1. Title and Status

1.1 The name of the Local Party shall be the North Derbyshire Green Party (NDGP) and is a constituent part of the Green Party of England and Wales (the national party) and shall be subject to the Constitution and policies of that body.

1.2 The geographical remit of DGP is that covered by the local authority areas of Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

2 Aims

2.1 The aims of NDGP shall be:

• 2.1.1 To seek the implementation of national and local Green Party policies through electoral success at all levels;
• 2.1.2 To establish a system of government based on the philosophy of the national party, as expressed in its manifesto;
• 2.1.3 To develop sustainable local policies that minimise environmental damage and maximise social justice, health and well-being for everyone;
• 2.1.4 To increase local response to green issues, policies, and activities;
• 2.1.5 To recruit new members;
• 2.1.6 To organise or support legal non-violent activities which will further these aims.

3 Membership

• 3.1 Membership of NDGP is automatic for any member of the national party living within NDGP's geographical remit.
• 3.2 Members of the national party living outside NDGP's geographical remit may join subject to the approval of a monthly meeting.
• 3.3 All members of NDGP shall accept its Constitution and the principles and philosophy of the national party, as expressed through its manifesto.
• 3.4 Eligibility, subscription, and the privileges of membership of the national party are decided by the national party.
• 3.5 Members may not be a member of another political party at the same time. Should a member join another political party then they immediately cease to be a member of NDGP.
• 3.6 Only members of NDGP may vote at meetings or hold office in it.

4 Annual General Meeting

• 4.1 An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NDGP shall be held approximately every twelve months either in person or via a video conferencing facility. The maximum elapsed time between AGMs shall be fourteen months.
• 4.2 All members shall be notified of the date of the AGM in writing and/or email, SMS or other suitable electronic format at least 28 days in advance. Items for the agenda should be submitted to the Secretary at least 21 days in advance. The agenda for the AGM shall be circulated to all members at least 14 days in advance.The AGM shall have the purpose of:
  • 4.2.1 The presentation of a report of work carried out over the year;
  • 4.2.2 Presentation of the accounts for approval by the meeting;
  • 4.2.3 Consideration of any amendments to the Constitution;
  • 4.2.4 Election of the Committee to serve an annual term;
  • 4.2.5 Discussing any other business on the agenda.
• 4.3 The meeting will be considered quorate if it has at least six members present.
• 4.4 The meeting should normally be chaired by the current Co-ordinator.

5 Extraordinary General Meetings

• 5.1 Any seven members, or a quarter of the membership (whichever is fewer), may call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), by stating in writing in a letter to the Committee, with signatures appended, the business to be conducted. The Committee itself also has the power to call an EGM.
• 5.2 Except where noted elsewhere in this Constitution, any business that can be conducted at an AGM may be conducted at an EGM.
• 5.3 Except where noted elsewhere in this Constitution, the rules and procedures for the calling and running of an EGM shall be the same as those for an AGM.
• 5.4 The Committee shall ensure that the EGM being called takes place within 21 days of the receipt of the call to hold it. All members shall be notified of the date and agenda for the EGM at least seven days in advance.

6 Committee

• 6.1 The Committee shall be responsible for co-ordinating the business of DGP.
• 6.2 The Committee shall normally comprise the following Officers who’s term of office will be two years:
  • 6.2.1 Co-ordinator, who shall co-ordinate the running of the Party, the Committee and election campaigns, who shall chair meetings, and who shall act as Local Party Contact (i.e. liaise with the national party). The contact details of the co-ordinator will be given to the general public, chiefly people enquiring about potential membership;
  • 6.2.2 Treasurer, who shall be responsible for the Party's accounts. The treasurer must inform the national party’s registered treasurer of all donations and loans of more than two hundred pounds;
  • 6.2.3 Nominating Officer, who shall authorise election candidates to use the name ‘Green Party’ and receive a certificate from the party’s national election agent that provides this authority.
  • 6.2.4 Secretary, who shall keep minutes of meetings, circulate the agenda and deal with miscellaneous administration;
  • 6.2.5 Membership Secretary, who shall co-ordinate recruitment and deal with membership administration;
  • 6.2.6 Election Agent, who shall act as the Election Agent for external elections;
  • 6.2.7 Election Campaigns Officer, who shall help co-ordinate election campaigning;
  • 6.2.8 Webmaster / Press Officer, who shall be responsible for maintenance of the Party's website and who shall co-ordinate communications with the media.
  • 6.2.9 Fundraising & Events Officer, who shall co-ordinate the organisation and publicising of fundraising and social events;
  • 6.2.10 Electoral Returning Officer (ERO) who will notify the Green Party Elections Committee of all North Derbyshire Election results within five days of the election. The ERO will ensure all internal voting is in line with current legislation and GPEW guidelines.
  • 6.2.11 A representative from each liberation group officially affiliated to North Derbyshire Green Party.
• 6.3 Election of Officers may only take place at an AGM or an EGM.
• 6.4 Election of Officers shall be by a simple majority of those voting.
• 6.5 Re-Open Nominations shall be a candidate in all such elections.
• 6.6 Posts may be left vacant if no suitable nominations are forthcoming, with the exception of the post of Treasurer and ERO. Where a post is left vacant, the Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that the essential functions of that post are fulfilled.
• 6.7 Members standing for election shall be required to be proposed and seconded by other members of the NDGP.
• 6.8 Members may hold more than one post.
• 6.9 A vacant post may be filled by a co-opted member in between formal party meetings, via a majority vote by Committee members, though the appointment would need to be ratified at the next AGM or EGM.
• 6.10 No member shall hold the post of Co-ordinator for more than three consecutive terms of office, unless no other candidate puts themselves forward.
• 6.11 If an Officer wishes to resign, such resignation should be in writing to the Committee.
• 6.12 A motion of no confidence to remove an Officer may be put only at an AGM or EGM and will require a two-thirds majority of those voting.
• 6.13 The Committee shall meet as necessary to ensure the efficient and effective running of the Party. Minutes of Committee meetings shall be available to members on request.
• 6.14 The Committee shall operate by consensus where possible. Where agreement cannot be reached by consensus, a vote shall be taken of all Committee members and a two-thirds majority of those voting shall be deemed to be agreement.
• 6.15 The Committee shall agree procedures to ensure that members’ personal data is safeguarded in accordance with data protection principles and legislation.
• 6.16 The Committee shall agree procedures to ensure that all significant communications and decisions are reviewed and recorded.

7 Meeting and Procedures

• 7.1 NDGP will aim to hold a meeting every month, open to all members and to potential new members, usually on the last Monday of the month. Every fourth meeting will be considered a ‘Business Meeting’ for the purposes of conducting and deciding official business.
• 7.2 Monthly meetings will normally be arranged at various locations in North Derbyshire or via a video conferencing platform.
• 7.3 Policies of NDGP shall be determined by its membership only at a Business Meeting, an AGM or an EGM.
• 7.4 Only members of NDGP will be eligible to vote at meetings.
• 7.5 Any votes taken at a meeting will be on the basis of a simple majority of those voting, except where stated otherwise in this Constitution. The Chair has the right to vote. Abstentions will be recorded but will not influence the vote. The exact wording of any motion shall be recorded in the minutes.
• 7.6 Any member at a meeting may request that a vote being taken at that meeting be conducted by secret ballot.
• 7.7 In the event of a key decision needing to be made before a meeting, this may be made by the Committee. This decision must be presented to the next meeting.
• 7.8 Officers of the Committee should aim to attend meetings where possible. Officers who fail to attend three consecutive meetings without apology shall be deemed to have resigned their post.
• 7.9 A special meeting will be held within seven days of a local election in which the Green Party has won seats, if there is no scheduled meeting within that period. The meeting will discuss political options in the light of the election results.

8 Finance

• 8.1 The Party’s account(s) shall be held with a banking organisation which has a policy of ethical investment acceptable to the Party’s membership.
• 8.2 The Party shall operate a current account and, if appropriate, a savings account. At least two elected Officers shall act as signatories, to include the Treasurer.
• 8.3 No person may transfer funds to themselves without prior approval from at least two committee members.
• 8.4 Expenditure may be incurred on behalf of NDGP provided prior approval is obtained at an AGM or EGM or from at least two members of the Committee, to be recorded by the Treasurer. All expenditure is subject to certification by the Treasurer that there are sufficient funds to cover it. During election periods, candidates may not incur expenditure without authorisation as defined in section 11.6.

9 Representing the Party

• 9.1 Members intending to issue material in the name of the Local Party (whether written or electronic) must ensure that such material is approved by at least two members of the Committee (one of which should be the Press Officer) or at a Quarterly Meeting.
• 9.2 All publicity material prepared by the Local Party must include appropriate contact details. Election materials must also comply with legal requirements regarding the name and address of the Election Agent and contact details of the printer.
• 9.3 Members undertaking to represent the Party in the media or on public platforms must ensure that they communicate its agreed policy.
• 9.4 Correspondence to the press written on behalf of the Party should be approved by the Press Officer and one other Committee member; or in absence of the Press Officer at least two members of the Committee.

10 Parliamentary Elections

• 10.1 The selection of candidates for parliamentary elections must follow the national party’s procedure, which shall be appended as Standing Orders.

11 Local Authority Elections

• 11.1 The term 'Candidates' here refers to all Green Party candidates contesting a local authority election within Bolsover, Chesterfield or North East Derbyshire.
• 11.2 Candidates must be a member of NDGP (or national party) and agree to abide by NDGP's agreed electoral strategy on or before the deadline date for nominations.
• 11.3 NDGP's Election Agent shall normally act as the legal Election Agent for all Candidates.
• 11.4 The procedure for the selection of Candidates will be according to the national party's Advisory Selection Rules for Green Party Local Authority Candidates, which shall be appended as Standing Orders. All members of NDGP shall be entitled to vote in a selection ballot.
• 11.5 During election periods, publicity material must additionally be approved by the Election Agent for the Candidate(s), who shall ensure that it conforms to any relevant election legislation. The requirement for an imprint, bearing the name of the Election Agent, is additionally a legal requirement during election periods.
• 11.6 During election periods, a Candidate must not incur any election expenditure (e.g. place any orders) without the prior written authorisation of the Election Agent for the Candidate. In most instances only the Election Agent can legally make payments relating to a Candidate’s election spending.

12 Dispute Resolution

• 12.1 NDGP will initially seek to resolve any disputes between members through discussion and reconciliation. However, NDGP has the right and responsibility to initiate disciplinary action against any member who has acted against the aims and agreed policies or strategy of the Party.
• 12.2 Where appropriate, NDGP will work with the national party, including its Disputes Resolution Committee in relevant cases, in handling disciplinary matters.
• 12.3 Where the Local Party itself wishes to initiate disciplinary action at a national level, this shall require a vote of a meeting and shall require a two-thirds majority of those voting.
• 12.4 Proceedings relating to disciplinary action, of whatever form, including informal warnings, are to be documented, and this and other related correspondence kept on file and copied to all parties where appropriate.

13 Constitution

• 13.1 The Constitution may only be changed at an AGM or EGM and shall require a two-thirds majority of those voting. Any proposed changes to the Constitution shall be listed within the agenda for that meeting.
• 13.2 Copies of this Constitution shall be made available to members upon request to the Committee.

14 Dissolution

• 14.1 Dissolution of NDGP may only take place by agreement of an AGM (but not an EGM). In the event of winding up, the balance of funds shall be transferred to the Green Party of England and Wales at the appropriate level.