BUXTON CONSERVATIVE CLUB
RULE BOOK
RULE BOOK
RULES AND BYE-LAWS
of the
BUXTON CONSERVATIVE CLUB
2021
of the
BUXTON CONSERVATIVE CLUB
2021
NAME AND OBJECTS OF THE CLUB
1
“The Buxton Conservative Club”, hereinafter referred to as the "Club'' shall be situated at 3-5 Concert Place, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6EE, or such other place as the majority of members shall determine.
Its objects shall be to carry on the business of a Club and in so doing, to promote by all proper means, the principles of Conservatism and the implementation of the Conservative Party's policies and to provide social and recreational facilities for members.
The Club shall be affiliated to and inter-affiliated with the Association of Conservative Clubs Limited.
MEMBERSHIP
Election
2
The election of members shall be vested solely in the Committee and shall be by ballot, a majority shall carry.
3
Only Conservatives, not being under 18 years of age, shall be eligible for membership.
4
Any two members of not less than six months standing may propose and second a candidate for membership and shall be able from personal knowledge to vouch for the candidate's respectability and fitness to be a member. Both of them shall sign the nomination form as shall the candidate, who by doing so, shall pledge to support the Conservative Party and to abide by the Rules of the Club now, or hereafter, in force, in the event of being elected a member.
Any person wishing to apply for membership and not knowing of any eligible members to propose or second them, may at the discretion of the Committee, be made a temporary member until such time as the committee deem them suitable for membership. Eligible members may propose two and second two candidates for membership in any one membership year.
The Steward/Stewardess shall not be a member of the Club.
5
The name, address, and occupation of each candidate, and the names of the proposer and seconder, shall be posted on the Club Notice Board at least seven days before the day on which the candidate's name is to be submitted for election.
6
Any member, who is of the opinion that any candidate so proposed would not be a desirable member, shall inform the Secretary, in writing, who shall communicate the objection to the Committee.
7
The Committee may require the attendance of any proposer or seconder and their candidate to answer such questions as may be put to them. Should they not appear before the Committee if summoned to do so, or send an explanation which the Committee shall deem to be satisfactory for not doing so within four weeks, that application for election shall be rejected.
8
No candidate shall be deemed to be a member of the Club, or participate in its privileges and benefits, until they have been elected by the Committee and paid their first subscription. Membership of the Club and acceptance of these Rules by a member shall be deemed to constitute consent to the holding of relevant personal data for the purpose of the General Data Protection Regulations.
Special Classes of Membership
9
Life Members
The Committee shall have power to elect from time to time as Life members without entrance fee or subscription, persons of distinction or those who have rendered valuable services to the Conservative Cause or the Club. An interval of at least seven days shall elapse between their election and admission as members, and to terminate at any time the Life Membership of any member so elected if, in their opinion, it is desirable in the interests of the Club.
Honorary Members
The Committee shall have power to elect as Honorary Members: -
Temporary Members
The Committee shall have power to elect temporary members being persons not normally resident within 10 miles of the Clubhouse in accordance with the rules relating to election of members, except that they may be admitted without prior nomination and two days shall elapse between their election and admission to the privileges of membership. Temporary members shall for every week of their membership pay a subscription of a level determined at an Annual General Meeting, payable on election and for every subsequent week of their membership on the first day thereof. Duration of such membership shall not exceed four weeks. Temporary members shall not be entitled to hold office, attend or vote at General Meetings and shall be subject to such further regulations as the Committee may prescribe from time to time. Such membership may be terminated at any time by the Committee if in their opinion it is in the best interests of the Club.
Disqualification of Candidates
10
No rejected candidate shall again be proposed as a member until the expiration of twelve months from the date of such rejection.
No person who shall have been expelled from this or any other Conservative Club affiliated to or inter-affiliated with the Association of Conservative Clubs Limited shall ever again be proposed as a candidate, or make use of the Club premises, except by consent of the Committee.
Resignation of Membership
11
Any member wishing to resign must send a written notice to the Secretary, and shall thereupon cease to be a member. The Committee may accept the verbal resignation of a member provided it is reported and approved at a subsequent Committee Meeting.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
12
The ordinary subscription shall be of such sum per annum as shall from time to time be determined by the Members at a General Meeting. Subscriptions shall be paid in advance on admission and subsequently on the 1st January each year. All new members would pay any entrance fee determined at an Annual General Meeting.
13
A suspended member shall remain liable to pay the annual subscription.
14
Every member shall produce a receipt of their subscription or card of membership, whenever called upon to do so by any person authorised by the Committee to make such demand on the Club premises.
Non-Payment of Subscription
15
Any member failing to pay the subscription within one month after the same has become due shall be considered to be in arrear, and if the sum due is not paid within another two months this person shall cease to be a member. If however, the delay in payment can be accounted for to the satisfaction of the Committee, the Committee may at its discretion direct that any member shall be exempt from the above.
16
Any member in arrears of subscription shall not be permitted to make use of the facilities of the Club or take part in its affairs.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
17
Any member changing address shall, within fourteen days, give notice to the Secretary in writing of such change and until such notice is given, and all communications and notices sent to the last recorded address shall be deemed to have been served upon such member.
INTER-AFFILIATION TICKET HOLDERS
18
Members of Clubs inter-affiliated with the Association of Conservative Clubs Limited, subject to the Rules and Regulations of that Association, may on presentation of their Inter-Affiliation Ticket be admitted to the Club premises, and intoxicating liquor may be sold to them by or on behalf of the Club for consumption on the premises.
Only those Inter Affiliated members resident outside a radius of 10 miles may use inter affiliation cards to enjoy the facilities of the Club.
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
19
Membership shall terminate:
(a) On resignation (Rule 11).
(b) On non-payment of subscription (Rule 15}.
(c) On expulsion (Rule 32).
(d) On ceasing to be a Conservative supporter as defined in Rule 3.
(e) On death.
OFFICERS
20
The Officers of the Club shall consist of three Trustees who shall be elected according to Rule 27; a President, a Vice-President, a Chairperson, a Treasurer and a Secretary, who shall remain in office until their successors are elected, and shall be elected annually by ballot at the Annual General Meeting and at the end of their term shall be eligible for re-election.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
21
There shall be nine Committee Members who shall be elected by ballot to be held at the Annual General Meeting. The senior Committee Members in length of service from the date of the last election shall retire at each Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election. If two or more Committee Members have served for the same period those to retire shall be selected by the Chairman by lot.
THE COMMITTEE
22
The 'Committee' shall consist of the Officers and Committee Members referred to in Rules 20 and 21. The Committee shall meet at least once a month. Five members shall form a quorum. The Chairperson, or in this person's absence, a Chairperson elected by the meeting shall preside. Each member shall have one vote and in the event of equality of votes the presiding Officer shall have in addition to one vote as a member of the Committee a second or casting vote. All references to the 'Committee' shall include the Officers and Committee Members.
23
Any member or members of the Committee not being the whole of the Committee shall cease to be members thereof on resignation, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective upon receipt by the Secretary of written notification. The Committee may accept the verbal resignation of a Committee Member provided it is reported and approved at a subsequent Committee Meeting.
Any member of the Committee being absent from three consecutive meetings of the Committee shall, unless sending a written explanation, which the Committee shall deem satisfactory, cease to be a member of the Committee and shall also cease to be an Officer or Committee Member.
Any member of the Committee ceasing to be a member of the Club, or who is suspended from the privileges of membership shall cease to be a member of the Committee and shall also cease to be an Officer or Committee Member.
Any vacancy so caused shall be filled as provided in Rule 40.
24
The Officers and Committee Members shall receive such honorarium, if any, as a General Meeting shall from time to time determine.
Any Officer or Committee Member and the Steward or any other employee dealing with the moneys of the Club shall give such security as the Committee may from time to time determine, and shall discharge their duties under the direction of the Committee.
Appointment of Secretary
25
In the event of the Secretary being appointed from outside the membership of the Club and receiving a fixed salary, the Committee shall have power to elect them to honorary membership (see rule 9) entitling them to enjoy the privileges of membership other than voting, or moving resolutions, at any meeting of the Club. On vacating the office their honorary membership shall cease, but the Committee may, at their discretion, permit them to pay forthwith a subscription under Rule 12 whereupon they shall become an ordinary member without compliance with the usual formalities of election.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
President, Vice-President and Chairperson
26
The President, or in this Officer's absence the Vice-President or the Chairperson, shall preside at all meetings (other than Committee meetings) of the Club.
Trustees
27
a) All the property of the Club shall be vested in the Trustees, who shall be admitted to all meetings of the Committee and may take part in its proceedings. All property whether real or personal vested in the trustees shall be held by them upon trust for the Club and further the objects of the Club as provided by Rule 1 of these Rules. In the event of the Club being dissolved all such property after payment of the outstanding obligations of the Club (if any) shall be held by the Trustees for furthering Conservative principles in such manner, as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion determine
The Trustees shall have power, subject to authorisation by the Committee, to mortgage or charge the premises and other property of the Club for the purposes of raising such moneys as may be required to carry on the Club for the benefit and convenience of its members. Every Trustee shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Club from and against all liability costs damages claims and demands incurred or suffered arising out of and in connection with anything done as such Trustee of the Club or at the request of and in accordance with a Resolution of the Committee and the Trustees shall be authorised to charge the assets of the Club in their hands to satisfy any such liability.
b) The Trustees shall be elected at a General or Special General Meeting by a majority of the members present and entitled to vote and shall remain in office during the pleasure of the Club.
For the purpose of giving effect to such election the Chairperson is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new Trustees of the Club within the meaning of Section 36 of the Trustees
Act 1925 and they shall by Deed duly appoint the person or persons so nominated at the General or Special General Meeting as the new Trustee or Trustees of the Club and the provisions of the Trustee Act 1925 shall apply to any such appointment.
Treasurer
28
The Treasurer shall be responsible for directing that all moneys, whether received personally, by the Secretary, or any other Official, Steward or any other employee or agent of the Club, are duly paid into the Club's Bank at least once a week. The Treasurer shall also see that all debts of the Club are paid as directed by the Committee (except petty cash payments) by cheques signed by any two of the authorised signatories and countersigned by the Treasurer. At every regular meeting of the Committee (or more often if required) the Treasurer shall produce the Paying-in Book and Bank statements for inspection showing that the foregoing duties have been carried out. The Treasurer shall keep such accounts, documents and other papers of the Club, not otherwise kept by the Secretary, in such manner and for such purposes as the Committee may direct.
Secretary
29
The Secretary shall carry out the duties of this office under the superintendence, control and direction of the Committee. The duties of the Secretary shall be: -
To receive moneys on account of the Club and pay the same to the Treasurer or direct to the Club's Bank. The Secretary shall keep such accounts, documents and papers of the Club in such manner and for such purposes as the Committee may direct.
To summon and attend all meetings and take minutes of the proceedings,
To keep upon the Club premises a register of the names and addresses of the Club members and a record of the latest payment of their subscription.
To ensure that the Club is registered under the provisions of the Licensing Acts.
To ensure that the Club Premises Licence, or a Certified copy thereof, is kept at the Club premises in the custody or under the control of the person nominated for the purposes of Section 94(2) of the Licensing Act 2003.The nominated person shall be the Secretary unless otherwise decided by the Club Committee and shall be identified in writing to the Licensing Authority. The Secretary shall ensure that the summary of the Licence issued by the Licensing Authority is prominently displayed on the Club premises.
To be responsible for the insurance of the Club against fire and burglary and in respect to liability for accidents occurring to the Club servants and for any other purposes directed by the Committee.
To comply with the requirements of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue with regard to the deduction of income tax from the wages or salaries of employees and with the requirements of the National Insurance Acts in respect to such employees.
To be supplied by the Committee with copies of the Rules and shall be bound to deliver a copy thereof to any member on demand on such payment as the Committee may from time to time determine.
To carry out such other duties as are reasonably incidental to the office of Secretary.
AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE
30
The Committee shall conduct the general business of the Club, regulate the internal management, have power to enforce Rules, and make such bye-laws as may be necessary for the conduct of the Club in conformity with these Rules. It may appoint other Sub-Committees, which shall manage the several departments of the Club under the supervision of the committee.
31
No resolution passed by the Committee shall be rescinded unless notice shall have been given at a previous meeting of the intention to propose such rescission.
32
(a) The Committee shall have the power to reprimand, suspend from the facilities of membership for a period not exceeding one year, or expel from membership of the Club any member who is adjudged guilty by the Committee of any infringement of the Rules or Bye-Laws or whose conduct in or out of the Club is, in the opinion of the Committee, prejudicial to the Conservative cause or to the interests of the Club.
(b) The Chairperson or Secretary or in their absence, any member of the Committee, shall be empowered to order the immediate withdrawal of any member whose conduct on the Club premises is in conflict with the Rules of the Club. The matter must be reported to the Committee at their next regular meeting. Such a member shall have no right of re-entry to the Club premises until a decision has been made by the Committee in respect of whether there is a complaint to warrant them summoning the member to appear before them,
(c) In all other cases, any complaint or complaints against a member shall also be considered by the Committee at their next regular meeting, and the Committee shall be empowered to require the member concerned to withdraw from the facilities of membership until the date of the meeting to which the member shall be summoned under the terms of sub-paragraph (e).
(d) If the Committee are of the opinion that the complaint or complaints do not warrant them summoning the member to appear before them, the member in question must be immediately notified to this effect and in the case of sub-paragraph (b) be free to resume all membership rights.
(e) If the Committee are of the opinion that the complaint or complaints against a member does warrant them summoning The member to appear before them, at least seven clear days notice in writing shall be given by the Secretary to the member being so summoned, and the notice shall contain a written statement specifying the precise details of the complaint or complaints brought against the member.
(f) No member shall be reprimanded, suspended from the facilities of membership or expelled from membership of the Club without being first summoned before the Committee, and full opportunity afforded to the member to make a defence against the
allegations, nor unless a majority of at least two-thirds of the Committee then present vote for the member being reprimanded, suspended or expelled. The Committee's decision shall be final.
Should the member fail to appear before the Committee having given no prior reasonable explanation for failing to do so, the case can proceed and be dealt with by the Committee in the absence of the member.
33
The Committee, or any Officer authorised by them in writing, shall have power to give orders for goods and services and other things necessary for carrying out the objects of the Club; but nothing in this Rule shall empower the Committee, or any Officer authorised by them to incur expenditure except such as is consistent with the purposes for which the Club is established. No claim will be recognised or paid for any work done, or for any goods supplied to the Club, without an order from the Committee, or from any Officer authorised by them.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
34
Every candidate for office shall be proposed and seconded by two members entitled to vote. The candidate must have paid the current subscription and must have been a member for the previous twelve months. Candidates for election to the position of Chairperson or Vice Chairperson shall have served a term of at least one year as a member of the committee.
35
Each member of the Club shall have one vote for each vacancy, and no member shall give more than one vote to any candidate.
36
At least three weeks prior to the day appointed for the commencement of the ballot a notice shall be posted on the Club Notice Board by the Secretary,
At least three weeks prior to the day appointed for the commencement of the ballot a notice shall be posted on the Club Notice Board by the Secretary, inviting the nomination of candidates for the office of Committee Member or Officer of the Club. The notice shall remain so posted for ten days.
37
The names of all candidates for office in the Club, together with the names of their proposers and seconders, shall be entered on a nomination sheet which shall be posted on the Club Notice Board seven clear days before the day appointed for the commencement of the ballot and shall remain so posted until the result of the ballot has been declared.
38
(1) The Committee shall appoint four scrutineers to carry out the ballot under their direction and the result of the ballot shall be declared at the ensuing Annual General or Special General Meeting.
No Officer or Committee Member of the Club or candidate may be appointed a scrutineer.
(2) In the case of a tie between two or more candidates, the names of such candidates shall be placed in a receptacle, from which the Chairperson of the meeting shall draw as many names as there are vacancies to be filled.
The names thus drawn shall be declared duly elected.
39
In the event of being elected for two offices, the member shall choose which office to fill.
The vacancy thus arising shall be filled by the unsuccessful candidate with the highest number of votes, but if there shall be no such candidate, the office shall be filled by the Meeting who shall elect by ballot a member to fill the office.
Casual Vacancies
40
Any casual vacancies, except vacancies occasioned by removal under Rule 41, occurring amongst the Officers (other than Trustees), and Committee Members shall be filled up by the Committee, who shall appoint a person to assume the office. Any person so appointed shall retain this office so long as the vacating Officer or Committee Member would have retained the same if no vacancy had occurred.
Resignation of the Committee
41
In the event of the whole Committee resigning at any time, the Secretary shall obtain nominations during the following three days, and a ballot shall take place and be declared at a Special General Meeting held within ten days of such resignation for the election of a new Committee. The time and notice required for nominations under Rule 36 and for Special General Meetings under Rule 47, shall not apply in this case.
Removal of Committee and Election of new Committee
42
The Committee, or any member or members thereof, may be removed from office by a majority of three-fourths of the members of the Club present and voting at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
The election of a new Committee or any member or members thereof shall take place in the manner prescribed in the previous Rule upon resignation of the Committee.
APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE AUDITOR
43
(1)The members, at the Annual General Meeting, shall elect an auditor who publicly carries on the business of an accountant to audit the accounts for the ensuing year.
(2) The auditor shall audit the accounts and for that purpose shall have access to all books of the Club,
(3) The auditor shall examine the accounts and the receipts and expenditure, funds and effects of the Club, and shall confirm the same, and shall either sign the accounts to be correct, or shall report in what respects the accounts are incorrect.
(4) No officer of the Club or member of the committee shall be an Auditor.
Annual General Meetings
44
The Annual General Meeting shall be held in the month of March on a day to be fixed by the Committee.
45
Notice of such Annual General Meeting shall be posted on the Club Notice Board for at least twenty-one clear days before the date appointed for the Meeting.
Notice of any motion for inclusion in the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting must be submitted in writing to the Secretary within ten days of the posting of the notice summoning the Meeting.
The Agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be posted on the Club Notice Board for at least seven clear days before the date appointed for the Meeting. No business other than that specified in the Agenda shall be transacted at the Meeting.
A copy of the balance sheet and income and expenditure account for the year, with the report of the auditor/accountant, shall be posted on the Club Notice Board at least seven days before the Annual General Meeting.
46
At the Annual General Meeting a statement of affairs, the balance sheet, income and expenditure account and report of the auditor/accountant shall be presented.
At the Annual General Meeting ten members excluding the Officers and Committee Members shall form a quorum. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present the meeting shall stand adjourned to such day and at such time as the members present may determine and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour of the time appointed for the meeting the members present shall be a quorum.
No want of a quorum occurring after the presiding Officer has opened the meeting shall make a meeting incompetent to transact business.
Special General Meetings
47
The Secretary shall summon Special General Meetings as follows:
(1) In accordance with Rule 41.
(2) At the direction of the Committee.
(3) Upon a request forwarded to the Secretary signed by one-fifth of the members or 30 members whichever is the less, stating the objects of such meeting, in accordance with Rule 47.
Meetings summoned under the provisions (2) and (3) above shall be held within not less than fourteen days and not more than twenty-one days from the date of the receipt of the request by the Secretary.
48
Notice of any Special General Meeting, and of the object for which it is called, shall be posted on the Club Notice Board a clear fourteen days before the date appointed for such meeting (except in the case of a Special General Meeting called under Rules 41 and 42) and no other business except that for which the meeting has been convened shall be brought before a Special General Meeting.
49
At a Special General Meeting one-fifth of the members, or 30 members, whichever is the less, shall form a quorum. No want of quorum occurring after the presiding Officer has opened the meeting shall make a meeting incompetent to transact business.
Adjournment of Meetings
50
Any Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting may be adjourned to such time as a majority shall decide, but no business other than that which could have been transacted at the original meeting shall be brought forward at such adjourned meetings.
Rescission of Resolutions
51
No resolution passed at an Annual General or Special General Meeting shall be rescinded unless notice of the intention to propose such rescission shall have been given to the Secretary at least twenty-one days before the date appointed for the subsequent Annual General or Special General Meeting.
Voting
52
At all General Meetings every member present shall have one vote on each resolution.
GUESTS, MEMBERS' FUNCTIONS AND OTHER EVENTS
53
a) Every member shall be permitted to introduce guests as visitors to the Club. Those same guests, whether introduced by the same member or any other member shall not be admitted to the Club more than a maximum of three visits irrespective of the period, thereafter they must apply for membership. Failing this they shall not be admitted to the Club for a period of six months.
Each member shall also be allowed to sign in their guest’s partner, taking into account the restriction on their visits. The host member shall accompany their guests at all times whilst they are on Club premises.
The Committee reserves the right to refuse the admission of any guest if in their opinion it is desirable in the interests of the Club..
54
The name of any visitor admitted to the Club premises, and where appropriate, the name of the Member who introduced that person, shall be written in the Visitors book or the A.C.C. Members' Guest Book, as appropriate, which shall be kept for that purpose on the Club premises.
55
No person who has been expelled, or who, at the request of the Committee, has resigned his membership, or who, having been a Candidate for election has been rejected, or who, is indebted to the Club (see rule 12), shall be admitted as a visitor.
Any infringement of this Rule 55 will render the member offending liable to be dealt with by the Committee under Rule 31.
It shall be the duty of any officer, or member, of the Club to take every available means for putting a stop to the offences in question, and to report them forthwith to the Committee through the Secretary.
MISCONDUCT OF MEMBERS
56
No betting, unlawful gaming, drunkenness, involvement with drugs, bad language or disorderly conduct shall be permitted on the Club premises.
Any infringement of this Rule will render the member offending liable to be dealt with by the Committee under Rule 31(1).
It shall be the duty of any member of the Committee or member of the Club to take every available means for putting a stop to the offences in question, and to report them forthwith to the Committee through the Secretary.
HOURS OF OPENING AND CLOSING PREMISES
57
The Club premises shall be open to the members during such hours as may be determined from time to time by the Committee.
HOURS OF SUPPLY
58
The permitted hours for the supply of intoxicating liquor and for qualifying activities to take place shall be at such times as the Committee may determine, subject to the terms and conditions specified in the Club Premises Certificate granted to the Club under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, and as notified to the Licensing Officer at the High Peak Borough Council.
EXCISABLE ARTICLES
59
Signed-in guests, under the licensing Act 2003, may purchase and consume alcoholic beverages in their own right.
No person under 18 years of age shall be supplied or sold intoxicating liquor for consumption on or off the premises, and no person under the age of 18 years of age shall be entitled to play the Club's Gaming Machines.
Any Member of the Committee shall make an immediate report to the Secretary of any breach or attempted breach of this regulation.
Intoxicating liquor required for consumption off the premises shall be supplied to members only whilst on the Club premises, and taken away by them from the premises during the registered hours of supply. Any member who contravenes or attempts to contravene this Rule shall be dealt with under Rule 31
60
The proceeds of the supply of excisable refreshments shall be carried to the credit of the Club funds and no individual employee or other person shall derive any advantage from the supply thereof.
APPLICATION OF SURPLUS
61
Any annual surplus of the Club shall be applied in such manner, as the Committee consider best in the interests of the Club, and in furtherance of the objects for which the Club is formed, provided that no surplus shall be distributed among the members. Any surplus on dissolution of the Club shall be dealt with as provided in Rule 27a.
AMENDMENT OF RULES
62
Any Rule of the Club not hereinafter declared to be fundamental may be rescinded or amended or any new Rule made by a resolution carried by three-fourths of the votes given thereon at any Special General Meeting of which notice has been given specifying the intention to propose such a rescission, amendment or new Rule.
Rules 1r 3, 27, 61, 63 and this Rule are hereby declared to be fundamental and shall not be rescinded or amended, except with the prior consent in writing of the Association of Conservative Clubs Limited and by a resolution carried by three-fourths of the votes given thereon at a Special General Meeting as provided in this Rule.
Propositions for amendments of Rules made by the members must be submitted in writing to the Committee one month prior to the date of such Meeting. No proposition shall be taken into consideration unless supported by twenty members who shall attach their signatures to the proposed amendment. The Committee may propose Rule amendments at any time in accordance with the terms of this Rule.
Written notice of any new Rule or amendment of Rules must be given by the Secretary to the Licensing Authority within 28 days of the adoption thereof
DISSOLUTION
63
The Club may be dissolved by the consent of three-fourths of the members present and voting at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
DEFINITIONS
64
In these Rules, including this Rule, unless the subject matter or context are inconsistent therewith:
a) words importing the singular or plural shall include the plural or singular respectively.
b) "Officers" for the purposes of these Rules shall include every member of the Committee.
c) “intoxicating liquor" for the purpose of these Rules shall mean "alcohol',' within the meaning of section 191 of the Licensing Act 2003,
d) "Inter-Affiliation Ticket Holders" for the purpose of these Rules shall mean "Associates" within the meaning of Section 67 of the Licensing Act 2003.
BYE-LAWS
Hours of Opening and Closing
1. Notice of the hours during which the Club is open shall be kept and posted on the club Notice Board
Refreshments
2. Such refreshments, and at such tariff as the Committee may determine, shall be supplied to the members. However, non-excisable refreshments may be supplied by an employee duly authorised by the Committee to do so at the employee's expense and from which the employee shall derive any benefit.
Members' Payment
3. All members must pay every expense they incur in the Club before they leave the premises.
Games
4. No games, which are not permitted by law, shall be played in the Club.
Complaints
5. All complaint or suggestions shall be made in writing to the Secretary.
Conduct of Servants
6. The conduct of a servant shall in no instance be made a matter of personal reprimand by any member, but all complaints against servants, or the domestic arrangements of the Club, shall be addressed in writing to the Committee through the Secretary.
Bills, Notices, etc.
7. No bill, notice, placard, or newspaper, shall be posted or distributed in or about the Club premises without the permission of the Committee or some person authorised by them
Books, Papers, etc.
8. All books, papers, or pamphlets, written or printed, shall be stamped with the Club stamp before being placed in the Club rooms, and no books, papers or pamphlets shall be admitted into the Club without the sanction of the Committee or Secretary.
Memorials
9. No Committee member or Officer of the shall sign any memorial or document on behalf of the Club, or relating to matters not immediately connected with the management of the Club, without the express sanction of the Committee.
Damage to Property
10. Any persons damaging the furniture or any other property of the club shall make good the same to the satisfaction of the Committee.
No member shall take away, injure or destroy any newspaper, pamphlet, book or other article which is the property of the club.
11. No pets shall normally be allowed on Club premises. However at the discretion of the committee, small, well behaved pets may be allowed in the Club at lunch times.
Standard of Dress
12 All members whilst on the Club premises shall maintain a suitable standard of dress, as the Committee in their absolute discretion shall decide. During weekdays this shall be casual but clean and smart. On Saturday evenings and other such occasions as sanctioned by the Committee, the minimum standard of dress shall be of a more formal standard and ultimately at the discretion of the Committee.
Alterations of Bye-Laws
13. These Bye-Laws shall not be altered without the sanction of a General or Special General Meeting but the Committee may at any time issue Bye-Laws.
Exhibition of Bye-Laws
15. A copy of these Rules and Bye-Laws shall be at all times exhibited in a prominent position in the Club.
1
“The Buxton Conservative Club”, hereinafter referred to as the "Club'' shall be situated at 3-5 Concert Place, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6EE, or such other place as the majority of members shall determine.
Its objects shall be to carry on the business of a Club and in so doing, to promote by all proper means, the principles of Conservatism and the implementation of the Conservative Party's policies and to provide social and recreational facilities for members.
The Club shall be affiliated to and inter-affiliated with the Association of Conservative Clubs Limited.
MEMBERSHIP
Election
2
The election of members shall be vested solely in the Committee and shall be by ballot, a majority shall carry.
3
Only Conservatives, not being under 18 years of age, shall be eligible for membership.
4
Any two members of not less than six months standing may propose and second a candidate for membership and shall be able from personal knowledge to vouch for the candidate's respectability and fitness to be a member. Both of them shall sign the nomination form as shall the candidate, who by doing so, shall pledge to support the Conservative Party and to abide by the Rules of the Club now, or hereafter, in force, in the event of being elected a member.
Any person wishing to apply for membership and not knowing of any eligible members to propose or second them, may at the discretion of the Committee, be made a temporary member until such time as the committee deem them suitable for membership. Eligible members may propose two and second two candidates for membership in any one membership year.
The Steward/Stewardess shall not be a member of the Club.
5
The name, address, and occupation of each candidate, and the names of the proposer and seconder, shall be posted on the Club Notice Board at least seven days before the day on which the candidate's name is to be submitted for election.
6
Any member, who is of the opinion that any candidate so proposed would not be a desirable member, shall inform the Secretary, in writing, who shall communicate the objection to the Committee.
7
The Committee may require the attendance of any proposer or seconder and their candidate to answer such questions as may be put to them. Should they not appear before the Committee if summoned to do so, or send an explanation which the Committee shall deem to be satisfactory for not doing so within four weeks, that application for election shall be rejected.
8
No candidate shall be deemed to be a member of the Club, or participate in its privileges and benefits, until they have been elected by the Committee and paid their first subscription. Membership of the Club and acceptance of these Rules by a member shall be deemed to constitute consent to the holding of relevant personal data for the purpose of the General Data Protection Regulations.
Special Classes of Membership
9
Life Members
The Committee shall have power to elect from time to time as Life members without entrance fee or subscription, persons of distinction or those who have rendered valuable services to the Conservative Cause or the Club. An interval of at least seven days shall elapse between their election and admission as members, and to terminate at any time the Life Membership of any member so elected if, in their opinion, it is desirable in the interests of the Club.
Honorary Members
The Committee shall have power to elect as Honorary Members: -
- Those who have completed fifty years successive subscribing membership of the Club.
- Externally appointed Secretary or Treasurer for the period of tenure of their office.
Temporary Members
The Committee shall have power to elect temporary members being persons not normally resident within 10 miles of the Clubhouse in accordance with the rules relating to election of members, except that they may be admitted without prior nomination and two days shall elapse between their election and admission to the privileges of membership. Temporary members shall for every week of their membership pay a subscription of a level determined at an Annual General Meeting, payable on election and for every subsequent week of their membership on the first day thereof. Duration of such membership shall not exceed four weeks. Temporary members shall not be entitled to hold office, attend or vote at General Meetings and shall be subject to such further regulations as the Committee may prescribe from time to time. Such membership may be terminated at any time by the Committee if in their opinion it is in the best interests of the Club.
Disqualification of Candidates
10
No rejected candidate shall again be proposed as a member until the expiration of twelve months from the date of such rejection.
No person who shall have been expelled from this or any other Conservative Club affiliated to or inter-affiliated with the Association of Conservative Clubs Limited shall ever again be proposed as a candidate, or make use of the Club premises, except by consent of the Committee.
Resignation of Membership
11
Any member wishing to resign must send a written notice to the Secretary, and shall thereupon cease to be a member. The Committee may accept the verbal resignation of a member provided it is reported and approved at a subsequent Committee Meeting.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
12
The ordinary subscription shall be of such sum per annum as shall from time to time be determined by the Members at a General Meeting. Subscriptions shall be paid in advance on admission and subsequently on the 1st January each year. All new members would pay any entrance fee determined at an Annual General Meeting.
13
A suspended member shall remain liable to pay the annual subscription.
14
Every member shall produce a receipt of their subscription or card of membership, whenever called upon to do so by any person authorised by the Committee to make such demand on the Club premises.
Non-Payment of Subscription
15
Any member failing to pay the subscription within one month after the same has become due shall be considered to be in arrear, and if the sum due is not paid within another two months this person shall cease to be a member. If however, the delay in payment can be accounted for to the satisfaction of the Committee, the Committee may at its discretion direct that any member shall be exempt from the above.
16
Any member in arrears of subscription shall not be permitted to make use of the facilities of the Club or take part in its affairs.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
17
Any member changing address shall, within fourteen days, give notice to the Secretary in writing of such change and until such notice is given, and all communications and notices sent to the last recorded address shall be deemed to have been served upon such member.
INTER-AFFILIATION TICKET HOLDERS
18
Members of Clubs inter-affiliated with the Association of Conservative Clubs Limited, subject to the Rules and Regulations of that Association, may on presentation of their Inter-Affiliation Ticket be admitted to the Club premises, and intoxicating liquor may be sold to them by or on behalf of the Club for consumption on the premises.
Only those Inter Affiliated members resident outside a radius of 10 miles may use inter affiliation cards to enjoy the facilities of the Club.
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
19
Membership shall terminate:
(a) On resignation (Rule 11).
(b) On non-payment of subscription (Rule 15}.
(c) On expulsion (Rule 32).
(d) On ceasing to be a Conservative supporter as defined in Rule 3.
(e) On death.
OFFICERS
20
The Officers of the Club shall consist of three Trustees who shall be elected according to Rule 27; a President, a Vice-President, a Chairperson, a Treasurer and a Secretary, who shall remain in office until their successors are elected, and shall be elected annually by ballot at the Annual General Meeting and at the end of their term shall be eligible for re-election.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
21
There shall be nine Committee Members who shall be elected by ballot to be held at the Annual General Meeting. The senior Committee Members in length of service from the date of the last election shall retire at each Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election. If two or more Committee Members have served for the same period those to retire shall be selected by the Chairman by lot.
THE COMMITTEE
22
The 'Committee' shall consist of the Officers and Committee Members referred to in Rules 20 and 21. The Committee shall meet at least once a month. Five members shall form a quorum. The Chairperson, or in this person's absence, a Chairperson elected by the meeting shall preside. Each member shall have one vote and in the event of equality of votes the presiding Officer shall have in addition to one vote as a member of the Committee a second or casting vote. All references to the 'Committee' shall include the Officers and Committee Members.
23
Any member or members of the Committee not being the whole of the Committee shall cease to be members thereof on resignation, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective upon receipt by the Secretary of written notification. The Committee may accept the verbal resignation of a Committee Member provided it is reported and approved at a subsequent Committee Meeting.
Any member of the Committee being absent from three consecutive meetings of the Committee shall, unless sending a written explanation, which the Committee shall deem satisfactory, cease to be a member of the Committee and shall also cease to be an Officer or Committee Member.
Any member of the Committee ceasing to be a member of the Club, or who is suspended from the privileges of membership shall cease to be a member of the Committee and shall also cease to be an Officer or Committee Member.
Any vacancy so caused shall be filled as provided in Rule 40.
24
The Officers and Committee Members shall receive such honorarium, if any, as a General Meeting shall from time to time determine.
Any Officer or Committee Member and the Steward or any other employee dealing with the moneys of the Club shall give such security as the Committee may from time to time determine, and shall discharge their duties under the direction of the Committee.
Appointment of Secretary
25
In the event of the Secretary being appointed from outside the membership of the Club and receiving a fixed salary, the Committee shall have power to elect them to honorary membership (see rule 9) entitling them to enjoy the privileges of membership other than voting, or moving resolutions, at any meeting of the Club. On vacating the office their honorary membership shall cease, but the Committee may, at their discretion, permit them to pay forthwith a subscription under Rule 12 whereupon they shall become an ordinary member without compliance with the usual formalities of election.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
President, Vice-President and Chairperson
26
The President, or in this Officer's absence the Vice-President or the Chairperson, shall preside at all meetings (other than Committee meetings) of the Club.
Trustees
27
a) All the property of the Club shall be vested in the Trustees, who shall be admitted to all meetings of the Committee and may take part in its proceedings. All property whether real or personal vested in the trustees shall be held by them upon trust for the Club and further the objects of the Club as provided by Rule 1 of these Rules. In the event of the Club being dissolved all such property after payment of the outstanding obligations of the Club (if any) shall be held by the Trustees for furthering Conservative principles in such manner, as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion determine
The Trustees shall have power, subject to authorisation by the Committee, to mortgage or charge the premises and other property of the Club for the purposes of raising such moneys as may be required to carry on the Club for the benefit and convenience of its members. Every Trustee shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Club from and against all liability costs damages claims and demands incurred or suffered arising out of and in connection with anything done as such Trustee of the Club or at the request of and in accordance with a Resolution of the Committee and the Trustees shall be authorised to charge the assets of the Club in their hands to satisfy any such liability.
b) The Trustees shall be elected at a General or Special General Meeting by a majority of the members present and entitled to vote and shall remain in office during the pleasure of the Club.
For the purpose of giving effect to such election the Chairperson is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new Trustees of the Club within the meaning of Section 36 of the Trustees
Act 1925 and they shall by Deed duly appoint the person or persons so nominated at the General or Special General Meeting as the new Trustee or Trustees of the Club and the provisions of the Trustee Act 1925 shall apply to any such appointment.
Treasurer
28
The Treasurer shall be responsible for directing that all moneys, whether received personally, by the Secretary, or any other Official, Steward or any other employee or agent of the Club, are duly paid into the Club's Bank at least once a week. The Treasurer shall also see that all debts of the Club are paid as directed by the Committee (except petty cash payments) by cheques signed by any two of the authorised signatories and countersigned by the Treasurer. At every regular meeting of the Committee (or more often if required) the Treasurer shall produce the Paying-in Book and Bank statements for inspection showing that the foregoing duties have been carried out. The Treasurer shall keep such accounts, documents and other papers of the Club, not otherwise kept by the Secretary, in such manner and for such purposes as the Committee may direct.
Secretary
29
The Secretary shall carry out the duties of this office under the superintendence, control and direction of the Committee. The duties of the Secretary shall be: -
To receive moneys on account of the Club and pay the same to the Treasurer or direct to the Club's Bank. The Secretary shall keep such accounts, documents and papers of the Club in such manner and for such purposes as the Committee may direct.
To summon and attend all meetings and take minutes of the proceedings,
To keep upon the Club premises a register of the names and addresses of the Club members and a record of the latest payment of their subscription.
To ensure that the Club is registered under the provisions of the Licensing Acts.
To ensure that the Club Premises Licence, or a Certified copy thereof, is kept at the Club premises in the custody or under the control of the person nominated for the purposes of Section 94(2) of the Licensing Act 2003.The nominated person shall be the Secretary unless otherwise decided by the Club Committee and shall be identified in writing to the Licensing Authority. The Secretary shall ensure that the summary of the Licence issued by the Licensing Authority is prominently displayed on the Club premises.
To be responsible for the insurance of the Club against fire and burglary and in respect to liability for accidents occurring to the Club servants and for any other purposes directed by the Committee.
To comply with the requirements of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue with regard to the deduction of income tax from the wages or salaries of employees and with the requirements of the National Insurance Acts in respect to such employees.
To be supplied by the Committee with copies of the Rules and shall be bound to deliver a copy thereof to any member on demand on such payment as the Committee may from time to time determine.
To carry out such other duties as are reasonably incidental to the office of Secretary.
AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE
30
The Committee shall conduct the general business of the Club, regulate the internal management, have power to enforce Rules, and make such bye-laws as may be necessary for the conduct of the Club in conformity with these Rules. It may appoint other Sub-Committees, which shall manage the several departments of the Club under the supervision of the committee.
31
No resolution passed by the Committee shall be rescinded unless notice shall have been given at a previous meeting of the intention to propose such rescission.
32
(a) The Committee shall have the power to reprimand, suspend from the facilities of membership for a period not exceeding one year, or expel from membership of the Club any member who is adjudged guilty by the Committee of any infringement of the Rules or Bye-Laws or whose conduct in or out of the Club is, in the opinion of the Committee, prejudicial to the Conservative cause or to the interests of the Club.
(b) The Chairperson or Secretary or in their absence, any member of the Committee, shall be empowered to order the immediate withdrawal of any member whose conduct on the Club premises is in conflict with the Rules of the Club. The matter must be reported to the Committee at their next regular meeting. Such a member shall have no right of re-entry to the Club premises until a decision has been made by the Committee in respect of whether there is a complaint to warrant them summoning the member to appear before them,
(c) In all other cases, any complaint or complaints against a member shall also be considered by the Committee at their next regular meeting, and the Committee shall be empowered to require the member concerned to withdraw from the facilities of membership until the date of the meeting to which the member shall be summoned under the terms of sub-paragraph (e).
(d) If the Committee are of the opinion that the complaint or complaints do not warrant them summoning the member to appear before them, the member in question must be immediately notified to this effect and in the case of sub-paragraph (b) be free to resume all membership rights.
(e) If the Committee are of the opinion that the complaint or complaints against a member does warrant them summoning The member to appear before them, at least seven clear days notice in writing shall be given by the Secretary to the member being so summoned, and the notice shall contain a written statement specifying the precise details of the complaint or complaints brought against the member.
(f) No member shall be reprimanded, suspended from the facilities of membership or expelled from membership of the Club without being first summoned before the Committee, and full opportunity afforded to the member to make a defence against the
allegations, nor unless a majority of at least two-thirds of the Committee then present vote for the member being reprimanded, suspended or expelled. The Committee's decision shall be final.
Should the member fail to appear before the Committee having given no prior reasonable explanation for failing to do so, the case can proceed and be dealt with by the Committee in the absence of the member.
33
The Committee, or any Officer authorised by them in writing, shall have power to give orders for goods and services and other things necessary for carrying out the objects of the Club; but nothing in this Rule shall empower the Committee, or any Officer authorised by them to incur expenditure except such as is consistent with the purposes for which the Club is established. No claim will be recognised or paid for any work done, or for any goods supplied to the Club, without an order from the Committee, or from any Officer authorised by them.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
34
Every candidate for office shall be proposed and seconded by two members entitled to vote. The candidate must have paid the current subscription and must have been a member for the previous twelve months. Candidates for election to the position of Chairperson or Vice Chairperson shall have served a term of at least one year as a member of the committee.
35
Each member of the Club shall have one vote for each vacancy, and no member shall give more than one vote to any candidate.
36
At least three weeks prior to the day appointed for the commencement of the ballot a notice shall be posted on the Club Notice Board by the Secretary,
At least three weeks prior to the day appointed for the commencement of the ballot a notice shall be posted on the Club Notice Board by the Secretary, inviting the nomination of candidates for the office of Committee Member or Officer of the Club. The notice shall remain so posted for ten days.
37
The names of all candidates for office in the Club, together with the names of their proposers and seconders, shall be entered on a nomination sheet which shall be posted on the Club Notice Board seven clear days before the day appointed for the commencement of the ballot and shall remain so posted until the result of the ballot has been declared.
38
(1) The Committee shall appoint four scrutineers to carry out the ballot under their direction and the result of the ballot shall be declared at the ensuing Annual General or Special General Meeting.
No Officer or Committee Member of the Club or candidate may be appointed a scrutineer.
(2) In the case of a tie between two or more candidates, the names of such candidates shall be placed in a receptacle, from which the Chairperson of the meeting shall draw as many names as there are vacancies to be filled.
The names thus drawn shall be declared duly elected.
39
In the event of being elected for two offices, the member shall choose which office to fill.
The vacancy thus arising shall be filled by the unsuccessful candidate with the highest number of votes, but if there shall be no such candidate, the office shall be filled by the Meeting who shall elect by ballot a member to fill the office.
Casual Vacancies
40
Any casual vacancies, except vacancies occasioned by removal under Rule 41, occurring amongst the Officers (other than Trustees), and Committee Members shall be filled up by the Committee, who shall appoint a person to assume the office. Any person so appointed shall retain this office so long as the vacating Officer or Committee Member would have retained the same if no vacancy had occurred.
Resignation of the Committee
41
In the event of the whole Committee resigning at any time, the Secretary shall obtain nominations during the following three days, and a ballot shall take place and be declared at a Special General Meeting held within ten days of such resignation for the election of a new Committee. The time and notice required for nominations under Rule 36 and for Special General Meetings under Rule 47, shall not apply in this case.
Removal of Committee and Election of new Committee
42
The Committee, or any member or members thereof, may be removed from office by a majority of three-fourths of the members of the Club present and voting at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
The election of a new Committee or any member or members thereof shall take place in the manner prescribed in the previous Rule upon resignation of the Committee.
APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE AUDITOR
43
(1)The members, at the Annual General Meeting, shall elect an auditor who publicly carries on the business of an accountant to audit the accounts for the ensuing year.
(2) The auditor shall audit the accounts and for that purpose shall have access to all books of the Club,
(3) The auditor shall examine the accounts and the receipts and expenditure, funds and effects of the Club, and shall confirm the same, and shall either sign the accounts to be correct, or shall report in what respects the accounts are incorrect.
(4) No officer of the Club or member of the committee shall be an Auditor.
Annual General Meetings
44
The Annual General Meeting shall be held in the month of March on a day to be fixed by the Committee.
45
Notice of such Annual General Meeting shall be posted on the Club Notice Board for at least twenty-one clear days before the date appointed for the Meeting.
Notice of any motion for inclusion in the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting must be submitted in writing to the Secretary within ten days of the posting of the notice summoning the Meeting.
The Agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be posted on the Club Notice Board for at least seven clear days before the date appointed for the Meeting. No business other than that specified in the Agenda shall be transacted at the Meeting.
A copy of the balance sheet and income and expenditure account for the year, with the report of the auditor/accountant, shall be posted on the Club Notice Board at least seven days before the Annual General Meeting.
46
At the Annual General Meeting a statement of affairs, the balance sheet, income and expenditure account and report of the auditor/accountant shall be presented.
At the Annual General Meeting ten members excluding the Officers and Committee Members shall form a quorum. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present the meeting shall stand adjourned to such day and at such time as the members present may determine and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour of the time appointed for the meeting the members present shall be a quorum.
No want of a quorum occurring after the presiding Officer has opened the meeting shall make a meeting incompetent to transact business.
Special General Meetings
47
The Secretary shall summon Special General Meetings as follows:
(1) In accordance with Rule 41.
(2) At the direction of the Committee.
(3) Upon a request forwarded to the Secretary signed by one-fifth of the members or 30 members whichever is the less, stating the objects of such meeting, in accordance with Rule 47.
Meetings summoned under the provisions (2) and (3) above shall be held within not less than fourteen days and not more than twenty-one days from the date of the receipt of the request by the Secretary.
48
Notice of any Special General Meeting, and of the object for which it is called, shall be posted on the Club Notice Board a clear fourteen days before the date appointed for such meeting (except in the case of a Special General Meeting called under Rules 41 and 42) and no other business except that for which the meeting has been convened shall be brought before a Special General Meeting.
49
At a Special General Meeting one-fifth of the members, or 30 members, whichever is the less, shall form a quorum. No want of quorum occurring after the presiding Officer has opened the meeting shall make a meeting incompetent to transact business.
Adjournment of Meetings
50
Any Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting may be adjourned to such time as a majority shall decide, but no business other than that which could have been transacted at the original meeting shall be brought forward at such adjourned meetings.
Rescission of Resolutions
51
No resolution passed at an Annual General or Special General Meeting shall be rescinded unless notice of the intention to propose such rescission shall have been given to the Secretary at least twenty-one days before the date appointed for the subsequent Annual General or Special General Meeting.
Voting
52
At all General Meetings every member present shall have one vote on each resolution.
GUESTS, MEMBERS' FUNCTIONS AND OTHER EVENTS
53
a) Every member shall be permitted to introduce guests as visitors to the Club. Those same guests, whether introduced by the same member or any other member shall not be admitted to the Club more than a maximum of three visits irrespective of the period, thereafter they must apply for membership. Failing this they shall not be admitted to the Club for a period of six months.
Each member shall also be allowed to sign in their guest’s partner, taking into account the restriction on their visits. The host member shall accompany their guests at all times whilst they are on Club premises.
The Committee reserves the right to refuse the admission of any guest if in their opinion it is desirable in the interests of the Club..
- Members of other Clubs or other organisations who have been invited to take part in organised games, tournaments or other recreational activities held on the Club premises and Members, Officials and supporters of visiting teams invited to participate in the same, and persons attending at the Club premises to attend a meeting or function may, at the discretion of the Committee, be admitted to the Club premises as guests of Members and intoxicating liquor may be sold to such persons for consumption on the Club premises only.
54
The name of any visitor admitted to the Club premises, and where appropriate, the name of the Member who introduced that person, shall be written in the Visitors book or the A.C.C. Members' Guest Book, as appropriate, which shall be kept for that purpose on the Club premises.
55
No person who has been expelled, or who, at the request of the Committee, has resigned his membership, or who, having been a Candidate for election has been rejected, or who, is indebted to the Club (see rule 12), shall be admitted as a visitor.
Any infringement of this Rule 55 will render the member offending liable to be dealt with by the Committee under Rule 31.
It shall be the duty of any officer, or member, of the Club to take every available means for putting a stop to the offences in question, and to report them forthwith to the Committee through the Secretary.
MISCONDUCT OF MEMBERS
56
No betting, unlawful gaming, drunkenness, involvement with drugs, bad language or disorderly conduct shall be permitted on the Club premises.
Any infringement of this Rule will render the member offending liable to be dealt with by the Committee under Rule 31(1).
It shall be the duty of any member of the Committee or member of the Club to take every available means for putting a stop to the offences in question, and to report them forthwith to the Committee through the Secretary.
HOURS OF OPENING AND CLOSING PREMISES
57
The Club premises shall be open to the members during such hours as may be determined from time to time by the Committee.
HOURS OF SUPPLY
58
The permitted hours for the supply of intoxicating liquor and for qualifying activities to take place shall be at such times as the Committee may determine, subject to the terms and conditions specified in the Club Premises Certificate granted to the Club under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, and as notified to the Licensing Officer at the High Peak Borough Council.
EXCISABLE ARTICLES
59
Signed-in guests, under the licensing Act 2003, may purchase and consume alcoholic beverages in their own right.
No person under 18 years of age shall be supplied or sold intoxicating liquor for consumption on or off the premises, and no person under the age of 18 years of age shall be entitled to play the Club's Gaming Machines.
Any Member of the Committee shall make an immediate report to the Secretary of any breach or attempted breach of this regulation.
Intoxicating liquor required for consumption off the premises shall be supplied to members only whilst on the Club premises, and taken away by them from the premises during the registered hours of supply. Any member who contravenes or attempts to contravene this Rule shall be dealt with under Rule 31
60
The proceeds of the supply of excisable refreshments shall be carried to the credit of the Club funds and no individual employee or other person shall derive any advantage from the supply thereof.
APPLICATION OF SURPLUS
61
Any annual surplus of the Club shall be applied in such manner, as the Committee consider best in the interests of the Club, and in furtherance of the objects for which the Club is formed, provided that no surplus shall be distributed among the members. Any surplus on dissolution of the Club shall be dealt with as provided in Rule 27a.
AMENDMENT OF RULES
62
Any Rule of the Club not hereinafter declared to be fundamental may be rescinded or amended or any new Rule made by a resolution carried by three-fourths of the votes given thereon at any Special General Meeting of which notice has been given specifying the intention to propose such a rescission, amendment or new Rule.
Rules 1r 3, 27, 61, 63 and this Rule are hereby declared to be fundamental and shall not be rescinded or amended, except with the prior consent in writing of the Association of Conservative Clubs Limited and by a resolution carried by three-fourths of the votes given thereon at a Special General Meeting as provided in this Rule.
Propositions for amendments of Rules made by the members must be submitted in writing to the Committee one month prior to the date of such Meeting. No proposition shall be taken into consideration unless supported by twenty members who shall attach their signatures to the proposed amendment. The Committee may propose Rule amendments at any time in accordance with the terms of this Rule.
Written notice of any new Rule or amendment of Rules must be given by the Secretary to the Licensing Authority within 28 days of the adoption thereof
DISSOLUTION
63
The Club may be dissolved by the consent of three-fourths of the members present and voting at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
DEFINITIONS
64
In these Rules, including this Rule, unless the subject matter or context are inconsistent therewith:
a) words importing the singular or plural shall include the plural or singular respectively.
b) "Officers" for the purposes of these Rules shall include every member of the Committee.
c) “intoxicating liquor" for the purpose of these Rules shall mean "alcohol',' within the meaning of section 191 of the Licensing Act 2003,
d) "Inter-Affiliation Ticket Holders" for the purpose of these Rules shall mean "Associates" within the meaning of Section 67 of the Licensing Act 2003.
BYE-LAWS
Hours of Opening and Closing
1. Notice of the hours during which the Club is open shall be kept and posted on the club Notice Board
Refreshments
2. Such refreshments, and at such tariff as the Committee may determine, shall be supplied to the members. However, non-excisable refreshments may be supplied by an employee duly authorised by the Committee to do so at the employee's expense and from which the employee shall derive any benefit.
Members' Payment
3. All members must pay every expense they incur in the Club before they leave the premises.
Games
4. No games, which are not permitted by law, shall be played in the Club.
Complaints
5. All complaint or suggestions shall be made in writing to the Secretary.
Conduct of Servants
6. The conduct of a servant shall in no instance be made a matter of personal reprimand by any member, but all complaints against servants, or the domestic arrangements of the Club, shall be addressed in writing to the Committee through the Secretary.
Bills, Notices, etc.
7. No bill, notice, placard, or newspaper, shall be posted or distributed in or about the Club premises without the permission of the Committee or some person authorised by them
Books, Papers, etc.
8. All books, papers, or pamphlets, written or printed, shall be stamped with the Club stamp before being placed in the Club rooms, and no books, papers or pamphlets shall be admitted into the Club without the sanction of the Committee or Secretary.
Memorials
9. No Committee member or Officer of the shall sign any memorial or document on behalf of the Club, or relating to matters not immediately connected with the management of the Club, without the express sanction of the Committee.
Damage to Property
10. Any persons damaging the furniture or any other property of the club shall make good the same to the satisfaction of the Committee.
No member shall take away, injure or destroy any newspaper, pamphlet, book or other article which is the property of the club.
11. No pets shall normally be allowed on Club premises. However at the discretion of the committee, small, well behaved pets may be allowed in the Club at lunch times.
Standard of Dress
12 All members whilst on the Club premises shall maintain a suitable standard of dress, as the Committee in their absolute discretion shall decide. During weekdays this shall be casual but clean and smart. On Saturday evenings and other such occasions as sanctioned by the Committee, the minimum standard of dress shall be of a more formal standard and ultimately at the discretion of the Committee.
Alterations of Bye-Laws
13. These Bye-Laws shall not be altered without the sanction of a General or Special General Meeting but the Committee may at any time issue Bye-Laws.
Exhibition of Bye-Laws
15. A copy of these Rules and Bye-Laws shall be at all times exhibited in a prominent position in the Club.
