Constitution and Policies

Constitution

The Constitution is the set of rules used to run the Residents’ Association. It is designed to ensure that the Association is run fairly and democratically, that it is accessible to all residents, and that its finances are accounted for.

The Constitution was approved by the General Meeting on 24 September 2020, and updated subsequently following resident feedback. It can be downloaded here, and is as follows:

The Residents’ Association has also published a draft constitution for branches, which can be set up in each block on the Estate. It can be downloaded here.

Important Policies

The Residents’ Association has policies about how it is run. The most important policies are below.

Winding-Up Policy

Download the Winding-Up Policy.

  1. The Association Notes:
    1. The Association’s Constitution allows the Association to be wound-up by a two-thirds majority vote at a General Meeting.
    2. The Association’s Constitution states that a Policy may set out how the Association’s assets would be distributed in the event of winding up.
  2. The Association Resolves:
    1. If the Association is wound up, then the Association’s assets will be applied in the following order of priority:
      1. Any funds held on trust for specific beneficiaries will continue to be held on trust by the Trustees for the specific beneficiaries.
      2. Any grants provided by an external organisation which were ringfenced for a specific purpose as a condition of the grant will, at the discretion of the grant-making body, be returned by the Trustees to the grant-making body, or held on trust by the Trustees for the specific purpose.
      3. All debts, including expenses owed to Members, will be paid off by the Trustees out of the Association’s remaining assets.
      4. The Trustees will hold on trust the Association’s assets for the benefit of the Residents, with a view to the establishment of a new Residents’ Association, to which they shall transfer the Association’s assets.
    2. No Member of the Association’s will be called upon to pay any debts incurred by the Association unless the Member in question specifically has consented to this in writing.

Safe Space Policy

Download the Safe Space Policy.

About this Policy

The Pembury Estate Residents’ Association is committed to being an inclusive and supportive environment, in which discrimination, harassment, and bullying are not tolerated. All Residents should be able to participate in the Residents’ Association.

This Policy is designed to protect excluded groups and enable their full participation in the Residents’ Association. 

Scope of this Policy

This Policy covers every Residents’ Association event, activity, or space. This Policy also extends to all online resources (such as Facebook, Twitter, websites etc.). All Residents’ Association business must be carried out in line with this Policy.

All Members must act in line with this Policy. 

Grounds on which discrimination will not be tolerated

The Residents’ Association believes that all Residents should be free from harassment and bullying resulting from discrimination on the grounds of:

  1. Age;
  2. Disability;
  3. Gender reassignment;
  4. Marital or civil partnership status;
  5. Race, colour, ethnic or national origin, caste, nationality, or immigration status;
  6. Religious or philosophical beliefs, including lack of such beliefs;
  7. Sex or gender identity;
  8. Sexual orientation; or
  9. Parental status.

Safe Space Rules  

The Residents’ Association’s approach to being a Safe Space is that it: 

  • Aims to provide an environment where residents can express their views free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying. 
  • Respects our diverse population and takes a zero tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, and bullying in all cases. 
  • Believes freedom of speech should be respected.
  • Believes that speech which calls for discrimination, or speech which aims to destroy the rights and freedoms of others, will not be allowed.

In order to help to build an inclusive environment, follow these guidelines:

  • Try to speak slowly and clearly and use words and phrases understood by everyone.  
  • Be aware of the language you use in discussions and how you might relate to others.  
  • Listen to others about the impact of your language and actions.  
  • Many common expressions use offensive language, so think before speaking.  
  • Understand that everyone’s experience in life is different, and that words and actions which are inclusive to some people will not be inclusive to everyone.
  • If you are unsure about how to approach a situation, do not be afraid to ask.  
  • Conversations about differing viewpoints are fine, as long as they don’t involve discrimination, harassment, or bullying. 
  • Whenever possible, assume people are acting in good faith.

Reporting a Breach of this Policy 

If you want to report a breach of this Policy or make a complaint about another Member then contact the Residents’ Association Secretary at pemburysecretary@gmail.com.

To report a breach of policy or make a complaint about the Secretary then contact the Residents’ Association Joint Chairs at pemburychair@gmail.com.