Isle of Wight Youth Council

 

         Constitution

 

1.            Purpose

 

The purpose of the Isle of Wight Youth Council (hereafter referred to as IWYC) is to work on behalf of the young people of The Isle of Wight, in co-operation with the Isle of Wight Council, to increase young people's influence over issues and decisions, which concern young people and the wider community and to develop and deliver projects for the benefit of young people

 

2.            Aims

 

2.1     The IWYC aims to be a two way link between the young people of the Island, the IW Council, and other appropriate organisations, especially other Youth Councils/forums.

 

Specifically

 

2.1a To provide the IW Council and other appropriate authorities with the views of young people, both in relation to matters of concern and to Council initiatives and to raise the awareness of young people and increase their participation in democratic, decision making processes.

 

2.1b To receive and consider information from all departments of the Council on issues of significance to young people and the wider community, for consultation and comment.

 

2. 1c To work in partnership with the IWC Executive, Select Committees and Portfolio holders to help them arrive at decisions which benefit Young People and the wider community. The IWYC will be structured to mirror the IWC structure to facilitate two way communication.

 

2.2    The IWYC will keep all its members informed of its actions and decisions.

 

2.3     The IWYC will work with other bodies representing young people.

 

3              Membership

 

3.1     The IWYC will consist of 24 elected young people. There will be 8 places for co-opted representatives of recognised young people's Youth Councils/forums. These 8 co-opted places will have voting rights and will be invited to attend by the IWYC. This is to ensure that any new groups will have the opportunity to be represented. 

 

3.2     Members of the IWYC must be aged between 13 and 21 inclusive and resident on the Isle of Wight.

In the case of a member reaching their 22nd birthday that member will be able to see out their term of office. The Youth Council will aim to be be representative of young people of all ages, from all areas of the Isle of Wight and from all backgrounds.

 

3.3     A member of the IWYC may resign, at any time, by informing the Secretary in writing, giving 28 days notice ( subject to the IWYC’s discretion. If a vacancy arises for this, or any other reason, the IWYC will declare the vacancy to the young electorate and choose the new member from the young people who come forward. The new member can stay in place until the next election. If no one comes forward the IWYC can decide to co-opt a member of another youth group into the vacancy.

 

3.4     Members of the IWYC have a key role in communicating with their constituents and in placing matters on IWYC agendas that are requested by the young people they represent.

 

4.6           A criminal record will not be a barrier to a candidate standing for election but any IWYC member

convicted, of an offence, while in office, will have to stand down from the council.

 

 

4              Meetings

 

4.1     The full IWYC will meet at least 12 times a year in the IWC chambers or at a venue of IWYC's choosing. Select Committees may meet more frequently and all meetings will aim to tie in with those of the IWC. If a member cannot attend a meeting apologies will be expected. If a member fails to attend 3 times without making apologies they will be asked to leave the Youth Council.

 

4.2     The agenda for the meetings of the IWYC and it’s Select Committees will be circulated at least one week in advance of each meeting. Agendas and notes of the meetings will be distributed to all members.

 

4.3     Issues will be decided by a simple majority of voting members present. The Chairperson will have a casting vote.

 

4.4     A quorum shall be not less than eight elected members, i.e. one third of the membership and 2 co-opted members. If, at any meeting, the elected members are outnumbered by co-opted members then that meeting will be declared inquorate.

 

4.5     The IWYC Annual General Meeting shall be held during May of each year. At least twenty‑one day's clear notice must be given in writing to each member and other, relevant, organisations.

 

4.6  A breach of the IWYC ground rules will result in a verbal warning from the chair, a further breach will lead to a written warning and a third to expulsion from the Youth Council. Expulsion will require a majority vote from the full IWYC.

 

5.             Powers

 

5.1     The IWYC shall have powers to carry out lawful activities in order to achieve the aims of the organisation.

 

5.2     The IWYC has the power to delegate duties to Select Committees as it sees fit and may, at any time, dissolve or change the membership of any of its working groups or committees.

 

5.3     The IWYC has the power to raise funds from external sources in the form of grants, donations, legacies and subscriptions, provided the IWYC does not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds.

 

6.                Officers of the Youth Council

 

6.1     The IWYC will have a Chairperson, a Vice‑Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Equal Opportunities Officer and any other officers the IWYC decides it requires. Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting by the members of the IWYC and will hold office until their successor is elected, or such other time determined by the IWYC.

 

6.2      IWYC accounts will be independently audited on an annual basis.

 

7.             Finance

 

7.1     Financial reports will be on the agenda of all meetings and will be included with the minutes of all meetings.

 

7.2     Audited accounts shall be circulated prior to each Annual General Meeting and be considered for adoption at that meeting.

 

7.3     The financial year for the IWYC shall be 1 April to 31 March each year.

 

7.4     IWYC funds shall be held in a bank account suitable for the Youth Council. All income shall be recorded and banked as received. Payments from IWYC funds shall normally be made by cheque. Cheque payments shall be authorised by any two of the Officers Group.

 

8              Constitution

 

8.1     This constitution may only be altered at the Annual General Meeting of the IWYC or at a special meeting convened for that purpose, providing that at least twenty eight days notice of the proposed alteration(s) or amendment(s) have been given to members of the IWYC. Any proposed alteration(s) or amendment(s) will require the approval of at least twenty young people, and at least three quarters of people attending the meeting.

 

9              Dissolution

 

9.1     In the event of a decision being taken to dissolve IWYC, any funds remaining after the payment of any approved debts shall be transferred to local youth councils or forums which have similar aims to the IWYC.