Objects

1. To encourage a high standard of service to the public.
2. To publicise the Hove area as a fine shopping and business centre at every opportunity.
3. To undertake negotiations with the City Council, Public Utilities and any other Authorities on matters affecting general business in the area.
4. To invite Members to submit for discussion matters affecting general business in the area.
5. To develop mutual acquaintance and co-operation between Members and the public.
6. To encourage and effect close co-operation with other organisations having similar general interests.
7. To promote social functions amongst businesses in the area.
8. To operate on a non-profit making and politically independent basis.
9. The Association will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, disability, sexuality and age, or on political, religious or other opinions.
10. The website is owned by the members and is provided as a media to communicate with its members, and to promote business in Hove and Portslade.

Rules

1. The name of the Association is “THE HOVE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION”

2. (a)  Any person, firm or company bona fide engaged in bona fide trade, business or profession in the Association’s area of Hove and Portslade shall be eligible for Membership

(b)  Membership will be available to one named representative of each firm or company, but this will not preclude separate membership for individual branches of any firm or company where their branches are located within the Assocation’s area.
 
(c)  Application for Membership must be submitted in writing and approved by the Management Committee by a majority vote.

(d)  The Management Committee may elect as a Member an applicant not strictly qualified under sub-clause 2(a) because the place of business is not within the Associations area, provided that the particular applicant engages in business in the area.

(e)  Subscriptions must be paid annually by the Association’s Members who alone shall have the right to vote. The annual subscription must have been paid in order for Members to vote at the AGM or other special general meetings.

3.  The annual minimum subscription is currently £30 (Thirty Pounds), and is payable on 1st September each year.  Members joining after the 1st March in any year will pay half the subscription for the current year.  An increase in subscriptions may only be agreed at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.

4.  The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a Management Committee of ten ordinary Members plus Officers and the Immediate Past Chairman who shall be an ex-officio Member of the Management Committee.

5.  The Officers of the Association are the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Solicitor and Honorary Treasurer.

6. (a)  The Officers and Committee will be elected each year at the Annual General Meeting and may serve until their successors are duly elected.
 
(b)  Nominations for appointment as an Officer or Committee Member shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary not less than 14 clear days before the proposed date for the Annual General Meeting.  Members attending the Annual General Meeting may also be nominated provided that they are proposed and seconded by Members present.

(c)  A Member entitled to vote and unable to attend an Annual General Meeting may appoint a proxy in writing lodged with the Honorary Secretary before or at the commencement of the Annual General Meeting.  Such proxy need not be a Member and may attend and vote in the place of the absent Member. In the event of an equal number of votes cast on each side in any matter, the Chair of the meeting shall have an additional casting vote.

(d)  If for any Office or Committee Membership, less than the appropriate number for the vacancy or vacancies are nominated they shall be deemed to be elected.  Wherever there are more candidates than required for an Office or the Committee a ballot will be held at the Annual General Meeting.  Only those Members present personally or by proxy will be entitled to receive ballot papers.  The further management of the election will be dealt with under the direction of the current Management Committee with the approval of those present at the Annual General Meeting.

7.  The Committee will have the power to co-opt a Member to fill any vacancy that may occur among the Officers or Committee or for any special reason.

8. (a)  The Committee will have the power to suspend or determine  membership of any Member subject to appeal to a General Meeting.

(b)  Members may resign at any time in writing to the Secretary or will  be deemed to have resigned on ceasing to engage in trade in the Association area.

(c)  Retired Members may continue with an Honorary Membership subject to the approval of the Committee.

(d)  The Committee may unanimously and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual. The individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the management committee, accompanied by a friend, before a final decision is made.

9.  The Committee will normally meet each month except August and at such other times as may be necessary.  A Quorum will be five Members.

10.  Special General Meetings may be summoned at the written request of not less than eight Members.

11.  Alteration or addition to the Rules shall only be made at an Annual General Meeting.  Written Notice of any proposed alteration or addition shall be sent to the Honorary Secretary at least fourteen days before the relevant Annual General Meeting and the Honorary Secretary will circulate this proposal at least seven clear days before the Annual General Meeting. Alterations or additions must be voted in by two thirds of those Members or their proxies present.

12.  The accidental omission to give notice to any Member shall not invalidate matters dealt with at the meeting to which Members should have been called.

13.  The Committee shall the power to accept as Honorary Members of the Association any previous Committee Member who shall have retired from full Membership of the Association upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

14. (a)  The Annual Accounts, duly audited, shall be presented to Members at the Annual General Meeting for their approval.

(b)  Approved signatories are the Chair, Vice Chair, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Immediate Past Chair. Cheques drawn on the Hove Business Association bank or building society accounts must be signed by TWO of the approved signatories.

15.  The Management Committee shall make such representations and  take such actions as the Committee may think fit and believe to be in the best interests of the Members of the Association, even though the particular matter involved does not appear to be strictly within the Objects of the Association.
 
16.  The Association will not favour political or religious organisations and will endeavour to maintain an ethical approach in all its work.

17. The Hove Business Association logo can only used by members when authorised to do so by the Committee. The logo cannot be used for financial gain except to raise funds for, or to promote, the Association.

18. (a)  If a meeting, by simple majority, decides that it is necessary to close down the Association it may call a special meeting to do so. The sole business of this meeting will be to dissolve the Association. At least 21 days notice will be given to members.
 
(b)  If it is agreed to dissolve the Association, all remaining money (once outstanding debts have been paid) will be donated to a local charitable organisation. The named charity will be agreed at the special meeting.
 

The Objects and Rules of Hove Business Association set out above were updated following the AGM held in October 2007. Note to members: Clause 11 states that alterations and additions may only be made at an AGM, and written notice of proposed changes must be sent to the Hon Secretary at least 14 days prior to the AGM.