Governance

Orton Manor Court changed its governance in 2023 and became managed by the incorporation of the Manor of Orton Community Interest Company (known as Manor of Orton CIC).

Manor of Orton CIC was incorporated on the 10th of February 2023 and has three directors, the Steward, the Treasurer and the Secretary. There is also a Committee of between six and eight people who help manage the company. Full details can be found in the Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE COURT BARON OF THE MANOR OF ORTON (or OVERTON) in the former County of Westmorland, now in the County of Cumbria

  1. The objects of the Manor Court of Orton in the former County of Westmorland, now in the County of Cumbria, are to hold (so far as may be) certain lands or hereditaments in the Parish of Orton in the former County of Westmorland and to manage and administer the same for the benefit of the said Parish and to use the net income rents and profits thereof and therefrom for charitable purposes within the said Parish for the benefit of the said Parish and inhabitants thereof including the maintenance and improvements of properties buildings or ways in the said Parish used or available for charitable public or religious purposes therein
  2. Membership of the Manor Court comprises and shall comprise all the freeholders of the said Parish. Those whose names are on the Westmorland and Furness District Register of Electors shall be entitled to vote, and a Committee of the said freeholders is and shall be elected triennially by them at every third Annual Meeting starting in 2023. The Committee shall elect a Steward and a Secretary and a Treasurer for the said period but the same person may not fill more than one of these offices. The Committee shall comprise the Officers and a minimum of six and a maximum of eight other members
  3. The Manor Court’s Financial Year shall end on 28th February. Within six months of that date each year the members shall be summoned to an Annual General Meeting. Notice of such meeting shall be given by at least two notices exhibited in the Parish for fourteen days before the date of such meeting
  4. At the Annual General Meeting the Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting shall be presented. A report of the Committee’s work since the last Annual General Meeting shall be given. The Treasurer’s report and Accountant’s Statement shall be presented. Elections shall be held to fill any vacancies in the Committee
  5. Special General Meetings may be convened by the Steward and Secretary upon a request by the Committee or by four freeholders of the said Parish upon like notice which shall state the business to be considered at the meeting
  6. At every General Meeting every member including the Steward shall have one vote and in case of equality of votes the Steward shall have a second or casting vote. Seven persons present either in person or by proxy shall form a quorum,
  7. At every third year’s Annual General Meeting the Committee shall resign and a new Committee shall be elected. Any retiring member or officer shall be eligible for re-election

8. The Committee shall meet as required but not less than three times in each year and the voting provisions mentioned above shall apply. Half the membership of the Committee present in person shall form a quorum. Every Committee member shall attend at least TWO Committee meetings in each year between Annual Meetings. Anyone who fails to do so will forfeit his/her place on the Committee and at the next Annual Meeting there will be an election to fill the vacancy.

9. All income and sums received shall be handed over to the Treasurer who shall pay the same into the bank account in the name of Manor of Orton CIC and cheques on such account shall be signed by any two of the three nominated officers

10. The Committee shall have power to authorise the investment of any monies not required for immediate purposes in any Bank or Savings Account in which Trust money may by law be invested with power from time to time to transfer such investments

11. The actual management and all powers in connection with the said lands and hereditaments of the Manor Court shall be in the hands of the Manor of Orton CIC, the directors and the Committee who shall act in accordance with directions given to them by the said freeholders passed by a simple majority of the freeholders present at a duly convened meeting

12. This Constitution other than Clause I and this clause may be altered repealed or added to by a resolution passed by a three foufths majority of the said freeholders who are present in person or by proxy at a Special General Meeting convened for that purpose and of which notice has been given in the manner specified in paragraph three hereof (or as such paragraph may be altered as aforesaid)

13. In the event of the dissolution or winding up of the Manor Court any remaining assets after all liabilities have been discharged shall not be paid or transferred to any member or members of the Manor Court but shall be transferred to an organisation whose objects are similar to those of the Manor Court and whose rules preclude the distribution of income and assets amongst its members