Borough of Rochdale Independent Alliance Constitution

Posted By: Greg Couzens
Date Posted: 14/04/2011

Borough of Rochdale Independent Alliance Constitution

1 NAME

1.1 The official name of the Party shall be the Borough of Rochdale Independent Alliance

2 AIMS
2.1 The Borough of Rochdale Independent Alliance will be guided in its activities by the principle of non-discrimination, including non-racism and non- sectarianism, and will be guided by the principle that all people are equal before the law.
2.2 To promote democracy and accountability to the electorate.
2.3 To free ourselves from party political influence and pressure.
2.4 To put people first, we will act promptly to resolve resident’s problems.
2.5 To be open and Transparent in Local Government.
2.6 To hold officers to account, to challenge and deliver the best outcomes for our constituents.
2.7 To take the borough forward and improve quality of life.

3 ACTIVITIES
3.1 The Party may work together with other democratic parties and organisations for particular purposes consistent with its aims.
3.2 In the furtherance of its aims, the Party may:
3.2.1 Raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of loan, subscription, donation or otherwise, within the limits established by electoral law
3.2.3 Publish, with or without charge, any items it sees fit
3.2.4 Do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of its ends.

4 MEMBERSHIPS

4.1 Membership is open to UK citizens and resident foreign nationals over the age of 16 years who share its aims and who are not members of any other political party. Associate membership may be made available if thought appropriate to persons not qualified under the preceding sentences.
4.2 If a member of the Borough of Rochdale Independent Alliance subsequently joins such a party or organisation which has declared to be incompatible with membership of the Party, or if the member is found to be a member of such a party or organisation then their membership of the Party will be automatically revoked.
4.3 Members must maintain their subscriptions.
4.4 Members shall accept the Party's constitution and rules made in accordance with this constitution and do nothing to undermine the reputation of the Party or to bring the Party into public disrepute. Nor shall they act in a manner intended to cause, or actually causing, damage to the Party's interests including by breaching confidentiality.
4.5 The Independent Alliance may accept affiliation from other organisations. Such affiliated bodies will not enjoy voting rights.
4.6 Members shall receive a membership card and the Party's newsletter. They shall be entitled to vote in all relevant internal Party elections.
4.7 Members are in "good standing" if their subscriptions are up to date and they are not subject to any suspension or exclusion either from elected office or from standing as a candidate of any sort.

5 THE BUSINESS MEETING

5.1 The Party shall hold a Business Meeting and a Conference annually at places and times decided by the Leader. Only paid-up Party members may vote at the Business Meeting and at the Annual Conference.
5.2 The Business Meeting will be open only to paid-up Party members. Its business will be to receive reports from Councillors; to elect members of the Discipline Committee (who will serve until the next Business Meeting) receive and vote on the Party's accounts and to determine the membership fee.
5.3 All motions at the Business Meeting may be passed by a simple majority of those voting.
5.4 The Conference proper will be open to Party members, associate members and guests. Its business will include the consideration of motions on Party policy and strategy.

6 THE PARTY LEADER

6.1 The Party Leader shall give political and administrative direction to the Party. The Party Leader may appoint a political committee to advise him with day to day political decision making. He or she will inform the Party of the membership of that committee.
6.2 A postal ballot of all paid up members of the Party shall elect The Party Leader. The Leader's term of office shall run for one year. This term may be extended by passing a motion by a two-thirds majority to enable the Leader to stay in post in order to fight a General Election.
6.3 A leadership election shall be called in the event of the Party Leader's death, incapacity or resignation; on the passing of a vote of no confidence in the Party Leader by the members, if this is endorsed by an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Party; and on the Party Leader's completion of his term of office.
6.4 If there is only one valid nomination for the post of Party Leader the candidate nominated shall be declared Party Leader without the need for a ballot. Any contested election for the leadership shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast. Those eligible to vote shall be paid-up members of the Party 14 days before the last date for the receipt of ballot papers.
6.5 When a vacancy in the leadership occurs due to the Party Leader's death, incapacity or resignation the election procedure shall be initiated by the Party Secretary.

7 THE PARTY TREASURER

7.1 A Party Treasurer shall be appointed by the full party members in good standing. The Party Treasurer’s term of office shall be annual; he or she may be removed before the end of his term by a 2/3rds majority vote of the Party
7.2 The Treasurer shall be responsible for managing the Party's finances, for preparing annual accounts and presenting them for approval at the Business Meeting which shall be held within the time required by the Electoral Commission for reporting accounts by the Party. He or she will carry out any other functions prescribed by statute in relation to the finances and financial reporting of the Party. He or she will chair the Finance Committee.

8 THE PARTY SECRETARY

8.1 The Party Secretary shall be appointed by the members from amongst full Party members in good standing. The Secretary's term of office shall be annual; he or she may be removed by a 2/3rds majority vote of the members
8.2 The Party Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the administrative and other arrangements of the Party comply with all legal requirements; for maintaining an up to date record of Party members.

9 THE PARTY CHAIRMAN

9.1 The Party Leader will appoint a Party Chairman, subject to the approval of the members, from amongst full Party members in good standing.
9.2 The Party Chairman shall chair the meetings.
9.3 The Party Chairman will be responsible for ensuring that all efforts are made to have an active and properly constituted association of the Party in every constituency
9.4 The Party Chairman may, with the agreement of the Party Leader, make the appointment of up to one Vice Chairman from full members in good standing who may render assistance in his absence, and take over such duties as the Party Chairman sees fit.

10 DISCIPLINES

10.1 The Party shall establish a Discipline Committee comprising of the Party Secretary and up to three members approved by the annual Business Meeting from fully paid-up Party members.

11 CANDIDATES

11.1 The Party shall establish a list of approved candidates, by means of interviewing potential candidates. Potential candidates shall make a written application and shall make full disclosure of any fact, political or personal, that may have a bearing on their suitability for selection as a candidate. Candidates are under a continuing duty to disclose any facts to the Party Chairman that may have a bearing on their suitability to stand as a candidate.
11.2 The Party Chairman or Party Leader may suspend any candidate from the approved list if he or she feels that there is good reason to do so.
11.3 All candidates must be paid-up members of the Party in good standing and on the Party's list of approved candidates.
11.4 The Party Leader or Party Chairman may refer the final selection of the candidate for any constituency to the members if, in the opinion of the Party Leader or Chairman, the particular circumstances appear to warrant such an intervention. 
11.5 In the case of a by-election the selection of a candidate will be subject to consultation and agreement with the members.
11.6 The selection of candidates for local government elections is the responsibility of constituency associations or branches.

12 THE CONSTITUTION: APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT

12.1 Amendments to this Constitution will come into force after the approval of a two-thirds majority of members voting in a postal ballot
12.2 The Party Chairman shall have the right to put separate and distinct elements or clauses amending the Constitution to a vote for the approval of a two-thirds majority of members voting in a postal ballot.
12.3 This amended constitution shall come into force immediately following its approval by members voting in a postal ballot according to the requirements of the constitution in force at that time.
This Constitution came into effect following a ballot of party members in January 2011.