Non-Executive Director Information Pack

Transcription

1 Non-Executive Director Information Pack

2 Dear Applicant Homes in Sedgemoor Non-Executive Director Thank you for your interest in this position. Homes in Sedgemoor is an Arms Length Management Organisation responsible for the management of 4200 homes in Somerset. Our Vision is that We will deliver great services that make a difference. We are looking for a tenant to join the Board of Homes in Sedgemoor. If you are passionate about social housing and feel you can make a difference to achieving our vision of putting Customers First and delivering excellence through great people, then we would like to hear from you. The position is voluntary, but we do pay expenses. In addition, we will provide excellent opportunities for learning and development and for you to play a real role in our future. The pack provides you with the information you will need to complete your application. To apply please can you: Complete the Application Form; providing specific information in relation to your experience of working at Board level in a housing organisation Complete the Equal Opportunities & Diversity Interview dates will be on 19 th January Please indicate if you cannot attend on this day. Please note that applications can only be considered if all the documentation is completed. The information requested in the Equal Opportunities & Diversity form is purely for equal opportunities monitoring purposes in line with our commitment to equality and diversity, and will not affect the outcome of your application. November

3 Once complete, please send your application by to or post to us at: Lucy Chappell Community Development and Engagement Manager Homes in Sedgemoor Bridgwater House King Square Bridgwater Somerset TA6 3AR If you would like to discuss this informally please contact Lucy Chappell on The closing date for completed applications is 6 th January 2017 and I look forward to receiving your application. Yours sincerely Kerry Rickards Chief Executive November

4 Introduction This pack provides brief information on Homes in Sedgemoor, the way it operates, the responsibilities of Non-Executive Directors, and the support available to them. 1. Homes in Sedgemoor Homes in Sedgemoor is an Arms Length Housing Management Organisation set up in April 2007 to manage and maintain council housing in Sedgemoor. The Company is owned by the local authority and operates under the terms of a 30 year Management Agreement. The primary purpose for creating Homes in Sedgemoor was to enable access an additional investment to achieve the Decent Homes standard. In early 2011 we were given access to 26 million of Decent Homes funding from the Communities & Local Government Agency to part fund the works required. These works have now been completed, and we moving forward into the next phase of our development as a provider of excellent services to our customers. We have developed a new Delivery Plan for the next four years, and are launching a new governance framework, with a new Board. 2. What is the role of the Board? The Board of Homes in Sedgemoor will be composed of a balance between Tenant Members, Council Members, Senior Managers and Independent Members. The role of the Board is to make strategic decisions, major policy decisions, set the budget for the organisation and hold the Chief Executive to account. Membership of the Board will consist of: Three elected members of the Sedgemoor District Council, including the Portfolio holder for Housing Three tenant members, recruited by tenants Two Senior Managers of Homes in Sedgemoor, the CEO and the Managing Director One independent member. November

5 The Board has the high level responsibility for the organisation. It sets in consultation with the Senior Management Team: The vision (where it wants it to be and what it wants it to do) The strategies (what it wants to achieve in more detail for each service) The policies (the framework for the big decisions that have to be made around managing and maintaining the homes, employing staff etc). The Board does not run the organisation on a day-to-day basis. It employs a Senior Management Team to do that. The Senior Management Team manages, under a scheme of delegation from the Board, all of the staff and makes the day-to-day decisions on running the organisation. The Board therefore has an important job to do and the individual Board members have important roles and responsibilities. The Board s role can be summarised as to: Ensure that Homes in Sedgemoor functions in line with its rules and the law Uphold a position of trust, and to show skill and care so that the public can be confident the organisation is well run. Agree the overall direction and development of the organisation. Make sure that it has the right information to make the strategic decisions. Make sure that the needs of present and future tenants are taken into account when they make decisions Make sure that the Senior Management Team run the organisation properly Develop and promote the highest standards of governance. 3. What would I be taking on? As a Non-Executive Director you will be getting to grips with issues facing the organisation and how it responds to these. The Board will be a team and will have a close working relationship that means issues will normally be decided on a consensus basis. Working well with others is a key Board skill that can make the role fulfilling as well as productive. November

6 On a more personal level, you will be expected to contribute from your particular skills and experience to help the Board come to the most appropriate decision. This will involve a substantial time commitment to attend Board meetings as well as to read the papers that are prepared for them. There will also be other meetings and training. The duties and responsibilities of the position are set out in more detail in Annex A. A role description and person specification is attached at Annex B. 4. How many meetings will I attend? The Board meets approximately every 2 months and meetings are held at our offices in Bridgwater. It is anticipated that meetings will take place in the afternoon, although this will be subject to agreement with Board members. The agenda and reports for meetings are issued a week in advance by post and . In addition to the Board there is an Audit Committee As a Board Member, you will be expected to attend Board meetings and you may be asked to sit on the Audit Committee. You will also be expected to attend a range of training sessions and Board Away Days, particularly in the first 18 months. We anticipate training being a full day, bi-monthly initially. 5. How does the Board operate? Homes in Sedgemoor has Articles of Association setting out its purposes and how it operates as a company. The Board will have in place detailed governance arrangements. These arrangements will include the need for Board members to avoid conflicts of interest and for the registration and declaration of interests. These arrangements enable Board members to participate fully in decisions on matters that apply to all tenants or leaseholders or large groups of people, but preclude them from decisions relating to themselves or other individuals. November

7 6. Will I be paid? No. However, legitimate expenses incurred in undertaking official duties are reimbursed, such as the cost of travel to and from meetings and child care arrangements. 7. Will I be personally liable? Non-Executive Directors of Homes in Sedgemoor have responsibilities. They are supported in carrying out these responsibilities by the Chief Executive, and other officers of Homes in Sedgemoor. Insurance cover is in place to protect Board members against personal liability for matters arising from their role as Board members. 8. How do I find out more? You can contact: Lucy Chappell Community Development and Engagement manager Telephone lucy.chappell@homesinsedgemoor.org 9. How do I apply to become an Tenant Board member? To apply please: Complete and return by 10am on 6 th January 2017 o o the Application Form; the Equal Opportunities & Diversity form; Indicate if you cannot attend an interview on 19 th January 2017 A Recruitment Panel comprising the Chair of the Board, two Tenants and a member of Homes in Sedgemoor Staff will interview and select the appropriate candidate having regard to an agreed selection criteria. 15. How long will I serve on the Board? Board members operate for a 3 year term, with a maximum of 9 years in total. Board members can resign during their term of office. This November

8 would result in appointment of a replacement member for the remainder of the period. 16. Can Board members be disqualified? Yes, you can be disqualified if you: a) Become bankrupt or make any arrangement or composition with your creditors. b) Become prohibited by law from being a Director of a company. c) Become incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing and administering your property and affairs. d) Are the subject of a custodial sentence imposed by a court in the United Kingdom in respect of any criminal act or omission unless the Board determines otherwise. e) Are convicted of any criminal act or omission unless the Board determines otherwise. f) Resign from office by giving written notice to Homes in Sedgemoor g) Are removed by a resolution of the members. h) Enter into any activity or conduct, which might bring Homes in Sedgemoor into disrepute. i) Become a tenant of Sedgemoor District Council or a Sedgemoor District Councillor. j) Are removed by Sedgemoor District Council. 17. Annex Annex A Application Form Annex B Board Member Role Description and Person Specification Annex C - Delivery Plan Annex D Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form November