PONTEFRACT DISPENSARY AND HERMITAGE ACTION GROUP

CONSTITUTION

The name of the organisation is:

Pontefract Dispensary and Hermitage Action Group (PDHAG)

Introduction

Pontefract General Dispensary was founded in 1812 and was originally located in Sessions House Yard, later moving to Baxtergate and then in 1880 to its present site on Southgate. Pontefract Dispensary (later Pontefract General Infirmary, PGI) was a voluntary general hospital that was established and maintained by public subscription until 1948 when it was absorbed into the NHS. Throughout the 20th Century PGI expanded down the north slope of FriarwoodValley towards Friarwood Lane and Slutwell Lane. PGI closed in 2011 when acute hospital services were transferred to the new Pinderfields Hospital, and the buildings on the north slope of Friarwood Valley were demolished shortly afterwards, leaving only the Dispensary on Southgate.

Beneath the Dispensary is the medieval hermitage and oratory, a Grade I listed heritage site, accessible only from the Dispensary, which is not a listed building, although it is registered as a building of local interest and is located within the Button Park/Friarwood Conservation Area.

Following the closure of PGI and its demolition in 2011, there is concern for the future of the site, and in particular, the Dispensary and Hermitage, both of which are important for the town’s heritage. The site and buildings remain in the ownership of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, but it needs to be emphasised that it was the local community that originally funded and built the Dispensary for the improvement of local health care. If the NHS has no further use for the building to deliver local health services, then in fairness to the people of Pontefract, it should be made available in safe and sound condition for the benefit of the local community.

Aims and Objectives

Aims

  • Through engaging and consulting all interested parties and the media, and developing an action plan, PDHAG will ensure that the Dispensary, the Hermitage and the archaeological remains of St. Richard’s Friary are preserved and protected for future generations and for the benefit of Pontefract’s heritage.

Objectives

  • PDHAG will bring together relevant groups and individuals interested in Pontefract’s heritage to achieve its aims.
  • PDHAG will engage and consult with the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and their partners to ensure that they take the site and our concerns seriously and take appropriate action to protect Pontefract’s heritage, as defined in the Aims.
  • PDHAG will engage and consult with Wakefield MDC Officers and Councillors and other agencies to protect and enhance Pontefract’s heritage as defined in the Aims.
  • PDHAG will engage and consult with various media organisations to raise the awareness of the potential damage to Pontefract’s heritage following the demolition of PGI.
  • PDHAG will develop a strategy,plans, documents and actions for engagement with interested parties and individuals, and the media,and encourage public support, in order to deliverits Aims.
  • PDHAG will develop processes for communications both within the group and externally.
  • PDHAG will agree more detailed roles & responsibilities to meet and deliver the agreed aims and objectives of the group.

Membership

  • Membership of the group is open to all interested members of the public.
  • Meetings will be held in public venues and open to all.
  • Members will be required to pay an annual subscription that will be reviewed at least annually by the membership.
  • Every member shall have one vote
  • A list of members will be maintained by the Secretary of PDHAG, including contact details to ensure that all members are kept informed.
  • All members will receive a copy of the minutes of the meetings of PDHAG.

Executive Committee

  • The members will elect an Executive Committee comprising Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
  • The Chair will be responsible for effective communication during and after meetings.
  • The Vice Chair will deputise for and support the Chair as appropriate.
  • The Secretary will be responsible for the agenda and supporting documents before the meeting, for recording the minutes of the meetingsand will also maintain a list of members with contact details.
  • A Treasurer will be elected, who will be responsible for finances and accounts.
  • In addition to the four officers, up to four members may be co-opted on to the Executive Committee.

Working methods

  • PDHAG will monitor the Dispensary, Hermitage and PGI demolition site and assess risk to the site, its heritage potential, and its future use.
  • Tasks will be agreed and delegated from PDHAG for members to action, including follow up with colleagues in relevant organisations.
  • The agenda and the minutes of the last meeting will be sent out to members at least one week before the next meeting.
  • Meetings will be held as frequently as necessary; the date, time and venue of the next meeting will usually be agreed at every meeting.

Governance and quorum

  • The presence of 4 members of the Executive Committee and 4 others comprise a quorum for a meeting.
  • In any decisions requiring a vote the Chair has the casting vote.
  • An extraordinary meeting of PDHAG may be called by the Executive Committee, or by 10 members in writing to the Chair.
  • The business of PDHAG will be conducted by the Executive Committee,
  • The Executive Committee may meet separately as frequently as necessary for the conduct of PDHAG’s business.

Finances and Accounts

  • PDHAG will operate a bank account in the name of Pontefract Dispensary and Hermitage Action Group and all income will be paid into the account.
  • All cheques drawn on the bank account will require two signatures of the three authorised officers: Treasurer, Chair or Vice Chair.
  • The Treasurer will prepare a statement of accounts for the Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting

  • There will be an Annual General Meeting of the membership held not later than the end of March each year.
  • At least two weeks notice of the AGM and the agenda for the meeting will be given to all members.
  • Each member will have one vote at the AGM or other meetings and voting will be by a show of hands or private ballot.
  • All committee members will retire at the AGM but may be re-elected for a further term.

Alterations to the Constitution

  • The Constitution may be amended by a resolution passed by a majority vote of members present at a quorate meeting.
  • The agenda sent out at least two weeks before the meeting must include notice of the proposed amendment

Winding up of Pontefract Dispensary and Hermitage Action Group

  • Pontefract Dispensary and Hermitage Action Group may be wound up by majority vote at a quorate meeting of the Group.
  • The prior notice of the meeting at least two weeks beforehand, must state the purpose of the meeting
  • Any assets remaining following dissolution of PDHAG shall be transferred to a charity having similar aims for the benefit of Pontefract’s heritage.

This Constitution was adopted by the meeting of Pontefract Dispensary and Hermitage Action Group held on Friday 1st February 2013

Chair:Colin White

Vice Chair:Roger Ellis

Secretary:Bill Hare

Treasurer:Chris Stringer