About Us

Established in 1962 to maintain the character of the village

Location: Knowle, Solihull, England
Over 3000 members
A member of Civic Voice

Overview

What is The Knowle Society?

A charity formed in 1962 to maintain the character of the Village. Registered Number 1111085
On 1st October 2005 the Society became a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, Company Number: 05514023.
Registered Address: West & Co., Office 2, Greswolde House, 197b Station Road, Knowle, Solihull B93 0PU

The Objects of The Knowle Society

To promote high standards of planning and architecture in Knowle
To inform the public about the geography, history, natural history and architecture of Knowle
To secure the preservation protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in Knowle so that the pressure for development does not destroy our heritage.

Achieving these aims

The Society works constructively with the local authority and the community at large by careful study of development plans and seeking dialogue with all parties concerned.
The Society shows appreciation to planning applicants where it believes that especially good developments have been proposed.
Specialist committees address local issues and interest areas.
The Society arranges speakers on a range of interesting topics of local and national interest and arranges occasional visits and local walks.
The Society publishes a quarterly newsletter and this web site to keep its large membership informed and involved in its activities.

Beginnings

How did it start?

Whilst the records are incomplete, from the information available it appears that in early 1962, Mr Sydney Bryson called a meeting of interested parties in the Village Hall on the 26th March 1962 to discuss the formation of a society for the purpose of "maintaining a watching brief on local developments, preservation of the character of the village and generally promoting a greater interest in the activities of such local affairs as education, health facilities, historical records and so on".
A steering group was elected and this led to a public meeting to form 'The Knowle Society' on the 27th June 1962. A constitution was agreed and the first meeting of the newly elected committee was held on the 8th October 1962.
By June 1962 The Knowle Society had been formed, under the presidency of the Squire, Mr Horace Everitt, and the chairmanship of Dr Ronald J Bower.

Communication

Communication with members and the community

Communication to members through the Newsletter and this website and receiving Membership subscriptions are important activities, supported by a large team of bulk distributors and local distributors.
The Trustee Company holds all these groups together and includes the Officers of the Society and the Chairmen of each Committee. It is the policy making body of the Society and its members are known as Trustee Directors.
There is an Annual General Meeting in February * at which members elect the Officers and Directors and vote on policy.
Notice of the AGM and reports from each committee are published in the October newsletter.
A nomination form is available on this website and may also be published in the newsletter.
A card containing the programme of events for the ensuing year and contact details of the officers and committee chairmen is published in January. Committee membership and representation on outside bodies is also printed in the January newsletter.
The Society's website has a forum for members and others to express their views on various relevant topics.
All general meetings of the Society begin with an opportunity for the audience to raise questions and topics of concern, often in response to brief updates on planning and other Society matters by
the relevant committee chairmen.
A Publicity Officer issues releases for the local press and other media.

* Until 2010 the AGM was held in November. There will be no AGM in 2011, AGMs will be held in February from 2012.

Contacting us

The society welcomes your opinion on relevant affairs and would also be pleased to hear from people able to contribute to the work of the specialist committees or wanting further information. To contact any of the following by email please use the prefix listed below followed by @knowlesociety.org.uk

All names listed below are Trustee Directors (unless marked *). All Trustee Directors are included in this list.

Chairman	Leighton Jones	`chairman`
Deputy Chairman	Bill Bohanna	`deputychairman`
Company Secretary	David Watson	`companysecretary`
Secretary	-	`secretary`
Membership secretary	Peter Johnson	`membership`
Community Liaison	Bill Bohanna	`liaison`
Community Services	John Rowley	`communityservices`
Natural Environment Committee	Ian Simmonds	`environment`
Knowle Green Community Project	Andrew Marston	`kgcp`
Local History Committee (Local History Centre & Archive)	Janet Erzen	`history` or `archive`
Events Committee (Meetings, Social & Walks)	Charles Robinson	`events`
Newsletter Editor	David Bower	`newsletter`
Newsletter Distribution	Anne Smith	`distribution`
Planning Committee	Andrew Marston	`planning`
Publicity	David Pinwell	`publicity`
Treasurer	David Watson	`treasurer`
Village Plan	Andrew Marston	`villageplan`
Web Site Administrator	David Bower	`webadmin`
2012 Jubilee Celebrations	Gary Masters*	`2012`
Without portfolio	Elizabeth Baker	`-`
Without portfolio	Peter Ewin	`-`
Without portfolio	Martin Warr	`-`

Ethos

The Knowle Society:

is strictly apolitical
is accountable only to our members, but we aim to give a public service
is a member of Civic Voice and of the West Midlands Amenity Societies Association, through which we have an independent line to the government
seeks to be effective by adopting a non-combative style within the legal framework, pressing for changes in the law if necessary
makes constructive suggestions, regarding both individual planning applications and wider issues, aiming to discuss proposals with all interested parties from an early stage
has good relations with Solihull M.B.C. and an acknowledged voice. Whilst always expressing an independent opinion, we see our relationship with the Council as a partnership from which both sides can benefit, supporting our local councillors when appropriate
is happy to engage in joint ventures with the Council, such as the local history centre, the nature reserve, the hanging baskets and floral displays in High Street, the water butt
supports village events such as festivals, and has contributed financially to the Village Hall, the church roof, the Christmas lights, etc. We have provided the Christmas tree since 1975
believes Knowle can derive great benefit from the whole village working together, especially the larger organisations
aims for a high membership to maximise influence, and in 2007 represented about 35% of the Knowle electorate(*). We do not release our membership list to anyone
is financially independent. Although pleased to receive the occasional grant, we do not accept either sponsorship or advertising, nor is our literature used by third parties.

(*) Based on members with B93 addresses (slightly wider than Knowle Ward) compared with the size of the Knowle electorate. It is recognised that many people living outside Knowle Ward may visit the village regularly and be concerned for its future well-being.

See also The Knowle Society's Memorandum and Articles.

Financial

Full Annual Reports & Accounts are available here from 2006. On 20th July 2005 the Society became a Company Limited by Guarantee (Number 05514023) and the Accounts of that first year were for a permitted 15 months. At the AGM in November 2010, the date of future AGMs was changed from November to February. The financial year remained unchanged but the Report and Accounts are now published three months later than previously.

Attachment	Size
Knowle Society Report & Accounts 2011.pdf	34.1 KB
Knowle Society Report & Accounts 2010.pdf	36.04 KB
Knowle Society Accounts 2009.pdf	30.76 KB
Knowle Society Accounts 2008.pdf	105.77 KB
Knowle Society Accounts 2007.pdf	33.68 KB
Knowle Society Accounts 2006.pdf	32.77 KB
Knowle Society Accounts 2005.pdf	691.41 KB
Knowle Society Accounts 2004.pdf	636.15 KB

Legal

The Knowle Society became a company limited by guarantee on 1st October 2005.
The company is registered in England and Wales.
Company Registration Number - 05514023

The Knowle Society is also a Registered Charity - 1111085
[Prior to 1st October 2005 the Registered Charity Number was 238524]

The Registered Address of the Company is:
West & Co., Office 2, Greswolde House, 197b Station Road, Knowle, Solihull B93 0PU

The Knowle Society may be contacted by email at: companysecretary@knowlesociety.org.uk for matters relating to the Registered Company or Charitable activity.

For matters relating to the day-to-day business of The Knowle Society please contact secretary@knowlesociety.org.uk [Other more appropriate email addresses may be found on the contacts page or throughout this website for specific activities of the Knowle Society]

The company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles.

Annual General Meeetings

Next Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Monday 20th February 2012 at 8pm in Knowle Village Hall.

Nomination of officers of the Society at the AGM
Members may nominate the officers and Trustee Directors of the Society at the AGM. Nomination Form attached below

AGM Minutes
Minutes of AGM November 2009 Attached below

Report and Accounts
Report & Accounts for AGM November 2010 Attached below

AGM Agendas
Agenda of AGM November 2010 Attached below

Attachment	Size
Nomination form.pdf	45.36 KB
Knowle Society - AGM Minutes 2009.pdf	19.14 KB
KS - AGM Agenda 2010.pdf	8.11 KB
Knowle Society Report & Accounts 2010.pdf	36.04 KB

Company Limited by Guarantee

Introduction to the change to a Company Limited by Guarantee

In 2005 The Knowle Society went through the process of incorporation as a company limited by guarantee.

At the EGM on 6th June 2005 a Resolution (attachment below) was put to the members for approval and duly received that approval.

The Memorandum and Articles set out the legal basis for the new company.

The Memorandum and Articles were ratified unanimously by the membership at a Special General Meeting on Monday 19th September 2005.

Our previous Constitution

Prior to the adoption of the new Memorandum and Articles, the Society had a Constitution. Copy attached below for reference purposes only.

Attachment	Size
Resolution.pdf	4.31 KB
Constitution_2002 .htm	77.26 KB

Complaints Procedure

The Knowle Society operates a procedure for handling any complaints that may be made about the Society or individual officers or members of the Society.

The Society will strive to deal with any complaint regarding its officers, members or activities as expeditiously and fairly as possible.

It is expected that most complaints will be resolved by informal discussions. If this is not successful then the following procedures will be implemented:

The complaint should be made in writing to the Hon Secretary at the Registered Office of the Society (see legal)
An acknowledgment of the letter will be made by the Hon. Secretary within 28 days of the date of such letter.
A written response will be made within 8 weeks of the date of the letter.
If the complainant is still not satisfied, a meeting between the complainant and two of the Officers of the Society will be arranged by mutual agreement, at a place acceptable to both parties. Minutes of the meeting will be taken, and a copy sent to the complainant.
If the problem is still unresolved, the complainant will have the right to address a full meeting of the Trustee Directors of the Society.
If the situation remains unresolved, the complainant will be given the address of the Charity Commission to whom further representation can be made.

May 2007

Data Protection

The Knowle Society upholds good practice in Data Protection. Where you are invited to provide personal details in completing forms on this website or in any of the Society's publications, The Knowle Society will use that data only for the stated purpose for which it is being requested. Records incorporating members' personal data are held for the purpose of efficient management of our membership list and newsletter distribution. Personal information will not be shared with a third party.

Memorandum & Articles

Memorandum and Articles of Association of The Knowle Society
See attachment below

The Memorandum and Articles of Association were approved by the members at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 6th June 2005.
The limited company was incorporated on 20th June 2005 and amended by special resolution on 25th August 2005.
This proposal established The Knowle Society as a company limited by guarantee and was ratified at a Special General Meeting on 19th September 2005.
At the AGM of 24th November 2008, members agreed the first subscription rate for the new membership category of Corporate Member to be set at five times the current rate of Family Membership. This new category will carry a single vote that ranks equally with an ordinary member vote.
At the AGM of 22nd November 2010, members agreed that future AGMs will be held in February and that the next AGM would be in February 2012.

Map showing the area encompassed by Knowle Ward
See attachment below

Attachment	Size
Memorandum and Articles Sep 2005.pdf	108.94 KB
Ward map.pdf	66.75 KB

Website

Information provided on this site must not be relied upon for accuracy or currency, though every effort is made to keep the site up-to-date. The web administrator welcomes any information that will assist The Knowle Society to maintain this site accurately.

Join Us

The strength of the Society's voice is in its membership
By enjoying wide popular support and by constructive attention to planning issues, the Society's voice is well respected – your membership gives authority to that voice.

The Society has over 3000 members who are delivered a quarterly newsletter and an annual programme card.

Membership also entitles attendance and voting at the Society's AGM and attendance all its main meetings and other occasional events (some may also require booking).

Subscriptions: Single £3, Family £5, Corporate £25

Membership renewal is annual in October.

Subscriptions for new members joining from 1st April are valid until 30th September of the following year.

Application for membership
To join The Knowle Society, please download and complete the Membership Form see below and send it with the relevant subscription to the Membership Secretary.

Gift Aid
Many members have helped the Society to reclaim tax on their membership subscriptions; please consider completing a Gift Aid Declaration. Don't worry if you cannot remember if you have already completed a form before, we are happy to handle that situation. If you have previously completed a form in joint names we would be pleased to receive new forms for either or both individuals (provided that both are eligible to do so).

Standing Orders
It is a great help to our newsletter distributors who have to collect subscriptions on the doorstep, if you would kindly consider completing a bank or building society Standing Order Form see below.

If you need help with a membership matter or with any of the above forms please e-mail the Membership Secretary. Return address details are provided on each form.

Distributors
We have a webpage for newsletter distributors to use in their delivery work. This page is updated regularly with current versions of relevant letters and forms. This page requires a simple login procedure which is made available to distributors.

Attachment	Size
Standing Order form 2012 v3.pdf	17.44 KB
Membership Form Apr 2012.pdf	28.71 KB
Knowle Society Gift Aid declaration 24 April 2012.pdf	102.69 KB

Structure

The structure of the Society

The Society is organized into five specialist primary committees:

Planning
Local History including responsibility for the Local History Centre and the Archive
Community Services
Natural Environment
Meetings and Social including Local Walks

Additional committees, some seasonal, are formed as needed:

2012 Jubilee Event
Annual Christmas Tree, Lights & Father Christmas Event
Knowle Green Community Project (Replacement for the bus shelter)
Village Plan

Other major activities:

Community Liaison (Arden Academy, Library)
Membership administration
Newsletter (quarterly) production and distribution
Publicity
Website

Representatives of the Society sit on the following external committees:

Airport Consultative Committee
BIA Environment Monitoring Working Group
Centro Transport User Forum
Knowle Village Hall Association Council
SUSTAiN

The Knowle Society is a member, but totally independent, of:

Civic Voice (successor to the Civic Trust) ( www.civicvoice.org.uk )
West Midlands Amenity Societies Association (WestMASA)

The Society invites local Ward Councillors to attend its Trustee Meetings in a non-voting capacity and values the effective two-way communication that it has enjoyed from these relationships over many years.