Summary of Key Proposed Changes to the Constitution

This note summarises the main changes between the previous MapRA constitution (April 2025) and the updated constitution approved by MapRA committee in January 2026. The aim of the changes is to modernise governance, clarify decision‑making, and make MapRA easier to run while remaining accountable to members.

What has not changed

  • MapRA’s core purpose remains the same: improving quality of life in the local area.
  • MapRA remains non‑political and non‑religious.
  • Members retain one vote each at general meetings.
  • Major changes to the constitution still require approval by members at a general meeting.

Key changes at a glance

  1. Clearer language and structure
  • “Objects” are now called “Objectives”, with clearer wording.
  • Key terms (such as Residents, Executive Committee (EC) and AGM) are defined and used consistently.
  • The “local area” is now called the membership area and is more clearly described.

Why this matters: the constitution is easier to read and less open to misunderstanding.

  1. Support for charities and local events
  • MapRA can now provide financial as well as non‑financial support to local fundraising events.
  • Any such support must be approved by a majority of the EC.
  • Members will be informed at the AGM about which organisations or events may receive support.

Why this matters: MapRA has more flexibility to support community initiatives, with proper oversight.

  1. Membership and conduct
  • Membership is clearly linked to living or working in the defined membership area.
  • The EC can remove a member by a 75% majority vote (previously 90%), following notice and an opportunity for the member to be heard.

Why this matters: standards can be enforced more effectively, while still protecting fairness.

  1. Special General Meetings (SGMs)
  • Members no longer trigger an SGM automatically by collecting signatures.
  • Instead, a member may raise an issue with an EC member, and the EC decides by majority vote within 21 days whether an SGM should be called.

Why this matters: prevents unnecessary meetings while keeping a route for serious issues to be considered.

  1. Meeting records
  • Formal “minutes” of AGMs are replaced by “notes”, reviewed by the EC after the AGM.
  • Election results must be shared with members by email.

Why this matters: record‑keeping is more proportionate, while transparency is improved.

  1. Executive Committee (EC)
  • Councillors sitting on the EC now have explicitly equal voting rights.
  • Rules on calling EC meetings, attendance, and removal from office are clearer.
  • EC powers and procedures are more clearly set out.

Why this matters: stronger, clearer governance and accountability.

  1. Officers
  • Officers (Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) must live within the membership area.
  • Officer roles and responsibilities are described in more detail.

Why this matters: ensures leadership reflects the local community and responsibilities are clear.

  1. Financial controls
  • Modern banking and electronic approvals are expressly permitted.
  • Two‑person approval for payments remains.
  • Spending between meetings is allowed, subject to clear safeguards.

Why this matters: financial management reflects modern practice while remaining robust.

Overall impact

The updated constitution:

  • modernises how MapRA operates,
  • strengthens governance and financial controls,
  • clarifies the role of the EC and officers, and
  • maintains members’ ultimate control over major decisions.

Full proposed constitution attached below:

MapRA proposed constitution 2026