The basic information you need to agree and include in a Neighbourhood Forum constitution is:
The Name of the Forum and Area Covered –forum areas are shown on the website and you can get help from your Council District Office if you need maps of your area.
Aim and Objectives – the aim should be based on enabling residents to discuss local issues, representing residents’ views and working for the improvement of the area.
Powers and Values – these sections of the constitution set out what kind of things the Forum will do in practice and how it, and its members, are expected to behave.
Membership – should be open to local residents over the age of 16 to join as full (voting) members. You can enable young people and people from outside the area to join as associate members. You should set out how membership may be suspended (eg, if a member brings the forum into disrepute).
Meetings – set out the arrangements for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) – which is where members elect a committee – and for ordinary members’ meetings.
Committee & Officers – Between meetings most of the business of a neighbourhood forum is done by its committee. You will need to set out the rules for: elections; committee meetings (quorum and timing etc); the officers (chair, secretary and treasurer etc.) and their powers and responsibilities.
Finance – see the section on Forum Finances on the next page for more details.
Alterations and Dissolution – specify how the constitution can be amended, how the forum may be wound up and what happens to any assets if it is.
Forum Constitution – what it is and why you need one
Model Constitution – which can be adapted for your Forum