Oldcastle Tidy Towns History

Oldcastle Tidy Towns Group commenced January 2008 with 5 members and had 1st Meeting in Oldcastle Credit Union Building. Among the environmental tasks undertaken to date and in the pipeline are:

Oldcastle Tidy Towns Committee 2013

Chairperson: Ursula Farrelly

Vice Chairperson: Nora Carroll
 
Secretaries: Concepta Farrelly, Margaret McHugh

Treasurer: Carmel McDermott

Ast Treasurer: Patricia Caffrey

P.R.O: Melissa McDermott 

Committee: Tommy Melia, Gerry McDermott, Gerard Farrelly. Tommy McHugh, Oliver Fox, Patrick Monaghan, Kitty Cooney, Noel Mahon, Nora Carroll, Lena Halpin,Concepta Farrelly, Margaret McHugh, Melissa McDermott,

Sub-committees

• Christmas Lights - Tommy Farrelly, Gerry McDermott
• Chamber of Commerce President - Gary O'Neill,
  
• Oldcastle & District Walkers Group - Philip Sheridan, Gary O'Neill, Gerard Farrelly, Michael Hetherton
• G.I.Y Group - Louise Mangan
• Writers Group - Mary Flood, Sandra Reilly
• Book Club - Oldcastle Library Monthly Meetings usually last Tuesday of month in Library at 7.15pm.

Oldcastle Tidy Towns Committee  was set up in 2008. Among the environmental tasks undertaken during the intervening years were:

• Landscaping and planting of trees  in the town and surrounding areas
  
• Re-Construction of stone walls
  
• Laying out of beds for shrubs and flowers
  
• Controlling weeds and overgrowth
  
• Organising the collection of litter
  
• Promoting recycling
  
• Installing 'features' in the town
  
• Spraying kerbing and footpaths
  
• Installing street furniture
  
• Drawing short and long term plans
  
• Surveying the flora and fauna of the area
  
• Plan to Produce an Information Leaflet 
  
• Installing Christmas Tree annually
  
• General maintenance of the town and environs.
  
• Planning Installation of Fountain.
• Creation of Peace Garden/ Park
• Installation of Bird and Insect Boxes
• Installation of Benchs

  
CONSTITUTION

Title: The name of the group shall be Oldcdastle Tidy Towns Group.. It shall be non-political and non-sectarian.
 
Aims: The enhancement of the physical and social environment of Oldcastle Town and surrounding areas, with particular reference to:
(a) The general improvement, enrichment and development of the environment
(b) The development of community spirit and pride.
(c) The promotion of an atmosphere of good neighbourliness.
(d) The encouragement of greater interaction among local people.
(e) Enhancement of the appearance and ecology of Oldcastle and surroundings.
(f) The development of whatever facilities are deemed necessary to cater for young and old.
 

Membership

Membership of the Association shall be open to residents living, or proprietors of businesses based, within one mile approximately of the village centre, the outer boundaries . There shall be no membership fee.
 
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of Oldcastle Tidy Towns shall be held each year in January - February.
 Notice of meeting shall be conveyed to members of the Association at least 5 days beforehand.
 Only residents over 18 years of age shall be entitled to vote or be appointed to office.
 The following business shall be transacted at the A.G.M.

• Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting
  
• Annual report submitted by the Secretary
  
• Financial Report submitted by the Treasurer
• Election of Officers and Executive Committee
  
• General business

Executive Committee

• The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Committee nominated and elected at the A.G.M. consisting at least of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, together with at least 6 other members.
• It will be a desirable aim to have an even male/female mix.
  
• The Committee shall hold office for a period of one year or until the following A.G.M. whichever is sooner.
• The Committee shall have power to co-opt not more than 3 other members and to fill vacancies.
• The Committee may appoint sub-committees for specific purposes. Sub-committees may include members not on the Executive Committee and they shall report their deliberations to the parent body for final sanction.
• The Executive Committee shall convene bimonthly or more often if deemed necessary by the Chairperson.
• The quorum for meetings shall be 6.
  
• The Chairperson shall preside over all meetings. In his/her absence, those in attendance shall nominate a chairperson for the meeting.
• The Committee may replace a member who fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings without valid reason.
• No decision of a Committee Meeting may be reversed except with the consent of ? of those present and entitled to vote.
• The Chairpersaon, Secretary and Treasurer shall collectively act on behalf of the Committee between meetings, subject to later ratification by the Executive Committee.

 
Special General Meeting
The Executive Committee may at any time summon a Public or Special General Meeting of the Association, provided the procedures pertaining to A.G.M's are adhered to.

A Special General Meeting must also be arranged by the Committee following a written request signed by no fewer than twelve members, who in their requisition shall state the object of the meeting. No other business shall be transacted at that special meeting. The quorum for such a Special Meeting shall be not less than half of the entire membership.
 
Finance & Assets
The funds of the Association shall be kept in an approved bank.

Cheques shall be signed or accounts held by any 2 of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

The Association's assets and equipment shall vest in the officers for the time being, who shall hold same in trust for the Association.
 
Voting
Decisions at meetings shall be by consensus where possible

Voting on ordinary issues shall require a simple majority, except in the case of previous decisions being rescinded where a 2/3 majority will be needed. The

Chairperson shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie (in addition to his/her vote as a member). Voting where it concerns people shall always be by secret ballot. Voting on other issues shall be at the discretion of the meeting.
 
Winding-up
A resolution to wind up the Association may be passed at a General Meeting specially convened for that purpose, if supported by not less than ¾ of those present and entitled to vote. This meeting shall also decide on the disposal of any funds and equipment which may be in the committee's name, or how to meet any outstanding debts.
 
Amendments to Constitution
This constitution may be amended only at an Annual General Meeting by a motion supported by no fewer than 2/3 of those present and entitled to vote.

The Executive Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of these rules and the decision of the Committee upon any question of interpretation or upon any matter affecting the Association and not provided for in these rules shall be binding on the members subject to appeal to a General Meeting and shall not under any circumstances be subject to appeal to any court of law.