• Your group will need to have a constitution. A constitution is a set of rules by which a formalised group conducts business. The constitution gives the group a legal status, for instance, when opening a bank account access funding from other organisations. Exeter City Council can provide you with a model example and detailed guidance on how to write an effective constitution.

• You should also have a diversity and inclusion policy or statement, this is especially important if you want to apply for external funding. Exeter City Council can also provide you with a sample diversity and inclusion statement.

• Your group will need to have an elected committee which should include a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. The officers of the committee should be from different households and not related to each other, and should be representative of the diversity of the community where possible.

• Meetings will need to have an agenda and minutes will need to be taken at each meeting.

• Your group will need to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) each year.

• If you think your group will need funding, your group will need to have a bank account and your Treasurer will need to keep open up to date accounts which are independently checked each year before the AGM.