Co-operatives Act 2009

A special postal ballot is a postal ballot that is conducted as required by this section.

The ballot cannot be held less than 21 days after notice of the ballot is given to members so as to enable sufficient time for a meeting to discuss the proposal that is the subject of the ballot to be convened and held (whether by the board or on the requisition of members).

The co‑operative must send to each member, along with any other material required to be sent in connection with the postal ballot, a disclosure statement approved by the Registrar and containing information about —

the financial position of the co‑operative; and

the interests of the directors of the co‑operative in the proposal with which the ballot is concerned, including any interests of the directors in another organisation concerned in the proposal; and

any compensation or consideration to be paid to officers or members of the co‑operative in connection with the proposal; and

any other matters as the Registrar directs.

If required by the Registrar, the disclosure statement is to be accompanied by a report, made by an independent person approved by the Registrar, about any matters that the Registrar directs.

Sections 16 (except subsection (3)) and 29 apply to the approval of a disclosure statement under this section with any necessary changes and in particular as if any reference in section 16 to a formation meeting were a reference to the notice of the special postal ballot.