Constitution of the Yorkshire Liberal Democrats

ARTICLE 1: NATURE AND OBJECTS

1.1. The name of the Regional Party shall be the “Yorkshire Liberal Democrats”.

1.2. The area of the Region shall be the metropolitan counties of South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, the ceremonial county of The East Riding of Yorkshire, the non-metropolitan county of North Yorkshire and The City of York.

1.3. The Regional Party is the successor to the Yorkshire and Humber Liberal Party, the Social Democratic Party (Yorkshire and Humberside), the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Parties of the Liberal Democrats, and the Yorkshire and Humber Liberal Democrats.

1.4. The objects of the Regional Party shall be:
(a) to seek to achieve the objects set forth in the Preamble to the Party Constitution;
(b) to secure the election of Members of Parliament from constituencies in the Region, and of members of local and other elected public authorities in the Region;
(c) to participate in the formulation of Party policy and to play a full part in the democratic processes of the Party;
(d) to play a full part in the campaigning activity of the Party at all levels;
(e) to assist Local Parties and recognised Council Groups within the Region; and
(f) to promote diversity of cultures within the Party and to represent the interests of under-represented groups in the Region.

1.5. In furtherance of its objects, the Regional Party shall exercise the powers and fulfil the duties conferred upon Regional Parties by the Party Constitution in the manner specified in this constitution, and shall also undertake such other functions as the Local Parties in the Region may vest in the Regional Party.

1.6. The Regional Party shall use the information contained in the Party’s membership system only for the proper purposes of the Party and shall comply with the Party’s rules in relation to the Party’s Data Protection Act registration.

1.7. In this constitution:
(a) “The Regional Party” means the body governed by this constitution;
(b) “The Region” means the area set out in Article 1.2;
(c) “The Party” means the Liberal Democrats;
(d) “The Party in England” means the Liberal Democrats in England
(e) “The Party Constitution” means the Federal Constitution of the Party and the Constitution of The Party in England;
(f) “Recognised Council Group” means a Council Group on a Local Authority which has been recognised in accordance with the procedures set out in the constitution of The Party in England; and
(g) “Written notice” includes notice sent by email to the members’ primary email address stored on the Party’s membership system.

1.8. All terms defined in the Party Constitution shall have the same meaning in this Constitution.

ARTICLE 2: THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE

2.1. A Regional Conference shall be held not less than once in each year. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and of the Party Constitution, the Regional Conference shall be the sovereign representative body of the Regional Party. One meeting of the Regional Conference shall be held in October or November each year and shall also be the Annual General Meeting of the Regional Party. This meeting may be held online, in person, or as a hybrid event.

2.2 The number of Conferences to be held each year shall be determined by the Regional Executive. All other matters concerning the Conference shall be determined by the Regional Party’s Conference Committee (see Article 9).

2.3. The business of the Regional Conference shall be:
(a) to receive a report from the Chair on the activities of the Regional Party and the Regional Executive and representatives elected by Conference to other bodies since the previous Conference;
(b) to receive reports from the Parliamentary Parties in the House of Commons and the House of Lords (the House of Commons report to be given by members representing Westminster Constituencies within the Region);
(c) to make policy on issues which relate exclusively to the Region; and (d) to discuss and express its views upon other policy issues on a consultative basis.

2.4. Regional Conference may also submit motions and amendments including proposals to amend the Party Constitution to the Federal Conference and to the English Council.

2.5. In addition to the ordinary business of the Regional Conference, the Annual General Meeting shall:
(a) consider and note the accounts of the Regional Party for the previous financial year together with the auditor’s report, or an independent report on those accounts;
(b) receive a report from the Treasurer on the financial affairs of the Regional Party for the year to date together with an outline budget for the following year;
(c) appoint for the current financial year (i) auditors [if required by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000] or (ii) a person to produce an independent report on the accounts for the next Annual General Meeting; and
(d) in accordance with Article 4.12 of the Constitution of the Party in England, determine for the following year the division of subscription income remitted by the Party in England between Local Parties and the Regional Party.

2.6. The Regional Conference shall (on the proposal of the Regional Conference Committee) adopt Standing Orders for the conduct of Conference. These Standing Orders shall provide for not less than 21 days’ written notice of the date, time and place of any Conference to be given to members of the Regional Party.

2.7. The Regional Conference shall consist of the Regional Party members who have paid the relevant registration fee set by Conference Committee. When setting the registration fee, the Conference Committee shall consider what concessionary fees may be necessary in order to encourage attendance and improve the representativeness of Conference.

2.8. Other people may be invited to attend Regional Conference in a non-voting capacity, including members of local parties outside the Region and Registered Supporters. Non-voting attendees may speak at the Regional Conference if permitted to do so by the Conference Committee.

2.9. Motions for the Regional Conference may be submitted by:
(a) two members of the Regional Party;
(b) Local Parties;
(c) Affiliated Organisations;
(d) recognised Council Groups on principal local authorities; 
(e) theRegional Executive; or 
(f) the Regional Policy Committee.

2.10. Special meetings of the Regional Conference may be summoned on the requisition of:
(a) the Regional Executive;
(b) four Local Parties within the Region; or (c) 20 members of the Regional Party.

2.11. The requisition must specify the business to be conducted, and no other business shall be taken at the meeting.

2.12. The Regional Executive may postpone any meeting of the Regional Conference if it conflicts with a General Election or for other urgent reason.

ARTICLE 3: THE OFFICERS

3.1. The Officers of the Regional Party shall be:
(a) the Chair of the Regional Party;
(b) the Vice Chair;
(c) the Treasurer;
(d) the Secretary;
(e) the Chair of the Regional Candidates’ Committee;
(f) the Chair of the Regional Conference Committee;
(g) the Chair of the Regional Policy Committee; 
(h) the Chair of the Regional Campaigns’ Committee; 
(i) the Regional Diversity Officer.

3.2. There shall be a President, who shall not be deemed an Officer under the terms of this Constitution. The President shall have such roles as agreed with the Regional Executive from time to time to undertake. The President shall be an honorific office and does not have to be a member of the Executive.

3.3. The Chair of the Regional Party shall chair the Regional Conference (save insofar as provision is made in accordance with the Conference Standing Orders for some other person to chair all or part of the Conference), shall chair all meetings of the Regional Executive, shall have a casting vote at such meetings, shall be the Region's representative on the English Council
Executive (but may delegate this responsibility to the Vice-Chair or other member of the Regional Executive), shall be jointly responsible with the Treasurer for the Region’s compliance with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and shall be the Region’s principal Executive Officer.

3.4. The Vice Chair of the Regional Party shall deputise for the Chair when required and when chairing the Regional Executive shall have a casting vote. The Vice Chair shall also Chair the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee, and shall exercise such other functions as may be prescribed by the Regional Executive.

3.5. The Treasurer shall handle the financial business of the Regional Party in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and shall present the annual accounts and outline budget to the Annual General Meeting.

3.6. The Secretary shall be responsible for:
(a) arranging the meetings of the Regional Executive, and keeping minutes;
(b) receiving the minutes or reports of the Regional Party’s committees, subcommittees and working groups;
(c) supervising the conduct of the Region’s internal elections; and
(d) ensuring that the Region communicates effectively with Local Parties and other bodies within the Party.

3.7. The Chair of the Regional Candidates’ Committee shall, together with the Regional Candidates’ Committee, be responsible for the exercise under the Party Constitution of the Region’s functions in connection with the approval and selection of Parliamentary candidates, directly-elected mayors, and other directly-elected public posts where the electorate comprises more than a single parliamentary constituency. The Chair of the Regional Candidates’ Committee shall be the Region’s member on the English Candidates’ Committee.

3.8. The Chair of the Regional Conference Committee shall, together with the Regional Conference Committee, be responsible for arranging the meetings of the Regional Conference, subject to the standing orders of the Regional Conference, and for maintaining a record of its proceedings and decisions taken.

3.9. The Chair of the Regional Policy Committee shall, together with the Regional Policy Committee, be responsible for the development of Regional Party policy and for promoting the involvement of members of the Regional Party in the development of Party policy.

3.10. The Chair of the Regional Campaigns’ Committee shall, together with the Regional Campaigns’ Committee, stimulate and co-ordinate campaigning activities within the Region.

3.11. The Regional Diversity Officer shall lead the diversity, inclusion and outreach strategy for the region.

ARTICLE 4: THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE

4.1. The Regional Executive shall be responsible, subject to the authority of the Regional Conference and in compliance with the Party Constitution and with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, for directing, coordinating and implementing the work of the Regional Party. The Regional Executive shall develop, maintain, and implement a strategic plan for the Region.

4.2. The members of the Regional Executive shall be:
(a) the Officers of the Regional Party elected by all the members of the Regional Party;
(b) twelve Ordinary Members elected by all the members of the Regional Party;
(c) the elected Chair of the Yorkshire Young Liberals; and
(d) up to three additional members to be co-opted by the Regional Executive.

4.3. Co-opted members shall have the same rights, including voting rights, as elected members. The power of co-option shall be used, inter alia, to ensure that there is fair representation of under-represented communities in the Region, 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 within the Region.

4.4. The Officers and the Ordinary Members shall be elected biennially by all the members of the Regional Party after the Annual General Meeting in accordance with this Constitution (see Article 13).

4.5. A candidate for election as an Officer of the Regional Party or Ordinary Member of the Regional Executive must be a member of the Regional Party at the date when nominations close.

4.6. No person may hold more than one office, or be both an Officer and an Ordinary Member of the Regional Executive. Elections for Officers shall be counted in the order listed in Article 3.1 of this constitution, and for Ordinary Members after Officers. Any votes cast for candidates already elected to office shall be transferred to the voter's subsequent preferences.

4.7. The term of office of the Officers and all other members of the Regional Executive shall be from 1st January following their election until the 31st December of the following year. They shall be eligible for re-election, save that the Chair of the Regional Party shall not serve more than two consecutive terms and shall then not be eligible for election as Chair or Vice Chair for a period of four years.

4.8. The Regional Executive shall fill any vacancy occurring among the Officers or ordinary Members. A vacancy in the Chair of the Regional Party shall be filled from the Officers if any of them is willing to accept the post and, if not, from amongst the Ordinary Members of the Regional Executive. Any other vacancy may be filled from any member of the Regional Party.

4.9. Within seven days of the conclusion of the elections, the Returning Officer shall send a list of the names and addresses of all Officers to the Chair of the Party in England and to the Chief Executive of the Federal Party. The Secretary shall send details of any later change of Officers to the Chair of the Party in England and to the Chief Executive of the Federal Party within seven days of such changes occurring.

4.10. The Regional Executive shall meet at least six times a year. The Secretary shall give at least seven days’ notice of meetings to all members of the Regional Executive, specifying in the notice the business to be transacted at the meeting. The agenda for each ordinary meeting of the Regional Executive may include reports, if required, from each Regional Officer and from each sub-committee of the Regional Executive and may also include reports, if required, from the Region’s representatives on the English Council, English Council Executive and English Candidates’ Committee.

4.11. A special meeting of the Regional Executive shall be convened by the Secretary at the request of the Chair of the Regional Party or one-third of the members of the Regional Executive, to deal with the business specified in the notice of requisition.

4.12. One third of the voting members of the Regional Executive shall form a quorum. A meeting may continue without a quorum if no member present objects. Any member may within one week of despatch of the minutes of a meeting require the reference to the next meeting of any decision taken in the absence of a quorum.

4.13. If any Ordinary Member of the Regional Executive fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings of the Regional Executive, and does not submit advance apologies for absence, they will relinquish their position on the Executive. The Executive can then fill that vacancy as under Article 4.8 of this constitution.

4.14. The Regional Executive shall have power to make, and from time to time revise, Standing Orders for the conduct of its business. Such Standing Orders shall provide that:
(a) if any member of the Executive or of any Committee of the Executive has any pecuniary interest direct or indirect in any contract, proposed contract or other matter, that member shall declare that interest and shall withdraw from the meeting while the contract, proposed contract or other matter is under consideration, unless the Executive, after the member has declared his or her interest, invites him or her to remain; and
(b) if a dispute regarding any Local Party or any Council Group is the subject of debate at any meeting of the Executive or any Committee of the Executive, any member of that Local Party or Council Group (as the case may be) or anyone directly or indirectly involved in the dispute shall withdraw from the meeting while such a dispute is under debate, unless the Executive or the relevant committee invites him or her to remain.

4.15. In urgent circumstances the Management Committee (see Article 6) may act on behalf of the Regional Executive. They shall report on such actions to the next meeting of the Regional Executive.

4.16. The Regional Executive shall appoint a member of the Regional Party who is not and has not within the preceding year been a member of the Regional Executive or of the Regional Candidates’ Committee to be a member of the Appeals Panel for England.

ARTICLE 5: COMMITTEES OF THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE

5.1. There shall be the following committees, which shall have the powers set out in this Constitution, as well as any such further powers as the Regional Executive may decide to delegate:
(a) the Management Committee (see article 6);
(b) the Candidates’ Committee (see article 7);
(c) the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee (see article 8);
(d) the Conference Committee (see article 9); 
(e) the Campaigns’ Committee (see article 10); 
(f) the Policy Committee (see article 11).

5.2. The Regional Executive may establish such further committees, subcommittees or working groups as it shall consider appropriate from time to time to carry out the work of the Regional Party and may assign special responsibilities to any of its members, including duties which would otherwise pertain to one of the Officers. The Regional Executive may also delegate authority to committees jointly constituted with other regions for particular purposes. No committee, sub-committee, working group or individual member shall take action on behalf of the Regional Executive beyond their terms of appointment. All committees of the Regional Executive, sub-committees and working groups shall report on their activities to the Regional Executive.

5.3. The Chair of each committee listed in Article 5.1 above (except the Chair of the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee, who is the Vice Chair of the Regional Party) shall be elected by Party Members as laid out in Article 13.

5.4. The Regional Executive shall appoint the Chair and the members of all other committees, sub-committees and working groups set up under the provisions of
Article 5.2.

5.5. The Chair once appointed shall be responsible for convening meetings. All members of all committees, sub-committees and working groups and all the Region’s representatives on committees jointly constituted with other regions shall, save as expressly provided to the contrary in this Constitution, be members of the Regional Party.

5.6. All committees, sub-committees and working groups shall have the power to coopt a maximum of two further voting members.

5.7. The Chair of any committee, sub-committee or working group shall, in the event of a tied vote, have an additional casting vote.

5.8. The quorum of any committee, sub-committee or working group shall be 50% of its membership, including co-opted members.

5.9. All committee, sub-committees and working groups should keep minutes or summarise the outcomes and actions in a report, and shall submit these to the Secretary of the Regional Party within one month of the meeting at which the minutes were taken. Such minutes or reports shall be copied to Officers on receipt and to the Regional Executive at its next available regular meeting.

5.10. Where a vacancy shall arise on a committee, sub-committee or working group, the Regional Executive shall have power to fill the vacancy.

5.11. Where there is a vacancy in the Chair of a body constituted under Article 5.1 or 5.2 above, the Regional Executive shall have the power to appoint a new Chair: the new Chair need not be a member of the relevant body at the time of appointment.

5.12. The Regional Executive shall have full discretion to determine the manner and extent of advertising for volunteers to fill such vacancies.

ARTICLE 6: THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

6.1. The Management Committee shall comprise all Officers as detailed in Article 3.1.

6.2. The Management Committee, which shall be Chaired by the Chair of the Regional Party, shall be responsible to the Regional Executive for:
(a) the planning and administration of the budget and finances of the Regional Party;
(b) consideration of the accounts of the Regional Party, and the submission of regular financial reports to the Regional Executive;
(c) the submission of estimates of income and expenditure for approval by the Regional Executive;
(d) the appointment, dismissal and terms and conditions of any staff directly employed by the Regional Party;
(e) the general administration of the Regional Party including the activities of its staff and the provision and maintenance of office accommodation and equipment.
(f) negotiations with the English Council Executive on the proportion of subscription income to be remitted to the Regional Party;
(g) dealing with items of urgent business arising between meetings of the Regional Executive;

6.3. Any decisions arising from business considered as urgent business shall be reported to the next meeting of the Regional Executive.

ARTICLE 7: THE CANDIDATES’ COMMITTEE

7.1. The Candidates’ Committee shall comprise:
(a) the Chair of the Regional Candidates’ Committee (who shall be an Officer of the Region elected in accordance with this Constitution);
(b) four members elected by all members of the Regional Party; and
(c) up to two additional members co-opted by the Candidates’ Committee, subject to approval by the Regional Executive.

7.2. The Candidates’ Committee shall use its power of co-option to ensure that the members of the Candidates’ Committee include at least one member who has contested a Parliamentary election on behalf of the Party within the previous ten years, at least one member who is an approved Parliamentary Candidates assessor, and at least one member who is an accredited returning officer for parliamentary selections.

7.3. The Candidates’ Committee shall exercise the Region’s powers and duties under the Party Constitution in relation to the approval and selection of candidates for Parliamentary elections, directly-elected mayors, and other directly-elected public posts where the electorate comprises more than a single parliamentary constituency.

7.4. The Candidates’ Committee shall, if English Candidates’ Committee has delegated this function to Regions, determine applications to the Region for inclusion in the Lists of Approved Candidates for Parliamentary elections and in any event shall exercise all the functions of the Regional Party relating to the approval of Parliamentary candidates, directly-elected mayors, and other directly-elected public posts where the electorate comprises more than a single parliamentary constituency.

7.5. Any applicant to the Region whose application is refused may request to be reassessed and/or may appeal under the Party Constitution.

7.6. The Candidates’ Committee, if English Candidates’ Committee has delegated this function to Regions, may remove any person from the Lists of Approved Candidates for Parliamentary elections subject to the appeal procedure set out in the Party Constitution. No person shall be removed from any List without being notified of the grounds upon which the Committee is considering such removal and being given:
(a) a reasonable time within which to reply and make representations in writing; and
(b) a right upon request to a personal hearing before the Committee.

7.7. The Regional Candidates’ Chair shall appoint Returning Officers for the selection of prospective Parliamentary candidates, directly-elected mayors, and other directly-elected public posts where the electorate comprises more than a single parliamentary constituency.

7.8. The Candidates’ Committee shall undertake all other functions of the Region under the rules for the selection and adoption of prospective Parliamentary candidates, directly-elected mayors, and other directly-elected public posts where the electorate comprises more than a single parliamentary constituency. In particular, the Candidates’ Committee shall decide, in case of disagreement, whether a new selection should be held as a result of boundary changes substantially affecting a constituency.

7.9. The Candidates’ Committee may make recommendations to Local Parties within the Region for procedures to be followed for the approval and selection of candidates for local government elections and shall exercise any functions in respect of such approvals and selections which Local Parties wish to delegate to the Candidates’ Committee.

7.10. The Candidates’ Committee shall be responsible for encouraging both men and women, and members of ethnic minorities, to apply for inclusion in the Lists and for selection, and to become candidate assessors and returning officers.

7.11. The Candidates’ Committee shall report on its activities to the Regional Executive and to the Regional Conference, but it shall not be open to the Regional Executive or Conference to vary or reverse decisions taken by the Candidates’ Committee on matters delegated by this Constitution to the Candidates’ Committee.

ARTICLE 8: THE LOCAL PARTIES & COUNCIL GROUPS’ COMMITTEE

8.1. The Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee shall comprise:
(a) the Vice Chair of the Regional Party (who shall be elected in accordance with this Constitution); and
(b) three members to be appointed by the Regional Executive (ensuring there is one member from each of the four sub-regions).
At least half of the Committee shall be members of the Regional Executive and at least one shall be a person who is or has within the preceding four years been a councillor on a principal local authority.

8.2. The Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee of the Regional Party shall exercise the Region’s powers and duties under the Party Constitution in relation to the adherence of Local Parties to the Party Constitution and to their own respective constitutions, and the compliance of such constitutions and any proposed amendments with the requirements of the Party Constitution and in relation to any question concerning the recognition of Council Groups.

8.3. In particular, it shall be responsible for:
(a) ensuring the adherence of Local Parties to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the Party Constitution, and to their own respective constitutions;
(b) reviewing any proposed new constitution for a Local Party or any proposed amendment to its existing constitution to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Party Constitution;
(c) investigating the affairs of any Local Party upon the instructions of the Regional Executive if there is reason to believe that the Local Party is not adhering to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the Party Constitution or its own constitution; or that events in connection with the affairs of the Local Party which are or may be seriously detrimental to the Party have taken place or are about to take place; or if requested by the Local Party itself to carry out such an investigation;
(d) implementing any recommendations resulting from such an investigation;
(e) monitoring the joint arrangements made by the relevant Local Parties for the approval and selection of candidates for local authority elections and imposing and/or appointing a Party member to administer the procedures for the approval and/or selection of candidates for local authority elections where the relevant Local Party or Local Parties have not adopted or having adopted have not followed a procedure for the approval and/or selection of candidates in accordance with the provisions of the Party Constitution;
(f) the exercise of the powers of the Regional Party in constituencies where no Local Party is recognised or where the Local Party has been suspended;
(g) reporting to the Regional Executive on disputes as to proposed combinations of constituencies to form a Local Party;
(h) recommending to the Regional Executive whether to exempt all or any parish or town councils in the Region from the requirements for the approval of candidates;
(i) the exercise of the powers of the Region under Article 2.7 of the Constitution of The Party in England on the readmission of previously expelled members;
(j) the exercise of the powers of the Region under Article 8 of the Constitution of The Party in England (Councillors and Recognised Council Groups) including recommending to the Regional Executive whether the requirements for the recognition of Council groups shall apply to all or any parish or town councils in the Region; and
(k) the exercise of the powers of the Region under Article 3.11 of the Constitution of the Party in England relating to decisions by Local Parties in the Region to allow candidates of other political parties or independents to stand for election without being opposed by a Liberal Democrat candidate in Westminster, large single seat or local authority elections.

8.4. Where there appears to be any conflict affecting a Local Party or a Council Group, the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee may appoint a Yorkshire Liberal Democrats conciliator, who shall be impartial and neither a member of the relevant Local Party or authority (as the case may be) nor any Local Party within the area covered by the authority, to seek to mediate and resolve the conflict. Any person who has acted as such a conciliator shall not play any part in any later investigation or formal decision regarding the relevant dispute.

8.5. The decision to initiate the investigation of the affairs of any Local Party shall normally be instigated by the full Regional Executive. In particularly urgent or sensitive cases, the Chair of the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee can initiate an investigation following agreement with the Chair of the Regional Party. Any such arrangements will be reported to the Regional Executive at their next meeting. For the purposes of any investigation, the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee shall appoint one or more persons (who must be members
of the Party but not necessarily of the Regional Party) to act as investigators. No such person shall be a member of the Local Party concerned. At least one of such persons shall be a member of the Regional Executive and of the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee, and any such member shall take no part in any subsequent proceedings of the Executive or of the Local Parties & Council Groups Committee relating to action to be taken in consequence of the investigation. The investigators shall have such access as they require to the books and records of the Local Party concerned. The Local Party concerned and any affected Local Party officer shall be informed of any allegations against it and given a reasonable opportunity to reply or to take corrective action.

8.6. The decision to initiate the investigation of the affairs of any recognised Council Group shall normally be instigated by the full Regional Executive. In particularly urgent or sensitive cases, the Chair of the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee can initiate an investigation following agreement with the Chair of the Regional Party. Any such arrangements will be reported to the Regional Executive at their next meeting. For the purposes of any investigation, the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee shall appoint a person (who must be a member of the Party but not necessarily of the Regional Party) to act as an investigator. No such person shall be a member of the Local Authority concerned nor of any Local Party covered by the authority. The investigator shall have such access as they require to the books and records of the Recognised Council Group concerned. The Recognised Council Group and any affected Councillor shall be informed of any allegations against it and given a reasonable opportunity to reply or to take corrective action.

8.7. The Regional Executive shall receive a report on any investigation under this Article and shall be responsible for the implementation, so far as may be thought fit, of any recommendations resulting from the investigation and for such purpose the Regional Party may act on behalf of and in the name of the Local Party (or any organ thereof).

8.8. The Regional Party may:
(a) suspend a Local Party if the Regional Executive is satisfied that the Local Party is not adhering to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 or to the Party (or its own) Constitution or that events in connection with the affairs of the Local Party which are or may be seriously detrimental to the Party have taken place or are likely to take place if preventative action is not taken;
(b) order that a specified Local Party officer vacate his or her post if the Regional Executive is satisfied that the officer concerned is not adhering to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 or to the Party (or its own) Constitution or that by their actions, events are occurring or about to occur in connection with the affairs of the Local Party which are or may be seriously detrimental to the Party. 
Such power shall not be exercised without the Local Party and the affected Local Party Officer being informed of what is proposed and offered a reasonable opportunity to reply or take corrective action. In case of urgency the power of the Regional Executive may be exercised on its behalf by the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee which shall forthwith report the action it has taken to the Regional Executive.

8.9. There shall be a right of appeal to the Appeals Panel for England against the suspension of a Local Party or the ordering of a Local Party Officer to vacate his or her post on the ground that the suspension was unreasonable. The Regional Executive may direct that the suspension or order to vacate post shall take effect pending the appeal.

8.10. The Regional Party may de-recognise a formerly recognised Council Group if it is satisfied that:
(a) there is persistent or serious non-adherence on the part of the Council Group either to the Liberal Democrat Federal Party Constitution, the constitution of the Liberal Democrats in England, or its own Standing Orders; or
(b) by the actions of the Council Group, events are occurring or about to occur in connection with the affairs of the Council Group which are, or may be, seriously detrimental to the Liberal Democrats.
Such power shall not be exercised without the Council Group being informed of what is proposed and offered a reasonable opportunity to reply or take corrective action. Any member of the Council Group concerned or any Local Party covered by the authority concerned may appeal to the English Appeals Panel against a decision to de-recognise.

8.11. The Regional Party, through the Local Parties & Council Groups Committee, shall have the following powers and responsibilities with regard to any constituency where no Local Party has been recognised, or the Local Party has been suspended under the Party Constitution:
(a) to exercise the functions of the Local Party under the Party Constitution;
(b) to ensure, in consultation with local members, that a prospective candidate is in place for any Parliamentary Election, unless the Local Parties & Council Groups Committee is satisfied that this is not appropriate for the time being;
(c) to take such steps as may be appropriate, in consultation with local members, to organise the fighting of local authority elections;
(d) to act as an enrolling body for new members under the Party Constitution;
(e) to summon and supervise meetings of members to form a Local Party or reconstitute a Local Party as soon as possible;
(f) to hold and manage the assets of the Local Party for the benefit of the members of the Local Party or of any Local Party to be formed in place of the Local Party; and
(g) to rule on disputes and give directions under the Party Constitution as to proposed combinations of constituencies. Members in any constituency in the proposed combination shall have the right to appeal to the English Council.

8.12. Where the Region has directed a Local Party officer to vacate office the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee shall either direct that there is to be a byelection for that post, in which case the previous incumbent would be ineligible to stand and the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee shall nominate a Returning Officer, or it may appoint a suitably qualified member of the Party (but not necessarily the Local Party) to the role.

8.13. The decision of the Regional Party whether or not to agree to the admission or re-admission to membership of a person whose membership has been refused or revoked shall be made by the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee.

8.14. The Regional Party shall not use the information contained in the Register of members except for the proper purposes of the Party and shall comply with the Party’s rules in relation to the Party's Data Protection Act registration.

8.15. The Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee shall report on its activities to the Regional Executive, but it shall not be open to the Regional Executive to vary or reverse decisions taken by the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee on matters delegated by this Constitution to the Local Parties & Council Groups’ Committee.

ARTICLE 9: THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

9.1. The Conference Committee shall comprise:
(a) the Chair of the Conference Committee (who shall be one of the Officers of the Region elected in accordance with this Constitution);
(b) the Chair of the Policy Committee;
(c) four members elected by all members of the Regional Party; and
(d) up to two additional members co-opted by the Conference Committee, subject to approval by the Regional Executive.

9.2. Subject to direction by the Regional Executive on matters of finance, the Conference Committee shall be responsible for:
(a) the organisation of the meetings of the Regional Conference including the appointment of a Returning Officer for the elections;
(b) the preparation of Standing Orders for the Regional Conference, subject to the approval of the Conference;
(c) determining in consultation with the Policy Committee, subject to the Standing Orders, the business to be transacted at each meeting of the Regional Conference, including the selection of motions and reports for debate; and
(d) promoting the Regional Conference and encouraging attendance at Regional Conference by members of the Regional Party.

ARTICLE 10: THE CAMPAIGNS’ COMMITTEE

10.1. The Campaigns’ Committee shall comprise:
(a) the Chair of the Campaigns’ Committee (who shall be one of the Officers of the Region elected in accordance with this Constitution);
(b) four members elected by all members of the Regional Party; and
(c) up to two additional members co-opted by the Campaigns’ Committee, subject to approval by the Regional Executive.

10.2. The Campaigns’ Committee shall be responsible to the Regional Executive for: 
(a) the stimulation and co-ordination of campaigning and publicity activities within the Region;
(b) the undertaking of regional campaigns and the monitoring of the joint arrangements made by the relevant Local Parties for campaigning in
elections to principal local authorities covering more than one Local Party;
(c) the management of Regional Election campaigns for directly-elected mayors, and other directly-elected public posts where the electorate comprises more than a single parliamentary constituency;
(d) the encouragement of Local Parties to co-ordinate campaigning for Parliamentary and local elections and between elections;
(e) the promotion of the political image of the Party within the Region;
(f) providing and co-ordinating assistance to Local Parties for Parliamentary and local elections; and
(g) liaison in respect of these matters with appropriate Affiliated Organisations.

ARTICLE 11: THE POLICY COMMITTEE

11.1. The Policy Committee shall comprise:
(a) the Chair of the Policy Committee (who shall be one of the Officers of the Region elected in accordance with this Constitution); and
(b) four members elected by all members of the Regional Party; and
(c) up to two additional members co-opted by the Policy Committee, subject to approval by the Regional Executive.

11.2. The Policy Committee shall be responsible for:
(a) the formulation of party policy on issues relating exclusively to the Region, for presentation to the Regional Conference;
(b) preparing policy proposals on other issues relating primarily to the Region, and reporting to the Regional Conference on these and other policy issues;
(c) actively promoting consultation within the Region on the development of policy by the Federal Policy Committee;
(d) the consideration of policy proposals on which the Regional Party is consulted by the Federal Policy Committee, and the submission of policy proposals to that Committee;
(e) the preparation and submission to the Federal Conference Committee of policy motions for the Federal Conference, including seeking consent from the Regional Executive for said submissions on a case-by-case basis;
(f) the expression of the initial views of the Regional Party on topical issues;
(g) if so instructed by the Regional Executive, the preparation for approval by the Regional Executive of a regional manifesto for Parliamentary Elections;
(h) liaison with other regional parties on policy issues affecting the Region and such other regions;
(i) assisting Party Groups on principal local authorities with policy development by such Groups and liaison on policy issues between principal local authorities within the Region;
(j) stimulating and co-ordinating the policy-making activities of Local Parties; and
(k) encouraging the participation by members of the Regional Party in the development and making of Party Policy.

ARTICLE 12: FINANCE

12.1. The Region’s accounting period shall be annual, ending on 31st December each year.

12.2. The Treasurer shall keep, maintain for six years, and pass to their successor accounting records which shall be available for inspection in accordance with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

12.3. The Treasurer shall ensure that no donation of over £500 is accepted except from a permissible donor and shall keep records and submit donations reports to the Compliance Department of the Federal Party.

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

12.5. The Treasurer shall submit the accounts of the Regional Party together with an independent report or the report of the auditors to the Annual General Meeting.

12.6. A copy of the annual accounts shall be sent to the Treasurer of the Party in England and to the Chief Executive of the Federal Party.

12.7. The Regional Party shall maintain one or more bank or other appropriate accounts in the name of the Regional 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 Regional Party may maintain further accounts for the deposit of money not required for the time being, requiring the same signatures.

12.8. The Executive shall make arrangements in accordance with the Party's fundraising and data protection policies for the raising of funds to meet any expenditure of the Regional Party in excess of the proportion of subscription income to be remitted by the Party in England, and may also raise funds for distribution to Local Parties in the Region.

ARTICLE 13: ELECTIONS

13.1. All contested elections under the provisions of this constitution shall be by secret ballot and by the Single Transferable Vote method in accordance with election rules made under the Federal Party Constitution.

13.2. Where the Regional Party is entitled to representation on any other body (other than the English Council) the Regional Executive Conference shall determine whether the representatives are to be elected by the Regional Conference or by the Regional Executive.

13.3. The elections of Officers, Ordinary Members of the Regional Executive,members of the Regional Candidates’ Committee and the members of the English Council shall be conducted by ballot of all the members of the Regional Party.

13.4. Nominations for election must be in writing, signed by a proposer and seconder (who must be members of the Regional Party) and countersigned by the candidate.

13.5. Whenever three or more persons are being elected, not less than 40% or, if 40% is not a whole number, the whole number nearest to but not exceeding 40% of those elected shall self-identify as men or non-binary people, and self-identify as women or non-binary people, respectively.

13.6. The Regional Executive shall appoint some disinterested person to receive nominations and act as Returning Officer. The Returning Officer shall be responsible for an electronic ballot following the AGM, in which all members are sent a personal link to an electronic voting system within 7 days after the AGM and which must be returned to the Returning Officer within 21 days after the AGM. The Returning Officer shall declare notice of the result of the election as soon as possible.

13.7. An unsuccessful candidate who alleges that there has been or may have been an irregularity in the election may within one month after the declaration of the
result appeal to the Appeals Panel for England. Subject to any order made on such an appeal, no irregularity shall invalidate an election.

ARTICLE 14: AMENDMENT AND INTERPRETATION

14.1. Amendments to this constitution, including any amendment by which the Region seeks recognition as a State Party for the purposes of the Party
Constitution, may be made only by the vote of at least two-thirds of those voting on a motion for amendment at a meeting of the Regional Conference.

14.2. No amendment shall be made which conflicts with the Party Constitution.

14.3. Motions for amendment shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Regional Conference in time for circulation with the notice convening the meeting.

14.4. In the event of any question of interpretation arising, or any question on which this constitution is silent, the Regional Executive shall have power to act according to its interpretation of the constitution, or at its discretion, without prejudice to the provisions of the Party Constitution relating to the resolution of conflicts.