Rules
When fishing any B.A.A. venues, members must ensure that they are familiar with club rules which may change as deemed necessary.
Members must be aware that individual fisheries have individual rules that must be adhered to.
Fishery Rules
Click here to read fishery rules.
Bathampton Angling Club Constitution
Association Name and Objectives
1.1 The Association shall be called the “Bathampton Angling Association” (the ‘Association’).
1.2 The objects of the Association are to:
a. Provide opportunities for members of the Association to participate in angling and related activities.
b. Promote and protect the interests of anglers, and to conserve and protect the aquatic habitats and surrounding environment.
c. Promote and educate responsible fishing practices.
d. Provide opportunities for members to participate in officially planned fishing competitions and events.
e. Promote social interaction among members of the Association.
Membership
2.1 Membership of the Association is open to anyone, on payment of an annual Subscription, while in full compliance of the current published ‘Fishery Rules’ (available at https://bathampton.org/).
2.2 Membership will be on a rolling 12 month basis from date of payment.
2.3 Annual subscription fees will be set by the Committee and will commence from a date to be agreed at each Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) and will become applicable from the time of membership application or renewal.
Categories of membership are Adult (Full) Membership, or Junior Membership.
A Junior is a person under the age of 18 years on the date of purchasing a new membership.
2.4 Membership of the Association shall not be denied on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or political persuasion.
2.5 The Association is strongly committed to equal opportunities for all sectors of the community. It is the policy of the Association to ensure that no member will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, gender, marital status, employment status, social class, colour, race, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, or disability, nor will be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which are not relevant to performance.
2.6 The Association may suspend or expel any member whose conduct is deemed to be contrary to the interests of the Association, or who breaches the Association’s rules or code of conduct. All breaches reported to the committee will be investigated, as detailed in this Constitution.
2.7 No person shall be deemed a Member of the Association, or be entitled to vote at any meeting, or be elected to any office, or become a Member of the Management Committee (“the Committee”) or exercise any of the privileges accorded to the Members, until their subscription for the current year be paid, except that:-
a. Persons under the age of 12 years (“Under 12’s”) shall be members of the Association without payment when attending at an Association fishery with a full member of the Association and may fish at such time without payment but shall not be entitled to other privileges of membership.
b. Persons attending coaching sessions organised by or on behalf of the Association shall be members of the Association whilst attending an Association fishery whether or not payment is made in respect thereof.
c.Except for Under 12’s persons who are not full members of the Association but who attend at an Association fishery with a full member of the Association shall be Associate members of the Association but shall not be entitled to fish and nor shall they be entitled to other privileges of membership.
d. Persons attending open matches (whether as competitors, organisers, volunteers, or assistants) organised by or on behalf of or with the authority of the Association shall be members of the Association on the day whilst at or on an Association fishery.
2.8 Any Member may be nominated for Life Membership of the Association in return for exceptional service. Nominees may only be proposed and seconded by current members of the Committee and shall be submitted in writing at least 28 days prior to the AGM and accepted by the required majority at the AGM
2.9Persons given Complimentary or Life membership of the Association, and the holders of all current Gold memberships, appointed committee members and all Trustees of the Association shall be full members of the Association and shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership, notwithstanding that they may not have paid any subscription for the current year.
2.10 Occasional ‘Guest Fishing Permits’ can be requested for exceptional circumstances. These permits are to be requested from the Association Treasurer / Membership Secretary for approval. Approval will be given in writing, and such written permission must be presented when requested during the authorised day. Persons issued with a Guest Fishing Permit shall be members of the Association whilst attending an Association fishery on the day authorised by that permit and may fish on that day but shall not be entitled to other privileges of membership.
Management
3.1 Management of the Association will be fulfilled by an elected committee, consisting of the following positions, the Officers, and up to 12No appointed Committee Members of the Association.
The following represent an overview of the senior roles for the Association, full job descriptions are held in detail (available on request):
a. Chairman – Chairs meetings including regular Quarterly Committee Meetings and the Association AGM, responsible for the overall long-term direction of the Association, has responsibility for upholding the Association Constitution, strategic planning and key decision-making duties and delegating, leading and motivating Association volunteers towards Association goals/objectives for the benefit of the members. Also responsible for Health and Safety management of the Association.
b. General Secretary – Principal administrator for the Association, carrying out or delegating all of the administrative duties that enable the Association and its members to function effectively. Generally being the first point of contact for enquiries and to manage liaison with any external bodies or individuals relating to matters that concern the Association. Responsible for the site permits issued by the Environment Agency and for collating and sharing any relevant information received, meeting minutes or agendas as deemed necessary.
c. Treasurer/Membership Secretary – Responsible for enabling the Committee to manage the financial affairs of the Association. The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all financial transactions and will furnish a statement of accounts at each Committee Meeting. To submit accounts to the Association’s auditors to present to the AGM and collect membership money and deal with match booking enquiries.
d. Legal Advisor – Person to whom all questions of a legal nature are referred to for advice.
e. Fisheries Officer – Responsible for advising the Committee as to the welfare, condition, and upkeep of the Association fisheries, investigating fish mortalities, monitoring water quality, fish stock levels and planning and coordinating project work or work parties. Advising the Committee on any ideas or facts that may improve the fisheries or warn of any potential problems.
f. Junior Organising Officer – Responsible for any activities involving junior members (other than any normal angling activities as a member). Promoting and supporting the teaching of young anglers, ensuring the next generation of anglers are well prepared and can uphold good fishing techniques and etiquette. The role will be held by someone who holds at least a Level 2 Certificate in Coaching (Angling).
g. Safeguarding and Welfare Officer – An advisory role to the Association having primary responsibility for managing any reported concerns about children and vulnerable adults and for putting into place procedures to safeguard children and vulnerable adults in the Association.
h.Head Bailiff – To manage, guide and develop Fisheries Bailiffs for all Association waters, to ensure compliance of fishery rules and local byelaws, to protect the fishery and Association’s interests by ensuring that all anglers have a valid permit to fish and reporting any issues rising from the team of Bailiffs to the Fisheries Officer.
i. Web Administrator – Responsible for the management of the Association’s Website and Facebook page, making available and updating specific information pertaining to the successful running of the Association.
j. Appointed Committee Members of the Association – elected to support the Officers in duties to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Association, ensuring all Constitution Rules are applied and upheld.
3.2 The Committee shall have power to co-opt members onto the Committee, to fill any vacancies that may arise, giving first consideration to the member[s], if any, who recorded the highest vote during ballot at the AGM, and that member shall have the power to vote, provided that such co-option be limited to three vacancies per year.
3.3 The Committee shall at all times have power to co-opt ordinary members to assist the Committee, if, by attending a Committee meeting, the said members’ knowledge is to the advantage of the Association.
3.4 No member of the Committee, nor any officer of the Association, shall stand for nor serve on the Committee whilst holding office either:-
a. as a committee member or Officer of any other angling Association, Association or company which is not an affiliated Association or,
b. as an individual whose business interests which may in the reasonable opinion of the Committee compete with or conflict with the interests of the Association.
3.5 The Committee have power from time to time to form sub-committees, make, alter, and rescind such Byelaws as they may deem necessary for the efficient management of the affairs, fisheries, or properties of the Association. Provided such Byelaws or any alterations, repeals or additions thereto are in accordance with the Rules of the Association.
3.6 Any dispute arising which is not covered by an existing rule shall be referred to the Committee for a decision. An appropriate amendment/addition to Association rules will then be submitted to the next Committee Meeting.
3.7 The Committee may from time to time appoint a Disciplinary Sub-Committee, consisting of not less than five members of the Committee, to hear any member or members who have been reported to the Committee for an alleged offence under Rule 3.12 and to make decisions as to the sanctions [if any] to be applied to the member[s] concerned – such sanctions may include [but shall not be limited to] suspension or withdrawal of membership of the Association.
3.8 There shall be no more than four Trustees of the Association, the first of whom and all subsequent trustees shall be nominated from the Committee members by the Committee.
The property of the Association (other than cash which shall be under the control of the Treasurer, unless otherwise from time to time, directed by resolution of the Committee) shall be vested in the Trustees, to be dealt with by them whether by way of sale, mortgage, charge, lease investment or otherwise as the Committee shall from time to time in its absolute discretion direct by resolution, and further the Trustees shall have the power to borrow as the Committee shall direct by resolution (and in every case entry in the Minute Book shall be conclusive evidence of any such resolutions).
The Trustees shall be indemnified against risk and expense out of the Trust property.
The Trustees shall hold office until resignation or until removed from office by a Resolution of the Committee who may for any reason, which may seem sufficient, by a majority of them present and voting at any meeting, remove any Trustee or Trustees from the office of Trustees. Where by reason of any such death, resignation, or removal it shall appear necessary to the Committee, that a new Trustee or Trustees shall be appointed or if the Committee shall deem it expedient to appoint an additional Trustee or Trustees the Committee shall, by resolution, nominate the person or persons to be appointed as the new Trustee or Trustees.
For the purpose of giving effect to such nomination the Chairman is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new Trustees of the Association 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 as the new Trustee or Trustees of the Association and the provisions of the Trustee Act 1925 shall apply to any such appointment. Any statement of fact in any such deed of appointment shall in favour of person dealing bona fide and for value with the Association or the Committee be conclusive evidence of the fact so stated.
3.9 A firm of Auditors shall be appointed to audit the accounts of the Association.
3.10 The Association’s Financial Year ends on the last day of November.
3.11 All hiring by the Association shall be in the names of the person authorised by the Committee.
3.12 Any member who shall at any time infringe the Rules or Byelaws of the Association, or whose actions are liable to bring discredit to the Association, shall be liable to expulsion from the Association or such other sanction as may be decided upon a resolution to that effect being passed by a meeting of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee under Rule 3.12.
a. Any member reported to the Committee for an offence under Rule 3.12 has the right to attend the disciplinary meeting convened under Rule 3.7 to hear the matter or to submit a written statement for consideration by the meeting in answer to any alleged offence for which they have been reported.
A member charged with an offence under Rule 3.12 will be notified by registered post, recorded delivery, or letter by electronic means with ‘received receipt’, as appropriate, of the alleged offence in writing by the Secretary and asked to respond to the Secretary in writing within 14 days of the notification being posted and elect either to attend the disciplinary meeting, submit a written statement for consideration by the Disciplinary Sub-Committee or admit the offence.
Only members of the Association and one representative for the member charged with the offence shall be entitled to attend the disciplinary meeting and the Disciplinary Sub-Committee’s decision shall be final.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of Rules 3.12 and 3.12a, any member who in the opinion of the Management Committee commits an act of such gross misconduct as would be likely to bring the Association into disrepute or otherwise discredit materially the good name of the Association, shall be liable to instant dismissal from the Association at the instigation of the Management Committee.
3.13 The Treasurer is authorised to make payments below the value of £500 on behalf of the Association, as seen fit for the successful day to day operation of the fisheries without further consultation with the committee. Values of over £500 are to be raised to the committee for approval. All cheques require two signatures to be authorised, bank transfers are also authorised for all approved payments, including approved regular standing orders.
Meetings
4.1 A bi-monthly Committee Meeting will be held on nominated dates and times, to be advised in writing by the Chairman.
4.2 The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Committee and at each AGM. In the event of equality of votes at any committee meeting, the Chairman shall have the casting vote in addition to his own.
4.3 At meetings of the Committee, five members, of whom at least one is a Trustee, and another is an Officer of the Association, shall comprise a quorum, and in such case no Trustee shall be considered as both a Trustee and an Officer of the Association.
4.4 Any member of the Committee failing to attend two or more of the Committee Meetings may be requested to resign but may seek re-election.
4.5 The date of the AGM is the first Monday in June at such venue as the Committee may decide and notify by advertisement or failing such notification, at a designated location commencing at 7.00pm. Notification of location will be announced at a prior date on the Association website and emailed to members through the Clubmate membership platform.
a. All nominations or resolutions for the AGM must be sent to the General Secretary in writing, duly proposed and seconded, not later than 28 days before the date of the AGM.
b. Members wishing to attend the AGM may be checked against Clubmate membership records before gaining admission, if required.
c. At General, or Special Meetings, of the Association [10] ten members at any such meeting shall be deemed a quorum. Any alterations in the Rules must be passed by three-fourths of the members present at the General or Special Meeting convened for that purpose.
d. Committee Meetings
i. At each AGM five members of the Committee (not being the Trustees or the Chairman or the Treasurer for the time being) must retire but are eligible for re-election for a further 3 years.
ii. To create a sufficient number of vacancies if less than five members retire voluntarily, then a sufficient number of members of the Committee to make up the shortfall must retire in order of seniority and in the case of equal seniority (to be ascertained by reference to the number of years continuous service on the Committee of the member concerned since he or she was last elected) the order of retirement must be determined by lot.
iii. The Committee must nominate a sufficient number of members of the Association to fill the vacancies and the list of the names of those who retire must be sent to the General Secretary in writing not later than twenty-eight days before the date of the AGM.
iv. Any two members of the Association may propose any other candidate or candidates as committee members by notice in writing to the General Secretary and least twenty-eight days before the AGM and every member of the Association is entitled (but not obliged) to vote for as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled and no more.
v. Up to the number of vacancies the candidates who receive most votes must be declared elected and in the case of two or more candidates receiving an equal number of votes the Chairman of the meeting has a second or casting vote.
4.6 A General or Special Meeting may be held at any time if called by not less than ten members upon giving fourteen days’ notice thereof to the General Secretary stating the purpose for which such meeting is called. Notices of all meetings shall be given as the Committee may think fit. No business shall be discussed at any Special Meeting other than that of which notice shall have been given. The Committee shall have power to summon a Special General Meeting at any time on giving seven days’ notice.
4.7 An annual schedule of ‘Work Parties’ must be agreed to maintain the Association lakes, and access to rivers and canals, as required and where permitted to maintain the availability, safety and condition of all waters for the benefit of members. It is expected that all Association Trustees, Committee members, Officers and Bailiffs will support these work parties, where not restricted by personal or other limitations, to balance the workload. This may not constitute physical labour, merely support on the days. Each Association official is expected to join at least 2 work parties per year.
Dissolution
5.1 The Association may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at an AGM or special meeting.
5.2 In the event of the dissolution or winding-up of the Bathampton Angling Association any surplus assets or moneys will be donated to an agreed angling charity or charities which will be decided upon by the Committee in office at the time of dissolution.
Safeguarding
6.1 The Association is intent that children, young people, and vulnerable adults will find angling a safe environment in which to have fun, learn and develop, and will seek to ensure this by adopting, using, and promoting the Joint Angling Governing Bodies Child Protection Policy Guidelines Document. (Copies available from the Angling Trust or the Association).
6.2 The Association is committed to ensuring that all members, especially children and vulnerable adults, are protected from harm and abuse.
6.3 Any concerns or allegations of safeguarding and welfare breaches shall be reported to the designated Safeguarding and Welfare Officer and dealt with in accordance with the Association’s policies and procedures.
6.4 The Association will ensure anyone involved in teaching or supporting other Association business working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults, will hold an up-to-date DBS check.
Association Development
7.1 The Association is committed to developing quality opportunities for its members. In order to do this, it will identify new opportunities and ways to progress and improve on current practices and procedures for the good of the Association and its members.
7.2 New opportunities will be presented to the Chairman to bring to the next quarterly meeting, provided that notice of the proposed opportunity has been given to all committee members at least two weeks in advance of the planned meeting.
Constitution Amendments
8.1 This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at an AGM, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all members at least two weeks in advance of the planned AGM.