1, Name
The Parent Council shall be known as The Gairloch Primary School Parent Council (often simply referred to as The Parent Council).
2, Aims
To promote partnership between the school, its pupils and all its parents.
To develop and engage in activities which support the education and welfare of the pupils.
To identify and represent the views of parents on the education provided by the school and other matters affecting the education and welfare of the pupils.
To raise funds, apply for and receive grants, and accept gifts for the benefit of the school.
3, Powers
The Parent Council shall have the power to do anything considered by them to be in furtherance of the aims but remembering that they are there to represent the views of the Parent Forum.
4, Membership
The membership of the Parent Council consists of parents/carers of children attending Gairloch Primary School or Gairloch Nurseries. There will be a minimum of three parents and no upper limit.
Members of the Parent Council shall be appointed at the AGM. They shall be elected for a one year term and be eligible for re-election. Parents shall always form the majority of the Parent Council.
The Office Bearers will be Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and such others as may be required. The office bearers will be appointed by the Parent Council at the AGM.
The Parent Council may co-opt up to 3 people to help carry out its functions at any time. The co-opted members shall retire at the AGM but shall be eligible to be co-opted for a further term. Co-opted members do not have a vote.
5, Annual General Meetings
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held in August or September each year. The notice calling the meeting shall be sent to the Parent Forum at least two weeks in advance. Meetings may take place online and/or in person, but the notice period and AGM procedures remain the same.
The business shall include:-
1. A report on the work of the Parent Council and its committee.
2. Appointment of members to serve on the Parent Council.
3. Discussion of issues that members of the Forum may wish to raise.
4. Approval of the audited accounts.
5. Appointment of an individual who will review the annual accounts.
Meetings of the Parent Council shall be open to the public, unless the Parent Council is discussing an issue which it considers to be confidential. In such discussions, only members of the Parent Council and the Headteacher, or his or her representative, can attend.
The Headteacher or his/her representative has a right and a duty to attend meetings of the Parent Council.
At all general meetings, voting shall be on the basis of one vote per parent/carer present at the meeting. Co-opted members on Parent Councils do not have a vote nor does the headteacher, staff members, councillors or local authority staff attending. The Chair has a casting vote in the event of a tie.
The Secretary or their representative shall be responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all meetings and shall make these available upon request to any member of the Parent Forum.
6. Ordinary Meetings
The Parent Council will meet at least once in every school term. Meetings may take place virtually (e.g. online) and/or in person. Meeting reminders shall be sent 2 weeks prior with a call for agenda items. The agenda shall be made available one week before the meeting.
Meetings of the Parent Council shall be open to the public, unless the Parent Council is discussing an issue which it considers to be confidential. In such discussions, only members of the Parent Council and the Headteacher, or his or her representative, can attend.
At all general meetings, voting shall be on the basis of one vote per parent/carer present at the meeting. Co-opted members on the Parent Council do not have a vote nor does the headteacher, staff members, councillors or local authority staff attending. The Chair has the casting vote in the event of a tie.
The Headteacher or his/her representative has a right and a duty to attend meetings of the Parent Council.
Any 2 members of the Parent Council can request that an additional meeting be held.
The Secretary or their representative shall be responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all meetings and shall make these available upon request to any member of the Parent Forum.
7. Extraordinary General Meeting
The Parent Council or 10% of the Parent Forum shall have power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting. The Council shall give all members of the Forum at least two weeks notice of the meeting and, at the same time, circulate notice of the matter, or matters, to be discussed at the meeting.
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all meetings and shall make these available upon request to any member of the Parent Forum.
8. Finance
The funds of the Parent Council shall be lodged in a bank, building society or other account in the name of the Parent Council. Cheques shall be drawn, or withdrawals made against the signatures of at least two named Parent Council members. For electronic banking, make sure transactions are carefully recorded and shared at meetings. Invoices and expenses repayments should be signed off by two people.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping accurate records of the financial transactions of the Parent Council. The books shall be brought to balance six weeks before the AGM and the accounts shall be reviewed by an individual appointed at the previous AGM by the Parent Forum. The Treasurer or their representative should report on finances at every meeting.
The Parent Council shall be responsible for ensuring that all property/money received by/for the Parent Forum/Council shall be applied for the aims of the Parent Council.
9. Changes to the Constitution
The parent council may change its constitution after obtaining consent from 66% of
respondent members of the Parent Forum. Members of the Parent Forum will be sent a copy of any proposed amendment and given reasonable time to respond to the proposal.
10. Dissolution
In the event that the Parent Council ceases to exist, any remaining funds pass to the Gairloch Primary School fund.
Last updated and approved during the 9th September 2025 AGM.