CIPFA in South Wales and the West of England

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Constitution and Rules of Membership

1. Name
1.1	The organisation shall be called The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy(CIPFA) in South Wales and the West of England.
2. Membership
2.1	The following classes of person shall be eligible to membership of CIPFA in South Wales and West of England. 1. Members of CIPFA in accordance with Bye laws 4,5 and 6 of the Supplemental Charter 1973 of CIPFA. 2. Registered Students of CIPFA. 3. Members of the Association of Accounting Technicians 4. Registered Students of AAT 5. CIPFA Advanced Diploma in Business and Financial Management members and students 6. Other persons interested in Public Finance and Accountancy who support the objectives of the Region.
3. Objectives
3.1	To promote CIPFA as the premier accountancy body in the Public Sector.
3.2	To promote CIPFA's Education and Training Scheme and careers in Public Finance by maintaining effective contacts with all public bodies and with career advisors in educational establishments.
3.3	To support and encourage members in their Continuing Professional Development activities.
3.4	To advance the science of public finance and accountancy and related subjects by: Holding meetings of members, accounting technicians, students and others. Promoting public knowledge therein. Promoting studies and research work in related subjects and to publish the results where appropriate.
3.5	To work with the Institute Council to co-ordinate its education and training arrangements at all levels and provide advice to students preparing for the examinations of the Institute.
3.6	To ensure that the views of members are communicated to the Institute Council, its Committees and panels and vice versa.
	The objectives set out above will be incorporated in the Region's Development Plan which will be updated annually.
4. Honorary Officers
4.1	The officers of CIPFA in South Wales and the West of England shall comprise: Regional President Regional Vice President Regional Secretary Regional Treasurer Other officers as the Council considers necessary
4.2	The Council shall have the power to fill any casual vacancy arising amongst officers and to appoint such other officers as may become necessary.
4.3	Subject to the approval of the Council, two or more officers may be appointed jointly to serve in the capacity of a single officer.
	Assistant officers may be appointed as and when necessary.
5. The Regional Council
5.1	CIPFA in South Wales and the West of England shall appoint a Council which shall be the principal executive, policy - determining body responsible on behalf of the members to the national body of CIPFA.
5.2	The Council shall comprise the following members: Regional President Regional Vice President Regional Secretary Regional Treasurer Representatives of the Area Committees(maximum 8) HMFA Group Representatives (one from each area) Elected CIPFA students(4) Co-options(maximum 9) Serving Council members of CIPFA in the Region Representative of CIPFA Secretariat CIPFA Regional Marketing Manager Immediate Past President and Secretary ( ex-officio)
5.3	Officers serving on the Regional Council shall be elected by the AGM to serve for a period of 2 years.
5.4	Officers of the Regional Council shall be either registered students or members of CIPFA.
5.5	Each registered student and member of CIPFA or the AAT shall have one vote per vacancy in the election of officers and elected students to serve on the Council. Each registered college within the Region shall have at least one elected student representative on the Council.
5.6	Any positions which are not filled due to lack of nominations shall remain vacant except that the Council shall have the power to co-opt members onto the Council to fill them.
5.7	The immediate past President and Secretary shall be ex - officio members of the Council for two years after relinquishing office.
5.8	The Council shall, in addition to any co-options in accordance with paragraph 5.9, be able to co-opt up to nine additional members and in doing so shall seek to ensure that council membership includes: Academic representation (the course supervisor from each of the registered colleges in the Region). Representation from a wide range of public service bodies. Co-opted members will normally include the Regional Representative, and members covering education, training, courses, CPD, publicity, promotions etc.
5.9	A proposal for co-opted membership shall appear on the agenda of the appropriate meeting of the Council and shall not be successful unless it is approved by two thirds of the members present and voting. All co-opted members shall serve the Council for a period ending at the next Annual General Meeting of CIPFA in South Wales and the West of England.
5.10	Each Area Committee shall nominate up to four of its members to serve on the Regional Council. They shall be appointed for a period ending at the next Annual General Meeting.
5.11	Eight members shall form a quorum for a meeting of the Council.
5.12	The terms of reference for the Council shall be as follows: To co-ordinate and monitor the overall programme of CIPFA events taking place in the Region to ensure that a balanced programme is provided. To determine where emphasis should be placed on research, including the region's participation in national research. To promote best practice in education and training , including the provision of courses for P3 tutors, office tutors, etc. To ensure that an effective joint recruitment scheme is maintained. To communicate the views of members to the Institute Council, its Committees and Panels and vice - versa. To promote the Institutes Continuing Professional Development scheme.
5.13	The Regional Council shall meet at least two times per annum on such dates and at such conveinent venues as arranged by the Honorary Secretary.
6. Area Committees
6.1	The Regional Council shall be supported by two Area Committees.
6.2	The terms of reference of the Area Committees shall be as follows: To co-ordinate and monitor the overall programme of CIPFA activities taking place in the Area to ensure that a balanced programme is provided. To support the Institute in the promotion of best practice in education and training. To support the Institute in the promotion of the Continuing Professional Development programme. To communicate the views of members to the Regional Council , its Committees etc and vice versa.
6.3	The functions of the Area Committees shall be as follows: The provision of a structured programme of events within the framework laid down by the Council which will take into account the wider needs of members and students in the wider public sector and the need for Continuing Professional Development , subject to the policy directions of the Council. The promotion of effective links with employing authorities and educational establishments by giving support and encouragement to members and the Regional Marketing Manager in the area. By liaison with the Council problems may be referred and best practice promoted. The strengthening of local participation throughout the area by ensuring that a strong local correspondents network is encouraged.
6.4	The Committee shall have the right to appoint officers and members as it requires to discharge its duties.
6.5	All officers and members of the Area committees shall be elected, co-opted or appointed annually.
6.6	Officers of the Area Committees shall be either registered students, or Members of CIPFA or AAT.
6.6	Each registered Member and student of CIPFA and the AAT shall have one vote per vacancy in respect of elections of officers and members of the Area Committee
6.7	Any positions which remain unfilled due to lack of nominations shall remain vacant except that the Committee shall have the power to appoint members onto the Committee to fill them.
6.8	Co-options to the Area Committees shall be in accordance with the same principles as co-options to the Regional Council. All co-opted members shall serve on the Committee for a period ending at the next AGM of the Committee.
6.9	The Area Committees shall nominate up to four of their members to serve on the Regional Council for a period ending at the next AGM of the Regional Council.
7. Finance
7.1	The accounts shall be audited at least once a year by an Auditor who shall be appointed at the AGM.
7.2	An audited statement of the accounts for the last financial year ending 31 December shall be submitted by the Council to the AGM.
8. General Meetings
8.1	The AGM of the Region shall be held before the 31 March each year to receive and discuss the annual reports of the Council and to transact such other business as may be necessary.
8.2	The Honorary Secretary, on the direction of the Council, or on receipt of a requisition signed by 20 members and stating the objective of the meeting , shall convene a special General Meeting to be held within 28 days after receiving such direction or requisition.
8.3	Twenty members shall form quorum at any AGM or Special General Meeting.
8.4	AGM 's shall be held on such dates and at such convenient centres as may be arranged by the Council.
8.5	Each registered member or student of CIPFA shall have one vote and in the event of the equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second casting vote.
8.6	Any proposal to alter this constitution must be delivered in writing to the Secretary of the Region not less than 28 days before the date of the meeting at which it is first to be considered. An alteration will require the approval of a two thirds majority of members of the Region present and voting at a General Meeting. Not less than 7 days notice of such a meeting, giving the wording of the proposed alteration, shall be given to each member.
8.7	The Honorary Secretary shall give not less than 7 days notice of any Annual or Special General Meetings.
8.8	The procedure at all such meetings shall be at the discretion of the Chairman.
8.9	A record of all proceedings shall be kept.