forum constitution

Constitution of Inverclyde Construction Forum

The following sets out the Constitution of the Inverclyde Construction Forum to which all members agree to comply. Our constitution forms the foundation of our forum and sets a standard which leads to a better service to our customers.

Name

The name of this unincorporated organisation shall be the Inverclyde Construction Forum, hereafter referred to as “ICF”.

Purpose

The Scottish Construction Industry Plan 2007 – 2012 exists to achieve a step change in the performance of the Scottish Construction Industry. ICF, in turn, supports this Plan, offering members a forum to discuss, debate and network whilst also acting as a facilitation mechanism to encourage, promote and enhance the capabilities and opportunities of its members to successfully bid as a main or sub-contractor for works arising from regeneration and other construction related activities within Inverclyde, thereby aiding economic growth in the area and encouraging local employment potential, whilst simultaneously enabling a legacy of an improved and sustainable local construction sector.

ICF, through its Members, will promote good practice in the Construction Industry operating in Inverclyde to enable it to compete in a changing environment.

ICF will be a vehicle to facilitate the free flow of information between clients, the construction industry and other key agencies. In addition to its main distribution list, ICF shall also  maintain a distribution subset list for members whose companies have an Inverclyde postcode and will utilise each distribution list as best befits both the general benefit or the more specific Community Benefits Clauses related activities of ICF.

Organisational Status and Management

ICF shall be an unincorporated, not for profit organisation and shall be independent of any sponsoring and/or funding organisations.

The Steering Committee will consist of representatives from the following constituencies and members will be confirmed each year. Only ICF Members are eligible to be elected to the Steering Group.

  • Construction Industry    – 4 Representatives
  • Facilitator Agencies       - 2 Representatives  
  • Main Project Sponsors  – 3 Representatives (Riverside Inverclyde, River Clyde Homes, Inverclyde Council)

ICF shall be managed by a Steering Committee consisting of eight representatives, including one from each of the main sponsors : Riverside Inverclyde, River Clyde Homes and Inverclyde Council.

The Steering Committee shall be as representative as possible of the various parts of the industry in Inverclyde.

To ensure a representative cross section of members the Construction Industry constituency will need to comprise at least one representative from the following sectors:

  • Construction Trade with more than 15 employees
  • Construction Trade with less than 15 employees
  • Construction Profession
  • Engineering

All nine representatives making up the Steering Committee shall be elected by ICF members at the Annual General Meeting.

The Steering Committee shall have delegated authority to conduct the business of ICF including the acquisition of necessary funding and appointment of required resources.

Industry Participation

Registration and participation in the business of ICF shall be open to Inverclyde based, construction-related companies; to contractors who would potentially be awarding sub-contracts to Inverclyde companies; and to agencies, specialists or public sector bodies involved in and/or having an interest in the Construction Industry in Inverclyde. This shall include but not be restricted to; Clients, Suppliers, Contractors, Specifiers, Consultants, Specialist sub-contractors, Public Sector bodies and agencies.

There shall be no limit to the number of representatives from individual companies/organisations attending and participating in meetings of ICF once registration is confirmed.

ICF encourages all members to be a member of their Trade body

Those participating in the business of ICF shall be expected to contribute a reasonable amount of time and resources in the furtherance of its objectives.

Meetings of Inverclyde Construction Forum

ICF shall meet four times per year at minimum, excluding training events, and six times per year  maximum, excluding training events, seminars etc and shall be advised as to progress, activity and review of priorities as required. The first meeting of ICF in each calendar year shall also be its Annual General Meeting. The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be to confirm the minutes of the previous meeting, the election of the Officers and members of the Steering Committee, receive the annual report and accounts (if applicable), and deal with any other competent business.

The Steering Committee shall meet at least quarterly to conduct the business of ICF.

A Special General Meeting may be held on the request of at least 15 (fifteen) representatives eligible to vote and giving at least one month’s notice of the required meeting.

The quarterly ICF breakfast meetings will be free of charge but additional training events or seminars may be subject to a fee. Where chargeable events are open to non-members of ICF, members would benefit from reduced fees.

Voting and Quorum

  • Where required, voting shall be by show of hands.
  • All those registered with ICF at the date of the Annual or Special General Meeting shall be eligible to vote.
  • All eligible organisations so registered shall be entitled to one voting representative.
  • Each representative whether organisational or independent shall have one vote.
  • Any representative having a potential conflict of interest on any matter shall declare same and shall be prohibited from voting on said matter.
  • At Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, the quorum shall be 10  representatives present and eligible to vote.
  • The quorum for the coordinating committee shall be 6 of the 9 elected representatives.
  • Should there be an equal number of votes, for and against, on any issue, at either ICF or Steering Committee meetings, the Chairman shall have a casting as well as a deliberative vote.

Amendment to Constitution

This Constitution may be amended by resolution carried by three- quarters of those in attendance and eligible to vote at Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose.

Objectives

ICF  will act as a forum for its members to enhance business development and growth by focussing on, but not exclusively, the following :

  • Providing the mechanism for debate, discussion and networking
  • Visibility/awareness  of tender opportunities
  • The promotion of Community Benefits Clauses in PQQ’s and tenders
  • Readiness for, and skilled in, the PQQ and tendering processes
  • Acting as a conduit for all relevant industry information from national organisations and maintaining and developing links to those national organisations, representing the views and concerns of ICF
  • Sharing best practice and innovation
  • Creating an enhanced industry perception and image of Inverclyde construction and supply chain thereby increasing opportunity for business awards
  • Facilitate business expertise improvement and workforce development opportunities
  • Utilise all available accesses from other organisations to the construction industry network

Activities

To achieve its objectives ICF will facilitate a series of events including workshops, seminars and information sessions to:

  • Provide information and practical advice to enable the industry to compete in a changing environment and to take advantage of the major investments planned.
  • Gather information on current and future contract opportunities for local companies to ensure that they are aware of developments and are considered for award of work packages associated with large-scale developments.
  • Allow clients to better communicate and articulate their requirements and expectations to the local construction industry.
  • Work in partnership with other organisations and Trade bodies that will address issues such as employment, training and skills shortages, innovation and business improvement, raising awareness of support initiatives for local construction sector companies.
  • Promote the construction industry as an employer of choice both now and in the future.
  • Contribute to improving the economic, social and environmental circumstances of Inverclyde and ensure that benefits are accrued by the individual and communities within, including those most disadvantaged. .
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