Unlock Democracy's AGM 2012 pack

8/22/2019 Unlock Democracy's AGM 2012 pack

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Unlock DemocracyAGM 2012 Pack

ContentsPage 2: Venue detailsPage 3: AgendaPage 4: AGM 2011 minutesPage 17: Response from the Unlock Democracy Council to last years motionsPage 17: Speaker BiographiesPage 18: Policy Motions (and amendments received)Page 21: Business Motions and Constitutional Amendments (and amendmentsreceived)


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VENUE

Unlock Democracy AGM 2012 Venue Details

NCVO, The National Council for Voluntary OrganisationsRegent's Wharf8 All Saints StreetLondonN1 9RL

How to find us

NCVO is approx imately 5-10 minutes walk from King's Cross Station.

Public Transport

BusesNumbers 17, 91 and 259 all stop at theKing's Cross end of Caledonian Road(see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ for details).

TrainsTrains to King's Cross, St Pancras orEuston.

TubePiccadilly, Circle, Victoria, Hammersmithand City, Northern and Metropolitan linesall pass through King's Cross Station.

Parking

Parking for people with physicaldisabilities

This is available in the courtyard by priorarrangement with NCVO, telephone 020

7520 2404 (Conference suite booking).

Car parkingParking meters in the surroundingstreets.

BicyclesCan be left in the courtyard, if locked, atowner's risk.


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AGENDA

Start time Programme

10:30 Registration and refreshments

11:00 AGM open and Chairs welcome

11:03 Approval of AGM 2011 minutes and matters arising

11:05 Response from the council in response to last years motions

11:10 Finance Items:1. Approval of accounts2. Appointment of reporting accountants: Chantrey Vellacott DFK LLP3. Membership subscriptions motion:

The meeting resolves that the standard annual membership

subscription of the organisation shall be 24 and the minimumsubscription shall be 12. The rebate to Local Groups shall be7.20 or 30% of the subscription, whichever is the lower. The rebateto Devolved Organisations shall be 2.40 or 10% of the subscription,whichever is the lower.

11.30 Debate and votes on policy motions:1. Media Reform2. Devolution for England3. Single Transferable Vote4. Reform of the Monarchy

11:45 Speaker: Andreas Whittam Smith

12:30 Lunch

13:15 Speaker: Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP

14:00 Debate and votes on policy motions (continued from morning session)

14:30 Debates and votes on business motions and constitutional amendments:1. Business motion 1: Local Groups2. Business motion 2: Election Communication

3. Constitutional amendment 1: Election Standing Orders4. Business motion 3: Motion on 2012 Elections5. Business motion 4: Amendments at AGMs6. Constitutional amendment 2: Amendments at AGMs

15:30 Directors report and questions

16:00 Closing words from Chair and Director

16:10 AGM Ends


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MINUTES

UNLOCK DEMOCRACY'S AGM MINUTESSATURDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2011

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Regent's Wharf

Present: Vicky Seddon (Chair), Peter Facey (Director) and 40 members, 26 proxy votesreceived

In attendance: Alexandra Runswick, J ames Graham, Dan Flanagan, Emily Randall,Margaret Mathews

Apologies: Stuart Weir, Nan Sloane, J ohn J ackson, Mark Valladares

1. Chair's Welcome

The chair announced that until the question of free membership had been resolved,people who had joined under the free membership offer earlier in the year would not beable to vote. This included those who had registered proxy votes. She apologised onbehalf of the organisation.

The chair announced that the organisation's legal advice was available and indicated thatconstitutional changes were required to enable free membership for time-limited periods.

No emergency motions had been received and the agenda was approved.

2. Membership

2.1 Constitutional Amendment 1: Membership Subscriptions

Proposer: Phil StarrSeconder: Vicky Seddon, Stuart Weir

Replace the existing 3.1. with:

3.1 Joining the Organisation3.1.1. Membership is open to all who support the purpose of the Organisation, paythe current membership subscriptions and abide by the constitution.

3.1.2. The membership subscription shall be set by the Annual General Meetingwhich shall last until the following Annual General Meeting. The Annual GeneralMeeting may set a specific membership subscription for benefit claimants, unwagedindividuals and individuals on a fixed income.

3.1.3. The Management Board may, for a specified time period, lower themembership subscription - including offering a zero rate - for new members or atargeted group of identified potential new members, subject to reporting this back to

the following Council meeting and Annual General Meeting. Existing members mayonly renew at the membership subscription rate set by the Annual General Meeting.


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3.1.4. The Management Board has a fiduciary duty to the integrity of theOrganisation and may reject any individual's application to join the Organisationwithin 90 days of receipt of their application, for any reason, and with no recourse toappeal. Any individual, whose application is not rejected within this period, shall bedeemed to be a member of the Organisation.

Phil Starr moved the amendment. Peter Davidson seconded the amendment. Stuart Hillalso spoke in support. Phil Starr clarified that the targeted groups would not necessarily bemembers of other existing organisations. Some, such as Take Back Parliament might nothave a formal organisational structure.

The free membership offer would be availablefor a fixed period for less than a year.

Constitutional Amendment: Membership Subscriptions

For: 49 Against: 3 Abstentions: 0

The amendment was passed with the required two thirds majority

2.2. Policy Motions: Membership offer to Yes to Fairer Votes and Take BackParliament supporters

Option A

Proposer: Stuart HIllSeconder: Linda Hoffman

This AGM recognises that, prior to today, there has been no constitutionalauthority for the Council of UD to offer free membership to anyone under anycircumstances. It is, therefore, regrettable that the individuals concerned will notbe able to either stand for election or vote in the forthcoming Council elections.

UD has always supported a written and binding constitution for the UK. It,therefore, cannot afford to be seen to ignore the fundamental provisions of itsown constitution, regarding the membership requirements of the organisation,

since its establishment.

In addition to this, there is the further danger that the legitimacy of theforthcoming Council elections could be legally challenged should hundreds ofindividuals who have not paid the minimum membership contribution of 12determine the results. Such an event would be catastrophic for our hard-earnedreputation.

This AGM welcomes the proposed rules-change which, if carried by a two thirdsmajority, would enable such offers to be made in the future. It is regrettable thatprevious AGMs have not had the opportunity to determine this matter.


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An amendment to Motion Option A in the name of Phil Starr and Stuart Weir hadbeen received. However, the movers of the motion indicated that they wished towithdraw the motion. This was agreed by the AGM, and hence the amendment fell.

Option B:Proposer: Phil Starr

Seconder: Stuart Weir

The meeting notes:1. The past precedent set by offering free membership to POWER2010

supporters in Summer 2010.2. The introductory free membership offer made to Yes to Fairer Votes and

Take Back Parliament supporters following the referendum campaign inMay to J uly 2011.

3. That Unlock Democracy was a corporate partner of Yes to Fairer Votes,and that Take Back Parliament formally became a project of UnlockDemocracy in May 2011.

4. These new members have been formally recognised as new members bythe Management Board.

5. That, according to the Constitution, the Annual General Meeting shallconsider and approve the annual membership subscription (5.1.c.)

The meeting believes:1. Restricted, time limited offers of free membership to identified

supporters of democratic reform are a crucial way to expand theorganisations membership base, and in the long term increaseactivism and fundraising.

The meeting therefore resolves:1. To ratify the decision to offer a zero subscription rate to Take Back

Parliament and Yes To Fairer Vote supporters in May to J uly 2011.

Phil Starr moved Motion Option B. Peter Davidson and Tamsin J ames both secondedOption B. An amendment proposed by Stuart Hill was ruled out of order as it had not beenreceived by the deadline.

Stuart Hill expressed concern that Option B did not go far enough and called on themanagement board to offer free membership to whoever shares the aims and objectives ofthe organisation.

Peter Facey explained that although the Management Board's actions wereunconstitutional, according to the legal advice the organisation had received, the decisioncould be ratified by the AGM.

Finola Kelly suggested that further constitutional changes should be made to enablemembers to suggest groups to offer free membership to. The chair stated that they should

be free to do that anyway and it did not require a constitutional amendment.


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Policy Motion: Membership of fer to Yes to Fairer Votes and Take Back Parliament

For: 42 Against : 0 Abstent ions 13

The motion was carried.

The Chair declared that people who had joined under the free membership offer earlier inthe year would now be able to vote.

2.3 Policy Motion: Membership Subscriptions

The meeting resolves that the standard annual membership subscription of theorganisation shall be 24 and the minimum subscription shall be 12. The rebate toLocal Groups shall be 7.20 or 30% of the subscription, whichever is the lower. Therebate to Devolved Organisations shall be 2.40 or 10% of the subscription, whichever

is the lower.

Phil Starr moved the motion. Stuart Hill seconded the motion.


2.4 Peter Facey asked for an indicative vote to delay the elections by 90 days.

The recommendation was supported by the meeting.

3. Approval of Minutes of the 2010 AGM

Stuart Hill moved the minutes and these were seconded by Rosemary Bechler.

Approved with no revisions and there were no Matters Arising

4. Response from Counci l to last year's Motions

Received and approved.

5. Finance Items

5.1 Approval of accounts

The director presented the report on accounts for UD for 2010/11. There were noquestions about the accounts. Acceptance of the accounts was moved by Stuart Hill andseconded by Phil Starr

Approval of accounts carried with 2 abstentions

5.2 Motion: Appointment of Accountants


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It was proposed that our current reporting accountants MacIntyre Hudson (formerlyGotham Erskine) be changed to Chantrey Vellacott for the year ended 31 March 2012.

PF explained that our existing accountants had merged and the decision had been madeto put it out to tender. PF clarified that the change of accountants saved the organisation150. PF declared that a friend of his worked for Chantrey Vellacott. Margaret Mathews

clarified that PF stood back from making the decision on that basis.


6. Policy Motion: Constituency boundaries for 2012 council elections

Proposer: Phil StarrSeconder: Stuart Weir

For the 2012-2013 Unlock Democracy Council elections, the Annual General Meetingresolves the following:

1. There shall be four constituencies, of roughly equal population size:

a. North: consisting of the Governmental Regions of Scotland, NorthernIreland, the North West and the North East (UK population estimate: 16.5million).

b. West: consisting of the Governmental Regions of Wales, the South Westand the West Midlands (UK population estimate: 13.6 million).

c. East: consisting of the Governmental Regions of Yorkshire and the Humber,the East Midlands and the East of England (UK population estimate: 15.6million).

d. London and South East: consisting of the Governmental Regions ofLondon and the South East, and members resident outside of the UK (UKpopulation estimate: 16.2 million).

2. Members who are resident from outside of the UK shall be deemed to be membersof the London and South East constituency.

3. Each constituency shall be allocated a number of council members to be electedproportionately according to membership size (using the Sainte-Lagu countingmethod), save that each constituency shall be allocated a minimum of three councilmembers. For this purpose, everyone who is a full member of Unlock Democracy

on Monday 28 November shall be considered.

4. 18 members shall be elected in total.

Phil Starr moved the motion on behalf of the Council. Peter Davidson seconded themotion.

Chris Carrigan spoke against the motion on the basis that geographical constituencieswould not necessarily lead to the best people getting elected to the council. Peter Hirstsuggested we review the number elected to Council every two years in view of the newconstituencies.

The motion was carried


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7. Constitutional amendments

7.1 Constitutional Amendment 2a: Elections

Proposer Vicky Seddon

Seconder Peter HirstChaired by Peter Facey

In 2.4, delete: No further promotional material may be produced andreplace with: In nominating themselves, candidates commit themselves to abide bythe Election Protocol, as agreed by the Returning Officer

In view of arguments made about the need to see a draft election protocol before changingthe constitution, Vicky Seddon asked to withdraw the amendment. Peter Hirst asked forthe amendment to not be withdrawn.

The AGM agreed to its withdrawal.

Stuart Hill asked that the new returning officer issue a clarification on how candidates canconduct themselves on the internet.

7.2 Consti tut ional Amendment 2b: Elections See appendix page 2


The purpose of this amendment is to alter Appendix B of the constitution: Elections toensure that it applies to all elections which Unlock Democracy may conduct, not justCouncil elections.

Phil Starr moved the amendment. Stuart Hill seconded the amendment.

Constitutional Amendment 2b: Election

For: 53 Against : 1 Abstent ions: 5

The amendment was carried by the required two thirdsmajority.

7.3 Const itut ional Amendment 3: Rodell Governance See appendix page 3


The purpose of this amendment is to establish basic rules over the governance of RodellProperties Ltd.


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Phil Starr moved the amendment on behalf of council. Tamsin J ames seconded theamendment.

Constitutional Amendment 2: Rodell Governance

For: 52 Against : 0 Abstent ions: 13

The amendment was carried by the required two thirdsmajority.

8. Director 's Report

PF gave his Directors report and took questions. Questions were asked and answered onthe following: the Sustainable Communities Act & the Localism Bill, the KPMG review,

Unlock Democracys legal structure and the position on not becoming a political party,Europe/Italy and developing a pro-democracy alliance across the EU, local groups, settingup a youth wing, voter registration and boundary changes.

9. Policy Motions

9.1 Individual Voter Regist ration


This meeting believes that the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration, aspresently proposed, represents the biggest threat to Universal Suffrage for at least 80years. Unless there are sufficient guarantees that the electorate will not be significantlyreduced, Unlock Democracy will campaign against the Coalitions proposals and alertthe public to the threat posed to representative democracy in this country.

Stuart Hill moved the motion, Linda Hoffman seconded the motion. PF noted peoplewould not fall off the register for the next election, but would come off after the nextanticipated General Election in 2015.


9.2 AV Referendum

Proposer: Vicky SeddonSeconder: Peter Hirst

Chaired by Peter Facey

The outcome of the AV referendum was a great disappointment for many of us whobelieve our first past the post voting system is not fit for purpose.


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The timing, both the short run-in, and combining with elections, was unhelpful, aswas the unpopularity of the main political proponent . The superior finances of the NoCampaign and the tactics they adopted were also significant factors.

But the Yes Campaign, of which we were a part, had many flaws, including confusionover the main messages and lack of responsiveness to feedback on them; poor

coordination between central and local parts of the campaign; rigid structures aroundmessaging that creating delays and frustration; poor working relations at the centre.All involved must bear some responsibility.

Despite all those disadvantages, almost one third of voters supported change.

What is to be welcomed from the Campaign is the involvement of many youngpeople, their enthusiasm and energy, and the wider links that UD has gainedamongst supporters.

The outcome of the referendum is a wake-up call to the democracy movement, of the

need to find ways of speaking to a wider audience, with more convincing argumentsand more effective campaigning, and better use of the knowledge and experience ofour activists. That is the challenge that faces us now.

UDs approach has been that such changes should arise from a CitizensConvention, seen as neutral and inclusive, and providing the opportunity for widedebate and public information, and hence less of a political fix. We should nowconsider when should be the moment to work with our allies to seek to convene sucha Convention.

Vicky Seddon moved the motion, Peter Hirst seconded the motion


9.3 Police Commissioners and Elected Mayors


This meeting believes that the introduction of elected Police Commissioners, togetherwith more Elected Mayors, by the Coalition Government compels Unlock Democracy(UD) to work urgently with members to produce proposals to minimise the threats

proposed to our more traditional and accepted forms of democratic accountability. UDshall monitor the actual experiences of areas affected and, where possible, collatesuch information with a view to either supporting further legislation to amend theexisting legislation or to reverse it entirely. This outcome is to depend on the actualviews and experiences of UD members and, if considered appropriate, a membershipballot.

Stuart Hill moved the motion. Linda Hoffman seconded the motion


9.4 Scottish Independence Referendum

Proposer: Peter Hirst


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Seconder: Vicky Seddon

Chaired by Peter Facey

This AGM calls for a preferential voting system to be used in any referendum onScottish independence.

Peter Hirst moved the motion, Vicky Seddon seconded the motion


10. Plenary: Af ter Hackgate: a case for democratic reform?

With Professor Ivor Gaber (Director of City University's School of Political J ournalism), DanHind (Author of The Return of the Public) and Christina Zaba (Freelance writer andGuardian contributor)

11. Closing words from Chair and Director

The Chair and Director thanked members for their attendance and wished them a safejourney home.

AGM Ends


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Unlock Democracy AGM 2011Appendices

1.0 Attendance and Proxy Lis tMembers with (p) are proxy voters

Simon Allen (p)Tom BallMichael BennettRosemary BetchlerDavid BishopBruce BrownCaritas CharlesDebbie ChayElizabeth CollingridgeGraeme Connigale (p)Malcolm Connigale (p)

J ack Darrant (p)Peter DavidsonStanley DavisonGlenn DivesPhilip Dixon-Phillips (p)Roger Donnison (p)Ruth EdmondsRichard FagenceMichael Falchikov (p)

J ames Fitch (p)Elliot Folan

Norman Graves (p)Simon HewinStuart HillPeter HirstLinda HoffmanFrank Terence Hutson(p)Sonia J acksonAlan J ames (p)

Tamsin J amesFinola Kelly

Andrew Lacey (p)Cherry Lavell (p)

J onathan Lewin (p)Barnabas-FrancisMacPhail SSF (p)George MartindaleA Mason

J im McGlynnGeorge J McManusVirginia MorckCatherine Morrish (p)

Malcolm H Morrison (p)Susan Murray (p)Nan Sloane (p)

J ohn NewhamReginald Pelle (p)

J ohn PinkertonMick PittAdam J ohn Powell (p)Bibi Qureshi (p)Richard Sangster (p)Vicky Seddon

Alex SmethurstAlexander Smithson (p)Phil StarrCaroline Strafford

J ohn StraffordWeir Stuart (p)

J ohn Swallow (p)Martha WardropStuart WeirMichael WellerMarjorie Willetts (p)

2.0 Constitutional Amendment 2b: Elections


The purpose of this amendment is to alter Appendix B: Elections to ensure that it appliesto all elections which Unlock Democracy may conduct, not just Council elections.

In Appendix B:

1. Insert new 1.1. and renumber old 1.1-1.3 as 1.2-1.4 accordingly:

"1.1. The rules in this section shall be used as the basis for all internal electionsstipulated by the Constitution and elsewhere."

2. Replace 1.2. (new 1.3.) with:

"All members shall be entitled to vote in all-member ballots and be a candidate inelections where all members are entitled to stand 91 days after their application to

join the Organisation (see section 3.1 of the Constitution). Members shall self-

nominate in order to stand."


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3. Replace:

"2. Elections to the Council"

with

"2. All member elections"

4. At start of 2.1.(c), insert:

"in the case of Council meetings, "

5. At the start of 2.2.(a), insert:

"where there are reserved places for people of a particular gender, such as theCouncil, "

6. At the start of 2.2.(b), insert:

"where there are reserved places for ethnic minorities, such as the Council, "

7. In 3.1., delete:

" to the Council"

2.1 Const itutional Amendment 3: Rodell Governance

Proposer: Phil Starr

Seconder: Vicky Seddon, Stuart Weir

The purpose of this amendment is to establish basic rules over the governance of RodellProperties Ltd.

Insert at end:

"Appendix D. Rodell Governance

"1. General

"1.1. Rodell Properties Ltd ("Rodell") is a wholly owned subsidiary of UnlockDemocracy. The Council of Unlock Democracy shall approve the Memorandumand Articles of Association (and any changes thereto), and the ethical policy ofRodell. Nothing in the Memorandum and Articles and the ethical policy of Rodellshall contradict this constitution.

"1.2. All donations by Rodell to an organisation other than Unlock Democracy mustbe approved by the Management Board of Unlock Democracy.

"2. Directors

"2.1. There shall be 7 directors of Rodell Properties Ltd. They shall consist of thefollowing:


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"a) Three members who shall be members of and appointed by the firstmeeting of each new Management Board. In keeping with the organisation'sexisting gender balance rules (Constitution 4.2.2.), at least one directorappointed in this way shall be a man and at least one shall be a woman.

"b) Four members who shall be directly elected by members of Unlock

Democracy for four year terms of office, with two elected in a singleconstituency every two years using the Single Transferable Voting system.In keeping with the organisation's existing gender balance rules (Constitution4.2.2.), at least one director appointed in this way shall be a man and at leastone shall be a woman. The ballot to elect directors to Rodell Properties Ltdshall be held to coincide with the elections to elect the Council.

"2.2. No member may serve as both a full voting member of Unlock DemocracysManagement Board and as a directly elected Rodell Director. Directors appointedto the Management Board shall be automatically deemed to have resigned as aRodell Director after the Council meeting appointing them to the Management

Board.

"2.3. Directly elected Directors shall be automatically deemed to have resigned as aRodell Director at the end of their term of office.

"2.4. If a directly elected Rodell Director is subsequently elected as a ManagementBoard member, they shall be automatically deemed to have resigned as a RodellDirector.

"2.5. If a Director ceases to be a member of Unlock Democracy, they shall beautomatically deemed to have resigned as a Rodell Director.

"2.6. All ballot papers shall be kept for two years. If a casual vacancy arises, theballot papers shall be recounted by the Returning Officer to fill that vacancy in thefirst instance. If the Returning Officer rules that a recount cannot result in theelection of a new member and the next Council elections are more than twelvemonths away, a by-election shall be held. Otherwise the place shall be left vacant.

"2.7. The quorum of all meetings with Directors shall be 5, at least two of whomshall be directly elected and at least two of whom shall be from those appointed bythe Management Board.

"2.8. The duties of the directors shall be as follows:

"a) to exercise overall stewardship of Rodell on behalf of Unlock Democracyand the wider politics we represent;

"b) setting targets for Rodell, approving a business plan (and any changes toit) and receiving regular reports on the progress of the plan;

"c) oversight and scrutiny of Rodell, staff working on behalf of Rodell and theactivities of the Advisory Board;

"d) manage the assets in such a way as to maximise the long term incomefor the shareholder in accordance with Rodell's ethical policy;


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"2.9. The Directors of Rodell shall give a report of their activities to each AnnualGeneral Meeting on Unlock Democracy.

"3. Advisory Board

"3.1. The Directors shall establish an Advisory Board who shall draw up a practicalbusiness plan for the Directors of Rodell to follow and provide the Directors withexpert advice and recommendations in the pursuit of this business plan.

"3.2. The Advisory Board shall consider any technical and practical issues whicharise from the implementation of the business plan. It shall work with the staff ofUnlock Democracy with its implementation where necessary.

"4. Transitional arrangements

"4.1. For the first round of elections the following procedure shall be followed:

"a) Four members shall be elected in a single constituency;

"b) The ballots shall be recounted to elect a sub-group of two members.Only the four members elected in the first round shall be deemed to becandidates in this recount. The term of office for the two members elected tothis sub-group shall be four years;

"c) The remaining members shall serve for two years.

"4.2. Section 4 of this Appendix shall lapse on 1 J anuary 2017."

3.0 Breakdown of votes: Membership offer to Yes to Fairer Votes and Take BackParliament

Option B

Total For Total Against Total Abstention

47 (F5) 2 (F2) 23 (F1)


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COUNCIL RESPONSE TO MOTIONS

Council response to the mot ions passed at the 2011 AGMThe motions agreed at last years AGM and Councils response to them is set out below.

Voter Registration

Unlock Democracy has campaigned against the proposed changes

AVUnlock Democracy is campaigning for a Citizens Convention

Police CommissionersOnce the elections have taken place Unlock Democracy will monitor the results

Scottish IndependenceUnlock Democracy would like preferential voting but there has been no mention of it inrelation to the referendum.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Andreas Whittam SmithAndreas Whittam Smith was a financial journalist until 1985 when he led the team thatfounded The Independent. The papers first editor (1986-1994), he has subsequently beenthe president of the British Board of Film Classification (1998-2002) and chairman of theFinancial Ombudsman Service (1998-2003). In 2012, he founded Democracy 2015, anindependent political campaign intending to field candidates in the next general election.

Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MPVince Cable is the Business Secretary, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and hasbeen the Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham since 1997. Cable has in-depth experienceof economics as well as his political interests, and was one of the major contributors toThe Orange Book as well as writing The Storm, an analysis of the financial crisis. He alsohas a personal interest in multiculturalism and the politics of identity, and has written anumber of pamphlets on the subject.


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POLICY MOTIONS

1. Media Reform2. Devolution for England3. Single Transferable Vote4. Reform of the Monarchy

Motion 1: Media ReformProposer: Clare CoatmanSeconder: Mark Hermida

Unlock Democracy Notes:1. that a plural and ethical media is essential for a healthy democracy, and that the

Leveson Inquiry has given the British public unprecedented insight into the failingsof the press to fulfil this role.

Unlock Democracy Believes:

1. that these failings can be remedied through action by Parliament, and that thepublication of Leveson's recommendations is a once-in-a-generation opportunity toachieve substantial media reform.

Unlock Democracy Resolves:1. to support organisations such as the Co-ordinating Committee for Media Reform in

their efforts to mobilise citizens to demand decisive action, namely:a. a regulator which is independent of government and media proprietors,

backed by statuteb. limits on media ownership to ensure a plurality of voicesc. a conscience clause and public interest defence for journalists


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Motion 2: Devolution For EnglandProposer: Cllr. Philip DavisSeconder: Mary Southcott

This AGM notes the importance of empowering citizens at all levels of government. Wenote UD's effective campaigns for new laws supporting localism and sustainable

communities, plus the continuing campaign to reform the Lords/Westminster Parliament.

Unlock Democracy recognises that:

1. Effective citizen empowerment also depends on the equitable distribution of powersacross the different parts of the UK and that, since Scottish and Welsh devolution,England remains the most centralised part of the United Kingdom;

2. London government, vested in an elected Mayor and Assembly covering c.6 millionpeople, stands in stark contrast to the absence of any such democratic control overmajor services such as transport, housing and regeneration in the other

conurbations of England and in urban/shire areas with large populations linked bysuch strategic services - for example, the North of England, South West of Englandor the West Midlands.

This AGM supports the need for an English decentralisation and devolution campaignaiming to draw attention to this democratic deficit and to extend democratic accountabilityfor large scale key services to the strategic areas of England outside London.

Motion 3: Single Transferable VoteProposer: Bruce Nixon

This AGM resolves that Unlock Democracy initiates a major campaign leading up to thenext election for an end to the first past the post voting system and the introduction of theSingle Transferable Vote.


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Motion 4: Reform of the MonarchyProposer: Merseyside and West Cheshire Group

1. Merseyside and West Cheshire Group recognise there are differing views on themonarchy amongst the membership of Unlock Democracy, i.e. monarchists,republicans i.e. advocate abolition of the monarchy and those with a pragmatic

view, that is why we are proposing simple constitutional reforms of the monarchy, toimprove accountability, transparency and fairness in royal finances and toappropriately assign public funds to the Treasury.

2. Buckingham Palace claims that the monarchy costs the taxpayer around 40meach year, representing excellent 'value for money'. In fact, research shows that theBritish monarchy could cost as much as five times this official figure, making it oneof the most expensive institutions in the world.

3. The estimated total annual cost of the monarchy to taxpayers is 202.4m, aroundfive times the official figure published by the royal household (38.3m last year).

4. The official figure excludes a number of costs, including round-the-clock security,royal visits and lost revenue from the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall.

5. Civil List expenditure, which pays for the official expenses of the Queenshousehold, has increased by 94 per cent in real terms over the last two decades.

6. 202.4m is equivalent to 9,560 nurses, 8,200 police officers and more than the totalannual Ministry of Defence spending on food.

7. The British monarchy is 112 times as expensive as the Irish president and morethan twice as expensive as the French presidential system.

8. Britain's royal family is the most expensive in Europe at more than double the costof the Dutch monarchy.

9. Taxpayers are not informed about the exact cost of the monarchy, due to the royalhousehold's exemption from the Freedom of Information Act and widespreadmisunderstanding about the nature of the royal family's finances.

10. All Royal visits around the country are met by local authorities and not from themonarchy's budget.

11. Our proposals for constitutional reform of the monarchy;a. Parliament to set an annual fixed budget for the monarchy - including an

annual salary for the Queen - to be managed and reported on by agovernment department, not Buckingham Palace.

b. All security costs to be made transparent and accountable.c. All costs of royal visits around the country to be incorporated into the

monarchy's budget, not met by local authorities.d. The institution of the monarchy, and all members of the royal household, to

be required to abide by the same tax laws and rules as all other publicbodies and private individuals.

e. The Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall to be fully investigated by parliamentwith a view to transferring them into public ownership, with all revenue goingto the Treasury.

f. The monarchy's finances to be scrutinised by the National Audit Office likeany other public body.

g. The Crown Estate to be renamed 'the National Estate' and its status clarifiedthrough amendment of the Crown Estate Act.


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BUSINESS MOTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

1. Business motion 1: Local Groups2. Business motion 2: Election Communication3. Constitutional amendment 1: Election Standing Orders4. Business motion 3: Motion on 2012 Elections

5. Business motion 4: Amendments at AGMs6. Constitutional amendment 2: Amendments at AGMs

Business Motion 1: Local groups

Proposer: Danny Zinkus-SuttonSeconder: Helen Parker

Unlock Democracy recognises the importance of having a network of activists instrengthening our ability to campaign effectively. Both individuals acting by themselves,and groups of activists working together in a locality, can bring huge benefits in mobilising

support for our campaigns and in demonstrating a persistent and widespread desire forconstitutional reform.

This AGM welcomes:1. The growth of reform movement groups following the referendum on the Alternative

Vote and sees the growth of these groups as a vital part of the reform movementsability to influence constitutional reform. This AGM notes that many of these groupsare informal and autonomous and are able to make use of new forms of socialmedia to organise, network and co-ordinate activities cheaply. This AGM is eagerthat Unlock Democracy work with and support any and all proponents of democraticreform, at whatever level they are willing to work with us, provided that they

campaign for democratic reform which is cross-party and non-discriminatory.2. The setting aside of a budget of 1,000 per annum to support local groups through

a grants programme and notes a similar scheme in operation by the ElectoralReform Society.

3. The work that Unlock Democracy has recently done to work more closely with localgroups.

4. The Activists Conference scheduled to take place in Birmingham on the 9th ofFebruary and sees this event as a vital step in Unlock Democracy reaching out tolocal groups, other activists and to the wider informal and formal reform community.

This AGM requests1. Council to consider whether the current Unlock Democracy constitution best

supports our working with a network of informal and autonomous local groups andto bring detailed proposals for any necessary changes to the Constitution to theAGM in 2013.

2. Council and Staff to continue to develop and consult widely on a plan that showshow Unlock Democracy can best:

a. Strengthen our relationships with local groups byi. working with existing local groupsii. facilitating the engagement of activists with local groupsiii. supporting and promoting the creation of new local groups

iv. supporting and promoting the creation and strengthening of networksbetween local groups and local groups and formal reform movementorganisations


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b. work with other formal reform movement organisations, including but notlimited to the Electoral Reform Society, Republic and political party reformgroups in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to promote andsupport the overall good health of informal and autonomous local groups andthe connection of local groups with the wider reform movement.

3. Council and Staff to discuss with local activists at the Activists Conference and

through other channels what methods Unlock Democracy could use to supportthem better, including but not limited to the following practical opportunities

a. Information on progress on current issues e.g. the SustainableCommunications Act

b. Emails to all the local UD members about local group activitiesc. Assistance with national speakersd. Announcements about activities on UD website and giving local contact

detailse. Links on UD website to the groups own websitesf. Funding to support events e.g, room hireg. Public liability insurance for same

h. Facilitating access to skilled individualsi. Advice on aspects of running local groups

j. Web-based resources and training aides to assist in running local groups


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Business Motion 2: Election communication

Proposer: Chris CarriganSeconder: Mark Pack

Unlock Democracy notes that:

1. The existing rules for elections to Unlock Democracys council constrain candidatescommunication with the electorate to 300 words of text and have been interpretedto explicitly prohibit all other communication from candidates about the electionincluding blogging, the use of twitter and even restricting the way they inform theirfriends about the fact they are standing.

2. The decision of the preceding council not to change these rules prior to the electionwas described by an outgoing member as the hypocrisy of a ruling elite that arecomfortable with the notion that whilst the rest of society are desperately in need ofits guidance as to how their democratic rights should be promoted, whilst theythemselves should be protected from the implications of an informed electorate.

3. In that election the limited information about candidates and lack of debate

generated frustration for members who did not feel they had enough information tomake a judgement and for candidates who felt that they were unable to make acase for why people should vote for them.

4. Following the election the report of the Returning Officer Dr Stuart Wilks-Heegstated I would strongly recommend that Unlock Democracy reviews the currentrules and reaches a view as to whether it wishes to propose revisions to them inlight of the growth of social media in recent years.

5. However the council at its meeting on 1 Sept 2012 (by a majority vote) chose not toundertake this review.

Unlock Democracy Believes that:

1. We need to update our election rules for the modern era. These rules, which wereoriginally designed to prevent well-funded candidates gaining an unfair advantageduring the era of the postage stamp, are now operating to the detriment of ourinternal democracy and its external image.

2. Given the lack of guidance from council we should adopt as best practice theelection communication rules agreed by the Electoral Reform Society in J uly 2012for their internal elections.


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Constitutional Amendment 1: Election Standing Orders


Revise Appendix B of the constitution (Elections) as follows:

1. In 2.2 delete and election address

2. Replace 2.3 with2.3 The rules for Candidates election addresses and election-related materialsshall be as follows:a) In all statements and election-related materials, candidates must conform to aspirit of reasonable, albeit robust, assertion and debate.b) Candidates will each be allocated one A4-size page for their election addresses(a margin of at least 1 cm is recommended to avoid text being lost at a bindingedge).

c) Election addresses can be submitted in hard copy or digitally, by email or bypost, in MS Word, PDF, or any other format that the organisations office canprocess.d) All Election addresses must be typed and may include images and photographs.

The Organisations staff will assist with typing where necessary but will not provideassistance with imagery or layout.e) Election Addressees will be reproduced in black and white for hard copycirculation or may be made available in such electronic format and via suchelectronic means as the Returning Officer shall determine.f) Statements and election-related materials circulated or published by theOrganisation and by candidates or on behalf of candidates, either by post or

electronically, shall not contain direct or indirect personal criticisms of members ofUnlock Democracy or its staff. Nor shall they make libellous assertions about anyperson. The Returning Officer shall have the final say on the content of all electionaddresses.g) The Returning Officer shall not provide access to memberships lists or otherresources for election campaigning purposes.

3. Add at the end of 2.5 Candidates election addresses will be listed in the reverse ofthe order on the ballot paper. However, an alphabetic index will be provided.


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Amendment 1:


1. In 2, 2.3(b), replace one A4-size page with space equivalent to one A4-size

page.2. In 2, 2.3(d), add at end: beyond formatting into a template specified by the

Returning Officer.3. In 2, 2.3(g), delete all after list.

Amendment 2:


1. In 2, add new 2.3(h):

h) No candidate's campaign should incur any expenditure.

Business Motion 3: Motion on 2012 elections

Proposer: Stuart HillSeconder: Linda Hoffman

1. This AGM welcomes the successful recent elections to our Council and RodellBoard.

2. The elections were by far the most competitive that Unlock Democracy has held,

which is very healthy. Despite the competition, there was not a single complaint of abreach of the rules to our Returning Officer.

3. We have individuals elected who are independent, Green, Conservative, Labourand Liberal Democrat who are united by shared values of democracy.

4. The existing rules of Unlock Democracy ensure a level playing-field for allcandidates where no individual candidate can take advantage of the power ofmoney or access to social media. This principle needs to be retained in the future.

5. However, a clear weakness continues in the area of Black and Minority Ethnicrepresentation. This AGM, therefore, asks that appropriate attention and resourcesare devoted to strengthening both representation and membership amongst thesecommunities as well as improving the turnout amongst the whole of themembership.


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Business Motion 4: Retain the Right to Amend Motions at Unlock Democracy AGM

Proposer: Susan MurraySeconder: Stuart Hill

This AGM notes that the constitution of Unlock Democracy permits amendments to

motions to be tabled from the floor of the AGM and would wish to see this democratic rightretained.

This AGM believes:1. That an organisation committed to deepening involvement in the democratic

process should first look to its own practices and ensure that its own supporters canmake as full a contribution as possible to debate and decision making at its AGM.

2. That some members may only realise the full implications of any motion when it isdebated on the floor of the AGM and so should retain the right to amend motions atthat stage rather than when they first receive the AGM papers.

3. That open debate may bring extra information and arguments to light and that it

should be possible to make amendments from the floor of AGM in the light of these.

This AGM recognises that it may be more difficult to time or otherwise organise theagenda if last minute amendments are put, but believes that this is a price worth paying toensure the deepest possible democratic involvement in the AGM.

Constitutional Amendment 2: Amendments to motions

Proposer: Vicky SeddonSeconder: Debbie Chay

Insert a new 5.1.7 and renumber accordingly:5.1.7 Amendments to motions shall be submitted to the Chair at least 48 hoursbefore the meeting.

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