The
name of the Group shall be The Eden Independents Group, herein referred to as
The Independent Group.
The
Independent Group has no intention of instructing Independent Members what to do
or say, but if Independent Councillors are to survive they must work together,
not only to ensure full participation and representation within the Region, but
also to help their colleagues serve the people they represent.
The Independent Group of Councillors will
safeguard the interests of all residents and taxpayers, both collectively and
individually, without being influenced by party political dogma – to promote
just, efficient and effective Local Government and to encourage the electorate
and business community to take an interest in local affairs.
Whilst all Independent Councillors are
entitled to speak and vote in the best interests of those whom they represent,
they accept that they should at all times do their utmost to further the cause
of Independent Councillors and the Group, and to control events for the benefit
of those whom they represent.
The aims of the Independent Group shall be:
i. To
“Best Serve the People of Eden”, by promoting “Social and Community
Well-being”, “A Quality Environment”, “A Vibrant Economy”, and “A
Quality Council”.
Any Elected Member of Eden District Council or
Independent Candidate for a Ward within Eden District, who is not a candidate or
elected member for any other Political Group, registered or otherwise, shall be
eligible to become a Member of the Independent Group, provided that the Officers
(as referred to in Clause 5) shall have the absolute discretion to refuse such
membership to any Applicant, providing that such discretion is exercised
reasonably and in accordance with the aims of the Group (stated in Clause 3).
Anyone being refused Membership has a Right of Appeal to a Special General
Meeting (Clause 7) by requesting such a meeting of the Officers within 3 days of
being refused membership. In such a case the Officers must call a meeting within
7 days, as set out in Clause 7.
A person ceasing to be a Member of the
Independent Group shall no longer have any rights or interest in the property
and funds of the Independent Group.
All members of the Independent Group, subject
to Clause 4, shall be entitled to attend any General Meeting of the Independent
Group.
The Members of the Independent Group shall
then appoint the following Officers, namely:
The said Officers shall be elected annually at
the Annual General Meeting. The Leader, Deputy Leader, and Treasurer will take
up their positions on the 1st day of June annually.
The meeting shall also appoint a Secretary
from within the Group’s Membership. The appointed Secretary shall be entitled
to be reimbursed for secretarial costs incurred.
The Annual General Meeting of the Independent
Group shall be held during May each year for the following purposes, namely:
All Members of the Independent Group shall,
subject to Clause 4, be entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General
Meeting.
Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be
given in writing at least 14 days before the date of the meeting and for
any other general meeting shall be given in writing at least 7 days
before the date of the meeting. Nominations for vacancies at the Annual General
Meeting shall be made and seconded not later than 7 clear days before the
meeting. In the event that the number of nominations exceeds the number of
vacancies to be filled, voting shall be by secret ballot.
In the event of one of the candidates for the
position of Leader not securing fifty per cent of the vote, a further ballot
will be held with the candidate receiving the least number votes in each ballot
being eliminated until only 2 are left.
A
Special General Meeting of the
Independent Group may be summoned at any time by the Leader of the Independent
Group or by not less than 4
Members of the Independent Group acting together having sent a written request
to the Secretary to convene such a meeting. The Leader shall then authorise the
holding of a Special General Meeting within 7 days of the receipt of such
request.
The Leader and Deputy Leader shall be entitled
to call a Special General Meeting in the event of an emergency, giving such
notice as they deem sufficient in the circumstances.
8. Quorum
At General Meetings and Special General
Meetings of the Independent Group, the quorum shall be not less than 20% of the
members.
The votes at all meetings of the Independent
Group may be taken in the first instance by a show of hands. The Leader may at
his/her discretion decide that a ballot should be taken and shall so decide if
requested to do so by one third of those present and entitled to vote. The
Leader shall have a second or casting vote in the event of the voting being
equal.
All Members shall be free to vote and speak as
their individual consciences dictate, but a Special General Meeting of the
Independent Group may consider terminating the membership of any Member whose
conduct is judged to be inconsistent with the objectives of the Independent
Group and is shown to be opposed to its major interests and objectives. In the
event that such a meeting is called to consider such a termination, the Member
shall be given 7 days clear notice to appear at the Special General Meeting to
show cause why his or her membership should not be terminated.
Such termination may only be confirmed if two thirds of the Members
present vote for such an action.
The Officers of the Independent Group are
hereby given the power to interpret the Clauses of this Constitution in the
event of any ambiguity or conflict arising and their decision shall be final.