1. To improve communications between Community Councils, Local Government and other bodies.
2. To facilitate debate on matters of common interest to some or all Community Councils and to encourage the exchange of ideas and views between Community Councils.
3. The BCCF shall be non-political, non-sectarian and non- racial.
4. To provide support as and when needed by affiliated councils.
5. Additional objectives will be by resolution of any meeting.

1. There shall be two scheduled meetings each year, one of which will be the Annual General Meeting to be held in March.
2. The meetings will be open to all Berwickshire Community Councils whether affiliated or not.
3. Extraordinary meetings may be requested by any affiliated Community Council or by the Office Bearers acting jointly.

   The extraordinary meeting shall be called within 14 days of the Chairperson accepting a valid request and be held within 42 days of that acceptance.

4. Should the Chairperson be unable to attend then members present shall appoint one of their number to act in that capacity for the duration of the meeting, subject to the conditions of rule 5.a.

1. The elected Office Bearers shall be:-

   	Chairperson
   	Secretary
   	Treasurer

   each of whom shall be a serving member of an affiliated Community Council but not an elected member of a Local Authority. The positions of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined if so decided by a resolution of an AGM.
    

2. The election of office bearers shall be for a period of three years although the term of the first incumbents is to be adjusted so that the posts of Chairperson and Secretary do not fall vacant at the same AGM.
    
3. Elections shall be by a majority vote at the AGM. Each nominee shall have a proposer and a seconder both of whom are serving members of different affiliated Community Councils. Notice of nomination of an office bearer shall be in the hands of the Secretary fourteen days before the AGM to allow all the affiliated members to be notified seven days in advance of the meeting.
    
4. The BCCF shall have no permanent committee but may appoint an ad hoc one for any purpose.

1. Community Councils may send one or more representatives to each meeting. In the case of a vote being taken (on any matter) then each affiliated Community Council will have one vote. Where no majority occurs then the Chairperson shall have the casting vote, unless the motion is for the appointment of a Chairperson. In this case the decision shall be by lot, adjudicated by the Secretary.
    
2. A quorum shall consist of representatives from one fourth of the affiliated Community Councils.

Representatives from other organisations may be invited to BCCF meetings and may take part in the business at the discretion of the Chairperson.

1. Affiliation fees for the forthcoming year shall be decided at each AGM and shall be payable before the end of May following the AGM.
    
2. Voting rights will become valid on receipt of the affiliation fee.
    
3. The Treasurer shall, as directed by a BCCF meeting, open accounts with appropriate financial institutions.
    
4. The Treasurer shall keep proper and accurate accounts of the income and expenditure of the BCCF and shall present an audited account for approval at the AGM.
    
5. An Auditor shall be appointed by a BCCF meeting.
    
6. The financial year shall be from 1st February to 31st January.
    
7. Should the BCCF be dissolved, any remaining funds shall be distributed for charitable purposes.

1. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all affiliated Community Councils and any other items required by resolution at an AGM.
    
2. The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings and shall attend to correspondence.
    
3. Agendas shall be sent to all affiliated Community Councils at least seven days before any meeting and copies of the minutes circulated by the Secretary within one month.
    
4. Any business to be included on an ordinary meeting agenda must be in the Secretary's hands at least fourteen days before the due date. Each agenda shall include an item of "Any Other Business" and subjects will be accepted for discussion by a show of hands of those attending. There shall be no restriction on the topics which can be discussed.

1. Changes to the Constitution of BCCF can only be made at an Annual General Meeting providing that two thirds of the affiliated community councils in attendance give their approval.
    
2. Any proposal to amend this Constitution must be notified to the Secretary by an affiliated Community Council 56 days before the Annual General Meeting.
    
3. The Secretary will circulate details of any proposed change at least 42 days before the Annual General Meeting to allow affiliated Community Councils adequate time for consultation.

Approved on 18th October 1994 by an inaugural meeting of the Forum.