Article 1
The name of the organisation is: KIMO UK (“the Organisation”) that operates as a formal National Network under the auspices of Kommunenes Internationale Miljøorganisasjon (KIMO) Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation and therefore is subject to the rules and regulations of the KIMO International Constitution.
Article 2
The objectives of KIMO UK are to:
(a) Exchange information on effective pollution prevention and cleaning up operations and sustainable development.
(b) Lead by example by improving regional marine environments.
(c) Lobby national Governments, the European Commission and others to take effective actions on issues affecting Northern Seas.
(d) Make joint representations against threatening proposals.
(e) Undertake demonstrative environmental projects.
Article 3
Each member of “the organisation” shall undertake to meet the objectives outlined in Article (2).
Article 4
Full Membership of KIMO UK shall be open to:
Local government bodies in the United Kingdom, whether or not their area has a Northern Seas coastline.
Local government is as defined by UK National law.
Organisations whose main objectives are in sympathy with those of KIMO UK are able to affiliate as associate members subject to the approval of the UK Board of Directors (“the UK Board”).
Article 5
Membership will be offered to organisations as outlined in ‘Article 4’.
Article 6
The highest authority of KIMO shall be the KIMO “International Assembly of Delegates” (“the Assembly”), which shall be responsible for determining matters of policy for KIMO and shall be held annually. KIMO UK shall be invited to send delegates to “the Assembly”.
Article 7
A delegate need not be an elected member of a Local Authority or an organisation, but on ceasing to be an elected member of their respective organisation, they shall resign from KIMO within one calendar month of leaving office.
Article 8
Each UK Member Authority is entitled to elect three delegates or their substitutes to “the UK Board” who will serve for as long as he/she has been nominated by their authority, a Chairman who will be elected by “the UK Board” for a two-year term and a representative or member from the authority who holds the UK Secretariat.
Article 9
Directors of “the UK Board” can co-opt to the Board up to three individuals, who will give specialist advice when required but who will have no voting rights.
Article 10
“The UK Board” shall meet whenever requested by the Chairman or the UK Co-ordinator, or as determined by a majority of UK Directors. The UK Co-ordinator should forward minutes of these meetings to the International Board of Directors and all UK members.
Article 11
The responsibilities and duties of the Chairman of “the UK Board”, the Directors, and the UK Co-ordinator shall be governed as determined by these articles.
Article 12
Responsibility for appointing the UK Co-ordinator of “the organisation” lies with “the UK Board”, who shall also decide the location of the UK Co-ordinator. A period of six months’ notice shall be required should the UK Co-ordinator be changed.
The UK Co-ordinator shall have voice but no vote at:
(i) Meetings of the International Assembly of Delegates;
(ii) Meetings of “The UK Board”;
(iii) National Conventions and Meetings.
Article 13
Each local Authority that affiliates with “the organisation” shall pay an annual subscription fee to both KIMO International and KIMO UK as laid down in a schedule of membership fees that is agreed on a regular basis. The UK Co-ordinator shall be responsible for collecting and administering membership ensuring that the international subscription is forwarded to the International Secretariat yearly.
Article 14
The UK financial year will run from 1st April to 31st March of the following year.
Article 15
The UK Co-ordinator is authorised to hold and operate any Bank Accounts that are necessary for the organisation to perform tasks in furtherance of its objectives. The UK Co-ordinator is required to submit audited accounts annually as required by UK law to “the UK Board”. Signatories to all KIMO accounts must be authorised by “the UK Board” prior to their names being submitted to the relevant banks.
Article 16
Amendment of Constitution - This Constitution once adopted may be changed only at a regular UK Board of Directors Meeting or at a Special General Meeting of UK Board of Directors and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the voters present and entitled to vote. Notice of any proposed amendment must be given to the UK Co-ordinator not less than 21 days before a UK Board of Directors Meeting.
Article 17
Any local authority member may give 3 months notice to the UK Co-ordinator of their intention to cease membership of “the Organisation”. Cessation of membership during the financial year does not entitle the member to any refund of Membership fees already paid for the year of cessation.
Article 18
In the event of “the Organisation” being dissolved any funds remaining after its debts and liabilities have been settled will be applied to a purpose or organisation whose objects correspond with those of “the Organisation”, as determined by a final, Exceptional Meeting of the Board/ Assembly.