Constitution.

Our water management policy at Plaum’s Pit Angling Club is to ensure open access for all members of the public. We encourage as many people as is possible to visit and/or fish the waters under our control.

We consistently monitor the quality of the fish stocks within our waters and, also the wildlife on our water. Our aims are to provide the best standards of fishing for members of the Club and Day Ticket Users whilst appreciating the need to maintain a natural balance for the environment that we fish within.

Plaum’s Pit Angling Club is intent that children, young people and vulnerable adults will find angling a safe environment in which to have fun, learn and develop and seek to ensure this by adopting, using and promoting the Angling Trust child protection policy guidelines document.

All anglers on Plaum’s Pit Angling Club waters must be in possession of a valid Environment Agency (EA) Licence at all times. All relevant EA bye laws will be observed on club waters. Club bailiffs and all other members (on production of their own license and permit) are authorised to check the EA License and proof of identity of any angler fishing on club waters. Failure to provide either could lead to expulsion from the club/fishery.

By [becoming a member of the Plaum’s Pit Angling Club] OR [buying a day ticket] you agree to be bound by the club fishery rules and the bye laws. Rules may be changed by members at an AGM or EGM. Club fishery rules are established by the committee, from time to time.

Rules are published on notice boards and in the club members handbook. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have read and understood them.

. 1   The Angling Club shall be known as Plaum’s Pit Angling Club

a. A resolution to dissolve the Club may only be made and approved at an AGM or EGM by a majority vote of the membership. 


b. Upon dissolution of the Club the assets shall be applied in discharge of the expenses of the dissolution and of all the debts due by the Club to its creditors. Any surplus assets remaining after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to or distributed amongst members of the Club but shall be given to the Sport’s Governing Body or such body affiliated to the Governing Body or a registered Charity. 

. 2  The objectives of the club shall be as follows:
a. The preservation of the fish and fishing.

b. The protection and improvement of the Club’s waters and their surroundings.

c. To ensure open access to the people of Swindon, subject to the Rules of Plaum’s Pit 
Angling Club. 

. 3 a. Membership of the Club shall be open to all persons who complete and application form and pay the current annual subscription, irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs; or of age, sex or disability except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of angling as a sport at the discretion of the committee up to a limit decided by the committee. 
Completion of the Membership Application Form constitutes an agreement to abide by the Constitution, Codes of Practice, Policies and Rules that the Club has adopted. 


b. A waiting list will be maintained for any member of the public whose application is received after the limit has been filled. 


c. The waiting list shall be honored on a pro-Rota basis. 

. 4 a. The following officers shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting to serve for a period of 12 months: 
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and a Match Secretary. All active officers and committee members will receive an annual Honorarium equal to the cost of their permit fee after a period of 12 months, up to a maximum of 12 officers/ committee members. 


b. Each member of the Management Committee shall have a single vote with exception of the Chair or person acting as Chair, who, in the event of a tie, shall cast a vote to maintain status quo. 

. 5 a The fee for a permit shall be revised each year at the Annual General Meeting. 


b. Concession rates for permits and day tickets shall be revised each year at the Annual General Meeting. 


c. Membership renewal can be purchased from the day ticket outlet from the 2nd Monday in March up to the 15th April. After this date, any available permits will be made available to the members of the public. 


d. The fee for a day ticket shall be revised each year at the Annual General Meeting. 

. 6 a. Committee meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Manor, Cheney Manor Road, Swindon, Wiltshire. 

b. Any member of Plaum’s Pit AC may attend any committee meeting but only committee members may take part in the proceedings, unless special permission is granted by the delegates. 

. 7 a. The financial year shall be from 1st January to 31st December each year. 


b. The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining the accounts and for submitting a full audited Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Sheet to the Annual General Meeting. He shall also provide a statement of accounts at each committee meeting. 


c. All Club monies shall be banked in an account held in the name of the Club. 


d. Cheques written on behalf of the Club shall have a minimum of two signatories from amongst the Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary or Chair Person. 


e. Auditors shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting. 

. 8 The Annual General Meeting shall be held on a date decided by the committee, usually in February each year. A copy of the AGM proposals and agenda can be obtained from secretary seven days prior to the meeting. This years AGM will be held in February.

. 9 An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at anytime by the Secretary upon instructions from the committee. All memberships shall be informed of the date and the purpose of the said meeting. 

. 10 a. No committee meeting will take place with less than two officers and two committee members present. 


b. The committee shall have the power to reprimand, suspend or expel any member whose conduct, in the opinion of the committee, renders them unfit to hold a permit. 


c. No member shall be suspended or expelled without first being summoned to appear before the committee and given a full opportunity to put their case. 


d. A suspended or expelled member shall forfeit all rights and privileges and will not be entitled to any refund of any fees paid. 

. 11 a. These Rules may be changed at the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for that purpose. 


b. Any item for the Agenda of an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General 


c. Any amendments to the Rules must achieve at least a two thirds majority of those present at such a meeting. 

. 12 The Club shall be covered by third party liability insurance. 

. 13 The committee shall have the power to alter any of the Rules for the good management of Plaum’s Pit Angling Club and it’s waters but, any changes made must be ratified at the next Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose.

. 14 Any item not covered by these Rules shall be brought before the committee whose decision shall be final. 

. 15 Committee members failing to attend three committee meetings without reasonable cause will deemed to have relinquished their post on the said committee.