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Branch rules

Branch rules 2022 

Birkbeck branch rules (based on UCU local model rules).

1. Name

The name of the branch or local association (LA) is ‘The Birkbeck branch of the University and College Union’, subsequently referred to as the branch. 

2. Constitution

The branch is constituted in accordance with the current rules of the University and College Union (UCU). 

3. Aims and Objectives

The aims and objects of the branch are the same as those of UCU, set out in national rule 2, except that they exclude the political objects of UCU referred to in national rule 2.6. The branch may discuss UCU’s political objects and may act to further these provided that no funds of the branch are spent on those political objects. All actions taken by the branch shall be consistent with the national rules of UCU. 

4. Membership

4.1. Members of the branch shall be those assigned to the branch in accordance with national Rule 12. Normally, this will include all UCU members for whom Birkbeck is their principal qualifying employment.

4.2. In accordance with national Rule 12.2, members who are employed at Birkbeck but who have been assigned to a different branch may attend meetings, and vote on matters concerned with their employment, at this branch. They are eligible for membership of the committee of this branch, but may stand for election as a local officer only in their designated branch. In relation to national office and national elections, they shall be entitled to stand for office and vote in national elections only in their designated branch. ‘National elections’ includes all elections for general secretary, officers, trustees, NEC representatives and congress delegates. 

4.3. Retired members whose last employment was in Birkbeck may choose to be members of the branch or of a central or regional retired members branch.

5. Subscriptions

5.1 Each member of the branch will pay, in accordance with procedures determined by the NEC, a subscription to the funds of UCU consisting of the current national subscription as determined by the NEC, and any current local subscription agreed by the branch.

5.2 The local subscription will be approved by a decision of the annual general meeting and published to all members.

6. Use of funds

6.1 All expenditure by the branch must further the objects of the branch. The finances of the branch shall be conducted in accordance with arrangements determined by the National Executive Committee which shall include an audit and report prepared in accordance with instructions issued by the honorary treasurer.

6.2 No funds of the branch will be used for affiliation to a political party, or for the furtherance of the union’s political objects.

6.3 The funds of the branch will be used for:

6.3.1 Costs incurred in the proper conduct of the business of the branch, as agreed by the committee.

6.3.2 Payment of the expenses of any members duly appointed by the branch to represent it.

6.3.3 Payment of other such expenses as will from time to time be determined by a majority of members present and voting at a quorate meeting of the branch, subject to 6.1 and 6.2 above.

6.3.4 Donations to charities or other bodies whose objects are consistent with those of the branch. Donations greater than £100 must be approved by a general meeting of the branch; donations below this amount may be approved by the committee.

Note: Under trade union legislation, any expenditure on political objects must be made from a designated political fund, which is established and continued by a vote of the membership every ten years. This fund, set up in accordance with UCU rules 30 and 36, is one per cent of membership subscriptions and members may opt out of paying it. (Northern Ireland members opt ‘in’.) All expenditure on political objects must be made nationally out of this designated political fund; expenditure on political objects cannot be made out of local funds.

7. Committee

7.1 There will be a committee responsible for conducting the day-to-day business of the branch. The committee will meet not less than once every four months. Not less than one third of those who are at that time members of the committee must be present to form a quorum at any meeting.

7.2 If presented with a written request signed by half of the members of the committee, the president(s) must call a meeting of the committee to take place not later than five working days following the day on which that written request is received.

7.3 The committee will consist of:

7.3.1 the officers and representatives as specified below

7.3.2 up to five ordinary members elected annually from members of the branch, and may include department representatives. These members will be in addition to posts described in point 8. below. [Note: Ordinary members of the committee may be elected to represent categories of members or specific interests such as departments, part-time staff, research staff and others, or to focus on areas of specialist knowledge such as pensions, environment and others, as appropriate, and these categories should be identified in the branch rules]

7.3.3 up to five members co-opted by the annual general meeting or by the committee who will serve to the end of the term of office of other committee members

7.3.4 any member of the branch/association who is a member of the National Executive Committee of UCU.

7.4 Where there is one branch in the institution, the committee shall elect (from amongst its own members) a negotiating committee to conduct negotiations. Where more than one branch exists in the institution, the negotiating committee shall consist of representatives elected by the committees of all of the branches in proportion to their membership.

7.5 The negotiating committee is the only body empowered to conduct negotiations with the institution. The negotiators may include the regional official, under circumstances determined by the general secretary. The negotiating committee shall make appropriate arrangements for the appointment of its officers from among its membership.

8. Officers of the branch

8.1 Members will be elected to the following officer and representative roles within the branch which may be held jointly by more than one member on a job share basis:

  • The president
  • The vice-president
  • The secretary and membership secretary
  • The treasurer

The following roles will also be elected from members of the branch and those elected will be members of the branch committee.

  • The equality officer
  • The health and safety officer
  • The environmental officer
  • The welfare officer
  • The teaching and scholarship staff representative
  • The pensions representative
  • The learning representative
  • The communications officer
  • The postgraduate research representative
  • The research staff representative
  • The professional and support staff representative
  • The departmental reps co-ordinator

These positions will normally be declared elected annually at the annual general meeting from members of the branch in accordance with Rule 9. If not elected at the AGM they may be nominated by the branch committee to represent specific interest groups or undertake specific roles as described in rule 7.3.2 above:

Members nominated to positions are encouraged to commit to at least two years in office to promote branch continuity.

8.2 President 

The president(s) will chair all general meetings and all committee meetings of the branch and perform such other duties as are laid upon the president by any rule or are decided by the committee. In the absence of the president these duties will be performed by the vice-president, failing which another officer, as the committee decides. In accordance with normal practice, the president may, between meetings of the committee, take action on behalf of the committee which is both urgent and necessary. Such action must be reported for approval as soon as is practicable and in any case to the next committee meeting.

8.2 Secretary and membership secretary

The duties of the secretary are to call general and committee meetings of the branch; to ensure that minutes of those meetings are kept; to organise membership circulations as the committee deems necessary; to arrange notification of local election and ballot results to all members; and to perform such other duties as are placed on the secretary by any rule or are decided by the committee. In the absence of the secretary, the secretary's duties will be performed by another officer as the committee decides, and may be shared or delegated as agreed by members of the committee.

The membership/recruitment secretary will be responsible for recruitment and for ensuring that membership records are updated and available at local level, in liaison with duties assigned to anyone assisting the branch in its administration. The membership secretary will ensure that membership information is supplied promptly to UCU in accordance with instructions from UCU head office or regional office to enable statutory and rule requirements of membership records to be met. In the absence of the membership secretary, these duties will be performed by another officer as the committee decides.

8.3 Treasurer

The treasurer will have custody of the funds of the branch and authority to make payments from them in accordance with the rules as the need arises. The treasurer's duties will be to keep the books of the branch; to present the accounts of the branch for auditing as necessary; to present these audited accounts to a general meeting of the branch, to publish them to all members of the branch, and to submit a copy forthwith to the honorary treasurer of UCU. In the absence of the treasurer, the treasurer's duties will be performed by another officer as the committee decides.

8.4 Equality officer

The equality officer(s):

8.4.1 will have knowledge of and commitment to relevant issues, and be willing to undertake training according to the needs of UCU, monitor the implementation of equality policies within the institution, and, where appropriate, encourage and support local negotiations on equality matters. S/he will attend and represent the branch policies and views, as appropriate, at meetings of the College.

8.4.2 where appropriate, provide information, encouragement and support to members about equality issues but this shall also be deemed the responsibility of all branch committee members

8.4.3 ensure that UCU’s national annual meetings, and any other relevant events and opportunities for women, black members, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members and disabled members are publicised locally, that members from all groups are encouraged to participate, and that the branch maximises the opportunities for recruitment and organisation amongst all groups

8.4.4 where appropriate, provide liaison between the branch and UCU’s equality structures

In the absence of the equality officer, these duties will be performed by another officer or officers as the committee decides.

8.5 Health and safety officer

The health and safety officer:

8.6.1 will have knowledge of and commitment to relevant issues, and undertake training according to the needs of the role. S/he will monitor the implementation of health and safety policies within the institution, and, where appropriate, encourage and support local negotiations on health and safety matters. S/he will attend, and represent the branch and UCU policies and views, as appropriate, at meetings of the College.

8.5.1 where appropriate, disseminate information, and provide encouragement and support to members about health and safety issues, including about matters related to stress at work and individual well-being.

8.6 Environmental officer

The environmental officer:

8.6.1 will have knowledge of and commitment to relevant issues, and undertake training according to the needs of the role. S/he will monitor the implementation of environment policies within the institution, and, where appropriate, encourage and support local negotiations on environmental matters. S/he will attend, and represent the branch and UCU policies and views, as appropriate, at meetings of the College.

8.6.2 where appropriate, disseminate information, and provide encouragement and support to members about environmental issues, including about matters related to collective and individual well-being, and the use of resources.

8.7 Welfare officer

The welfare officer will monitor the volume and nature of personal casework and identify the range of concerns involved and categories of staff most affected. S/he will co-ordinate a casework team and allocate cases, providing information, advice and support to members of the team, as appropriate, ensuring they have received appropriate training. S/he will normally provide initial advice to members seeking support, and decide whether further casework support is needed.

8.8 Teaching and scholarship staff representative

The teaching and scholarship staff representative will have knowledge of and commitment to issues relevant to teaching and scholarship staff, and undertake training according to the needs of the role. S/he will monitor the implementation of related policies and practices within the institution, and, where appropriate, encourage and support local negotiations on appropriate matters. S/he will attend meetings of the College as appropriate; will disseminate related information, and provide encouragement and support to teaching and scholarship staff members, including about matters related to contracts and conditions well-being.

8.9 Pensions representative

The pensions representative will have knowledge of pensions issues relevant to branch members and undertake training according to the needs of the role. S/he will attend meetings of UCU and the College on relevant issues; will disseminate related information, and provide briefing information to committee members to inform advice to the branch and campaigns. S/he will monitor the implementation of related policies within the institution, where appropriate, and encourage and support local negotiations on appropriate matters.

8.10 Learning representative

The learning representative will have knowledge of and commitment to issues relevant to learning across the College, and undertake training according to the needs of the role. S/he will monitor the implementation of related policies and practices within the institution, and, where appropriate, encourage and support local negotiations on appropriate matters. S/he will attend meetings of the College as appropriate; will represent the branch’s views and disseminate related information to the branch committee and branch as appropriate.

8.11 Communications officer

The communications officer will be responsible for both internal and external branch communications, including but not limited to the branch newsletter, website and social media accounts. They will ensure that branch members are adequately informed of all relevant and necessary information about UCU locally, regionally and nationally. This will include working with the secretary to assure appropriate access to meeting minutes. They will also ensure that all communications accurately reflect the policy and positions adopted by the Branch through general meetings and Committee meetings.’

8.12 Postgraduate research representative

The postgraduate research representative will be a current PGR student or have graduated in the last 12 months. They will have knowledge of and commitment to issues relevant to PGR students, and undertake training according to the needs of the role. They will monitor the implementation of related policies and practices within the institution, and, where appropriate, encourage and support local negotiations on appropriate matters. They will attend meetings of the College as appropriate; will disseminate related information, and provide encouragement and support to PGR students, including about matters related to contracts and conditions of well-being.

8.13 Research staff representative

The research staff representative will be currently employed on a research staff contract or have been employed on such a contract in the last two years. They will have knowledge of and commitment to issues relevant to research staff, and undertake training according to the needs of the role. They will monitor the implementation of related policies and practices within the institution, and, where appropriate, encourage and support local negotiations on appropriate matters. They will attend meetings of the College as appropriate; will disseminate related information, and provide encouragement and support to Research Staff, including about matters related to contracts and conditions of well-being.

8.14 Professional and support staff representative

The professional and support staff representative will be currently employed as a member of professional and support staff or have been employed in this role within the last two years. They will have knowledge of and commitment to issues relevant to professional and support staff, and undertake training according to the needs of the role. They will monitor the implementation of related policies and practices within the institution, and, where appropriate, encourage and support local negotiations on appropriate matters. They will attend meetings of the College as appropriate; will disseminate related information, and provide encouragement and support to Professional and Support staff, including about matters related to contracts and conditions of well-being.

8.15 Departmental reps coordinator

The departmental reps coordinator will be responsible for overseeing recruitment and training of departmental reps. They will also facilitate communications between reps and between reps and the committee. They will provide support and advice to reps in fulfilling their role.

8.16 Casual vacancies

If an office is vacant and no ballot is being held for that office, the committee is empowered to fill the vacancy, either from members of the committee or from the general membership of the branch. Officers so appointed will retire at the same time as if they had been elected at the last annual general meeting.

9. Elections of ordinary members of the committee and officers

9.1 Returning officer

The local committee will appoint a returning officer for elections who is neither a candidate for any office in the branch nor a member of the committee.

9.2 Nominations

Nominations will normally be received in writing by the returning officer no later than the day that is seven days before the day of the annual general meeting. Nominations may also be accepted at the AGM for any post where nominations have not been received prior to the meeting. Nominations must indicate the consent of the nominee and be supported by two members of the branch.

9.3 Eligibility to stand for election

Retiring officers will be eligible for re‑election, except that the president and vice president may normally hold office for not more than five successive years in any one capacity.

A member may not normally be declared elected to more than one officer or ordinary committee position except where the branch decides to combine posts.

9.4 Elections

Subject to rule 10.4, if there is only one eligible candidate for any officer vacancy that candidate will be declared elected.

If the number of candidates to be ordinary members of the committee does not exceed the number of vacancies those candidates will be declared elected.

If there is either more than one eligible candidate for any officer vacancy or more candidates than there are vacancies of ordinary members of the committee a ballot of the members of the branch will be conducted in accordance with rule 10.

9.5 Term of office

The term of office of an officer or ordinary member of the committee elected under this rule 9 will be the academic year following the annual general meeting, or such other period of approximately one year as the AGM determines.

10. Conduct of ballots

10.1 All ballots will be conducted in accordance with this rule, other than industrial action ballots which will be conducted in accordance with national rules.

10.2 If required, a ballot for officer posts will be held in accordance with 10.3. A ballot for ordinary committee members will be held in accordance with 10.3.

10.3 Not later than the end of the day that is 14 days before the date fixed for counting the ballot, the ballot forms will be sent to each member of the Branch/LA. The Returning Officer will supervise the conduct of the ballot including the distribution of ballot forms and will fix the date and time for starting the count of the ballot. The ballot will be secret. Ballots will be counted in accordance with the method determined by the returning officer. Where appropriate and practicable, the single transferable vote system will be used.

10.4 When officer and committee ballots are conducted over the same time period, they will be counted in the following order: officer and other positions set out in rule 8.1, in the order in which they are set out in that rule, followed by ordinary committee members. If a person is a candidate in two or more elections over the same time period for positions that cannot be held concurrently under rule, after the successful election of that candidate to a position, votes for that candidate will be disregarded in subsequent elections.

10.5 The result will be notified in writing by the Returning Officer to the secretary and as soon as practicable by the secretary to the members of the Branch/LA and to the General Secretary of UCU.

11. Election of congress representatives

Congress representatives will be elected annually from members of the branch. The election shall normally be held at the branch meeting prior to the closing of notification of delegates. Any ballot that is necessary will be conducted in accordance with Rule 10, except that votes may be cast at a general meeting if the AGM falls after the date required for Congress nominations. Where a general meeting is not practicable, members of the branch committee may recommend nominees to the branch subject to quorum of the committee being present, and to branch members being notified. Where an elected representative is unable to attend a particular congress, a substitute may be elected by a general meeting. If this is not possible, a substitute may be elected by the committee. Names of the representatives will be notified to the general secretary in accordance with published procedures.

12 Removal from office

Any member of the committee (including the officers and other persons elected to represent the branch) may be removed from office by resolution at a general meeting (including an extraordinary general meeting) of the branch provided that (a) the terms of any such proposed resolution are received by the secretary not later than 14 days before the day of the general meeting and (b) the proposal for such a resolution is supported in writing by not less than twenty‑five members. Upon receipt of such a proposal the secretary will take all reasonable steps to ensure that that proposal is received by each member of the branch not later than 7 days before the general meeting at which it is to be considered. Any general meeting which will have removed a member or members of the committee in accordance with the above will have power to replace any such member or members until such time as normal election of officers and other members of the committee next occurs.

13. Meetings of the branch

There will normally be at least three general meetings of the branch each year, of which one will be designated as the annual general meeting. The regional official shall receive notice and minutes of all branch meetings. The general secretary or nominee may attend all branch meetings.

13.1 Annual general meeting

The annual general meeting will normally be held in the summer term each year. The secretary will take all reasonable steps to ensure that notice of the annual general meeting is normally received by members not later than 14 days before the day on which the meeting is to be held. The secretary will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the agenda for the meeting is normally received by members not later than the day that is seven days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.

The annual general meeting will normally receive the results of elections of the officers and committee members. It will appoint an auditor or auditors.

13.2 Other general meetings

The secretary will take all reasonable steps to ensure that notice of other general meetings is normally received by members not later 14 days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.

14. Extraordinary general meeting

An extraordinary general meeting of the branch will be held either at the request of the committee, or following receipt by the secretary of a requisition signed by at least the number of members equivalent to a quorum. Such a requisition will specify the topic or topics to be discussed. Requisitioned meetings will normally be arranged to take place not later than 10 working days after the day on which that requisition was received. The secretary will take all reasonable steps to ensure that notice of the extraordinary general meeting is received by members not later than the day that is five working days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.

15. Emergency general meeting

Where an issue is urgent and an emergency meeting is called by not less than five members of the Branch Committee, the secretary will take all reasonable steps to ensure that notice of the emergency general meeting is received by members not less than three working days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.

16. Quorum

At all general meetings, including extraordinary and emergency general meetings of the branch, a quorum will be one twentieth of the membership or 25 members, whichever is least. In any case, the quorum must be greater than the total size of the committee.

17. Quorum arrangements for formal business

Where an annual general meeting, extraordinary general meeting or general meeting is unable to complete items of formal business required by national or local Rules, or resulting from trade union legislation, or from membership of the TUC, or in relation to the local finances of the branch, because the meeting was not quorate, notice of a further meeting will be circulated to members to take place no later than 14 days (in term-time) after the date of the inquorate meeting. The agenda of the further meeting will be restricted to this incomplete, formal business. It will be quorate if three members are in attendance, except that in respect of the local finances of the branch, these three will not for purposes of the quorum include the branch treasurer or its local auditors.

18. Motions

A resolution of a general meeting is a motion that has been approved while that meeting was quorate by a simple majority of members present and voting except as provided elsewhere in these rules.

Any motion (other than an emergency motion) submitted by the branch to the Congress of the UCU will be circulated to all members of the branch and approved by a quorate general meeting of the branch. Amendments, which may not introduce new subject matters to motions, may be taken at the discretion of the president/chair.

Where a general meeting is called, and part of the business of this meeting is to approve motions for submission to the congress of the UCU, and this meeting is inquorate, motions for submission to congress may be subsequently approved in a manner determined by the committee and consistent with the standing orders of Congress.

Emergency motions to congress must be submitted in accordance with the standing orders of congress.

19. Motions to national meetings and committees

All motions to national equality bodies, and national meetings and specialist committees of the special employment interest groups shall be submitted in accordance with national rules and standing orders and should be approved by a properly convened meeting of members of the relevant special interest group, for which the quorum will be 10, or by a quorate general meeting, or by the committee.

Note: Wherever possible and appropriate to their members, branches should establish specialist groups paralleling the national specialist groups defined in rules 23 and 24. (Currently these will in most institutions include academic-related staff; fixed-term and hourly-paid staff, disabled members, black members, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members, and women members.) Such groups should meet as required and prior to the relevant national meetings and an officer of the local committee should attend all group meetings.

20. Ratification of agreements

Any draft agreements must be ratified in accordance with regional or national ratification procedures where these exist.

21. Validation

No act done in good faith under these rules by the committee, an officer or any other person or body will be invalidated only by reason of the subsequent discovery of a defect in, or the expiry of, their appointment.

22. Rules

No rule or rules of the branch will at any time be in conflict with a rule or rules of the UCU currently in force. Changes in the rules of the UCU will, where applicable, automatically constitute changes in these rules of the branch.

23. Amendment of rules

These rules of the branch may be amended by resolution of any quorate general meeting of the branch. Proposed amendments to these rules must be handed in writing to the secretary by the end of the day that is 14 days before the day of the general meeting at which they are to be considered. The secretary will take all reasonable steps to ensure that these proposed amendments are received by members not later than 7 days before the day on which the meeting is to be held at which they are to be considered. Amendments to these rules require the support of at least two‑thirds of the members present and voting at the general meeting at which they are considered, an abstention not being regarded as a vote for this purpose.

Alternatively these rules of the branch may be amended by membership ballot and, in that case, the support of at least two-thirds of those members casting a valid vote in that ballot would be required. Either the committee or a quorate general meeting may decide to hold such a membership ballot.

All rules of the branch and amendments to these rules will be subject to approval by the national executive committee of the UCU.

24. Site organisation

Where members of a branch are employed on more than one site, the branch may, for the purposes of enhancing local organisation, make arrangements for the members on any site to elect appropriate site officers to perform functions agreed by resolution of the branch. Any such arrangements and functions must be consistent with the overriding responsibilities of the branch and its officers as set out in these rules.

25. Communications

Ballots conducted under rule 10 are normally conducted by postal ballot and this process will not be conducted by email. Unless specifically determined by the branch, all other communications may be by email.

Date these local rules approved: 1.12.22

Appendix 1

Standing orders for the conduct of business at local general meetings

The arrangements for the quorum, calling of meetings and circulation of motions to meetings are as given in the rules of the branch.

1. Business of the meeting

In advance of the general meeting, the committee will determine the agenda and prepare recommendations as to the order in which the business is to be conducted. The committee will also decide on the duration of the meeting. The competent business of the general meeting will be the matters stated in the agenda circulated to members in accordance with the local rules.

2. Chairing

The president will chair the meeting. In the absence of the president, a vice president will chair the meeting, and in the absence of a vice president, another officer of the branch. If there are no officers present, the meeting will elect a chair.

3. Conduct of meetings

The conduct of meetings will be the responsibility of the chair. The chair will have power to lay down time limits for the discussion of items on the agenda. The chair will rule on any question under the standing orders, or on points of order or information. A challenge to a ruling by the chair must be moved, formally seconded, there should be one speech in favour of the ruling, and then the challenge should be put to the vote without further debate. In a vote, such a challenge will require the support of two-thirds of the members present and voting at the meeting, an abstention not being regarded as a vote for this purpose.

4. Minutes

Minutes will be kept of all general meetings. The minutes of the previous meeting having already been circulated, the chair will call for any questions regarding their accuracy. When there are no further questions the chair will declare them (as amended, if necessary) confirmed. Members will then be at liberty to raise points arising out of the minutes, except on matters appearing elsewhere on the agenda.

5. Voting

Voting will be by show of hands, unless the chair directs otherwise. Tellers will be appointed at the beginning of the meeting, as appropriate. Decisions will be taken by a simple majority of those present and voting, unless otherwise directed by these standing orders or the rules of the branch.

6. Motions

All motions must be moved and seconded. Movers of motions may speak for up to five minutes. All other speakers may speak for a maximum of three minutes. Except at the discretion of the chair, no member will speak more than once on any motion, except that the mover of the motion will have a right to reply. Any member may formally second any proposition and reserve his or her speech until a later period in the debate.

Amendments from the floor of the meeting will be taken at the chair's discretion. All amendments must be moved and seconded.

7. Motions to close debate

Any member of the meeting may seek to end the debate on a motion or amendment by moving ‘that the meeting proceed to next business’ or ‘that the question be now put’, provided that there has been at least one speech each for and against the motion or amendment under discussion.

Such motions must be seconded and no speeches will be allowed on them but the vote on them must be taken straightaway. If either motion be lost, the same motion will not be moved until at least ten minutes have elapsed.

8. Effect of motions to close debate

If the motion ‘to proceed to next business’ is carried, the debate will cease and no vote may be taken on the main question nor on any amendment; if it is lost, the debate will continue as if ‘next business’ had not been moved.

If the motion ‘that the question be now put’ is carried, the meeting will vote immediately on the proposition before it.

9. Points of order

Any member may, at any time, raise a point of order.

10. Points of information

Any member may, with the leave of the chair, raise a point of information.

11. Withdrawal of propositions

Permission to withdraw any proposition that is before the meeting may be granted by a simple majority of those present and voting at the meeting, an abstention not being regarded as a vote for this purpose.

12. Reference of motions

Any motion to refer a motion to the committee either for examination or for re‑drafting will, if seconded, rank as an amendment with precedence over any other amendment

Any motion which is left on the agenda at the end of a meeting will be considered by the committee at their next meeting.

13. Suspension of standing orders

Any of the above standing orders will be suspended by the meeting for a specified purpose if a motion to that effect is moved, seconded and supported by two‑thirds of those present and voting, an abstention not being regarded as a vote for this purpose. Standing orders will again apply as soon as the specified issue has been concluded.

14. Alteration of standing orders

These standing orders may be altered by a resolution of a general meeting of the branch, provided that notice of any proposed amendment is received by members not later than 14 days before the day on which that general meeting takes place. Such a resolution requires the support of two thirds of the members present and voting, an abstention not being regarded as a vote for this purpose.