM for ratification.

12. Amendment of Constitution

Once formally adopted by a general meeting the constitution can only be subsequently changed by a two-thirds majority at a general meeting.

13. Dissolution

A decision to dissolve the Association can only be taken at a general meeting. In the event of the dissolution of the Association, any surplus funds shall be disbursed to a suitable registered Charity approved by a majority of the membership present at the meeting.