Constitution & policies
The Friends of St Ives Estate is a voluntary body formed from interested members of the public. It is non-political and affiliated to the Trust for Conservation Volunteers. This page sets out our constitution (revised 2014) and data-protection policy.
Aims & objectives
The purposes for which the group works.
- To develop projects and events, in partnership with or with the knowledge of the landowners, and to apply for grants and funding to carry them out.
- To liaise with other users of the estate and help represent their interests.
- To work to conserve and enhance the ecological, historic and landscape values of the estate and its environs.
- To notify the landowners of hazards or problems and assist in their resolution, and to liaise in the care and maintenance of the estate.
- To preserve, interpret and publicise the cultural, historical and ecological value of the estate.
- To encourage all organisations with an interest in the estate to be represented within the group, and to operate any facilities and services for which the group is responsible.
The estate & membership
'St Ives Estate' means all areas and buildings (other than those in private ownership) within the boundaries of Altar Lane, Harden Road and Keighley Road. The estate is owned by the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council; the group holds no ownership rights except as lessees of the Visitor Centre and History Garden.
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in preserving and enhancing the estate for environmental, ecological, historical, educational and recreational purposes, or with a general interest in furthering the group's objectives.
The committee
A committee is formed and maintained from the membership, comprising officers — Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Projects Officer, Fund-Raising Officer, Membership Officer, Press & Public Relations Officer and Website Consultant — together with representatives of the Golf Club, Archery Club, Angling Club, the Café, the tenants of the Mansion, the Stables & Equestrian Centre, the landowners (Bradford Council), the Community Warden Service and the Police, plus as many ordinary committee members as needed.
Members serve for one year between Annual General Meetings and are asked each year to confirm whether they wish to continue. Officers are specifically re-elected every third year (from the 2014 AGM). Appointments and decisions are made by simple majority, the Chairperson holding a casting vote.
Meetings, finances & dissolution
The committee sets the number of ordinary meetings each year; special meetings may be called by the Chairperson for urgent matters. Full minutes are kept by the Secretary. An Annual General Meeting is held each spring (April–June), with at least 21 days' notice, covering officers' reports, accounts, elections and any changes to the constitution.
A bank account is maintained in the name of 'The Friends of St Ives Estate', with any two authorised signatories approving payments. Full accounting records are kept and checked or audited each year, and funds are used only in furthering the group's aims.
If dissolution becomes necessary, a special meeting is called with 21 days' notice; after settling debts, remaining assets are transferred to another group with similar aims. — Constitution, Revision 2014
Data protection policy
Adopted 25th March 2025 · reviewed every two years
The Friends of St Ives keeps personal data about its committee, members, volunteers and supporters in order to carry out group activities. We collect, store, use, amend, share, destroy or delete personal data only in ways that protect people's privacy and comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant legislation.
We collect only the minimum data we need, for clear purposes — where an individual has given explicit consent, where it is in our legitimate interests, to fulfil a contract, to comply with a legal obligation, to protect someone's life, or to perform public tasks. We keep data accurate and up to date, store it securely, and keep clear records of why it is held.
We will provide individuals with details of the data we hold about them on request, and delete it on request unless we must keep it for legal reasons. We do not share personal data with third parties without explicit consent unless legally required. Overall responsibility lies with the management committee; all volunteers are responsible for observing the policy.