The Harpenden Youth Town Council Constitution

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The Youth Town Council, a non-profit making organisation, shall seek to represent the young people of Harpenden as a section of society on any issue of concern to them. (The term “young people” means those aged between 11 and 18 (end of Year 13)).

The Youth Town Council shall seek to advise, support and work with existing and new youth organisations within Harpenden and District.

Members of the Youth Town Council shall act as representatives of Harpenden at relevant functions, act as ambassadors of Harpenden locally, nationally and internationally and encourage links with young people.

The Youth Town Council shall seek to represent and communicate the views and needs of all young people in Harpenden.

The Youth Town Council shall, where applicable, be involved in the organisation of events for young people and seek to further the understanding between groups of young people. The Youth Town Council shall not discriminate between (i) young people, (ii) those from different cultural and religious backgrounds or (iii) those with special or different needs.

The Youth Town Council shall advise, as and when it feels appropriate, on all aspects of the policy for Youth Work in the Harpenden area.

In pursuit of these aims and objectives the Youth Town Council shall operate as a non-party political or statutory body.

The Youth Town Council shall have the power to invite other people to participate in their Meetings as non-voting members or advisors or guests, as and when deemed appropriate (The word “guest” means someone who is invited to attend one meeting only for a specific reason).

The Youth Town Council shall meet not less that four times a year and as often as the Youth Town Council deems necessary.

One quarter (or the next highest whole number) of the members of the Youth Town Council must be present for a meeting to proceed.

If less than three people attend, the meeting will be postponed and rearranged at a later date.

Any Youth Town Councillor who fails to attend a Youth Town Council Meeting in six months will be removed from the Youth Town Council, except in exceptional circumstances.

An Annual General Meeting must be held each year no later than 30th September. At least 14 days clear notice shall be given in writing to each member.

At each Annual General Meeting the business shall include:
1. A Report of the activities of the Youth Town Council from the Chairman
2. The election of Officers to manage its affairs
3. A Report on the financial position of the Youth Town Council from the Secretary
The Youth Town Council may at any time appoint Committees or Sub-Committees subject to:
1. Members of a Committee or Sub-Committee not holding office later that the next Annual General Meetin
2. At any time dissolving or altering the membership of a Committee or Sub-Committee.
The Youth Town Council has power to give responsibilities to any Committee or Sub-Committee it deems necessary.
1. A Special General, ordinary, Committee or Sub-Committee meeting may be summoned by the Chairman of the Youth Town Council or Chairman of the relevant Committee/Sub-Committee at any time.
2. A special meeting shall also be called on the request of 50% of members. Such a request must be presented to the Chairman of the Youth Town Council or Chairman of the relevant Committee/Sub-Committee who shall summon a Special Meeting within 28 days of receipt of the request.
3. The summons shall set out the business to be considered at the Special Meeting and no other business shall be discussed at the meeting.

Members shall vote by show of hands, or if at least one quarter (or the next highest whole number) of members present so request, by secret ballot.
In any case of an equality of votes, the Chairman may give a casting vote.
Members are not allowed to vote for themselves when electing Officers of the main Youth Town Council.

At the Annual General Meeting the Youth Town Council shall elect a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and such other officers as the Youth Town Council shall from time to time decide.
Only members of the Youth Town Council shall be eligible to serve as Officers, Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Youth Town Council’s Committee or Sub Committees.
The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Youth Town Council and its Sub-Committees, shall hold Office until the next Annual General Meeting of the Youth Council after their election.
The Chairman shall be a non-voting member of all special or standing committees or Sub-Committees as the Youth Town Council may from time to time determine.
If vacancies occur, the Youth Town Council shall have the power to fill these from amongst its members. Any person appointed to fill such a casual vacancy shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting of the Youth Town Council.

All monies raised by or on behalf of the Youth Town Council shall be applied to further the objects of the Council and for no other purpose provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the repayment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
The Secretary shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Youth Town Council and these shall be available for presentation when asked.

If the Youth Town Council by a three quarters (or the next highest whole number) majority of those voting decide at any time that on the grounds of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Youth Town Council, it shall call a meeting of all members of the Youth Town Council who have the power to vote. The Meeting shall have 21 days notice, and an Agenda stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed thereat.
If such a decision shall be confirmed by a three quarters (or the next highest whole number) majority of those present and voting at such meetings, the Youth Town Council shall refer the decision to the next Full Council Meeting of Harpenden Town Council.

Any amendments to this Constitution to be agreed at a Full Youth Town Council Meeting following consultation with the Town Clerk of Harpenden Town Council.

DECLARATION ELECTION OF MEMBERS

i. Members can be elected at any time throughout the year by Co-option at a Full Youth Town Council Meeting.
ii. Members shall hold their positions for no more than two years or until they finish Year 13 or equivalent.
iii. Members may resign at any time.
iv. Those holding the position of Chairman, Vice-Chairman or any other Office, will do so for a maximum of one term, i.e. one year, and cannot be re-elected until a further year has elapsed.