At the 2026 AGM, the following changes to the Constitution were endorsed:
1) Revise Section 1 (Area of Interest) to take into account the endorsement of the Neighbourhood Plan
Proposed text
To review any need to refine the Maida Hill Neighbourhood Plan if substantial issues arise, and undertake any required actions. To prepare and arrange future editions of the Neighbourhood Plan
Previous text
To prepare in partnership with the local planning authority a Neighbourhood Plan for the area.
To encourage the goodwill and involvement of the wider community in the preparation, production and implementation of a Neighbourhood Plan.
2) Revise Section 2 (Purpose) to take into account the endorsement of the Neighbourhood Plan
Proposed text
The Maida Hill Neighbourhood Forum … has, as a core purpose, the agenda of supporting implementation of the Neighbourhood Plan to …
Previous text
The Maida Hill Neighbourhood Forum … shall produce a Neighbourhood Plan to further the social, economic and environmental well-being of …
3) Revise Section 2 (Purpose) to identify more clearly other agendas of interest, namely crime prevention, street maintenance, and economic development
Proposed text
The Forum will also have such other purposes as the Membership may from time to time decide. Such purposes may include liaison and support with Neighbourhood Watch and the local Ward panel to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour; advice to the local authority on street maintenance; support for a thriving local business and retail environment; and advocacy for better employment and training opportunities.
Previous text
[None]
4) Revise Section 2 (Purpose) to advocate use of the Nolan principles of public life for committee members, rather than the Good Governance Code for charities
Proposed text
The Maida Hill Neighbourhood Forum will seek at all times to act within the Nolan Principles of public life and exercise openness, objectivity, honest, leadership, integrity, selflessness and accountability and do so on the basis of equality between and respect for all persons.
Previous text
All members of the Forum shall act in the best interests of the Forum and the residents, workers and businesses of the area and shall follow the good governance guidelines set out in http://www.goodgovernancecode.org.uk/
5) Behaviour of Forum members – power to exclude if bring Forum into disrepute
Proposed text
The committee has the power to exclude a given individual from Membership and/or from being a Forum committee member on the grounds of bringing the Forum into disrepute. Such grounds to include serious criminal proceedings, safeguarding concerns, and improper handling of conflict of interest …
Participants to general meetings must conduct themselves in a respectful and inclusive manner. Those that do not may be required to leave the meeting.
Previous text
[None]
6) Forum structure and membership – changes to make clear that two categories of Members (committee members and non-committee members)
Proposed text
There shall be two categories of Members –
(1) Members who are not committee members. These support the aims and work of the Forum, but are not committee members. They may attend and participate in sub-committees of the Forum (though they may not be Chair of any such sub-committees)
(2) Members who are committee members. These support the aims and work of the Forum, and attend and participate in committee and sub-committee meetings
Previous text
[None]
7) Forum membership – encouragement for including a wide range of representatives
Proposed text
Membership shall be drawn from different places in the area of benefit and different sections of the community in the area of benefit. The committee has the ambition of encouraging diversity among Members as a whole, and committee members in particular.
Previous text
Maida Hill Forum will seek the widest possible membership of the designated area, which will include constituted organisations, and informal voluntary groups and associations … Membership shall be drawn from different places in the area of benefit and different sections of the community in the area of benefit.
8) Officer positions – clarify a minimum committee membership requirement, to ensure that roles are held by people with knowledge of required activities
Proposed text
Only committee members who have been in post for at least 6 months (attending relevant committee meetings) are eligible to stand for the post of Chairperson, Treasurer or Secretary.
Previous text
[None]