Constitution of the Blackpool and Fylde Green Party 

 1. Title and Status 

1.1. The name of the party shall be as Blackpool and Fylde Green Party. 

1.2. Blackpool and Fylde Green Party is a constituent part of the Green Party of England & Wales and is subject to its rules and constitution. 

1.3. Blackpool and Fylde Green Party is also part of the North West Region. 

1.4. The geographical area of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party is the area of Blackpool 

Council and Fylde Borough Council. 

2. Aims 

2.1. The object of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party is to promote the aims of the Green 

Party as stated in its constitution: 

a) to develop and implement ecological policies consistent with the Philosophical basis of the Party as expressed in the Manifesto for a sustainable Society; 

b) to that end to win seats at all levels of government; 

c) to organise non-violent activity which will publicise and further these aims. 

3. Membership 

3.1. The membership consists of all national Green Party members resident within the geographical area of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party. 

3.2. Members within the geographical area of Fleetwood and Wyre may also choose to be members of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party if they wish. 

3.3. Members may not be a member of another political party (other than Green Parties abroad) at the same time. Should a member join another political party then they 

immediately cease to be a member/associate member of Blackpool and Fylde Green 

Party. 

3.4. All members will be bound by the national GPEW Code of Conduct. Blackpool and Fylde Green Party will seek to resolve any disputes between members through discussion and conciliation. The Disputes Resolution Committee should be consulted and may be involved if considered appropriate. However, Blackpool and Fylde Green Party has the right and the responsibility to take disciplinary action (including suspension or expulsion from Blackpool and Fylde Green Party) against any associate member who has acted against the aims and agreed policies of the group or brought it into disrepute. Such a decision can only be made at a properly constituted, in quorum monthly/bimonthly meeting where advance notice of the matter has been given. The national disciplinary procedures should be used for all members. 

 4. Executive Committee or Officers of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party 

4.1. The local party needs to elect a Nominating Officer (Election Agent), a Treasurer and a Coordinator, who will be an enquiry recipient whose telephone number can be given to members of the public. 

4.2. Blackpool and Fylde Green Party shall elect an Executive Committee at the AGM. 

These shall include a Coordinator, a Treasurer and an Election Agent. 

4.3. Only members can be elected as Nominating Officer (Election Agent), Treasurer, Coordinator or any other member of the Executive Committee. 

4.4. Nominations shall be proposed and seconded, and won by a simple majority vote of 

full members. Any member can ask for a secret ballot. 

4.5. The AGM has the discretion not to fill posts if no suitable nominations are forthcoming, or to propose the merging of posts or the creation of other posts with the agreement 

of a simple majority. 

4.6. Should any member of the Executive Committee fail to attend three consecutive meetings without good reason or apology, Blackpool and Fylde Green Party may co-opt another full member to act in their place. 

4.7. In the event of a vacancy an Officer may be co-opted at the next monthly/bimomthly meeting. 

4.8. Officers may be de-selected at the AGM or EGM. 

5. Meetings and decision-making 

5.1. The business of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party shall be decided and managed by monthly/bimonthly meetings open to all members (and potential new members). 

5.2. Motions should be proposed and seconded, and will be carried by a simple majority vote of members present. 

5.3. Members should be notified of any motions relating to policy at least one week prior to 

the meeting to discuss the issue. 

5.4. Members of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party will be entitled to vote. Those unable to attend may make their views known to the meeting, either in writing or through representation by another member, but only those in attendance are entitled to vote. 

5.5. The monthly/bimonthly meeting will be deemed to be in quorum if there are FIVE or 

more paid up members in attendance. 

5.6. Attendance and business conducted at meetings shall be recorded in minutes to be approved by the next meeting. 

5.7. A draft agenda will be circulated at least one week in advance of each meeting, together with the minutes of the previous meeting. Anyone can suggest additional items for the agenda in advance or at the start of the meeting. 

5.8. In the event of a decision needing to be made before a monthly/bimonthly meeting, an emergency decision may be made by agreement of a simple majority of members. 

This decision must be ratified by the next monthly/bimonthly meeting. 

5.9. Working groups may be set up to discuss specific issues. Any decision shall be ratified by the monthly/bimonthly meeting. 

6. Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

6.1. An AGM shall be held at least 12 months and not more than 18 months after the previous one for the purpose of: 

a) Presentation of a report of work which has been carried out over the year. 

b) Presentation of a financial statement for the year. c) Election of an Executive Committee OR Officers 

d) Agreeing the cheque signatories 

e) Reviewing strategy and setting goals for the following year and beyond 

f) Any other business on the agenda (to be determined in the same way as for a 

monthly meeting). 

6.2. The Chair shall be taken by a nominated person agreed by members attending the monthly/bimonthly business meeting prior to the AGM. 

6.3. All members of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party who are present have one vote each, and resolutions must have the support of a simple majority. 

6.4. Notice of the AGM shall be given at least six weeks prior to the meeting. 

6.5. The Agenda shall be circulated in advance at least one week prior to the meeting. 

6.6. The Chair has the right to rule on the admissibility of any emergency motions put forward. 

6.7. The quorum of the AGM shall be FIVE. 

6.8. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on a particular agenda may be called on the 

request of the monthly/bimonthly meeting or at least FIVE members of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party. The same rules apply to EGMs as to AGMs. 

7. Finance 

7.1. The Treasurer shall collect or arrange collection of all money due to Blackpool and 

Fylde Green Party and shall be the custodian thereof. 

7.2. The Treasurer will arrange payment of any bills incurred by Blackpool and Fylde Green 

Party, and will notify the group if it is danger of becoming overdrawn. 

7.3. All monies drawn from Blackpool and Fylde Green Party’s bank account shall be signed by two authorized persons from a list of four full members, to be agreed at the AGM. 

7.4. Wherever possible, funds will be held by a banking organisation with a policy of ethical investment acceptable to the membership (eg. Triodos, Cooperative Bank, Ecological Building Society). 

7.5. Members, Ward Parties and Working Groups may incur expenditure on behalf of 

Blackpool and Fylde Green Party provided prior approval is obtained from a monthly/bimonthly meeting, and the Treasurer has confirmed that there are sufficient funds to cover it. 

7.6. Any affiliation fees from another organisation or donations to another group must have approval of a monthly meeting. Blackpool and Fylde Green Party will not make 

donations to other groups or organisations outside of the Green Party. 

8. Selection of Election Candidates 

8.1. For selection of parliamentary candidates national rules must be followed. 

8.2. For selection of local authority and regional assembly the selection process used must be transparent and in line with best practice as recommended by the NWGP Elections Co-ordinator and/or Field Organiser with responsibility for The Blackpool and Fylde 

Green Party. Every effort will be made to agree the selection process by consensus but where this is not possible then agreement by a simple majority of officers of the Blackpool and Fylde Green Party will be sufficient. 

9. Amending the Constitution. 

9.1. This constitution can only be altered by an AGM or EGM of Blackpool and Fylde Green 

Party. Amendments to this constitution require advance notice. 

10. Winding up 

10.1 Blackpool and Fylde Green Party may cease to exist or join other local Green Parties only by the agreement of an AGM or EGM. If the Blackpool and Fylde Green Party should cease to exist any funds will revert to the NWGP and be held until another local party is established for the Blackpool and Fylde area. 

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