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THE
CONSTITUTION
NAME
The name of the Group is Cheshire Farm Accommodation Group
("the Group")
OBJECTS
To promote farm tourism and farm holidays in Cheshire by such
means as advertising and contacts with the travel industry.
To maintain and improve the standard of farm accommodation
offered in the area.
To protect and further the interests of members of the Group
by contacts with local authorities and other bodies.
To provide a booking service for and between members.
MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications
Membership shall be offered to those operating a farm in Cheshire,
and having a holding number.
Farm Accommodation means accommodation on land which is used
for the business of agriculture, horticulture, forestry and
or a related enterprise, being a business which is a source
of income for that person.
Persons applying for membership should have established the
accommodation business for at least six months.
At the discretion of the committee any member who ceases agricultural
operations may be allowed to remain in continual membership
while at the same address.
ELECTION AND DISQUALIFICATION
Application for membership must be in writing to the group
secretary.
All applicants for membership must submit their accommodation
for inspection by two members of the Group.
The committee may grant provisional membership but all applications
must subsequently be submitted to the Annual General Meeting
for confirmation.
All members will be expected to take part, and help with the
positions of various responsibilities.
All members are encouraged to also become members of Farm
Stay UK, the National organisation who promote farm tourism
nationally and internationally.
A member shall cease to be a
member
By giving written notice to the Secretary of their resignation,
one month prior to the AGM.
If they fail to pay any subscription by the due date of payment.
If the member having committed some act, or been guilty of
behaviour inconsistent with membership of the group, the committee
may resolve by a majority to terminate membership.
If for any reason they cease to provide accommodation.
MAINTENACE OF STANDARDS
All members should present themselves and their property to
the highest standards reflecting the warmth, cleanliness,
friendship and personal service associated with farm accommodation.
It is a condition of membership that members register with
and maintain standards necessary to retain registration with
the North West Tourist Board.
All members must adapt and apply the Tourist Board's Code
of Conduct.
All members must be inspected by a Tourist Board, AA or RAC
official before confirming full membership.
All members must carry guesthouse insurance which is adequate
to indemnify guests against losses incurred from risks normally
covered by such insurance.
All properties must be fitted with adequate smoke alarms which
are regularly tested.
All members must have completed the Basic Food Hygiene Course.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The Annual subscription of the Group shall be fixed annually
at the Annual General Meeting and is due on that date or within
28 days.
A separate amount for brochure printing is to be paid by members
as and when needed.
No advertisement shall appear in any promotional literature
on behalf of members unless all monies due to the group are
paid in full.
All expenditure is the responsibility of all the members.
The Group shall ensure that its annual subscription and other
charges payable by its members are sufficient to meet its
needs and liabilities.
The Group runs as a non profit making organisation and should
not hold more that £500.00 Five hundred pounds, at the
end of any financial year.
OFFICERS
The Officers of the Group shall be a Chairman, Vice Chairman,
Treasurer and Secretary, all of whom are members of the Group.
The Officers are to be elected at the Annual General Meeting
and will be eligible to serve for no more than three consecutive
years. After an interval of one year any member can be re-elected.
The Committee consists of the four officers mentioned above
plus the Groups representative to Farm Stay UK, and one other
member. Six persons in all. The committee shall have the power
to co-opt any group member to the committee to serve until
the next AGM.
The quorum of the Committee shall be 4.
Any Officer wishing to retire should give a written notice
to the Secretary two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings
of the Group without giving a reason acceptable to the committee,
shall automatically cease to be a Group member.
Officers of the Group and representative members on group
business should claim expenses incurred, while on business
for the benefit of all group members.
MEETINGS
An Annual General Meeting will be held each March, to elect
Officers, receive the Accounts, receive the Chairman's report,
confirm new membership and set the subscription for the following
year.
It may also transact any other business brought before it.
Any proposed amendments to the Constitution or Rules of the
Group. All members must receive the proposed amendments at
least 14 days prior to the meeting.
A special meeting of the group may be called at any time by
resolution of the Committee, or by any 5 members who shall
request such a meeting in writing to the Chairman.
Any questions put to the vote, shall be decided upon by a
show of hands and every member establishment shall have one
vote.
The Chairman of the Group shall preside at the meetings or
in his absence the Vice Chairman.
At least three other meetings will be held per year, to uphold
the standards and objectives of the group.
The Secretary shall send out at least two weeks prior to a
meeting, reminder of the meetings, stating the time, date
and venue, and the agenda of business to be transacted. Also
if possible copies of the minutes of the previous meeting.
COMPLAINTS
In the event of any complaint being received by the group
as to the standard of accommodation or service provided by
a member, the Secretary will acknowledge it to the client
within five days. The committee will meet and take whatever
action they think appropriate, Farm Stay UK have a complaints
procedure which could be followed. The committee's decision
is final.
INDEMNITY
All members undertake to indemnify the Group against any claim
arising out of their individual trading or any statement made
by an individual member.
The Group does not accept responsibility or liability for
any action, statement, advertisement or negligence of any
member of the Association.
Debts and liabilities incurred by any member of the Group
are the responsibility of the individual and no liability
rests on other members of the Group.
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