1. The club shall be called the Audley Cricket Club hereafter to be referred to as the club and the club shall be affiliated to the England and Wales Cricket Board through the Staffordshire Cricket Board.

2. The club is formed to provide for the members good facilities for playing cricket by the public of Audley and district and in close season to provide social and sporting recreation for its members together with a club house and to supply refreshments to members. To ensure that all members, playing and non-playing, abide by the ECB code of conduct which incorporates the Spirit of Cricket and by the Laws of Cricket. To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club by adopting and implementing the ECB 'Safe Hands - Cricket Policy for Safeguarding Children' and any future versions of the policy. To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club by adopting and implementing the ECB Cricket Equity Policy and any future version of the policy. To encourage all members to participate fully in the activities of the club.

3. (a) Membership of the club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of cricket on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non discriminatory basis.
(b) No member shall be permitted to purchase or consume intoxicating liquor upon the premises of the club whilst under the age of eighteen years.
 (c) Junior membership of the club also provides that the parent(s) / carer(s) / guardian(s) of the child are given non-voting membership of the club as part of that junior membership. This entitles the parent(s) / carer(s) / guardian(s) no additional privileges that would otherwise be gained by paying the appropriate adult membership fee(s). Any use of facilities (for example social / training / playing) may incur such charges as applicable to relevant adult membership.

4. (a) Every candidate for admission as a member shall be proposed by one member and seconded by another, both of whom shall vouch from their personal knowledge for the fitness of the candidate. The candidate shall be proposed by entering in the candidates’ book his name in full, residence, profession or occupation, with the signatures of the proposer and seconder.
(b) The club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non discriminatory and fair basis. The club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.
Members (originally patrons)
Honorary Life Members
Associate Members (Non voting)
Senior Cricket Players (Over 18)
Junior Cricket Players (Under 18)
Lady Members

5. The above particulars relating to a candidate shall be posted prominently in the club room for not less than 2 days preceding the day when the candidate comes up for election. The candidate shall be voted for by the Executive Committee; an 80% majority elects.

6. A candidate not elected shall not be proposed again for election within a period of twelve months.

7. On the election of a new member the secretary shall notify the same to him in writing, furnish him with a copy of the rules, and request him to pay his first annual subscription for the current year to the treasurer. If payment be not made within one month from the date of the secretary’s notice, the election shall be void unless sufficient cause is shown to the satisfaction of the committee.

8. All candidates for admission shall come up for election in the order in which their names appear in the candidates’ book.

9. Rules Nos. 9 and 10, relating to the level of subscriptions, repealed in accordance with the Notice of Motion adopted at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on the 17 January 1996 .

10. See Rule 9.

11. All annual subscriptions (except as provided by rule 7) shall be payable by the 31 May in each year, and if after a reminder had been given a subscription has not been paid on or before the 28th day following, the defaulter shall thereupon cease to be a member of the club. He may, in the discretion of the committee, be re-admitted to membership on payment of all arrears. The level of subscriptions to be decided at the first Executive Committee meeting in the financial year namely October. Subscription commencement date shall be the 1st January each year.

12. Any member may resign his membership by giving to the secretary notice in writing to that effect PROVIDED that if notice be given after the 31 May in any year he shall be liable to pay his subscription for that year.

13. If at any time the Executive Committee shall be of opinion that the interests of the club so require, they may by letter invite any member to resign from the club within a time specified in such letter. In default of resignation the question of his expulsion shall be submitted to a special general meeting to be held within three weeks after the date specified in such letter as the date before which he shall have been invited to resign. The member whose expulsion is sought shall have notice of such meeting and of the grounds on which it is sought to expel him. At such meeting the member shall be allowed to offer an explanation for his conduct verbally or in writing, and if not less than two-thirds of the members present shall vote for his expulsion he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the club PROVIDED that the voting at any such special general meeting shall be by ballot if not less than five members present thereat shall so demand. It shall be in the power of the committee to exclude such member from the club house and grounds until such special general meeting shall be held.

14. Any person on ceasing to be a member of the club shall forfeit all right to and claim upon the club, its property and its funds.

15. (a) The entire management of the club ( except as otherwise provided by these rules ) shall be deputed to an Executive Committee consisting of 20 members including elected Life members.
(b) Certain official posts within the club shall automatically embody membership of the Executive Committee; following are the posts referred to;
President
Chairman
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
Development Fund Promoter
Bar Secretary
Bar Treasurer
Ladies Secretary
North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League Representative
Kidsgrove & District Junior Cricket League Representative
Club Welfare Officer

16. At the annual general meeting, members of the Executive Committee shall retire but shall be eligible for re-election. Any two members may propose any other candidate or candidates. Voting shall be by ballot and every member shall be entitled to vote as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled. The candidates up to the number of vacancies who shall receive most votes shall be declared elected, and in the case of two or more candidates receiving an equal number of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

17. In the event of a vacancy on the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee shall have the power to appoint any member of the club to fill such a vacancy, but the proceedings of the Executive Committee shall not be invalidated in consequence of there being less than the prescribed number of members thereof.

18. The President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the members, and shall hold office until death or resignation, unless removed from office by a resolution of the Executive Committee or members.

19. The property of the club shall be vested in not less than four trustees, who shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and the property of the club shall be vested in them to be dealt with by them as the committee may from time to time direct by resolution ( of which any entry in the minute book shall be conclusive evidence ). The trustees shall be indemnified against risk and expense out of the club property. The trustees shall hold office until death or resignation or until removal from office by the Executive Committee. Where by reason of such death, resignation or removal, it is necessary that a new trustee or trustees be appointed, the committee shall nominate the person or persons to be appointed the new trustee or trustees. For the purpose of giving effect to such nomination the President is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new trustees of the club within the meaning of Section 36 of the Trustee Act 1925 and he shall by deed, duly appoint the person or persons so nominated by the committee.

20. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once every eight weeks during the season, to examine the accounts and arrange the affairs of the club; notices of meetings shall be sent to each member. A quorum shall consist of five members. Minutes shall be taken of all proceedings of the Executive Committee and shall be open to the inspection of any member of the club applying to the Secretary therefore.

21. The Executive Committee may from time to time appoint from among their number such sub-committees (in addition to the sub-committee under Rule 30 hereof ) as the may deem necessary or expedient and may depute or refer to them such of the powers and duties of the Executive Committee as the Executive Committee may determine. Such sub-committees shall periodically report their proceedings to the Executive Committee and shall conduct their business in accordance with the direction of the committee.

22. The Annual General Meeting of the club shall be held no later than 31 January each year upon a date and at a time to be fixed by the committee for the following purposes:
(a) To receive from the Executive Committee a report, balance sheet and statement of accounts for the preceding financial year and an estimate of the receipts and expenditure for the current financial year.
(b) To elect the Executive Committee and to appoint two auditors for the ensuing year.
(c) To decide upon any resolution which may be duly submitted to the meeting as hereinafter provided.

A copy of this report, audited balance sheet, statement of accounts and estimate shall be available to members, 14 days at least before the Annual General Meeting and shall be exhibited on the Club Notice Board.

23. Any member desirous of moving any resolution at the Annual General Meeting shall give notice thereof in writing to the Secretary not less than 14 days before the date of such meeting.

24. The Executive Committee may at any time for any special purpose, call a special general meeting and they shall do so forthwith upon the requisition in writing of any ten members stating the purpose for which the meeting is required.

25. Fourteen days at least before the annual general meeting or any special general meeting, a printed or written notice of such meeting and of the business to be transacted thereat shall be published on the club’s Notice Board and no business other than that of which notice has been so given shall be brought forward at such meeting.

26. At all general meetings of the club the President, and in his absence a member selected by the meeting, shall take the chair. Every member present entitled to vote shall have one vote upon every motion and in the case of equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

27. The quorum at all general meetings shall be as follows: for motions proposing any repeal or amendment of the rules, Thirty members; for the repeal of any bylaws, Twenty members; for motions relating to the expulsion of any member, Thirty members; for all other business, Ten members.

28. The financial year of the club shall end on the last day of September in each year, to which day the accounts of the club shall be balanced.

29. At every annual general meeting two members of the club not being trustees or members of the Executive Committee, shall be elected to serve as auditors for the ensuing year. A vacancy occurring in the office of auditor during the year shall be filled by the Executive Committee.

30. The purchase of intoxicating liquor for and supply by the club shall be in the absolute discretion of a sub-committee (Bar Committee) of not less than five members being members appointed by the Executive Committee for that purpose and each such member shall retire at the end of five years from his appointment but shall be eligible for re-appointment. The President, Secretary and Treasurer shall not be ex officio members of such Bar Committee but shall be eligible for appointment as ordinary members of the club.

31. The charges for refreshments shall be fixed by the Bar Committee.

32. The permitted hours for the supply of intoxicating liquor shall be
on Weekdays (except Saturdays) 12.00 noon to 12.00 pm midnight.
on Saturdays 12.00 noon to 12.00 pm midnight.
on Sundays 12.00 noon to 12.00 pm midnight.
on Christmas Day and Good Friday 12.00 noon to 2.00pm and 7.00pm to 10.30pm
on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve 12.00 noon to 00.45 am.

The above times have been duly authorised by the Licensing Authority via our granted application to vary our Club Premises Certificate under section 84 of the Licensing Act 2003.

33. No person shall at any time be entitled to receive at the expense of the club any commission percentage or similar payment on or with reference to purchases of intoxicating liquor by the club; nor shall any person directly or indirectly derive any pecuniary benefit from the supply of intoxicating liquor by or on behalf of the club to members or guests apart from any benefit accruing to the club as a whole and apart also from any benefit which a person derives indirectly by reason of the supply giving rise to or contributing to a general gain from the carrying on of the club.

34. No member shall, except for professional services rendered at the request of the committee, receive any profit or emoluments from the funds or transactions of the club.

35. (a) Every member shall be allowed to introduce visitors subject to such regulations or by-laws as shall be made from time to time by the Executive Committee and every visitor shall be the guest of and be accompanied by the member introducing him, both of whom shall sign the visitors’ book immediately on entering the premises.
(b) Members of clubs visiting to play Audley Cricket Club shall be deemed to be visitors and on signing the visitors’ book shall be entitled to the privileges of the club during the period of their stay on the day of the match.
(c) The Executive Committee shall have power to elect members of other clubs to use and enjoy the premises and facilities of the club as Associate members for such period or periods as the Executive Committee shall determine from time to time. Such Associate members shall be without a right to hold office or to exercise the power of voting.

36. The club house shall not be used for gambling or for playing any game of chance and the Executive Committee shall have power to prohibit any games, the playing of which would in their opinion be injurious to the interests of the club.

37. These rules may be added to, repealed or amended by resolution at any annual or special general meeting, PROVIDED that no such resolution shall be deemed to have been passed unless it be carried by a majority of at least two-thirds of the members voting thereon.

38. The Executive Committee shall from time to time make, repeal and amend all such bylaws and regulations (not inconsistent with these rules) as they shall think expedient for the internal management, use of the ground and well-being of the club. All such bylaws and regulations shall be binding upon the members until repealed by the Executive Committee or set aside by a resolution of a general meeting of the club.

39. The Executive Committee shall have power to make arrangements for holding matches, tournaments, or other like competitions or social meetings including the imposition of a charge for the admission of non-members to the grounds, and to provide cups and other prizes for competition and to reserve the ground as may be required on any occasion as the committee in their discretion think proper.

40. If at any time the club in general meeting shall pass a resolution authorizing the Executive Committee to borrow money, the Executive Committee shall thereupon be empowered to borrow for the purposes of the club such amount of money whether at one time or from time to time and manner and upon such security as shall be specified in such resolution, and thereupon the trustees shall at the direction of the Executive Committee make all such dispositions of the club property or any part thereof and enter into such agreements in relation thereto as the Executive Committee may deem proper for giving security for such loans and interest. All members of the club, whether voting on such resolution or not, and all persons becoming members of the club after the passing of such resolution shall be deemed to have assented to the same as if they had voted in favour of such resolution.

41. If the Executive Committee at any time decides by a simple majority to dissolve the Club, it shall give at least 21 days notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting to all members of the Club who have the power to vote. If such a decision is confirmed by a majority of those present and voting at the meeting, the Executive Committee shall empower the Trustees of the Club to dispose of any Assets held by the Club. Any Assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper Debts or Liabilities, shall be given or transferred to such Charitable groups or groups having similar Objects to the Club, as the Committee may decide

42. In conformance with the appropriate ECB directives, the Club Welfare Officer shall automatically embody membership of the clubs Executive Committee.