Our Constitution

As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, under the regulation of the Charity Commission, our full Constitution is extensive – running to some 19 pages. You can download a pdf version here.

 

Within the Constitution, our Objects are as follows:

 

“The Society is established for the public benefit in the area comprising the Civil Parish of Bishop’s Waltham.

 

The Objects of the CIO are to:

 

1. Promote high standards of local planning and architecture;

2. Educate the public about local geography, history, natural history and architecture;

3. Secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of local features of historic or public interest.

 

Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for the purposes which are not charitable.”

 

Our powers, to fulfil these objects, are:

 

“The CIO has power to do anything which is calculated to further its Objects or is conducive or incidental to doing so. In particular, the CIO has power to:

 

1. Borrow money and to charge the whole or any part of its property as security for the repayment of the money borrowed. The CIO must comply as appropriate with sections 124 and 125 of the Charities Act 2011, if it wishes to mortgage land;

2. Buy, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and to maintain and equip it for use;

3. Sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the property belonging to the CIO. In exercising this power, the CIO must comply as appropriate with sections 117 and 119-123 of the Charities Act 2011;

4. Employ and remunerate such staff as are necessary for carrying out the work of the CIO. The CIO may employ or remunerate a Trustee only to the extent that it is permitted to do so by clauses 6 and 7 and provided it complies with the conditions of those clauses;

5. Deposit or invest funds, employ a professional fund-manager, and arrange for the investments or other property of the CIO to be held in the name of a nominee, in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the Trustees of a trust are permitted to do by the Trustee Act 2000;

6. Promote civic pride;

7. Promote and/or conduct research and publish the results of any such research;

8. Act as a coordinating body by cooperation with the local authorities, planning committees, and all other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities and persons having aims similar to those of the Society;

9. Promote or assist in promoting local activities of a charitable nature;

10. Publish papers, reports and other literature;

11. Undertake surveys, prepare maps and plans, and collect information in relation to any place, erection or building of beauty or historic interest;

12. Hold meetings, lectures and exhibitions;

13. Inform public opinion and provide information;

14. Raise funds and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of subscription, donation and otherwise.”