Lancaster Canal Boaters Association

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A Better Way of Life on the Water

The LCBA Constitution

A NAME

The group’s name is: Lancaster Canal Boaters Association

B THE PURPOSES OF THE GROUP ARE: 

  • To promote the welfare and wellbeing of boaters using the Lancaster Canal and further promote its community.
  • Where appropriate to manage infrastructure facilities for boaters on the Lancaster Canal 
  • To represent the views of boaters to CRT (Canal River Trust) .   
  • To communicate and celebrate the boating community on the Lancaster Canal to the wider community

C CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES

In order to carry out the purposes, the Committee has the power to: 

  1. raise funds, receive grants and donations
  1. buy or sell property, take on leases and employ staff

(4) recruit and manage volunteers

(5) co-operate with and support other groups with similar purposes

(6) where appropriate to manage infrastructure facilities for boaters on the Lancaster Canal

(7) do anything else within the law which is necessary to achieve the purposes

D MEMBERSHIP

  • The Committee may admit to membership any boater on the Lancaster Canal (See appendix A) aged 18 and over who supports the purposes of the group.
  • People who wish to become a member should apply to the Committee. Membership lasts for 12 months and may be renewed.
  • The Committee will keep an up-to-date membership list. 
  • The Committee may expel someone from membership, provided it is in the best interest of the group to do so, and they are given the right to be heard by the Committee before the decision is made. They can be accompanied by a friend.

E ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – AGM

(1) The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days’ notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda.

(2) There must be at least 10% of members present at the AGM.

(3) The Committee must keep accounts which may be viewed by any member on request.

(4) Any member may put themselves forward for election as a Committee member at the AGM.

(5) Every member has one vote.

(6) Members shall elect between 3 and 10 members to the Committee. They will retire at the next AGM and may stand for re-election.

F COMMITTEE

(1) The Committee shall hold at least 3 meetings each year. They will elect a chair, treasurer and secretary at their first meeting.

(2) At least 5 Committee members must be at a committee meeting to be able to take decisions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.

(3) The Committee must keep accounts which may be viewed by any member on request. 

(4) During the year, the Committee may appoint up to 2 extra members to on  the Committee who will stand down at the next AGM but are eligible for re-election.

(5) The Committee may make reasonable additional rules for the proper conduct and management of the group. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.

G MONEY

(1) Funds must be held in the group’s bank account. All financial decisions must be made by 2 Committee members.

(2) Funds cannot be used to pay Committee members except to refund legitimate expenses.

(3) Funds and property must only be used for the purposes of the group.

H SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

Special General Meetings may be called by the Committee for the following reasons. All members must be given 14 days notice and told what change is proposed.

(1) Changing the Constitution – The constitution may be changed by a two thirds majority of members present and voting at a Special General Meeting.

(2) Emergency Special General Meetings – to allow the members to decide on important issues.

(3) Winding up – the group may be wound up by a two thirds majority of members present and voting at a Special General Meeting. Any money or property remaining after payment of debts will be given to the Marsh Community Centre.

J SETTING UP THE GROUP

This constitution was adopted on 28th of October 2025 by the people whose signatures appear below. They will be the Committee until the first AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.

Signed by: 

Michelle Riley, Chair

John Paul Hewson,  Secretary

Julie Anne Lewis,Treasurer

Ian Lewis

Jim Bamber

Julie Glaister

Helen Coates 

Rebecca Brier

Rachel Marshall

Appendix A: For the purpose of this document the ‘Boaters’ refers to people who live 50% or more of the time on a canal boat.