S&SES
Who we are

The Executive Committee are responsible for the management and administration of the Society;
two specialist Panels are concerned with the planning & traffic and the education & social aspects


Officers of the Society
ChairMike Hartmikehart1311@btinternet.com969 8145
07785 285739
Vice-ChairPatrick Hamblinpatrick.hamblin@btinternet.com969 3930
Honorary SecretaryDeborah Simmons
Honorary TreasurerJoan Collinsjoan.collins444@outlook.com
Other Members of the Executive Committee
Coordinator of the Education PanelHeather Kay (co-opted)kaydenis@gmail.com
Chair of the Planning & Traffic PanelPatrick Hamblinpatrick.hamblin@btinternet.com969 3930
Sonning EyeAnnabella Marksdunsden@aol.com969 2264
Membership SecretaryLesley Heaneylesley@sonninggate.com969 7033
Editor of Bridge & WebmasterJeremy Gilmore (co-opted)webmaster@sonning.org.uk944 8075
Environmental AdvisorProf. Alastair Driverali@sonningdrivers.plus.com07836 600868
Panel Members
Coordinator Heather Kay

Members of the Education & Social Panel are invited to serve by the Panel Co-ordinator because of their interest in and knowledge of buildings, cultural, environmental and historical issues in relation to Sonning and Sonning Eye. Members with specific and relevant skills, e.g. web expertise, interest in devising children’s activities, are welcome to join the Panel. The Panel should normally have not less than three and not more than ten members.

Remit

The Education & Social Panel’s main purpose is to raise awareness about the geography, history, natural history and architectural heritage of both villages through a series of walks and talks. It also prepares the Society’s newsletter, bridge, currently published quarterly, and is responsible for maintaining the Society’s website. The Panel contributes towards promoting the Society alongside the other Panels, at/in appropriate events and places. If approved by the Executive Committee it will co-ordinate events linked to the nationally organised heritage Open Days scheme.

The Education & Social Panel occasionally communicates with cultural or other organisations. Written material should be agreed by at least two Panel members and signed by the Panel Co-ordinator or Panel member appointed by the Co-ordinator to do so.

The work of the Education & Social Panel includes:

  • Event Planning and Organisation
  • Press & Publicity
  • Publications
  • Web Site
Panel Guidelines
  1. Article 8.1 of the Society's Constitution reads as follows: "The Executive Committee may constitute such panels or sub-committees from time to time as shall be considered necessary for such purposes as shall be thought fit. The Chairman (or Co-ordinator if preferred) of each Panel shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. All actions and proceedings of each Panel shall be reported to and be confirmed by the Executive Committee as soon as possible. Members of the Executive Committee may be members of any Panel. Panels shall be subordinate to and may be regulated or dissolved by the Executive Committee".
  2. The Education & Social Panel's main purpose is to raise awareness about the geography, history, natural history and architectural heritage of both villages through a series of walks and talks. It also prepares the Society's newsletter, Bridge, currently published quarterly, and is responsible for maintaining the Society's website. The Panel contributes towards promoting the Society alongside the other Panels, at/in appropriate events and places. If approved by the Executive Committee it will co-ordinate events linked to the nationally organised Heritage Open Days scheme.

    The Panel also supports the Society’s Annual General Meeting and educational events by providing refreshments to those attending and organising social occasions for the enjoyment of the membership.
  3. Members of the Education & Social Panel are invited to serve by the Panel Co-ordinator because of their interest in and knowledge of buildings, cultural, environmental and historical issues in relation to Sonning and Sonning Eye. Members with specific and relevant skills are welcome to join the Panel, e.g. web expertise, interest in devising children's activities, etc. The Panel should normally have not less than three and not more than ten members.
  4. The Education & Social Panel may consider it necessary to send written communications to cultural or other organisations. These should be agreed by at least two Panel members and signed by the Panel Co-ordinator or Panel member appointed by the Co-ordinator to do so.
Panel Members
ChairPatrick Hamblin969 3930
07917 300999
Secretary
Environmental AdvisorProf. Alastair Driver07836 600868
David Bates969 7753
Mike Hart969 8145
07785 285739
Bob Hine969 2132
Jeremy Gilmore944 8075

Members of the Panel are invited to serve by the Panel Chairman because of their interest in and knowledge of the appropriate issues. The Panel should normally have not less than four and not more than ten members.

Panel Meetings in the Sonning Club 8.00pm

The Panel meets on a monthly basis and these meetings will now be open to all members of the Society, who will be allowed to participate in the discussions at the invitation of the Panel Chairman. The meetings will be held in the Sonning Club, commencing at 8.00pm.

The dates for 2019 are:

Tuesday 16 January Monday 12 February Wednesday 13 March Tuesday 2 April
Thursday 2 May Tuesday 11 June Tuesday 2 July Thursday 8 August
Tuesday 10 September Tuesday 1 October Tuesday 12 November Tuesday 3 December
Remit

The Panel's main purpose is to monitor and, if necessary, comment upon two related subjects affecting the parishes of Sonning and Sonning Eye: planning and environmental matters and highway matters, including public transport and the street scene. It should be guided by the purposes set out in the Constitution, particularly "to promote high standards of planning and architecture" and "to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic, natural or public interest".

Activites

The Panel are currently working with the Sonning Parish Council Highways Working Group to develop a long term strategy to reduce the impact of the large volumes of traffic that pass through the two villages. This will also seek to reduce the amount of street signs that clutter up the villages, possibly by adopting the concept of 'shared space', pioneered in Holland, which deliberately blurs the separation of road users and pavement users.

Guidelines for the Planning & Traffic Panel

  1. Article 8.1 of the Society's Constitution reads as follows: "The Executive Committee may constitute such panels or sub-committees from time to time as shall be considered necessary for such purposes as shall be thought fit. The Chairman (or Co-ordinator if preferred) of each Panel shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. All actions and proceedings of each Panel shall be reported to and be confirmed* by the Executive Committee as soon as possible. Members of the Executive Committee may be members of any Panel. Panels shall be subordinate to and may be regulated or dissolved by the Executive Committee".

    Note: The Planning and Traffic Panel (or 'Panel') may on occasions need to proceed without having its actions first confirmed by the Executive Committee. The Panel should keep the Executive Committee informed by copying minutes of its meetings and communications with local authorities and others to the Hon. Secretary.
  2. The Planning and Traffic Panel's main purpose is to monitor and, if necessary, comment upon two related subjects affecting the parishes of Sonning and Sonning Eye: planning and environmental matters and highway matters, including public transport and the street scene. It should be guided by the purposes set out in the Constitution, particularly "to promote high standards of planning and architecture" and "to secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic, natural or public interest".
  3. Members of the Panel are invited to serve by the Panel Chairman because of their interest in and knowledge of the appropriate issues. The Panel should normally have not less than four and not more than ten members.
  4. The Panel may consider it necessary to send written communications to the relevant local authority or other body. These should be agreed by at least two Panel members and signed by the Panel Chairman or Panel member appointed by the Chairman to do so. If a Panel member has any financial, professional or personal interest in a case, they should declare it and any Panel communications about that case should be agreed by at least two other Panel members.
  5. The Panel shall meet as and when deemed necessary by the Chairman.

Constitution of the Sonning & Sonning Eye Society
  1. NAME
  2. The name of the Society shall be the Sonning & Sonning Eye Society.

  3. OBJECTS
  4. 2.1 The Society is established for the public benefit for the following purposes in the area comprising Sonning and Sonning Eye and their surroundings which area shall hereinafter be referred to as "the area of benefit":

    (i) To promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit.

    (ii) To educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of the area of benefit.

    (iii) To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic, natural or public interest in the area of benefit.

    2.2 In furtherance of the said purposes but not otherwise the Society through its Executive Committee shall have the following powers:

    (1) To promote civic pride in the area of benefit.

    (2) To promote research into subjects directly connected with the objects of the Society and to publish the results of any such research.

    (3) To act as a co-ordinating body and to co-operate with the local authorities, planning committees, and all other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities and persons having aims similar to those of the Society.

    (4) To promote or assist in promoting activities of a charitable nature throughout the area of benefit.

    (5) To publish papers, reports and other literature, using appropriate media.

    (6) To make surveys and prepare maps and plans and collect information in relation to any place, erection or building of beauty, natural or historic interest within the area of benefit.

    (7) To hold meetings, lectures and exhibitions.

    (8) To educate public opinion and to give advice and information.

    (9) To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of subscription, donation and otherwise; provided that the Society shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for its primary purpose.

    (10) To acquire, by purchase, gift or otherwise, property whether subject to any special trust or not.

    (11) Subject to such consents as may be required by law, to sell, let, mortgage, dispose of, or turn to account, all or any of the property or funds of the Society as shall be necessary.

    (12) Subject to such consents as may be required by law, to borrow or raise money for the purposes of the Society on such terms and on such security as the Executive Committee shall think fit, but so that the liability of individual members of the Society shall in no case extend beyond the amount of their respective annual subscriptions.

    (13) To do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said purposes.

  5. MEMBERSHIP
  6. 3.1 Membership shall be open to all who are interested in actively furthering the purposes of the Society.

    3.2 No member shall have power to vote at any meeting of Society if his or her subscription is in arrears at the time.

    3.3 Junior members shall be those aged less than 18 years at the time their subscription is due; and they shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the Society.

    3.4 Corporate members shall be such societies, associations, educational institutions or businesses as are interested in actively furthering the purposes of the Society. A corporate member shall appoint a representative to vote on its behalf at all meetings but before such representative exercises his or her right to vote the corporate member shall give particulars in writing to the Honorary Secretary of such representative.

    3.5 The subscription of a member joining the Society in the four months preceding 31 December in any year shall be regarded as covering membership for the Society's year commencing on 1 January following the date of joining the Society.

  7. SUBSCRIPTIONS
  8. 4.1 The subscription shall be:-

    Life members N/A

    Two or more life members in the same household, each N/A

    Full members per annum £5.00

    Two or more full members in the same household, each per annum £4.00

    Junior members per annum £3.00

    Corporate members per annum £25.00

    (Corporate) Youth Group members per annum £10.00

    or such other reasonable sum as the Executive Committee shall determine from time to time.

    4.2 The Subscription shall be payable on or before 1 January each year. Membership shall lapse if the subscription is unpaid three months after it is due.

  9. MEETINGS
  10. 5.1 An Annual General Meeting shall normally be held in or about November of each year to receive the Executive Committee's report and audited accounts and to elect Officers and Members of the Committee. The Committee shall decide when ordinary meetings of the Society shall be held.

    5.2 Special General Meetings of the Society shall be held at the written request of fifteen or more members whose subscriptions are fully paid-up.

    5.3 A minimum of 10% or 10 members personally present, whichever is the greater, shall constitute a quorum for a Meeting of the Society.

    5.4 The Committee shall give no less than 7 days' notice to members of all Meetings of the Society.

  11. OFFICERS
  12. 6.1 Nominations for the election of Officers shall be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting. Such nominations shall be supported by a seconder and the consent of the proposed nominee must first have been obtained. The elections of Officers shall be completed prior to the election of further Committee members. Nominees for election as Officers or Committee members shall declare at the Annual General Meeting at which their election is to be considered any financial or professional interest known or likely to be of concern to the Society.

    6.2 The Officers of the Society shall normally consist of :

    Chairman (or Chair if preferred)

    Vice Chairman

    Honorary Secretary

    Honorary Treasurer

    all of whom shall relinquish their office every year and shall be eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meeting. A President and Vice-Presidents may also be elected at a General Meeting of the Society, for periods to be decided at such a meeting. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill casual vacancies occurring among the Officers of the Society.

  13. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
  14. 7.1 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the management and administration of the Society. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers and not less than four and not more than eight other members. The Committee shall have power to co-opt further members (who shall attend in an advisory and non-voting capacity).

    7.2 The President and Vice-Presidents may attend any meeting of the Executive Committee but shall not vote at any such meeting.

    7.3 In the event of an equality in the votes cast, the Chairman or Chair shall have a second or casting vote.

    7.4 Nominations for election to the Executive Committee shall be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting. They must be supported by a seconder and the consent of the proposed nominee must first have been obtained. If the nominations exceed the number of vacancies, a ballot shall take place in such manner as shall be determined.

    7.5 The Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer shall normally be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Society and may be re-elected to the same position for up to five years. The Annual General Meeting of the Society may in exceptional circumstances extend this period annually. Other members of the Executive Committee shall normally be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Society and outgoing members may be re-elected to the same position for up to three years.

    7.6 The Executive Committee shall meet not less than six times a year at intervals of not more than two months and the Honorary Secretary shall give all members not less than seven days' notice of each meeting. The quorum shall, as near as may be, comprise one half of the members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill up to three casual vacancies occurring among the members of the Executive Committee between General Meetings.

  15. PANELS OR SUB-COMMITTEES
  16. 8.1 The Executive Committee may constitute such Panels or sub-committees from time to time as shall be considered necessary for such purposes as shall be thought fit. The Chairman (or Co-ordinator if preferred) of each Panel shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. All actions and proceedings of each Panel shall be reported to and be confirmed by the Executive Committee as soon as possible. Members of the Executive Committee may be members of any Panel. Panels shall be subordinate to and may be regulated or dissolved by the Executive Committee.

  17. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
  18. 9.1 It shall be the duty of every member who is in any way directly or indirectly interested financially or professionally in any item discussed at any meeting of the Society (including any meeting of any Committee or Sub-Committee) at which he or she may be present to declare such interest and he or she shall not discuss such item (except by invitation of the Chairman or Chair) or vote thereon.

  19. POLICY
  20. 10.1 The objects of the Society are set out in Clause 2 of this Constitution. Specific matters of policy may be debated from time to time at Annual General Meetings, General Meetings or Special General Meetings at the request of a proposer and seconder. Such policy decision shall be decided by a majority of the members present.

  21. EXPENSES OF ADMINISTRATION AND APPLICATIONS OF FUNDS
  22. 11.1 The Executive Committee shall, out of the funds of the Society, pay all proper expenses of administration and management of the Society. After the payment of the administration and management expenses and the setting aside to reserve of such sums as may be deemed expedient, the remaining funds of the Society shall be applied by the Executive Committee in furtherance of the purposes of the Society.

  23. INVESTMENT
  24. 12.1 All moneys at any time belonging to the Society and not required for immediate application for its purposes shall be invested by the Executive Committee in or upon such investment, securities or property as it may think fit, subject nevertheless, where appropriate, to such authority, approval or consent by the Charity Commissioners as may for the time being be required by law or by the special trusts affecting any property in the hands of the Executive Committee.

  25. TRUSTEES
  26. 13.1 Any freehold and leasehold property acquired by the Society shall, and if the Executive Committee so directs any other property belonging to the Society may, be vested in trustees who shall deal with such property as the Executive Committee may from time to time direct.

    13.2 Any trustees shall be at least three in number or a trust corporation. The power of appointment of new trustees shall be vested in the Executive Committee. A trustee need not be a member of the Society but no person whose membership lapses by virtue of clause 4 hereof shall thereafter be qualified to act as a trustee unless and until re-appointed as such by the Executive Committee.

    13.3 The Honorary Secretary shall from time to time notify the trustees in writing of any amendment hereto and the trustees shall not be bound by any such amendments in their duties as trustees unless such notice has been given. The Society shall be bound to indemnify the trustees in their duties ( including the proper charge of a trustee being a trust corporation) and liability under such indemnity shall be a proper administrative expense.

  27. ACCOUNTS
  28. 14.1 The Executive Committee shall comply, where appropriate, with their legal obligations under the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that Act) with regard to:

    (1) the keeping of accounting records for the Society

    (2) the preparation of the annual statements for the Society

    (3) the auditing and independent examination of the statements of account of the Society; and

    (4) the transmission of the statements of account of the Society to the Charity Commission.

  29. ANNUAL REPORT
  30. 15.1 The Executive Committee shall comply, where appropriate, with their legal obligations under the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that Act) with regard to the preparation of an annual report and its transmission to the Charity Commission.

  31. ANNUAL RETURN
  32. 16.1 The Executive Committee shall comply, where appropriate, with their legal obligations under the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that Act) with regard to the preparation of an annual return and its transmission to the Charity Commission.

  33. AMENDMENTS
  34. 17.1 This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of members present at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting of the Society, provided that 28 days' notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all members, and provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise any amendment the effect of which would be to cause the Society at any time to cease to be a charity in law, and provided further that no amendment shall be made to Clause 2, Clause 19 or this Clause until the approval in writing of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction shall have been obtained.

  35. NOTICES
  36. 18.1 Any notice required to be given by this Constitution shall be deemed to be duly given if left at or sent by prepaid post addressed to the address of that member last notified to the Honorary Secretary.

  37. WINDING UP
  38. 19.1 The Society may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority of members voting at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting of the Society confirmed by a simple majority of members voting at a further Special General Meeting held not less than 14 days after the previous Meeting. If a motion for the dissolution of the Society is to be proposed at an Annual General Meeting or a Special Meeting this motion shall be referred to specifically when notice of the Meeting is given.

    19.2 In the event of the dissolution of the Society the available funds of the Society shall be transferred to such one or more charitable institutions having objects similar to those herein before declared as shall be chosen by the Executive Committee and approved by the Meeting of the Society at which the decision to dissolve the Society is confirmed.

    19.3 On dissolution the minute books and other records of the Society shall be deposited with the Civic Trust.