1 HARROGATE CRICKET CLUB LTD.
Constitution & Rules
- NAME
The name of the Society shall be “Harrogate Cricket Club Ltd.”
(hereinafter – “the Club”)
- REGISTRATION
The Club shall be a Society registered under the Industrial and Provident
Acts 1965-1978 (“the Acts”). The Club shall not be de-registered except
with the authority of a resolution of the Members as may be required from
time to time to amend the Constitution and Rules generally (disregarding
any special requirements as to amendments to any particular Rule) or
except as provided by law.
- CLUB COLOURS
The Cub colours shall be green and gold. The emblem of the Club shall
be a cockerel.
4. CLUB PURPOSES
The purposes of the Club shall be to promote the amateur sport of Cricket
In Harrogate and community participation in the same.
- PERMITTED MEANS OF ADVANCING THESE PURPOSES
(a) To provide coaching and competitive opportunities in cricket as a
centre of excellence as well as social activities for members.
(b)To acquire and provide grounds, equipment, coaching, training and
playing facilities as well as clubhouse, medical and related facilities.
(c) In particular, to manage and maintain the CountyGround, St. Georges
Road, Harrogate
(d) To co-operate and affiliate with any bodies regulating cricket, in
particular, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and any
association of clubs whose existence is calculated to further the sport
.
(e)To take out any insurance cover for Club, employees, contractors,
players, guests and third parties.
(f)To raise funds by appeals, subscriptions, loans and charges.
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(g)To open bank accounts, borrow money up to a limit of £100,000 and
to give security for same.
(h)To buy, lease or licence property and sell, let or otherwise dispose of the same.
(i)To make grants and loans, give guarantees and provide other benefits.
(j)To set aside funds for special purposes or as reserves.
(k)To invest funds in any lawful manner.
(l)To employ and engage staff and others and to provide services.
(m) To promote the Club within the local community and cricket in
general.
(n) To ensure a duty of care to all Club members.
(o) To do all other things deemed reasonably necessary to advance these
Purposes
- REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of the Club shall be at The County Ground,
St. Georges Road, Harrogate HG2 9BP or at such other address that the
ClubManagement Board (hereinafter “theBoard”) may, from time to
time decide.
- MEMBERSHIP
(a) The Membership of the Club shall be open, upon application, to
anyone interested in cricket regardless of sex, age, disability,
ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other belief.
(b) The Club may have different classes of membership and subscription . on a non-discriminatory and fair basis.
(c)The Board may refuse or rescind membership only for a good cause,
such as non-payment of subscription, conduct or character likely to bring the Club or Cricket into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or rescinding of membership may be made in accordance with the procedure contained in the code of conduct published to Members by notice in the Clubhouse..
(d)Until otherwise agreed by an Annual General Meeting (hereinafter
AGM) the classes of Membership referred to in 5(b) above shall be :-
3 PATRON (who need not be an existing member of the Club) who
shall be elected at the AGM on the prior recommendation of the
Board.
PRESIDENT who (prior to election) must have been a member of the
Club for at least 5 (five) years, shall be elected at the AGM of the
Club on the prior recommendation of the Board.
The President shall be an honorary member of the Club and shall be
entitled to all the benefits and privileges of membership. The
President shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Board but may
not vote on any issue.
LIFE MEMBERS who shall only be elected at the AGM of the Club
and on the prior recommendation of the Board
Life Members shall be honorary members of the Club and shall be
entitled to all benefits and privileges of membership.
Life Membership shall be considered an honour for those members
who have performed long and valued service to the Club.
FAMILY MEMBERS who shall be entitled to all the benefits and
privileges of membership.
LIFETIME PLAYING MEMBERS who shall be entitled to all the
benefits and privileges of membership
PLAYING and ORDINARY MEMBERS who shall be entitled to all
the benefits and privileges of membership.
JUNIOR MEMBERS – under the age of 18 – who shall have all benefits
and privileges of membership (except as detailed below).
ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLUB SHALL HAVE FULL VOTING RIGHTS
AT ANY ANNUAL OR SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING EXCEPT THOSE
MEMBERS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 (SIXTEEN) AS AT THE DATE OF
ANY SUCH MEETING
(e)APPLICATION for MEMBERSHIP shall be made in writing on the
form provided for the purpose.
(f) SUBSCRIPTION RATES for membership of the Club shall be
proposed by the Board to the AGM for the approval of the
Members.
(i) All members shall pay a subscription except the Patron, the
the President, Honorary Life Members and Lifetime Playing
Members (after paying their initial payment).
(ii) Subscriptions shall fall due on the 1st April.
4 (iii) Any member who has not paid a subscription by 1st June shall
(subject to the discretion of the Board) cease to be a member of
the Club.
(g) CONDUCT
All members shall abide by these rules, promote and support the Club
and not act in a manner which may prejudice the good name, order or
interests of the Club
(h) COMPLAINTS
Any complaint against an individual member should be made in
writing to the Chairman who, if he is unable to deal with the complaint
himself, shall submit the complaint to the Board for consideration and
whose decision shall be final
(i) EXPULSION
The Board shall have the power to expel any Member in accordance
with Rule 7(c). Such adecision shall be communicated to the
Member inwriting.
(j) RESIGNATIONS
Resignations shall only be accepted in written form and addressed to
an elected officer of the Club. Notwithstanding their resignation, a
member shall be liable to pay their subscription for the year in which
theyresign
- SHARE CAPITAL
(a) The capital of the Club shall consist of shares of the value of five
pence each.
(b) Every Member of whatever category (excluding memberships held in
the name of Junior Members under the age of sixteen years) shall
hold one share and no more in the capital of the Club. No person
who is not a Member shall be issued with a share.
(c) Every Member of the Club (other than those under the age of sixteen
years) at the date these rules take effect shall be allotted one share and
five pence of the subscription the next paid by each Member shall be
applied in paying up the same in full.
(d) Any person (of sixteen years of age or more) admitted to membership
after the date on which these rules take effect shall be allotted one
5 share on admission and five pence of the first subscription paid by
such Member shall be applied in paying up the same in full.
(e) In the case of a share allotted to an Honorary Life Member or
Patron who is not a Member under any other category, whether
such share is allotted upon these Rules taking effect or upon
admission to membership thereafter, such share shall be credited as
fully paid by way of capitalisation of any profits of the reserves of
the Club and the Boardshall have power to take all stepsnecessary
give effect to this Rule.
(f) No share shall be withdrawable or be transferable by any Member
and no interest, dividend or bonus shall be payable on any share
. Any Member transferring or attempting to transfer a share or any
interest therein or any rights associated therewith shall, if the
Management Board so decides, be deemed to have resigned from
the Club as from the date of such transfer or attempted transfer.
(g) The share of a Member shall be forfeited to the Club when that
Member, for whatever reason, ceases to be a Member and any
amount then due to the Member in respect of such share shall
thereon become the property of the Club.
(h) The Club shall not be required to issue a certificate to any Member
in respect of the share allotted to that Member.
9. MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION
The Club shall be managed and administered by the Board who shall be
appointed each year at the AGM and who shall report and be accountable to
the Members at the AGM.
10. MANAGEMENT BOARD
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(a)The Management Board (the Board) shall comprise of a minimum of
six and a maximum of ten Members of the Club elected for the ensuing
year at the AGM by a show of hands and by a simple majority of
members present. Voting by ballot, including postal and proxy voting
may take place if the Board so decide. The Members so elected shall,
having regard to the balance of skills available, appoint from their
number a Chairman, an Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Secretary, a
Child Welfare Officer andsuch other post holders as they may deem
necessary.
(b) Nominations for the Board must be signed by at least five Members
of the Club. Such nominations must be in the possession of the then
Honorary Secretary at least ten days prior to the AGM.
6 (c) Once elected to the Board, a member will automatically go forward
for re-election at the following AGM unless the Board decide
otherwise or the individual does not wish to be so nominated.
(d) Board meetings shall be convened only by either the Chairman or the
Honorary Secretary. Board Meetings shall be called monthly or at
such intervals as may be decided by the Board. At any meeting of the
Board there shall be a quorum of three. The Chairman shall have
regard to any specific request for a meeting made by any three
Members of the Board.
(e) When a vote is taken at a Board Meeting, in the event of votes being
equal, the Chairman shall be entitled to a second and casting vote.
(f) Personal Interests A member of the Board who is in any way,
whether directly or indirectly and whether for himself/herself or
through a person connected with him/her interested in a contract,
transaction or arrangement with the Club shall declare the nature of
his/her interest in accordance with Section 317 of the Companies Act
1985 (or such other section as shall re-enact or replace Section 317) as
if such Member were a director and the Club were a company for the
purposes of that Act. Such a Member shall not vote, nor count in the
quorum, at a meeting of the Board on any resolutionconcerning a
matter in which, or in connection with which, he/she has, directly or
indirectly, an interest or duty which, in the opinion of the chairman of
the meeting, is material and conflicts, or may conflict, with the interests
of the Club If requested to do so by the chairman of the meeting, such
Member shall withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter in question
is discussed and, if applicable, voted on. If the Member in question is
the chairman of the meeting, references in the previous sentences of
thisRule to the chairman of the meeting shall be construed as being
references to a majority of the other Members present at the meeting at
the relevant time.
11. FINANCIAL YEAR
Subject to compliance with the Acts, the financial year of the Club shall commence on the first day of October and end on the following last day of September.
12. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING .
(a) The AGM shall take place not later than the end of February following . the end of the financial year on the 30th September. The Agenda of the
AGM shall be decided by the Board.
(b) Members shall be given 14 days notice of the date of the AGM with
7such notice including a copy of the Annual Report to Members and also
a copy of the Accounts of the Club duly audited. Such notice shall be
given by post, e-mail or by any means decided upon by the Board.
(c) The quorum for an AGM or Special General Meeting shall be 20
Members.
(d) The chair at the AGM shall be taken by the President or, in his
absence, the Chairman. Should neither be present, then the chair will
be taken by one of the Members of the Board.
(e) The AGM shall have the power (subject always to the provision of the
Acts) to make and amend the Constitution and Rules of the Club in
accordance with Rule 16 , to elect a President, a Patron, any Honorary
Life Member (as and when nominated by the Board)and to receive and
approve the Annual Report of the Club and the Statements of Accounts
for the year past.
(f) Members whose subscriptions have been paid, either for the year
immediately preceding the AGM or for the ensuing year, shall be
eligibleto attend and vote and to participate in a postal or proxy ballot
on such matters as the Board shall resolve to decide by such means.
(g) Save as otherwise provided in these Rules or as required by “The Acts”,
a simple majority shall be sufficient for the passing of any resolution.
In the event of equality of votes, the Chairman of the AGM shall have a
second and casting vote. The Board shall be empowered to arrange for
any resolutions at an AGM to be decided by a postal and/or a proxy vote
enabling all Members to vote. The Board shall be empowered to
appoint appropriate persons to invigilate the ballot.
13. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
(a) A Special General Meeting, hereinafter SGM, may be convened at any
time on the recommendation of the Board or at the written request of at
least twentyfive (25) Members. Such a request must be made to the
Chairman of the Board.
(b) No business shall be transacted at any SGM other than thatwhich is
specified or is incidental to any such recommendation or request..
(c) Members requesting an SGM shall have access to the membership list
and shall be entitled to explain, on up to two sides of A4 paper, the
reason for the SGM.
(d) All members must be notified 14 days in advance in writing by the Club.
The cost of mailing including postage shall be borne by the Members
calling the SGM. The mailing will include the Agenda and the
Members’ formal explanation of the business that the Meeting is called to
8 consider Any other costs of the meeting shall be borne by whoever the
Board decides has lost the main vote, a deposit having been lodged with
the Board. Should the SGM be held alongside an AGM, common costs
shall be regarded as being of the AGM
(e) The Chairman of any SGM shall have a second, (casting) vote in the
event of a tied vote.
14. AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS
(a) The Preparation and Audit of Accounts
The Annual Accounts of the Club for each financial year (herinafter“the
Annual Accounts”) shall be prepared, signed, audited, published,
under the direction of and approved by the Board, signed by any
two members of the Board and bearing the Report of the Auditors, shall
be submitted at the AGM.
(b) Auditors
The provision of the Acts as to the appointment, removal, powers, rights,
remuneration and duties of the Auditors shall be compled with. The
Auditors shall be entitled to attend any General Meeting and to receive all
notices of and other communications (other than voting forms) relating to
any General Meeting which any Member is entitled to receive and to
speak at any General Meeting on any part of the business of the meeting
which concerns them as Auditors. The remuneration of the Auditors
shall not exceed any limit imposed by the Registrar pursuant to the Acts.
15. WINDING UP
(a)The Club may be wound up, either compulsorily by an order pursuant
to the Insolvency Act 1986, or voluntarily byresolution of the Members
(either as Members Voluntary Winding Up or Creditors Voluntary
Winding Up) pursuant to the Insolvency Act 1986 as if the Club were a
company within the meaning of that Act.
(b)In the eventof the dissolution or winding up, the property and assets
remaining after the discharge of all liabilities and expenses, shall not be
paid or distributed amongst the share-holding Members of the Club, but
shall be given or transferred to one or more of the following approved
sporting or charitable bodies:-
(i) The National Playing Fields Association
(ii) Another Club which is a registered Community Amateur Sports
Club (CASC).
9 (iii) The England and Wales Cricket Board, as the sport’s governing
body, for use by them for related community sports.
16. RULES
(a)These rules can only be altered at an AGM or SGM providing at least
two thirds of the eligible votes are in favour of any proposed change
to a specific rule or rules.
(b) Notice of any resolution for any proposed alteration of the Rules
must be given, in writing, to the Honorary Secretary at least four
(4) weeks in advance of the meeting and a copy of such
resolution shall be sent to members with notice of the meeting.
(c) Any dispute concerning the implementation or interpretation of the
Club’s Constitution and Rules and on any matter that may arise
affecting the Club and not provided for by the Constitution and Rules
shall be determined by the Board whose decision shall be final.
(d) A copy of these Rules shall be available for inspection at the Hon.
Secretary’s office at the Cricket Ground, St.Georges Road, Harrogate
and shall be supplied to any Member of the Club upon request.
17. SEAL
If and whenever the Club is required, or finds it desirable to have, a seal, the
Club shall have its name engraved in legible characters on a seal(“the seal”)
which shall be kept in the custody of the Secretary and shall be used only
under the authority of the Board which may determine who shall sign any
instrument to which the seal is affixed and, unless otherwise so determined,
it shall be signed by any two members of the Board.