Constitution of The Harrogate Club
- Name and Address
The name of the Club is The Harrogate Club (herein referred to as The Club). The Club premises are situated at 36 Victoria Avenue, HARROGATE, North Yorkshire, HG1 5PR.
- Objects
- To promote fellowship among members and invited guests and to provide facilities and social activities, in keeping with The Club’s historic values that can be enjoyed in a convivial and supportive atmosphere.
- To preserve, maintain and enhance The Club’s Victorian era premises.
- To enter into reciprocal agreements with other clubs in the UK and abroad so that members may enjoy access to their facilities and members of these clubs may use the facilities of The Club.
- Constitution
- Governance
The Club is governed under the terms of the Constitution and Rules of The Club which have been approved by members in General Meetings and Byelaws that have been promulgated by the Committee in accordance with the Rules. A copy of the Constitution, Rules and Byelaws shall be available in The Club for members to consult at all times.
- Membership
Membership of The Club is open to all persons aged 18 and over irrespective of race, disability, gender, religious belief, political affiliation, or sexual orientation. Members shall have voting rights according to their class of membership as specified in the Rules.
- Status
The Club is an Unincorporated Membership Association and a not-for-profit organisation owned, on behalf of its members, by Trustees and run, on behalf of its members, by a committee elected by its members.
- Management
There shall be a Committee of elected Club Officers (President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer) Vice President, Immediate Past President, if available, and other Committee Members as detailed in the Rules. The Committee is responsible for all aspects of the management of The Club and shall carry out such management in accordance with the Rules and the Laws of England and Wales.
- Trustees and Property
There shall be at least 3 Trustees, who are members appointed by the Committee, at all times. The Trustees who, on behalf of the members, are jointly the proprietors of The Club premises, are responsible for the stewardship and continuity of the freehold of The Club premises and its assets and act as directed by the Committee.
- General Meetings
There shall be an Annual General Meeting. The business transacted at the Annual General Meeting shall include the presentation, by the Honorary Treasurer, of the Annual Accounts prepared by the external Accountants: the election of Officers, namely the President, the Vice President, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, and any other Committee Members as required and as specified in the Rules. Special General Meetings may be called from time to time as specified in the Rules.
- Funding Powers
The Committee is empowered to obtain, collect and receive money or funds by way of subscriptions, contributions, donations, grants, legacies and any other lawful method and according to the Rules in order to finance the Objects of The Club.
- Borrowing Powers
The Committee may from time to time borrow money from the members and pay interest to them or from a bank at competitive interest rates solely for the purpose of the maintenance and improvement of the premises following approval by the members at a General Meeting.
- Purchase and Supply of Liquor
The Club is a private members’ club owned and run by its members, and as such holds a Club Premises Certificate under the Licensing Act 2003 for the purchase and sale of alcohol to members and guests. The Club also holds a Premises Licence, under the Licensing Act 2003, for the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment to members of the public at private events. The Designated Premises Supervisor of the Premises Licence is the Club Manager.
- Income, Profits and Surpluses and Reserves
All profits and surpluses from The Club financial activities, including the sale of liquor, rentals from the hire of The Club premises, income from subscriptions, income from leased premises, sale of food and surpluses or profits from any other source, shall be held in The Club bank accounts and used solely for reserves or provisions for planned expenditures, liability for the repayment of loans and for any tax liabilities. No money or property of The Club or any gain arising from the carrying-on of The Club activities shall be applied otherwise than for the benefit of The Club as a whole or for the furtherance of the Objects of The Club in accordance with the Constitution, Rules and statutory regulations. The Club shall hold in reserve sufficient money to cover six month’s running costs and to cover any statutory obligations to any employed staff. In exceptional financial circumstances, and with the unanimous agreement of the Committee, the reserve may, temporarily, be reduced to cover three months.
- Accounts
The Honorary Treasurer will present their report on the Annual Accounts prepared by The Club’s external Accountants and signed by The Club’s President and Honorary Treasurer for adoption by the members at the Annual General Meeting. The Annual Accounts will be made available to every member when notice convening the Annual General Meeting is given.
l. Employment
The Committee shall employ a Club Manager and may also employ such other staff as are necessary for the administration and provision of services to Members and Guests as deemed necessary by the Committee. The terms of employment shall comply with Section One of the Employment Rights Act 1996 as well as any other applicable employment legislation at that time.
m. Amendments to this Constitution
This Constitution can only be amended by a resolution at a General Meeting where at least two thirds of the votes cast are in favour of the resolution.
- Dissolution of the Club
A resolution to dissolve The Club requires that at least two thirds of the votes cast are in favour of the resolution.
Upon the passing of a resolution to dissolve The Club the Trustees, under the instruction of the Committee, must realise The Club’s property and any other assets, repay all loans and any interest outstanding on them, discharge all other liabilities and distribute and donate the balance to such registered charities as they see fit at the time, but with the preference given to such charities as may have the welfare of local citizens or the promotion of local sports or arts in their objects.
March 2024