CONSTITUTION​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​LIBERAL​ ​DEMOCRATS​ ​OVERSEAS​ ​LOCAL​ ​PARTY

(2022)

 1.​ ​Name​ ​and​ ​Area

 1.1​ ​The​ ​name​ ​of​ ​the​ ​body​ ​governed​ ​by​ ​this​ ​Constitution​ ​shall​ ​be​ “The​ ​Liberal​ ​Democrats​ Overseas Local​ ​Party”.​​ 

 1.2​ ​The​ ​area​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​ ​consist of all countries outside Europe. It will also exclude ​any​ ​​Local​ ​Party​ ​agreed by the Federal Board that may be established in the future within​ ​the same geographic area as the Lib Dems Overseas Local Party.

 2.​ ​Definitions

 2.1​ ​In​ ​this​ ​Constitution: “the​ ​Local​ ​Party”​ ​means​ ​the​ ​Liberal​ ​Democrats​ Overseas​ ​Local​ ​Party;  “the​ ​Party​ ​Constitution”​ ​means​ ​the​ ​Constitutions​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Federal​ ​Party​ ​and​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Liberal​ ​Democrats​ ​in England;  “the​ ​Party”​ ​means​ ​the​ ​Liberal​ ​Democrats​ ​of​ ​the​ ​United​ ​Kingdom​ ​or​ ​England; “​Lib Dems​ ​Abroad”​ ​means​ ​the​ ​Sub-Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Federal​ ​International​ ​Relations​ ​Committee (FIRC)​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Federal​ ​Board​ ​​ ​entitled​ ​“The​ ​Lib Dems​ ​Abroad​ ​Sub-Committee”; “Party’s​ ​Youth​ ​and​ ​Student​ ​Organisation”​ ​means​ ​the​ ​Specified​ ​Associated​ ​Organisation​ ​representing youth​ ​and​ ​students;  “Majority”​ ​at​ ​any​ ​meeting​ ​means​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​those​ ​present​ ​and​ ​voting;  “Executive​ ​Committee”​ ​means​ ​the​ ​executive​ ​committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party. 

3.​ ​Objectives

3.1​ ​The​ ​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​: a)​ ​​promote​ ​and​ ​support​ ​the​ ​values​ ​and​ ​objectives​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Party and its diversity of cultures, b)​ ​​recruit​ ​new​ ​members​ ​actively to​ ​the​ ​Party,​ ​and​ ​encourage​ ​existing​ ​members​ ​to​ ​renew their​ ​memberships; c)​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​formulation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​policy​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Party, particularly​ ​with​ ​regard​ ​to​ British residents overseas and their interests; d)​ ​​play​ ​a​ ​full​ ​part​ ​in​ ​the​ ​campaigning​ ​activities​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​whenever possible, especially for Votes for Life and Overseas Constituencies; e)​ ​​help​ ​all​ ​Britons​ ​overseas in ​the​ ​area​ ​defined​ ​in​ ​Para​ ​1.2,​ ​without​ ​regard​ ​to​ ​party​ ​or​ ​any​ ​other factor,​ ​to​ ​secure​ ​their​ ​rights and well-being as British citizens; f)​ ​​build contact with current or potential liberal parties, groupings and individuals, linking into the activities of ​Liberal International, in those countries where it does not pose risks for members; g)​ ​create a strong profile for Liberal Democrats Overseas as part of Liberal Democrats Abroad within the Liberal Democrat Party and its Members in both Houses of Parliament.

4.​ ​Membership

 4.1​ ​The​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​ ​administer​ ​membership​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Membership​ ​Rules​ ​of​ ​the Liberal​ ​Democrats​ ​of​ ​England.

 4.2​ ​All​ ​persons​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​to​ ​join​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​if​ ​they​ ​agree​ ​with​ ​the​ ​fundamental​ ​values​ ​and objectives​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Party;​ ​and​ ​(a)​ ​they​ ​live or have lived,​ ​worked​ ​or​ ​studied​ ​within​ ​the​ ​area​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party,​ ​or​ ​(b)​ ​if​ ​not eligible​ ​under​ ​Section​ ​4.2​ ​(a)​, ​they​ ​acquire​ ​membership​ ​with​ ​the​ ​consent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​Executive Committee.

 4.3​ ​Eligible​ ​persons​ ​shall​ ​become​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party:​ ​(a)​ ​on​ ​enrolment​ ​through​ ​the​ ​National Lib Dem​ ​Website;​ ​or​ ​(b)​ ​on​ ​enrolment​ ​through​ ​the​ ​Party’s​ ​Youth​ ​and​ ​Student​ ​Organisation​ ​giving​ ​an address​ ​within​ ​the​ ​area​ ​defined​ ​in​ ​Para​ ​1.2;​ ​or​ ​(c)​ ​if​ ​already​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Party,​ ​on​ ​re-registration as​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party.​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​who​ ​are​ ​also​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Party’s Youth​ ​and​ ​Student​ ​Organisation​ ​may​ ​be​ ​restrained​ ​under​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​Constitution​ ​from​ ​exercising certain​ ​rights​ ​as​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​if​ ​they​ ​exercise​ ​equivalent​ ​rights​ ​as​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the Youth​ ​and​ ​Student​ ​Organisation.

 4.4​ ​(a)​ ​An​ ​applicant​ ​shall​ ​become​ ​a​ ​member​ ​on​ ​acceptance​ ​by​ ​the​ ​enrolling​ ​body,​ ​payment​ ​of​ ​the requisite​ ​subscription​ ​and​ ​registration​ ​on​ ​the​ ​register​ ​kept​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​in​ ​England.​ ​(b)​ ​An​ ​application shall​ ​be​ ​deemed​ ​accepted​ ​if​ ​not​ ​rejected​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Membership​ ​Rules.​ ​(c)​ ​Initial membership​ ​shall​ ​run​ ​for​ ​one​ ​year​ ​from​ ​the​ ​quarter​ ​day​ ​(last​ ​day​ ​of​ ​March,​ ​June,​ ​September​ ​or December)​ ​following​ ​commencement.​ ​(d)​ ​Members​ ​whose​ ​subscriptions​ ​are​ ​due​ ​shall​ ​receive​ ​notices of​ ​meetings​ ​and​ ​elections​ ​for​ ​a​ ​further​ ​3​ ​months.​ ​(e)​ ​Members​ ​who​ ​do​ ​not​ ​renew​ ​their​ ​subscriptions before​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​3​ ​months​ ​period​ ​must​ ​reapply​ ​for​ ​membership.

 4.5​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​refuse​ ​membership​ ​to,​ ​or​ ​revoke​ ​the​ ​membership​ ​of,​ ​any​ ​person, on​ ​the​ ​grounds​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​Constitution,​ ​using​ ​the​ ​procedure​ ​defined​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Membership Rules​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Liberal​ ​Democrats​ ​in​ ​England.

 4.6​ ​A​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​who​ ​ceases​ ​to​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​under​ ​Section​ ​4.2​ ​(a)​ ​may​ ​retain membership​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​or be co-opted onto the executive with​ ​the​ ​consent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.

4.7 If another Local Party is formed in the Lib Dems Overseas area, after a decision by the Federal Board, all members of that new Local Party will automatically transfer out of Lib Dems Overseas Local Party, with the exception of those falling under 4.6. 

4.8​ ​For​ ​the​ ​purposes​ ​of​ ​disciplinary​ ​proceedings​ ​membership​ ​will​ ​sit​ ​within​ ​the​ ​English​ ​State​ ​Party and​ ​adhere​ ​to​ ​their​ ​disciplinary​ ​processes​ ​and​ ​procedures.

5.​ ​Officers​ ​and​ ​Executive​ ​Committee

5.1​ ​The​ ​Officers​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​the​ ​Chair,​ ​Vice-Chair,​ ​Secretary,​ ​Data​ ​Officer,​ ​Membership Development​ ​Officer​ ​and​ ​Treasurer.​ ​Their​ ​duties​ ​shall​ ​include:

(a)​ ​The​ ​Chair​ ​-​ ​to​ ​chair​ ​all​ ​General​ ​and​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​Meetings;​ ​in​ ​the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​a​ ​tied​ ​vote​ ​the Chair​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​an​ ​additional​ ​casting​ ​vote;​ ​to​ ​be​ ​jointly​ ​responsible​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Treasurer​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Local Party’s​ ​compliance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​UK Political​ ​Parties,​ ​Elections​ ​and​ ​Referendums​ ​Act​ ​2000;​ ​and to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​member of​ ​the​ ​Lib Dems​ ​Abroad​ ​Sub-Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​FIRC;

(b)​ ​The​ ​Vice-Chair​ ​-​ ​to​ ​chair​ ​General​ ​and​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​Meetings​ ​if​ ​the​ ​Chair​ ​is​ ​unable​ ​to​ ​do​ ​so and​ ​deputise​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Chair​ ​as​ ​required; 

(c)​ ​The​ ​Secretary​ ​-​ ​to​ ​handle​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party’s​ ​correspondence; ​ ​to​ ​maintain​ ​minutes​ ​of​ ​meetings​ ​and administer​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party's​ ​calendar​ ​of​ ​events; and notify the names and addresses of all Officers to the Regional Party and to the Chief Executive of the Federal Party no later than 2nd January each year and within seven days after any subsequent change.

(d)​ ​The​ ​Treasurer​ ​-​ ​to​ ​handle​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party’s​ ​financial​ ​business​ ​and​ ​present​ ​financial​ ​reports​ ​to General​ ​Meetings;​ ​to​ ​be​ ​jointly​ ​responsible​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Chair​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party’s​ ​compliance​ ​with​ ​the UK Political​ ​Parties,​ ​Elections​ ​and​ ​Referendums​ ​Act​ ​2000;

(e)​ ​The​ ​Data​ ​Officer​ ​-​ ​to:​ ​(i)​ ​receive​ ​all​ ​notices​ ​of​ ​application​ ​for​ ​membership​ ​and​ ​refer​ ​them​ ​to​ ​the Executive​ ​Committee​ ​for​ ​acceptance;​ ​(ii)​ ​maintain​ ​a​ ​membership​ ​register​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​Branch​ ​and Local​ ​Party​ ​Officers​ ​with​ ​lists​ ​of​ ​members​ ​as​ ​necessary​ ​under​ ​this​ ​Constitution and in accordance with data protection laws;​ ​(iii)​ ​hold​ ​and​ ​maintain the​ ​EARS/campaigning​ ​data​ ​of​ ​the​ ​local​ ​party;​ ​and​ ​(iv)​ ​ensure​ ​compliance​ ​with​ ​data​ ​protection legislation.

(f)​ ​The​ ​Membership​ ​Development​ ​Officer​ ​-​ ​to:​ ​(i)​ ​organise​ ​and​ ​run​ ​membership​ ​recruitment​ ​and renewal​ ​campaigns​ ​(ii)​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​has​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​a​ ​range​ ​of​ ​social​ ​and​ ​political​ ​activities to​ ​facilitate​ ​member​ ​retention.

 5.2​ ​ The Annual General Meeting will appoint one or more Honorary Presidents to help fulfil certain specific tasks, who will be entitled to attend all meetings of the Executive.  

 5.3​ ​The​ ​general​ ​and​ ​financial​ ​business​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​controlled​ ​and​ ​carried​ ​on​ ​by​ ​the Executive​ ​Committee,​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​the​ ​decisions​ ​of​ ​General​ ​Meetings​ ​and​ ​in​ ​compliance​ ​with​ ​the UK Political​ ​Parties,​ ​Elections​ ​and​ ​Referendums​ ​Act​ ​2000.​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​consist​ ​of: (a)​ ​The​ ​Officers; (b)​ ​ eight ​Ordinary​ ​Members​ ​to​ ​be​ ​elected​ ​annually​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​manner​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Officers; (c)​ ​The​ ​Chair​ ​of​ ​each​ ​Branch​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party if existing; (d)​ ​Additionally,​ ​​Country ​ ​Coordinators​ can be invited to attend Executive Committee meeting by the Chair without voting rights. Country Coordinators can be simultaneously voting members of the Executive Committee if so elected (See​ ​Section​ ​11)

 5.4​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​co-opt​ ​up​ ​to​ ​two​ ​additional​ ​members,​ ​for​ ​a​ ​term​ ​expiring​ ​not​ ​later than​ ​the​ ​next​ ​following​ ​AGM.​ ​The​ ​power​ ​of​ ​co-option​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​used,​ ​inter​ ​alia,​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​if​ ​possible that​ ​no​ ​more​ ​than​ ​two-thirds​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​are​ ​of​ ​the​ ​same​ ​sex,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​fair representation​ ​of​ ​underrepresented​ ​communities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​locality,​ ​taking​ ​into​ ​account​ ​race,​ ​religion, age,​ ​disability,​ ​gender​ ​or​ ​sexual​ ​orientation​ ​and​ ​that​ ​this​ ​would​ ​create​ ​a​ ​composition​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive that​ ​reflects​ ​the​ ​community​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​serves.

  5.5​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​fill​ ​any​ ​vacancy​ ​occurring​ ​among​ ​the​ ​Officers​ ​or​ ​the​ ​Ordinary Members.​ ​Any​ ​vacancy​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Chair​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​filled​ ​from​ ​amongst​ ​the​ ​existing​ ​Executive​ ​Committee members.​ ​The​ ​Secretary​ ​shall​ ​within​ ​seven​ ​days​ ​notify​ ​any​ ​change​ ​of​ ​Officers​ ​to​ ​the​ ​FIRC​ ​and​ ​to​ ​the Chief​ ​Executive​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Federal​ ​Party.

 5.6​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​assign​ ​special​ ​responsibilities​ ​to​ ​any​ ​of​ ​its​ ​members,​ ​including duties​ ​which​ ​would​ ​otherwise​ ​pertain​ ​to​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Officers.​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​shall​ ​designate​ ​an​ ​officer to​ ​deputise​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Chair​ ​if​ ​necessary​ ​if​ ​the​ ​Chair​ ​is​ ​ever​ ​unavailable. 

 5.7​ ​The​ ​Officers​ ​shall​ ​convene​ ​a​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​within​ ​one​ ​month​ ​after​ ​taking office.​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​meet​ ​at​ ​least​ ​quarterly​ ​and​ ​not​ ​less​ ​than​ ​four​ ​times​ ​in​ ​a​ ​year.

The​ ​Secretary​ ​shall​ ​give​ ​at​ ​least​ ​7​ ​days’​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​meetings​ ​to​ ​all​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee. One-third​ ​of​ ​its​ ​members​ ​shall​ ​form​ ​a​ ​quorum.​ ​A​ ​meeting​ ​may​ ​continue​ ​without​ ​a​ ​quorum​ ​if​ ​no member​ ​present​ ​objects.

 5.8​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​appoint​ ​sub-committees​ ​for​ ​any​ ​specified​ ​purpose.​ ​No sub-committee​ ​or​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​member​ ​may​ ​take​ ​action​ ​on​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive Committee​ ​beyond​ ​their​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​appointment.​ ​All​ ​sub-committees​ ​shall​ ​report​ ​on​ ​their​ ​activities​ ​to the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​may​ ​include​ ​persons​ ​who​ ​are​ ​not​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee and​ ​may​ ​delegate​ ​authority​ ​to​ ​take​ ​actions​ ​on​ ​their​ ​behalf.​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​also delegate​ ​authority​ ​to​ ​committees​ ​jointly​ ​constituted​ ​with​ ​other​ ​Local​ ​Parties​ ​for​ ​particular​ ​purposes; for​ ​instance,​ ​with the​ ​Lib Dems​ ​in Europe​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​and​ ​other​ ​Local​ ​Parties​ ​within​ ​Europe.

 5.9​ ​In​ ​urgent​ ​circumstances,​ ​the​ ​Officers​ ​may​ ​act​ ​on​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.​ ​They​ ​shall report​ ​on​ ​such​ ​actions​ ​to​ ​the​ ​next​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee

5.10 When Lib Dems Overseas membership grows and more local parties are formed originating from Lib Dems Overseas, a Lib Dems Overseas Coordinating Committee will be formed consisting of the Chair of each local party, to ensure good coordination and coherence of Lib Dem activities overseas outside Europe.

6.​ ​  ​Elections of Officers​ ​and​ ​Ordinary​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​Members

 6.1​ ​Officers, Ordinary Executive Committee Members and Country Coordinators must be British citizens holding British passports.

6.2 The​ ​Officers​ ​and​ ​Ordinary​ ​Members​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​elected​ ​by​ ​and​ ​from​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​at the​ ​time​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Annual​ ​General​ ​Meeting,​ except ​that,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​prior​ ​agreement​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Lib Dems Abroad​ ​Sub-Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​FIRC,​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​who​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party can​ ​be​ ​elected​ ​to​ ​the​ ​office​ ​of​ ​Treasurer.​ ​In the case of Lib Dems Overseas, its Data Protection Officer can only be elected from countries designated by the Compliance Department of the Liberal Democrat Party to be in conformity with UK data protection laws. If an election is contested, there shall be a ballot.

 6.3​ ​The​ ​term​ ​of​ ​office​ ​of​ ​Officers​ ​and​ ​Ordinary​ ​Members​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​from​ ​the​ ​1st​ ​January​ ​following​ ​their election​ ​until​ ​the​ ​following​ ​31st​ ​December.​ ​They​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​re-election,​ ​save​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Chair shall​ ​not​ ​serve​ ​for​ ​more​ ​than​ ​three​ ​consecutive​ ​terms,​ ​and​ ​shall​ ​not​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​re-election​ ​as​ ​Chair for​ ​two​ ​terms​ ​after​ ​leaving​ ​Office.

 6.4​ ​Nominations​ ​for​ ​election​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​invited​ ​in​ ​the​ ​notice​ ​summoning​ ​the​ ​AGM,​ ​and​ ​shall​ ​close​ ​at​ ​the AGM,​ ​but​ ​not​ ​before​ ​the​ ​reception​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Chair’s,​ ​Treasurer’s​ ​and​ ​Conference​ ​Representatives’ reports.​ ​They​ ​must​ ​be​ ​proposed​ ​and​ ​seconded,​ ​and​ ​except​ ​in​ ​the​ ​case​ ​of​ ​nominations​ ​made​ ​at​ ​the AGM​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​in​ ​writing​ ​signed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​proposer,​ ​seconder​ ​and​ ​candidate.

 6.5​ ​Where​ ​elections​ ​are​ ​contested,​ ​ballot​ ​forms​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​distributed​ ​to​ ​all​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party within​ ​7​ ​days​ ​of​ ​the​ ​AGM,​ ​and​ ​must​ ​be​ ​returned​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Returning​ ​Officer​ ​within​ ​21​ ​days​ ​after ​the​ ​AGM.

 6.6​ ​No​ ​person​ ​may​ ​be​ ​elected​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​Office,​ ​or​ ​may​ ​be​ ​elected​ ​to​ ​be​ ​both​ ​an​ ​Officer and​ ​an​ ​Ordinary​ ​Member.​ ​Elections​ ​for​ ​Officers​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​counted​ ​in​ ​the​ ​order​ ​listed​ ​in​ ​Section​ ​5.1​ ​and for​ ​Ordinary​ ​Members​ ​after​ ​Officers.​ ​Any​ ​votes​ ​cast​ ​for​ ​candidates​ ​already​ ​elected​ ​to​ ​Office​ ​shall​ ​be transferred​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​voters’​ ​subsequent​ ​preferences.

 6.7​ ​An​ ​elected​ ​officer​ ​or​ ​ordinary​ ​member​ ​shall​ ​cease​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​office​ ​upon​ ​ceasing​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of the​ ​Local​ ​Party.

 6.8​ ​All​ ​contested​ ​elections​ ​under​ ​this​ ​constitution​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​by​ ​secret​ ​ballot​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Single​ ​Transferable Vote​ ​method​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​election​ ​rules​ ​made​ ​under​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​Constitution.

 6.9​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​appoint​ ​some​ ​disinterested​ ​and​ ​independent​ ​Party​ ​Member​ ​to​ ​act as​ ​Returning​ ​Officer.​ ​The​ ​Returning​ ​Officer​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​the​ ​receipt​ ​of​ ​nominations​ ​and​ ​for the​ ​preparation​ ​and​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​ballot​ ​papers,​ ​their​ ​receipt​ ​and​ ​counting​ ​on​ ​return,​ ​and​ ​the declaration​ ​of​ ​the​ ​results.

 6.10 ​ ​Accidental​ ​failure​ ​to​ ​despatch​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​AGM​ ​or​ ​a​ ​ballot​ ​paper​ ​in​ ​due​ ​time​ ​or​ ​at​ ​all​ ​to​ ​a​ ​person entitled​ ​to​ ​vote​ ​shall​ ​not​ ​invalidate​ ​an​ ​election​ ​or​ ​be​ ​treated​ ​as​ ​an​ ​irregularity,​ ​unless​ ​a​ ​substantial number​ ​of​ ​persons​ ​entitled​ ​to​ ​vote​ ​have​ ​not​ ​received​ ​notices​ ​or​ ​ballot​ ​papers​ ​at​ ​all​ ​or​ ​have​ ​received them​ ​too​ ​late​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​practicable​ ​to​ ​attend​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​or​ ​return​ ​the​ ​ballot​ ​paper​ ​in​ ​due​ ​time​ ​by first-class​ ​post.

 6.11​ ​An​ ​unsuccessful​ ​candidate​ ​who​ ​alleges​ ​that​ ​there​ ​has​ ​been​ ​or​ ​may​ ​have​ ​been​ ​an​ ​irregularity​ ​in the​ ​election​ ​may​ ​within​ ​one​ ​calendar​ ​month​ ​after​ ​the​ ​declaration​ ​of​ ​the​ ​result​ ​ask​ ​for​ ​an​ ​investigation by​ ​the​ ​Lib Dems​ ​Abroad​ ​Sub​ ​Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​FIRC​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​Constitution.​ ​Subject to​ ​any​ ​order​ ​made​ ​after​ ​such​ ​an​ ​investigation,​ ​no​ ​irregularity​ ​shall​ ​invalidate​ ​an​ ​election.

 6.12​ ​The​ ​Returning​ ​Officer​ ​may​ ​extend​ ​the​ ​time​ ​for​ ​distribution​ ​and​ ​return​ ​of​ ​ballot​ ​papers​ ​where there​ ​are​ ​special​ ​circumstances​ ​making​ ​it​ ​necessary​ ​to​ ​do​ ​so.

 7.​ ​General​ ​Meetings

 7.1​ ​The​ ​Annual​ ​General​ ​Meeting​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​on​ ​a​ ​day​ ​appointed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​between 1st​ ​October​ ​and​ ​30th​ ​November.​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​postpone​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​if​ ​it​ ​would conflict​ ​with​ ​a​ ​Parliamentary​ ​Election​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Constituency,​ ​or​ ​for​ ​other​ ​urgent​ ​or​ ​logistic​ ​reason​ ​until 15​ ​December.

 7.2​ ​The​ ​business​ ​of​ ​the​ ​AGM​ ​shall​ ​include:

(a)​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​a​ ​report​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Chair​ ​on​ ​the​ ​activities​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee since​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​AGM;

(b)​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​and,​ ​if​ ​thought​ ​fit,​ ​approve​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​for​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​financial year​ ​together​ ​with​ ​an​ ​independent​ ​report​ ​on​ ​those​ ​accounts,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​a​ ​report​ ​from​ ​the Treasurer​ ​including​ ​an​ ​outline​ ​budget​ ​for​ ​the​ ​following​ ​year;

(c)​ ​to​ ​appoint​ ​for​ ​the​ ​current​ ​Financial​ ​Year​ ​(i)​ ​Auditors​ ​if​ ​required​ ​by​ ​the​ ​UK Political​ ​Parties,​ ​Elections and​ ​Referendums​ ​Act​ ​2000​ ​or​ ​(ii)​ ​a​ ​person(s)​ ​to​ ​produce​ ​an​ ​independent​ ​report​ ​on​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​for​ ​a General​ ​Meeting;

(d)​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​reports​ ​from​ ​Branches;

(e)​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​reports​ ​from​ ​National​ ​Coordinators;

(f)​ ​to​ ​transact​ ​any​ ​other​ ​business​ ​specified​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Constitution​ ​or​ ​directed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive Committee;​

​(g)​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​any​ ​motion​ ​which​ ​has​ ​been​ ​submitted​ ​by​ ​any​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party to​ ​the​ ​Secretary​ ​in​ ​time​ ​for​ ​circulation​ ​with​ ​the​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​AGM;

 (h)​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​nominations​ ​for​ ​the​ ​election​ ​of​ ​Officers​ ​and​ ​Ordinary​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive Committee.

 7.3​ ​The​ ​Secretary​ ​shall​ ​give​ ​all​ ​members​ ​at​ ​least​ ​21​ ​days​ ​written​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​time​ ​and​ ​place​ ​of​ ​the AGM.​ ​Such​ ​notice​ ​shall​ ​specify​ ​all​ ​business​ ​to​ ​be​ ​conducted​ ​at​ ​the​ ​meeting.

 7.4​ ​The​ ​AGM​ ​may​ ​by​ ​a​ ​two-thirds​ ​majority​ ​agree​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​urgent​ ​or​ ​important​ ​business​ ​which​ ​has arisen​ ​since​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​AGM​ ​was​ ​given.

 7.5​ ​A​ ​special​ ​General​ ​Meeting​ ​may​ ​be​ ​convened​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Officers,​ ​or​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee;​ ​and shall,​ ​on​ ​receipt​ ​of​ ​a​ ​requisition​ ​signed​ ​by​ ​at​ ​least​ ​twenty​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​(or​ ​one-fifth​ ​of the​ ​membership​ ​if​ ​less),​ ​be​ ​convened​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Secretary​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​be​ ​held​ ​within​ ​28​ ​days​ ​from​ ​the receipt​ ​of​ ​such​ ​requisition.​ ​At​ ​least​ ​14​ ​days​ ​written​ ​notice​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​given​ ​to​ ​all​ ​members.​ ​The​ ​meeting shall​ ​only​ ​consider​ ​business​ ​stated​ ​in​ ​the​ ​notice​ ​convening​ ​it.​ ​Failure​ ​to​ ​convene​ ​a​ ​validly requisitioned​ ​meeting​ ​within​ ​14​ ​days​ ​shall​ ​permit​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​to​ ​be​ ​convened​ ​on​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​(and​ ​at the​ ​expense​ ​of)​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​by​ ​any​ ​of​ ​the​ ​original​ ​requisitioners.​ ​In​ ​an​ ​emergency,​ ​the​ ​Officers may​ ​convene​ ​a​ ​meeting​ ​giving​ ​such​ ​notice​ ​as​ ​they​ ​consider​ ​sufficient​ ​in​ ​the​ ​circumstances.

 7.6​ ​ Eight​ ​members,​ ​or​ ​one-fifth​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​membership​ ​if​ ​less,​ ​shall​ ​form​ ​a​ ​quorum​ ​at​ ​any General​ ​Meeting.​ ​A​ ​quorum​ ​is​ ​not​ ​required​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​reports​ ​and​ ​accounts.​ ​A​ ​meeting​ ​may​ ​continue without​ ​a​ ​quorum​ ​if​ ​no​ ​member​ ​present​ ​objects​ ​except​ ​as​ ​provided​ ​for​ ​in​ ​Section​ ​10.1.

 7.7​ ​Notice​ ​and​ ​minutes​ ​of​ ​all​ ​Annual​ ​and​ ​Special​ ​General​ ​Meetings​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​the​ ​secretary​ ​of the​ ​FIRC.

 7.8​ ​Minutes​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​maintained​ ​of​ ​all​ ​proceedings​ ​of​ ​all​ ​General​ ​Meetings.​ ​Minutes​ ​shall​ ​also​ ​be​ ​kept of​ ​any​ ​meetings​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​absence​ ​of​ ​an​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​member charged​ ​with​ ​the​ ​duty,​ ​the​ ​Meeting​ ​shall​ ​appoint​ ​a​ ​member​ ​to​ ​take​ ​minutes.

 8.​ ​Local​ ​Branches

 8.1​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​authorise​ ​the​ ​setting​ ​up​ ​of​ ​Branches​ ​covering​ ​defined​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​the Local​ ​Party,​ ​provided​ ​that​ ​no​ ​branch​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​formed​ ​with​ ​less​ ​than​ ​ten​ ​members who can be deemed to be actively engaged in the local party.​ ​The​ ​objects​ ​of​ ​a Branch​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​to​ ​further​ ​the​ ​objects​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​in​ ​the​ ​area​ ​covered​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Branch.​ ​The​ ​Branch shall​ ​be​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​the​ ​ultimate​ ​authority​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party.

 8.2​ ​The​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​shall​ ​be: (a)​ ​All​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​whose​ ​Registered​ ​Membership​ ​Address​ ​(as​ ​defined​ ​in​ ​the Membership​ ​Rules​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Liberal​ ​Democrats​ ​in​ ​England)​ ​is​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​area,​ ​unless​ ​they​ ​have opted​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​another​ ​Branch; (b)​ ​Other​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​who​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​be​ ​members,​ ​if​ ​the​ ​Branch’s​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​the Local​ ​Party​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​agree.​ ​No​ ​person​ ​who​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​may​ ​be​ ​a member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch.​ ​No​ ​person​ ​may​ ​be​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​Branch.

 8.3​ ​A​ ​Branch​ ​shall​ ​not​ ​be​ ​entitled​ ​to​ ​require​ ​a​ ​subscription​ ​from​ ​its​ ​members,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​Executive Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​may​ ​agree​ ​to​ ​remit​ ​part​ ​of​ ​its ​ income​ from its overseas account  ​to​ ​a​ ​Branch.​ ​A​ ​Branch shall​ ​not​ ​incur​ ​any​ ​debts​ ​for​ ​which​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​responsible.

8.4​ ​Each​ ​Branch​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​governed​ ​by​ ​a​ ​constitution,​ ​which​ ​shall​ ​provide​ ​for:

(a)​ ​a​ ​Committee​ ​which​ ​shall​ ​include​ ​Officers​ ​and​ ​Ordinary​ ​Members,​ ​and​ ​may​ ​include​ ​ex-officio​ ​and co-opted​ ​members;

(b)​ ​rules​ ​for​ ​election​ ​of​ ​Officers,​ ​Ordinary​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​Committee​​;

 (c)​ ​rules​ ​for​ ​the​ ​calling​ ​and​ ​conduct​ ​of​ ​an​ ​Annual​ ​General​ ​Meeting​ ​and​ ​other​ ​General​ ​Meetings​ ​of​ ​the members;

(d)​ ​The​ ​names​ ​and​ ​addresses​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Officers,​ ​Ordinary​ ​Members​ ​and​ ​representatives​ ​to​ ​be​ ​notified​ ​to, and​ ​minutes​ ​of​ ​General​ ​and​ ​Committee​ ​Meetings​ ​to​ ​be​ ​supplied​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Secretary​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party.

The​ ​Constitution​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​in​ ​the​ ​form​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Model​ ​Constitution​ ​for​ ​Branches​ ​appended​ ​to​ ​this Constitution.​ ​A​ ​branch​ ​may​ ​adopt​ ​a​ ​constitution​ ​which​ ​is​ ​not​ ​wholly​ ​in​ ​the​ ​model​ ​form​ ​but​ ​any​ ​such constitution,​ ​or​ ​any​ ​changes​ ​to​ ​it,​ ​shall​ ​not​ ​take​ ​effect​ ​until​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local Party​ ​accepts​ ​its​ ​conformity​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​Constitution​ ​and​ ​with​ ​this​ ​Constitution; (e)​ ​The​ ​Chair​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Branch​ ​will​ ​sit​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party.

 8.5​ ​The​ ​finances​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​held​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Treasurer​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funds​ ​of the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​and​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​section​ ​9​ ​of​ ​this​ ​constitution. 

(a)​ ​The​ ​Officers​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​shall​ ​include​ ​a​ ​Treasurer.​ ​The​ ​Branch’s​ ​accounting​ ​period​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​the same​ ​as​ ​that​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party. 

(b)​ ​The​ ​Branch​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall​ ​keep,​ ​maintain​ ​for​ ​six​ ​years​ ​and​ ​pass​ ​to​ ​his​ ​or​ ​her​ ​successor​ ​accounting records​ ​which​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​available​ ​for​ ​inspection​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​UK Political​ ​Parties,​ ​Elections​ ​and Referendums​ ​Act​ ​2000. 

(c)​ ​The​ ​Branch​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​donations​ ​made​ ​directly​ ​to​ ​Lib Dem​ ​Party​ ​are​ ​made​ ​via​ ​the national​ ​website.​ ​Local​ ​donations​ ​can​ ​be​ ​made​ ​to​ ​Lib Dems​ Overseas​ ​Local P​arty  ​but​ ​must​ ​be​ ​retained​ ​outside the United Kingdom.

(d)​ ​The​ ​Branch​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall​ ​annually​ ​produce​ ​accounts​ ​which​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​approved​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Branch Committee​ ​and​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Treasurer​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​by​ ​a​ ​date​ ​to​ ​be​ ​specified​ ​by​ ​the Treasurer​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party.

(e)​ ​The​ ​Branch​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall​ ​submit​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​together​ ​with​ ​an​ ​independent report​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Annual​ ​General​ ​Meeting​ ​to​ ​be​ ​held​ ​not​ ​later​ ​than​ ​30​ ​November.​ ​The​ ​meeting​ ​can​ ​be postponed​ ​exceptionally​ ​for​ ​logistic​ ​reasons.

(f)​ ​The​ ​Branch​ ​shall​ ​maintain​ ​one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​bank​ ​or​ ​other​ ​appropriate​ ​accounts​ ​in​ ​the​ ​name​ ​of​ ​the Branch​ ​for​ ​which​ ​the​ ​mandate​ ​for​ ​withdrawal​ ​shall​ ​require​ ​the​ ​signature​ ​of​ ​at​ ​least​ ​two​ ​Officers​ ​who shall​ ​not​ ​come​ ​solely​ ​from​ ​members​ ​of​ ​any​ ​one​ ​family.​ ​The​ ​Branch​ ​may​ ​maintain​ ​further​ ​accounts​ ​for the​ ​deposit​ ​of​ ​money​ ​not​ ​required​ ​for​ ​the​ ​time​ ​being,​ ​requiring​ ​the​ ​same​ ​signatures. 

 8.6​ ​The​ ​Branch​ ​may​ ​appoint​ ​a​ ​substitute​ ​representative​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​a​ ​casual vacancy,​ ​or​ ​if​ ​a​ ​representative​ ​is​ ​unable​ ​to​ ​attend​ ​a​ ​particular​ ​meeting.

 8.7​ ​A​ ​Branch​ ​may​ ​dissolve​ ​itself​ ​by​ ​a​ ​two-thirds​ ​majority​ ​at​ ​a​ ​General​ ​Meeting;​ ​or​ ​be​ ​dissolved​ ​or suspended​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​on​ ​the​ ​grounds​ ​that:

(a)​ ​it​ ​is​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​functioning​ ​or​ ​able​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​such​ ​a​ ​meeting;

(b)​ ​there​ ​have​ ​been​ ​serious​ ​irregularities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​conduct​ ​of​ ​the​ ​affairs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch;

(c)​ ​the​ ​affairs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​have​ ​not​ ​been​ ​conducted​ ​in​ ​compliance​ ​with​ ​the​ UK ​Political​ ​Parties, Elections​ ​and​ ​Referendums​ ​Act​ ​2000​ ​and​ ​with​ ​its​ ​Constitution,​ ​this​ ​Constitution​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Party Constitution;

(d)​ ​the​ ​membership​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​has​ ​fallen​ ​below​ ​10;

(e)​ ​the​ ​affairs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​are​ ​being​ ​conducted​ ​in​ ​a​ ​manner​ ​contrary​ ​to​ ​the​ ​interests​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local Party​ ​as​ ​a​ ​whole. If​ ​a​ ​Branch​ ​is​ ​dissolved​ ​or​ ​suspended,​ ​any​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​may​ ​request​ ​the​ ​Lib Dems​ ​Abroad Sub-Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​FIRC​ ​to​ ​conduct​ ​an​ ​investigation.​ ​The​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​ ​not​ ​dissolve​ ​a​ ​Branch until​ ​the​ ​Branch​ ​has​ ​been​ ​given​ ​an​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​its​ ​own​ ​General​ ​Meeting.

 8.8​ ​The​ ​funds​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Branch​ ​shall,​ ​upon​ ​dissolution,​ ​be​ ​applied​ ​in​ ​paying​ ​its​ ​debts,​ ​and​ ​any​ ​surplus​ ​shall be​ ​added​ ​to​ ​the​ ​funds​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party.

 9​. ​Finance

 9.1​ ​The​ ​Local​ ​Party’s​ ​accounting​ ​period​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​annual,​ ​ending​ ​on​ ​31st​ ​December​ ​each​ ​year.

 9.2​ ​The​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall​ ​keep,​ ​maintain​ ​for​ ​six​ ​years​ ​and​ ​pass​ ​to​ ​his​ ​or​ ​her​ ​successor​ ​accounting records,​ ​which​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​available​ ​for​ ​inspection​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​UK Political​ ​Parties,​ ​Elections​ ​and Referendums​ ​Act​ ​2000.

 9.3​ ​The​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​donations​ ​are​ ​made​ ​via​ ​the​ ​National​ ​Website. 

 9.4​ ​The​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall​ ​annually​ ​produce​ ​accounts,​ ​which​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​approved​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive Committee,​ ​and​ ​if​ ​required​ ​by​ ​the​ ​UK Political​ ​Parties,​ ​Elections​ ​&​ ​Referendums​ ​Act​ ​2000​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​audited and​ ​submitted​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Electoral​ ​Commission.

 9.5​ ​The​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall​ ​submit​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​together​ ​with​ ​an​ ​independent​ ​report​ ​to a​ ​General​ ​Meeting,​ ​which​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​held​ ​not​ ​later​ ​than​ ​15​ ​December​ ​in​ ​each​ ​year.

 9.6​ ​A​ ​copy​ ​of​ ​the​ ​annual​ ​accounts​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Treasurer​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Lib Dems​ ​Abroad​ ​Sub Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​FIRC​ ​and​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Chief​ ​Executive​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Federal​ ​Party.

 9.7.1​ ​The​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​ ​maintain​ ​one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​bank​ ​or​ ​other​ ​appropriate​ ​accounts​ ​in​ ​the​ ​name​ ​of the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​for​ ​which​ ​the​ ​mandate​ ​for​ ​withdrawal​ ​shall​ ​require​ ​the​ ​signature​ ​of​ ​at​ ​least​ ​two Officers​ ​who​ ​shall​ ​not​ ​come​ ​solely​ ​from​ ​members​ ​of​ ​any​ ​one​ ​family.​ ​The​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​may​ ​maintain further​ ​accounts​ ​for​ ​the​ ​deposit​ ​of​ ​money​ ​not​ ​required​ ​for​ ​the​ ​time​ ​being,​ ​requiring​ ​the​ ​same signatures.

 9.7.2​ ​The​ ​Lib​ ​Dems​ Overseas​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​will​ ​not​ ​be​ ​an​ ​accounting​ ​unit​ ​under​ ​UK PPERA​ ​and therefore​ ​will​ ​not​ ​have​ ​a​ ​UK​ ​bank​ ​account.​ ​​ ​The​ ​Federal​ ​party​ ​will​ ​ring-fence​ ​membership​ ​payments that​ ​the​ ​local​ ​party​ ​would​ ​normally​ ​receive​ ​from membership fees in a special bank account in the UK designated for the local party’s use exclusively within the UK.  The​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​will​ ​receive​ ​a statement​ ​regarding​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​ring-fenced​ ​within​ ​their​ ​normal​ ​budget​ ​line​ and will direct​ ​where​ ​this​ ​should​ ​be​ ​spent, Such areas would include specific​ ​campaigns​ ​with​​in​ ​the​ ​UK,​ ​hosting​ ​fringe events,​ ​a​ ​stand​ ​at​ ​UK​ Lib Dem ​conferences,​ ​staff​ ​time​ ​to​ ​help​ ​with​ ​digital​ ​campaigns​ ​or​ ​administrative support​ ​for​ ​Lib Dems Overseas.​ ​These​ ​monies​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​abroad​ ​to​ ​be​ ​spent​ ​outside​ ​the​ ​UK.

 9.7.3​ ​Lib Dems Overseas​ ​will be able to ​carry​ ​out​ ​local​ ​fundraising​ ​events​ ​to​ ​raise​ ​funds​ ​for​ ​its​ ​activities exclusively​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UK.​ ​Its  ​bank​ ​account​ ​outside​ ​the​ ​UK​ ​will be able to ​operate there​ ​without​ ​having​ ​to​ ​become​ ​an​ ​accounting​ ​unit​ ​or​ ​submit​ ​returns​ ​under​ UK ​PPERA,​ ​as​ ​long​ ​as​ ​its activities​ ​relate​ ​only​ ​to​ ​activities​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UK.​ ​Such​ areas would include ​drives​ ​to​ ​recruit​ ​new members​ ​overseas,​ ​political meetings outside the UK, or​ ​support​ ​to​ ​members​ ​who​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​attend​ ​Lib​ ​Dem​ ​events​ ​in​ ​the​ ​UK​ ​such​ ​as Conference,​ ​training​ ​or​ ​policy​ ​working​ ​groups.

 9.8​ ​If​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​fails​ ​by​ ​15th​ ​January​ ​to​ ​notify​ ​the​ ​Chief​ ​Executive​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Federal​ ​Party​ ​of​ ​the appointment​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Chair​ ​and​ ​a​ ​Treasurer,​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall​ ​automatically​ ​be​ ​suspended.

 10.​ ​Constitution​ ​and​ ​Interpretation

 10.1​ ​Amendments​ ​may​ ​only​ ​be​ ​made​ ​by​ ​a​ ​two-thirds​ ​majority​ ​at​ ​a​ ​quorate​ ​General​ ​Meeting.​ ​No amendment​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​made​ ​which​ ​conflicts​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Constitution​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Party​ ​or​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Regional​ ​Party. Any​ ​amendment​ ​to​ ​this​ ​Constitution​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​approval​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Lib Dems​ ​Abroad​ ​Sub Committee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​FIRC.

 10.2​ ​Details​ ​of​ ​any​ ​proposed​ ​amendment​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​all​ ​members​ ​with​ ​the​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​General Meeting.

 10.3​ ​If​ ​the​ ​Model​ ​Constitution​ ​for​ ​Local​ ​Parties​ ​(England)​ ​is​ ​amended,​ ​any​ ​provision​ ​of​ ​this constitution​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​deemed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​correspondingly​ ​amended,​ ​unless​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​resolves​ ​in accordance​ ​with​ ​11.1​ ​above​ ​at​ ​a​ ​quorate​ ​General​ ​Meeting​ ​held​ ​within​ ​6​ ​months​ ​of​ ​receiving​ ​notice​ ​of the​ ​amendment​ ​not​ ​to​ ​accept​ ​it.

 10.4​ ​One​ ​copy​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Constitution​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​deposited​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Secretary​ ​of​ ​the​ ​FIRC;​ ​and​ ​one​ ​shall​ ​be kept​ ​with​ ​the​ ​minute​ ​book​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party.​ ​Any​ ​member​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​with​ ​a​ ​copy​ ​of​ ​the Constitution​ ​on​ ​request.

 10.5​ ​In​ ​the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​any​ ​question​ ​of​ ​interpretation​ ​arising​ ​or​ ​any​ ​question​ ​on​ ​which​ ​this​ ​Constitution is​ ​silent,​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​power​ ​to​ ​act​ ​according​ ​to​ ​its​ ​interpretation​ ​of​ ​the Constitution,​ ​or​ ​at​ ​its​ ​discretion,​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​Article​ ​8​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Constitution​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Liberal​ ​Democrats​ ​in England​ ​and​ ​Article​ ​14​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Constitution​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Federal​ ​Party.

 10.6​ ​No​ ​word​ ​or​ ​construction​ ​in​ ​this​ ​Constitution​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​to​ ​imply​ ​any​ ​discrimination whatsoever​ ​with​ ​regard​ ​to​ ​sex,​ ​race,​ ​colour,​ ​creed,​ ​age,​ ​disability,​ ​sexual​ ​orientation​ ​or​ ​any​ ​other ground​ ​other​ ​than​ ​political​ ​belief​ ​or​ ​practice.

 10.7​ ​In​ ​the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dissolution​ ​or​ ​suspension​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party,​ ​the​ ​assets​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​shall vest​ ​in​ ​the​ ​FIRC​ ​on​ ​trust​ ​for​ ​the​ ​future​ ​reconstitution​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Local​ ​Party.

 11.​ Country​ ​Coordinators

 11.1​ ​Given​ ​the​ ​widespread​ ​geographic area​ ​covered​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Lib Dems​ ​Overseas​ ​Local​ ​Party​ ​combined​ ​with​ ​the​ ​uneven​ ​spread​ ​of​ membership, ​Country​ ​Coordinators​ ​can​ ​be​ ​appointed by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​where​ ​Branches​ ​do​ ​not​ ​yet​ ​exist. They must be British citizens holding British Passports.

11.2​ ​The​ ​chief objectives​ ​of​ ​the​ Country Coordinators​ shall be ​to:

a.​ ​​ ​Act​ ​as​ ​the main​ ​point​ ​of​ ​contact​​ for the country’s membership for ​Lib Dems Overseas​ ​Local Party.

b.​ ​​ ​Grow​ ​and also retain the​ ​membership​ ​in​ ​their​ ​geographic area,​ ​​ ​by​ ​assisting​ ​the​ ​Lib Dem Overseas​ ​Local Party Membership​ ​Development Officer and​ ​Data​ Protection ​Officer.

c.​ ​Engage​ ​actual and potential ​members, including holding events and fund-raising for the party in the UK, the local party as well as locally.

d.​ ​Initiate​ ​and​ ​grow​ ​the​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​local​ Liberal International ​affiliated​ ​and​ ​other​ ​liberal​ ​and democratic parties in the country, where they exist, can be nurtured and where it does not pose risks for our members.

  1. Be a voice for the British community in the country

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