Introduction
British Powerlifting’s governance framework currently makes it difficult to act quickly or engage members effectively between AGMs.
While EGMs provide a mechanism for expedited decisions, they are rarely used in practice — their procedural complexity and “emergency-only” perception mean they’re called infrequently, and often only when issues have already become urgent. The result is that important governance matters can sit unresolved for months, slowing progress and discouraging more regular member consultation.
This motion introduces the Single-Issue Members Ballot (FastVote) — a simpler, faster mechanism that enables the Board to put one clearly defined question to members electronically and transparently — whether a special resolution to amend the Articles or an ordinary resolution on a specifically reserved bylaw matter — without the administrative overhead of a conventional EGM. FastVote makes it easier for the Board to seek member approval throughout the year, encouraging more frequent member engagement while maintaining the same standards of transparency, fairness, and compliance required by Sport England’s governance code and the Companies Act 2006.
The goal is not to reduce member power, but to make it easier for members to exercise it. By lowering procedural barriers, FastVote helps British Powerlifting become more agile and responsive, allowing decisions to be made when they matter rather than waiting for the next formal meeting.
Safeguards and principles ensure the process remains legitimate and fair:
- Speed with legitimacy: single-issue focus, electronic ballots, independent oversight.
- Member protection: full visibility of rationale, right to counter-statement, 75% threshold for constitutional changes.
- Anti-abuse controls: limited frequency, carve-outs for live debate, and a supermajority Board trigger.
FastVote shortens decision-making by reducing a typical three-to-four-week EGM process to just over two weeks, while eliminating the need for venue arrangements, in-person logistics, and multi-issue agendas: FastVote can allow members to begin voting after approximately six calendar days from notice, with a final decision possible after the statutory minimum notice period — typically around fifteen calendar days from notice, or around eighteen days in practical implementation.
The FastVote then becomes an option available alongside the existing AGM/EGM processes as an additional governance tool. It builds on the approach British Powerlifting has already used in practice — online pre-meeting voting was successfully deployed for both the 2025 EGM and the adjourned AGM under Article 110. FastVote codifies, clarifies and safeguards that existing electronic voting approach within a dedicated constitutional framework, rather than introducing an untested concept.
Where appropriate, it keeps the process transparent, compliant, and administratively light — reducing friction for both the Board and members. If member feedback identifies a valid improvement, the Board may withdraw and reissue a proposal (resetting the timeline) without treating it as a failed vote. This flexibility supports a more collaborative, adaptive form of governance — one that enables progress while preserving democratic integrity.
Additionally, although FastVote is, in legal terms, a form of extraordinary general meeting, the name is a deliberate rebranding of the same underlying mechanism in more accessible and action-oriented language. That choice is informed by behavioural factors: how a process is framed affects how burdensome, exceptional or approachable it feels in practice. “Extraordinary general meeting” can sound formal, weighty and arduous, which may discourage timely use even where member consultation would be appropriate. Especially for use on topics that don't feel urgent, or that they don't feel they deserve a major governance intervention.
“FastVote”, by contrast, feels clearer, less intimidating, and more approachable, reducing psychological friction and helping to normalise proportionate member decision-making between AGMs. In that sense, the branding is not cosmetic; it is part of the governance design, intended to make a legitimate existing mechanism more likely to be used constructively.
Motion text
THAT, pursuant to sections 21 and 283 of the Companies Act 2006, the Articles of Association of the Company be amended with effect from [insert date] as set out in Schedule A (FastVote Amendments); AND THAT the directors are authorised to make any immaterial, purely consequential renumbering, formatting and cross-reference updates required to implement those amendments.
Schedule A — Amendments to the Articles of Association (FastVote Amendments)
Note: Article numbers in square brackets are placeholders and should be aligned with the current constitution.
- Insert new Article [X]: Single-Issue Members Ballot (“FastVote”)
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Purpose. The Company may seek member approval by means of a Single-Issue Members Ballot (FastVote), conducted electronically in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. A FastVote may be used to amend these Articles (by special resolution), or to direct the Board to adopt, amend or revoke Bylaws on matters reserved to the members by these Articles (by ordinary resolution).
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Nature. A FastVote is an extraordinary general meeting of the Company, conducted electronically in accordance with the provisions of these Articles permitting online and hybrid meetings. It is convened for the sole purpose of resolving a single, clearly defined question by poll. Depending on the subject matter, a FastVote may put either a special resolution or an ordinary resolution to members.
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Initiation. A FastVote may be initiated by a resolution of the Board passed by not less than two-thirds of Directors then in office.
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Scope and exclusions. A FastVote must address one proposal only. It must not be used for the appointment, election, re-election or removal of a Director or Auditor, unless these Articles expressly provide for a separate electronic election procedure for that purpose. A FastVote must also not be used for any matter that the Board determines requires extended debate at a conventional general meeting. The resolution may include consequential or ancillary amendments directly necessary to give effect to the single issue being put to members.
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Pre-ballot consultation. At the same time as giving notice of the FastVote, the Board shall publish an Explanatory Memorandum outlining the rationale and invite member questions. Members holding at least 5 % of total voting rights may submit a counter-statement (maximum 1,500 words) within 5 clear days of notice being given, for distribution to all eligible members before the advance poll opens or, if no advance poll is held, before the date of the meeting.
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Advance voting and poll. The Board may open an advance poll via the electronic voting platform at any time after 5 clear days from the date of notice, allowing members to cast their votes before the FastVote meeting. The poll shall clearly identify the resolution as a special or ordinary resolution. All valid advance votes shall be treated as votes cast on the poll for the FastVote meeting. A resolution not passed on the poll shall be deemed defeated.
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Notice. Notice of a FastVote shall be given electronically to all eligible members at least 14 clear days before the date of the FastVote meeting, specifying the date and time of the meeting, the electronic platform and access instructions (including any authentication requirements), the nature of the business, the full text of the resolution to be proposed, whether votes may be cast in advance of the meeting, at the meeting, or both, whether advance votes may be amended or withdrawn before the close of the poll, and the applicable method and deadline for voting. Notwithstanding Article 93, a FastVote may be called on not less than 14 clear days’ notice, subject always to the Companies Act 2006.
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Proxy voting. Members entitled to attend and vote at a FastVote may appoint a proxy in accordance with the proxy voting provisions of these Articles. Proxy appointments must be submitted electronically at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting.
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Resolution type and threshold.
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A FastVote may propose either a Special Resolution or an Ordinary Resolution. The applicable voting threshold and quorum requirements shall be as defined in the Articles of Association.
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In the case of an Ordinary Resolution, the outcome shall take effect as a resolution of the members directing the Board to adopt, amend or revoke the corresponding Bylaw(s) on the matter specified in the resolution. The matters reserved to the members for the purposes of this Article are those identified in Article [Y] [or Schedule [Z]] of these Articles.
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Amendments to text. Once notice of a FastVote has been given, no amendments may be made to the resolution. Should the Board wish to revise the proposal, it must withdraw the FastVote and give notice of a new one.
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Scrutiny and verification. The Board shall appoint an independent scrutineer to verify and certify the poll and associated voting process.
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Frequency and safeguards.
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No more than three (3) FastVotes may be initiated within any rolling 6-month period, unless required by law or regulator.
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A FastVote that is withdrawn and re-issued as a revised proposal under the Amendments to text provision shall be treated as a continuation of the original FastVote and shall not count as a separate initiation for the purposes of this limit, provided that a FastVote may not be withdrawn and re-issued more than three times; a fourth withdrawal shall be treated as a defeated resolution for the purposes of the six-month re-introduction rule.
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A substantively similar proposal may not be re-introduced for six months following a defeated resolution. A withdrawn FastVote shall not be treated as a defeated resolution.
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Conduct of the meeting. The FastVote meeting shall be conducted electronically. The chair (appointed by the Board) shall confirm that a quorum is present, invite any questions or comments from members attending the meeting (subject to such reasonable procedural rules and time limits as the chair may impose for the orderly conduct of the meeting), open or close the poll as applicable, and announce the result of the poll as certified by the independent scrutineer. The scrutineer’s certification of the poll result shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
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Technology failure. If the electronic platform fails or is materially disrupted during the meeting or the advance poll period, the chair may adjourn the meeting and reconvene it on such terms as are reasonably necessary to preserve the integrity of the poll. The Company shall notify members electronically as soon as reasonably practicable of the adjournment, the reason for it, and the arrangements for the reconvened meeting. Any advance votes validly cast before the disruption shall remain valid unless the chair, acting reasonably and having consulted the independent scrutineer, determines that the integrity of the poll has been materially affected.
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Member Discussion Forum. The Board may, and where it opens an advance electronic poll before the FastVote meeting or where the proposal is materially significant should, hold a non-binding Member Discussion Forum before the close of the poll or, where no advance poll is held, before the FastVote meeting. The purpose of the forum shall be to allow members to hear the Board’s rationale, ask questions, raise concerns, and consider any counter-statement or material clarification before the vote is concluded. No resolution shall be proposed or passed at the Member Discussion Forum. The formal decision shall be made only by poll for the FastVote meeting, with votes cast either in advance of the meeting through the approved electronic voting platform, at the meeting itself, or both, as specified in the notice. Any valid advance votes shall be treated as votes cast on the poll for the FastVote meeting.
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Amending advance votes. Where the notice of FastVote states that advance votes may be amended or withdrawn, a member who has cast an advance vote may amend or withdraw that vote at any time before the close of the poll, using the method specified in the notice. Only the final valid vote received from that member before the close of the poll shall be counted. Where the notice does not state that advance votes may be amended or withdrawn, an advance vote validly cast shall be final, subject only to any correction required by the chair in consultation with the independent scrutineer to preserve the integrity of the poll. Where advance voting is used, the notice shall also state whether advance votes may be amended or withdrawn before the close of the poll.
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Material clarifications and corrections. Where the Board issues a material clarification, correction or supplementary explanation after notice has been given, it shall communicate that information to all eligible members as soon as reasonably practicable. Where necessary to preserve fairness or the integrity of the poll, the Board may extend the advance poll period, adjourn the FastVote meeting, or withdraw and reissue the FastVote.
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Declaration of results. The result of the poll, as certified by the independent scrutineer, shall be declared by the chair at the meeting and shall take effect from that time. A summary of the result shall be published on the Company’s website and communicated to members electronically within a reasonable time.
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Record-keeping and filing. The Company shall record outcomes, publish a concise summary to members, and file any passed special resolution and amended Articles with Companies House within 15 days of the resolution being passed.
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Board and member powers. Except where the Companies Act 2006 or these Articles reserve a matter to the members, the management of the Company remains vested in the Board. FastVotes are a Board-initiated mechanism for seeking member approval on single, clearly-defined questions within the limits of the Companies Act 2006 and these Articles.
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Member rights unaffected. Nothing in this Article limits or excludes any statutory or constitutional right of members to require the Board to call a general meeting, propose or require the circulation of a resolution, appoint a proxy, receive notices, attend and vote at general meetings, or exercise any other right under the Companies Act 2006 or these Articles.
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Transparency, access, audit. The Explanatory Memorandum and the scrutineer’s certified result will be published on the Company’s website. The Company will provide reasonable adjustments and at least two electronic reminders during the notice period and, whwhereere advance voting is open, during the advance voting period, and will maintain a complete audit trail of the ballot.
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Impact Statement. Where a FastVote proposal may have a material effect on members, participants, or stakeholders, the motion or an accompanying Explanatory Memorandum should include a brief Impact Statement outlining any relevant welfare, safety, or equality considerations, and how these have been taken into account.
- Amend Article [Communications / Notices]
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Introduce definitions for “Electronic Communication”, “Advance Poll Period”, and “Eligible Member”.
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Provide for electronic service of documents and ballots, including via a secure online platform.
- Amend Article [General Meetings]
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Clarify that a FastVote is a form of extraordinary general meeting and that the Board retains the ability to call a conventional general meeting for matters requiring extended debate or that are unsuited to the FastVote format.
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Confirm the Board’s authority to hold hybrid or electronic meetings when discussion is warranted.
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Expressly permit advance voting on a poll at any general meeting (including a FastVote) via the Company’s electronic voting platform, such that votes cast in advance are treated as votes cast on the poll at the meeting.
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Clarify that where advance voting is used under Article 110, the resolution shall be determined by poll and not by show of hands.
- Transitional and implementation provisions
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Authorise the Board to adopt a By-law: FastVote Playbook defining templates (Explanatory Memorandum, counter-statement format), scrutineer criteria, platform standards, and communication timelines.
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Confirm that these amendments take effect from [insert date].
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For the avoidance of doubt, the FastVote procedure is available only after these amendments have been adopted. This motion itself must be passed in accordance with the Company's existing Articles and the Companies Act 2006.
Clerical amendments consent
Clerical and Non-Substantive Amendments
By proposing or voting in favour of this motion, members consent to British Powerlifting making clerical and non-substantive amendments to the wording where necessary to:
- correct typographical errors, punctuation, grammar, and formatting;
- reformat or restructure the layout for consistent presentation across all motions, including separating rationale from proposed text where they have been combined;
- fix cross-references, numbering, and citations;
- align drafting with the clear intent of the motion where wording is inconsistent or ambiguous;
- add brief editorial annotations, clearly distinguished from the motion text, to aid voter understanding (e.g., clarifying which article or rule is being referenced);
- redact personal or sensitive information inadvertently included by the proposer (such as email addresses, phone numbers, or names of individuals not party to the motion);
- remove or amend content that is defamatory or in breach of British Powerlifting's codes of conduct;
- amend content that conflicts with Sport England governance best practices or International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) rules, making the minimum change necessary to bring the motion into compliance while preserving its intent; and
- make small, proportionate adjustments to address unintended consequences that were not intended by the rationale for the motion.
Any such amendments will be limited to changes that do not alter the substance or effect of the motion as proposed, and British Powerlifting will record a note of any amendments made alongside the published motion.
Intended outcome
The FastVote process is designed to make good governance feel less like paperwork and more like participation. It’s about turning member engagement from an obligation into an opportunity—a faster, lighter way to make important decisions without losing the fairness or ceremony that gives them weight.
1. Speed without haste
FastVote allows British Powerlifting to act when it matters, not when the calendar allows. Decisions that once waited months for an EGM can now move at the speed of modern communication—while still giving members full control over the outcome. It’s efficiency with legitimacy built in.
2. Democracy without drudgery
Members keep every right they currently hold, but the process becomes as intuitive as voting in a poll rather than assembling a parliament. The 75% approval threshold, visible Board rationale, independent scrutiny, and the option for concise counter-statements ensure that trust and transparency rise—not fall—as things move faster.
3. Simpler, lighter, smarter
By making the process entirely digital, with fixed timelines and one clear issue at a time, FastVote removes unnecessary admin and frees up time for what actually matters: governing the sport, not its paperwork. EGMs remain available for deeper debates or multi-issue discussions, but now they’re reserved for when they’re really needed.
4. Progress with guardrails
FastVote doesn’t cut corners—it builds guardrails. Single-issue discipline, strict frequency limits, supermajority triggers, and carve-outs for sensitive matters keep the process nimble but safe. It’s the governance equivalent of good form: fast, efficient, and precise, but never reckless.
Statement from the Board
The British Powerlifting Board may provide a statement sharing their position or view on this motion.The board welcomes members views on this proposal