Constitution of the Leeds Tenants Federation
1.1 The name of the organisation will be the
Leeds Tenants Federation (TIC).
1.2 The Leeds Tenants Federation is the
independent federation of Leeds tenants and residents.
2.1 To unite the tenants of Leeds in one representative and effective voice
2.2 To involve tenants in decisions about their homes and communities
2.3 To support tenants to build a housing service that meets their needs and aspirations
2.4 To enable
tenants to participate at a level that suits them
3.1 To further the aims and objectives, the Leeds
Tenants Federation will have the power
·
To
work in partnership with Leeds City Council and its Arms Length Management
Organisations
·
To
represent the views of its members on boards, committees, panels, working
groups and other structures of Leeds City Council, its managing agents and
partnership bodies and other organizations.
·
To
represent the interests of tenants in the delivery of services to communities,
in the setting of service standards and service planning and the planning of investment,
regeneration and housing strategy at an area, city-wide and regional level.
·
To
promote tenant involvement and to support the development of healthy and
confident communities
·
To
develop recommendations to policy making bodies based on consultation with its
membership
·
To
support and co-ordinate the activities of member organizations and to assist in
the development of tenant participation across the city
·
To
administer the registration of tenants groups and to manage Leeds City
Council’s Tenant Involvement budget in partnership with the authority
·
To
issue grants, donations, and services to member organizations and individuals
·
To
issue publicity materials, organize conferences, seminars and events, run
training sessions and educational courses
·
To
co-ordinate social and cultural events for members and to assist in the
furtherance of health and the relief of poverty and hardship
·
To
support, subscribe, join or maintain effective partnerships with organisations
that have similar aims and objectives
·
To
raise funds, invite and receive contributions from any persons or organizations
·
To
purchase, take on lease, hire or otherwise acquire any property and the rights
and privileges necessary
·
To engage
or employ personnel, as employees, consultants or advisers, as may be
required
·
To promote equal opportunities in our own organisation
and in our member groups and challenge any form of discrimination we encounter
·
To
maintain a non-party political stance locally, nationally and internationally
·
To do
all such other lawful things as may be necessary for the attainment of the aims
and objectives.
4.1 Membership is open to all tenants and
residents groups in the city of Leeds who are recognized by the Management
Committee
4.2 Individuals and unrecognized groups who
support the aims and objectives of the Leeds Tenants Federation may be invited
to take part in meetings and consultation events and receive information but
will not have voting rights and will not be eligible to nominate candidates for
election.
5.1 The Leeds Tenants Federation aims to ensure
that all Leeds tenants have equality of opportunity to participate in the Leeds
Tenants Federation, its member groups and its activities.
5.2 The Leeds Tenants Federation will work in
partnership with Leeds City Council and other agencies to promote equal
opportunities policies and practices.
We will promote equal opportunities in our own organization and in our
member groups and challenge any form of discrimination we encounter.
6.1 General Meetings will be held at least four
times a year, including the Annual General Meeting.
6.2 All member organizations will be invited to
attend and take part in general meetings.
6.3 Each member organization will have two
voting members from their group. Other members may attend and take part but
will not have voting rights.
6.4 General Meetings will receive reports from
Management Committee and discuss future policy and action to be taken by the
organization.
6.5 The Management Committee may refer key
decisions of policy to the General Meeting for consultation or ratification and
enable the membership to influence decision-making.
6.6 Elected members of the council and officers
of the council, its managing agents and partners will only attend at the
invitation of the Management Committee.
7.1 The Management Committee will consist of a
maximum of sixteen members who will be council tenants.
7.2 The Management Committee will be elected at
the Annual General Meeting.
7.3 Vacancies on the Management Committee can be
filled at General Meetings.
7.4 Nominations will be invited from all member
organizations. Each member organization will be entitled to make one
nomination. Any person nominated must be a council tenant.
7.5 The Management Committee will be elected for
a two-year period. Half of the committee will stand down each year according to
the election procedure agreed by the committee.
7.6 The Management Committee has the power to extend
its membership with the addition of co-optees at its discretion. Co-opted
members will have voting rights at the discretion of Management Committee.
7.7 The Management Committee will meet on a
regular cycle at a time and venue to be
decided by them.
7.8 The quorum at Management Committee will be
one third of members entitled to attend and vote.
7.9 Management Committee will have the power to
set up working groups or sub-committees with terms of reference and to invest
those bodies with decision-making power on selected issues.
7.10 Membership of sub-committees and working groups may be extended to other members and the meetings opened to observers at the decision of Management Committee.
8.1 The Officers of the Leeds Tenants Federation
will form an Executive Committee to deal with the day-to-day management of the
organization, including the supervision of any staff.
8.2 The Officers will be: the Chair, Vice-Chair,
Secretary and Treasurer and other posts created by Management Committee.
8.3 Management Committee will elect the Officers
at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. Vacancies for
officer posts will be filled by election at Management Committee.
8.4 Reports from the Executive meetings will be
presented to each Management Committee.
9.1 The Leeds Tenants Federation will be
responsible for the financial management of Leeds City Council tenant
participation budget and will adhere to the financial regulations of Leeds City
Council.
9.2 In addition, the Leeds Tenants Federation
has the power to raise money to be applied to further the aims of the
organization and for no other purpose.
9.3 The Leeds Tenants Federation will make funds
available to assist its members in meeting their legitimate out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in carrying out the business of the organization.
9.4 The Executive Committee will have the power
to commit financial resources up to a limit set and reviewed by Management
Committee and to devolve that power to a staff member.
9.5 The Leeds Tenants Federation can open and
maintain a bank account in the name of the organization. The Treasurer and two other members will be
empowered by the Management Committee to be signatories, and two will be needed
to authorise cheques. No more than one signatory will be from any one family.
9.6 The Treasurer will present a financial
report to Management Committee at regular intervals. The Treasurer will prepare
the accounts for audit and will present a financial report to the Annual
General Meeting.
10.1 The constitution can only be amended at an
Annual General Meeting or General Meeting called for that purpose.
10.2 Proposals to amend the constitution must be
presented to the Secretary in writing at least twenty-eight days prior to the
meeting at which they are to be considered.
10.3 Any proposal to amend this constitution must
be circulated to all members of the organization with the notice of the AGM or
General Meeting.
10.4 Amendments to the constitution require the
approval of two-thirds of those present and voting at the meeting.
11.1 If the Management Committee decide the
organization should be dissolved, they must call a General Meeting for that
purpose. At least fourteen days notice
shall be given to all members of the meeting and its purpose.
11.2 A proposal to dissolve the organization will
only take effect if agreed by two thirds of those present and voting at the
meeting.
11.3 Any assets of the organization remaining after
the satisfaction of debts and liabilities shall be disposed of to charitable
organizations with similar aims and objectives according to the wishes of the
meeting.
11.4 If the Management Committee decide to put
forward a proposal to alter the legal status of the organization, i.e. to
establish company status, by merger or voluntary transfer of assets, the
proposal must be put to a General Meeting called for that purpose, giving the
same period of notice. The proposal will require approval by two thirds of
those present and voting. In the event of approval, the organization, its
assets and interests will be transferred to the successor organization.