LONDON BRIDGES ENGINEERING GROUP
CONSTITUTION AND RULES.
amended and agreed at agm 6th april 2001
The body shall be known as LoBEG (derived from London Bridges Engineering Group).
2.O THE OBJECTIVES
a) To act in an advisory capacity to the London Technical Advisors Group ( LoTAG – Group 2 – Infrastructure) on any matters of bridge engineering with the objective of promoting best practice within the profession.
b) To respond to specific requirements from LoTAG in carrying out their role as advisor to other associations or bodies.
c) To promote and discuss any matter of mutual interest.
d) To encourage the exchange of information and experience of bridge engineering matters.
3.O FUNCTIONS
The functions of the group shall be executed by any one member or number of members organised in such a manner as may be agreed from time to time by, and under the general management of, the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee shall carry out the overall management and control of all functions and the Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be the co-ordinator through whom LoBEG operates and to whom reference is made on all matters affecting the management and control of LoBEG.
In pursuance of such management and control, the constituent Boroughs will be divided into four Areas (North-West, North-East, Central, and South), and the Chairman of each Area shall be a member of the Executive Committee .
4.0 MEMBERSHIP
General Membership
Membership may be extended to the Senior Bridge Engineer of each highway authority within London, authorised to act on behalf of their respective employers in matters of engineering, construction, repair and maintenance of bridges and other highway structures
There shall only be one representative of each constituent organisation who shall be a named member in whom full membership rights exist. Where a highway authority employs a consultant to manage its bridges, it may be appropriate for the consultant to be the LoBEG member for that highway authority.
In addition, organisations may nominate Associate Members who shall enjoy the benefits of full membership with the exception of any voting rights unless previously nominated to deputise in the case of the Member’s inability to attend.
No member shall hold Chairmanship of more than one Area.
Membership of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall comprise a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and the four area chairmen. In addition, the Executive Committee may nominate other LoBEG members to attend Executive meetings as appropriate.
Membership of LoBEG Working Parties
Various working parties operate under the general management of the Executive Committee, eg the London Package Steering Committee. Membership of these groups shall be in accordance with the directions set out by the Executive Committee.
5.0 CO-OPTION
LoBEG may advise from time to time on the need for co-opted members to LoBEG committees or working parties. Such appointments shall be subject to the confirmation of the Executive Committee and the subsequent ratification of the appropriate LoTAG Group Chairman after due consultation. Such co-option(s) shall proceed for the specific purpose(s) identified and be subject to annual renewal. Co-opted members will not be voting members of the group to which they are appointed.
6.0 LIAISON WITH LoTAG
The Executive Committee shall nominate one of its members to act as the Liaison Officer with LoTAG and this member shall acquire, subject to LoTAG confirmation, seconded membership rights to LoTAG. In addition, the Chairman of the Executive Committee shall act as a liaison officer to LoTAG.
7.O SUBSCRIPTIONS
A subscription shall be payable for membership of LoBEG on an annual basis at a level to be determined by the Executive Committee whose recommendation shall be subject to endorsement by LoTAG. Accounts for the activities of LoBEG shall be produced and be subject to audit on an annual basis.
8.0 MEETINGS
i) Annual General Meeting
At least one meeting of the full membership of LoBEG shall be convened annually at a place and time to be determined by the Executive Committee.
ii) Business Meetings
The Executive Committee shall meet every two months and the Secretary will be
required to record proceedings and distribute minutes to all members of LoBEG and to the elected officers of LoTAG to whom LoBEG reports.
Area meetings will be held every two months and normally alternate with the Executive meetings.
iii) Special Meetings
Special Meetings may be held as required at the discretion of the Chairman of the Executive Committee.
iv) Working Parties
Individual working parties shall meet at appropriate intervals according to the needs of the group.
9.0 AGENDAS AND RECORDS
The Secretary shall be responsible for producing and distributing agendas to the membership of LOBEG for Annual General and Executive Committee meetings with which they are concerned, or as may be determined by the Executive Committee as appropriate from time to time. Such agendas will identify matters directly initiated or referred to them for analysis and commentary and the Secretary will be responsible for recording the recommendations and conclusions of LoBEG.
10.0 VOTING
In the event that it is necessary for voting by members, every motion or amendment which is in order shall be put to the meeting and determined by ballot or show of hands. The Chairman shall vote in the first instance and in the event of equal voting shall be given an additional casting vote.
The Chairman shall declare the numbers voting for and against the motion or amendment and shall declare the result which shall be recorded
11.0 ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Elections for the Executive Committee posts of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall be held every two years at the AGM.
Elections for the Area Chairmen shall be held every two years within the membership of the relevant LoBEG areas.
12.0 ALTERATION TO CONSTITUTION AND RULES
The Rules and Constitution shall be the subject to periodic review by the Executive Committee who will submit their proposals to an Annual General Meeting of LoBEG. The acceptance of any amended document will be decided by a vote of the membership present and will be subject to the subsequent approval of LoTAG.