The Tongue End Community constitution was adopted on the 01/01/2022.
1. Name
The name of our community working group shall be: Tongue End Community Group
2. Aims
The following points are the core aims of the Tongue End Community group, these core aims will be actively reviewed and discussed in the AGM.
2.1 Community Development
To seek opportunities to bring our community together through events or common objectives.
2.2 Road Safety
Lobby to improve road safety for vehicles and pedestrians throughout the Tongue End village.
2.3 Tackling Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
Work with local representatives from the Lincolnshire Police to help safeguard the community against concerns around crime and anti-social behaviour. Whilst crime is a relatively low concern for the village there remains ever growing concerns around hare coursing and those targeting our local farmers and landowners.
2.4 Preserving Local Heritage
The village has a long history from which there are signs. Old rail tracks, buildings, and land areas of interest will be closely watched over.
2.5 Improve Biodiversity
Being present within an intensively farmed location we are keen to work with the Welland Rivers Trust, Welland Internal Drainage Board, and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to find ways to improve the diversity of both fauna and flora within the area.
2.6 Support Native Wildlife
Wildlife has a significant presence in and around the village, anything we agree to or carry out ourselves will give consideration to how this may impact the local wildlife, with insects, bats, birds, small mammals, and now fish featuring highly, apparently, we have important fish in the counter drain!
2.7 Improve Unused Space
Within the village and surrounding areas there are unused and underutilised pockets of land that have remained that way for some years which presents us with opportunities to make these spaces usable once again. Projects such as the Tongue End Playing Field are important so other opportunities will be sought.
2.8 Health & Safety
Building on our commitment to road safety there are other considerations for our health. Making sure outdoor spaces are easily accessible for all ages and providing access to a defibrillator is an important place to start. Anything that might pose a risk such as damaged paths, overgrown hedgerows, and playpark equipment will be addressed.
2.9 Sustainability & Climate Change
Underpinning everything we do is our unwavering commitment to improve sustainability and tackle climate change, if there are opportunities to improve or lobby in these areas as they relate to Tongue End then we’ll commit to making a difference for our generation and the future inhabitants of Tongue End.
3. Powers
In order to achieve its aims the Tongue End Community Group group may:
a) Raise money
b) Open bank accounts
c) Take out insurance
d) Seek volunteers
e) Acquire equipment and storage
f) Organise courses and community events
g) Work with other similar community groups
h) Seek assistance from specialist organisations (WRT, WIDB, LWT)
i) Do anything that is lawful which will help it to fulfil its aims
4. Membership
a) Membership of the Tongue End Community Group shall be open to any person or organisation living or located in Tongue End and surrounding areas who are interested in helping the group to achieve its aims, willing to abide by the rules of the group and assist the group where possible.
b) Membership shall be available to anyone without regard to gender, age, race, nationality, disability, sexual preference, religion or belief.
c) Every individual member and each organisation shall have one vote at General Meetings.
d) The membership of any member may be terminated for good reason by the Management Committee but the member has a right to be heard by the Management Committee before a final decision is made.
e) Each member organisation shall appoint a representative to attend meetings of the group and notify the group’s Secretary of that person’s name.
5. Management
a) The Tongue End Community Group shall be administered by a Management Committee of the Officers and not more than 3 other members elected at the group’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
b) The Officers of the Management Committee shall be: the Chairperson, the Treasurer and the Secretary.
c) The Management Committee shall meet at least once a year.
d) The Chairperson shall Chair all meetings at the Group.
e) The quorum for Management Committee meetings shall be at least 3 members.
f) Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by show of hands. If there is a tied vote then the Chairperson shall have a second vote.
g) The Management Committee may be a two-thirds majority vote and for a good and proper reason remove any Committee member, provided that person has the right to be heard before a final decision is made.
h) The Management Committee may appoint another member of the group as a Committee member to fill a vacancy provided the maximum number is not exceeded.
6. Duties of the Officers
a) The duties of the Chairperson are to:
b) The duties of the Secretary are to:
take and keep minutes of meetings
prepare the agenda for meetings of the Committee and the group in consultation with the Chairperson
maintain the membership list
deal with correspondence
collect and circulate any relevant information within the group
c) The duties of the Treasurer are to:
supervise the financial affairs of the group
keep proper accounts that show all monies collected and paid out by the group
7. Finance
a) Any money obtained by the Tongue End Community Group shall be used only for the Tongue End Community.
b) Any bank accounts opened for the Tongue End Community Group shall be in the name of the group.
c) Any cheques issued shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other nominated official.
8. Annual General Meeting
a) The group shall an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the month of March.
b) All members shall be given at least fourteen days’ notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote. The quorum for an AGM shall be 5 members.
c) The business of the AGM shall include:
9. Special General Meeting
A Special General Meeting may be called by the Management Committee or by any of the members to discuss an urgent matter. The Secretary shall give all members fourteen days’ notice of any Special General Meeting together with notice of the business to be discussed. All members shall be entitled to attend and vote.
10. Alterations to the Constitution
Any change to this constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.
11. Dissolution
The group may be wound up at any time agreed by two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the event of winding up, any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to another group with similar aims.
Chairperson & Secretary: Ric Chapman
Treasurer: Charlene Chapman
Committee Member: Matthew Holmwood
Committee Member: Lacey Mason
Committee Member: Stephanie Thomas
Committee Member: Eddy O’Reilly