drafted 11th July, 2005

Name

The name of the organisation shall be Wrington Vale Medical Practice Patient/Practice Partnership

2. Objects

The aims of the organisation are, for the benefit of patients of the Wrington Vale Medical Practice:

a) to identify and promote a range of activities to be taken up by sub-committees dealing, for example, with topics such as special needs groups - diabetes, epilepsy, &c, recruiting to those sub-committees, liaising with medical staff; also special occasions/events around themes, perhaps in association with cognate groups in other Practices.

b) to identify a range of issues having a wider, 'political' dimension, bearing directly on the work of the Practice and the experience of patients, acquiring information to achieve an informed view, consulting as appropriate, publicising the results, taking action as appropriate.

c) to establish, foster, and maintain an informal communication network, reviewing the means and process of communication of information relevant to patients' experience of the NHS, building a database from such experience, and enabling effective means of complaint, suggestion, and inquiry.

3. Powers

In furtherance of the objects but not otherwise the Executive Committee may exercise the following powers;

a) Power to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions;

b) Power to buy or lease and to maintain any equipment or materials necessary for the achievement of the objects;

c) Power to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use;

d) Power to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the organisation;

e) Power to publish books, periodicals, pamphlets and other materials in printed, recorded or electronic format, and to hold intellectual property rights in any such material;

f) Power to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objects and to exchange information and advice with them;

g) Power to appoint and constitute such advisory committees as the Executive Committee may think fit;

h) Power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects.

4. Membership

a) Membership of the organisation shall be open to any person registered with the Wrington Vale Medical Practice interested in furthering the objects of the organisation.

b) Every member shall have one vote.

c) The Executive Committee may by unanimous vote and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual.

Honorary Officers

At the annual general meeting of the organisation the members shall elect from amongst themselves a chairperson, deputy chairperson and a treasurer, who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting.

The post of secretary shall be filled ex officio by the Practice Manager.

5. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of not less than 5 members nor more than 7 members being:

a) The honorary officers specified in the preceding clause

b) Not less than one and not more than 3 members, elected from the annual general meeting who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting

c) All the members of the Executive Committee shall retire from office together at the end of the Annual General Meeting next after the date on which they came into office. They may be re-elected or re-appointed.

e) In addition, the Executive Committee may co-opt not more than 3 members to the group as non-voting members.

f) The Executive Committee shall hold at least four meetings each year.

g) There shall be a quorum when at least one third of the number of members of the Executive Committee are present at a meeting.

h) Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the Executive Committee present and voting on the question but in the case of equality of votes the chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

The Executive Committee shall keep minutes, in books kept for the purpose, of the proceedings at meetings of the Executive Committee and any sub-committee.

Annual General Meetings

a) An annual general meeting shall be called once a year, not more than six months following the end of the financial year.

b) Every annual general meeting shall be called by the Executive Committee with at least 21 days' notice. All members of the group shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.

Accounts

a) The Executive Committee shall present to the Annual General Meeting accounts and a report for the year ending on the 31st March. These accounts will be certified by an independent examination or audit report.

b) The Executive Committee shall maintain a bank account in the name of the organisation as specified in clause one.

c) All monies received from any source shall be paid into this account.

d) Cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other member of the Executive Committee.

Alterations to the Constitution

The constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at the Annual General Meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.

Dissolution

If the Executive Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the organisation it shall call a meeting of all members of the organisation of which not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting the Executive Committee shall have the power to realise any assets held by the organisation. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other organisations having objects similar to the objects of the group, or failing that shall be applied for some other charitable purpose within the parish of Wrington.

Arrangements until the first Annual General Meeting

Until the first Annual General Meeting takes place the constitution shall take effect as if references in it to the Executive Committee were references to those persons whose signatures appear at the bottom of this document.

This constitution was adopted on 26th April, 2006 (Date)

Signed

Andrew Densham..................................................... (Chair) Jose Tarnowski................ (Hon Secretary)