About Us

The River Severn Custodians

The River Severn Custodians (RSC) is a small charity (registered with HMRC) dedicated to the care, understanding and enjoyment of the River Severn in Newtown, Powys. There are currently about 30 members.

Officers of the RSC
Chairman - Peter Harris
Secretary - Mike Davies
Treasurer - Originally Kath Wigley, currently Rex Shayler

The RSC Constitution

The original constitution of 2012 was replaced in 2018 by the one below.

1 NAME

The charity’s name is River Severn Custodians.

2 THE PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY ARE:-

To monitor and improve the environment of the River Severn and its tributaries, riverbanks and adjoining land, through Newtown Powys between the Mochdre Brook and the Penarth Weir (the area of benefit). Also to encourage responsible care for, and enjoyment of, this important natural resource.

3 TRUSTEES

The charity shall be managed by a committee of trustees who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the charity.

4 CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES

In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the trustees have the power to:

raise funds, receive grants and donations
apply funds to carry out the work of the charity
co-operate with and support other charities with similar purposes
do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes

5 MEMBERSHIP

The charity shall have a membership. People who support the work of the charity and are aged 18 or over, can apply to the trustees to become a member. Once accepted by the trustees, membership lasts for 3 years and may be renewed. The trustees will keep an up-to-date membership list.

The trustees may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the charity. The member has the right to be heard by the trustees before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.

6 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - AGM

The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes must be kept of the AGM.
There must be at least 6 members present at the AGM.
Every member has one vote.
The trustees shall present the annual report and accounts.
Any member may stand for election as a trustee.
Members shall elect between 3 and 10 trustees to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.

7 TRUSTEE MEETINGS

Trustees must hold at least 3 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the AGM they will elect a chair, treasurer and secretary. Trustees may act by majority decision.
At least 3 trustees must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.
If trustees have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided.
During the year, the trustees may appoint up to 2 additional trustees. They will stand down at the next AGM.
The trustees may make reasonable additional rules to help run the charity. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.

8 MONEY AND PROPERTY

Money and property must only be used for the charity’s purposes.
Trustees must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request.
Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.

Money must be held in the charity’s bank account. All cheques must be signed by 2 trustees.

9 GENERAL MEETINGS

If the Trustees consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the charity, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. Trustees must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of members. All members must be given 14 days notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.

Winding up - any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes to this one.
Changes to the Constitution - can be made at AGMs or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity.
General Meeting - called on written request from a majority of members.
Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership.

10 SETTING UP THE CHARITY

This constitution was adopted on 8 March, 2018 by the people whose signatures appear below. They are the first members of the charity and will be the trustees until the AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.

Chair
Peter Harris

Secretary
Michael Davies

Treasurer
Charles Rex Shayler

Trustees
Judy Deakin
Kath Wigley
John Wigley
Paula Scott
Chris Kinsey
Liz Hinkley

Financial support for the River Severn Custodians

The RSC is a duly constituted group of volunteers which has received generous financial support from the following bodies:

Keep Wales Tidy
Newtown Town Council
Severn Rivers Trust
Countryside Council for Wales
The Elephant and Castle Hotel, Newtown
Neo Fabrication, Tregynon
PAVO

We have also received donations from organisations that we have given presentations to, collections at Food Festivals and personal donations.

This funding has allowed us to purchase equipment and supplies needed to carry out survey work, invasive species control, and monitoring the health of the river.