Parent Council Constitution

This is the Dunning Primary School Parent Council Constitution as voted upon on 9th November 2016.  All parents were invited to attend the meeting to have a vote on the constitution.

NAME

Dunning Primary School Parent Council

AIMS

Our mission is to provide a forum for parents to contribute to how their child’s school functions. We offer a discussion platform, a place to solve problems; listening to views and opinions we form a bridge between school staff, parents, pupils and the community. We support the school in its work with pupils. We represent the parents and encourage links between all in the school environment. We do this to enhance the school experience for all pupils, staff and parents.

The Parent Council undertakes fundraising activities from time to time throughout the year in order to provide discretionary benefits to the pupils and school.  This can include, but is not limited to, the purchase of equipment and subsidising travel costs for school trips.

POWERS

The Parent Council shall have the power to do anything considered by them to be in furtherance of the aims but remembering that they are there to represent the views of the Parent Forum.

NUMBER OF MEMBERS

The membership consists of parents/carers of children attending Dunning Primary School as selected by the Parent Forum.

GENERAL MEETINGS

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held in June each year. The notice calling the meeting shall be sent to the Parent Forum at least two weeks in advance.

The business shall include:-

a.       election of members to serve on the Parent Council

b.      approval of the accounts

c.       appointment of an individual who will review the annual accounts

d.      the work of the Parent Council

e.       Any other competent business

At all general meetings voting shall be on the basis of one vote per parent/full Parent Council member present at the meeting.

The Parent Council or 10 individuals of the Parent Forum shall have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting.

PARENT COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

Members of the Parent Council shall be appointed at the AGM. They shall be elected for a one year term and be eligible for re-election. Parents shall always form the majority of the Parent Council.

The office bearers will be chairperson, secretary, treasurer and such others as may be required. The office bearers will be elected by the Parent Council at the AGM.  Parents must have been a Parent Council member for at least 1 year before being eligible to take up an Office Bearer role.

The Parent Council may co-opt any other member to fill a vacancy occurring between AGMs. The co-opted members shall retire at each AGM but shall be eligible for election.

The Headteacher or his/her representative has a right to attend meetings of the Parent Council.

The Parent Council shall invite the local community to nominate a representative to be co-opted onto the Parent Council.

Each member of the Parent Council shall have one vote and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority vote of those present. The Chairperson shall have both a deliberative and casting vote. The Chairperson’s casting vote shall be used only in the event of a tie.

The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all meetings and shall make these available upon request to any member of the Parent Forum.

A member of the Parent Council failing to attend three consecutive meetings without reason/apologies may be deemed to have retired from the Parent Council.

MEETINGS

Meetings of the Parent Council shall be held as required. At all meetings of the Parent Council a third of members, at least two of whom are office bearers, shall form quorum.

All Parent Council meetings shall be open and any member of the Parent Forum may attend although they will not have voting rights.

FINANCE

The funds of the Parent Council shall be lodged in a bank, building society or other account in the name of the Parent Council. Cheques shall be drawn or withdrawals made against the signatures of at least two named Parent Council members.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping accurate records of the financial transactions of the Parent Council. The books shall be brought to balance six weeks before the AGM and the accounts shall be reviewed by an individual appointed at the previous AGM by the Parent Forum.

The Parent Council shall be responsible for ensuring that all property/money received by/for the Parent Forum/Council shall be applied for the aims of the Parent Council.

CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

Changes or additions must be made at an AGM or an EGM called for the purpose. The proposed change shall be specified in the notice calling the meeting and be approved by not less than two thirds of those present.

DISSOLUTION

In the event that the Parent Council ceases to exist any remaining funds should be distributed for the benefit of the children at the school and/or local authority as necessary.