Please note: –
- These will be developed and refined by co-production once the Board has meet.
- References to tenants are taken to include leaseholders.
The introduction of a Housing Board is a new model for the Council, and we will need to review and refine its Terms of Reference, learning from experience.
Purpose:
To enable the voice of tenants to be heard and considered in the provision and development of the Council’s Housing Services. The Board will monitor the performance of Housing Service against key performance indicators and be consulted on key issues that affect the Service.
Objectives:
- To play a key role in the co-production and co-design of services and strategic decision-making process.
- To hold the Council to account in relation to functions as a social landlord and the wider remit of the housing service.
- To promote continual development and improvement of all the council’s landlord and other functions.
- To align the Housing Service with the council’s priorities as set out in the Council and Housing Strategy.
- To act as an informal advisory body, providing strategic oversight of the activities of the Wealden Tenants Consumer Panel.
- To monitor compliance with regulatory requirements including Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code as well as oversight of the Tenant Satisfaction Measures and compliance standards for reporting to Overview and Scrutiny Committee on an annual basis.
- To drive continuous improvement in service delivery including the co-production and co-design of housing plans and policies to support strategic decision making in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.
- To hold the Council to account in relation to functions as a social landlord and the wider remit of the housing service.
- To receive updates from the Wealden Tenants Consumer Panel.
Key Responsibilities
- To enable meaningful involvement and opportunities for tenants to influence and shape the services delivered as well as co-design of policies and strategies.
- To annually review the draft Business Plan and associated Capital and Revenue Budgets (this could include General Fund housing budgets).
- To review risk and risk management – focussing on those that are assessed as high risk and high impact.
- To support the development and delivery of the Housing Services annual service plan.
- To advise on and review key projects for the service.
- To be consulted on and advise on key changes to strategy, key policies, significant service changes and development proposals.
- To review draft reports on key housing decisions to be taken by the cabinet or full council.
- To monitor performance of the housing service – to include key performance indicators and Tenant Satisfaction Measures.
- To consider strategic national and local policy changes which could or will impact on the services delivered to tenants/housing customers and plan for the change.
- To have oversight of changes to practices, as well as significant changes and development proposals.
- To monitor and scrutinise overall high-level performance statistics.To monitor and scrutinise compliance against the Consumer Standards.
- To review compliance against the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code.
- The Board will not be involved with day-to-day operational matters or matters of detailed service delivery or performance.
Membership
The Board will consist of:
- Two recruited tenant representatives.
- Two recruited independent Board members, with extensive experience in the housing sector.
- The Head of Housing or their nominated representative.
- The Director for Community or their nominated representative.
- Portfolio Holder for Housing and Benefits.
- One Councillor representative nominated on behalf of all the opposition political parties.
The Board will be chaired by the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Benefits. The Board may elect a vice-chair.
Recruitment
- Recruitment Pack – a recruitment pack will be provided. This will include a description of the role with the essential experience and knowledge required.
- Expressions of interest- these will be invited for both the tenant and independent posts through a variety of communication channels to maximise reach.
- Recruitment of tenant & independent Board representatives will through an interview process. Appointment will be based on those considered to be best placed to serve the interests of all tenants by meeting the requirements of the role.
- Informal discussions will be offered to interested candidates prior to expression of interest being submitted.
- Performance of Board representatives – the annual report of the Board to Cabinet will show attendance of the recruited members.
Term
Two years subject to satisfactory attendance and participation, which can be extended for a further two-year period subject to an assessment of performance in the role.
Code of Conduct
Tenant and Independent Board representatives will be required to sign and abide by a code of conduct and other relevant council policies such as confidentiality, equality and diversity and Data Protection. Member and Officer representatives are subject to the council’s councillor and officer codes of conduct.
Allowance and Expenses
The tenant and independent posts will be entitled to receive an allowance of one thousand pounds per year. Potholders’ can opt not to receive this payment. The elected member positions are not eligible for any additional payment as they are separately remunerated through the Members’ Allowances scheme.
Reasonable expenses incurred by tenants for attending face to face meeting and / or training/briefings will be reimbursed in line with the Tenant Involvement Recognition Scheme. Reasonable equipment (e.g. laptop) and other supplies required by tenants to carry out the role can be provided in line with the tenant engagement policies.
Training and skill building
All Board representatives will be provided with key documents and undertake an induction and skills audit to develop a personalised training programme. A requirement of the role will be that all Board representatives attend briefing/workshop events that provide background information to current housing issues as well as training (both face to face and online) considered necessary for the execution of their role.
Meetings
Frequency
Meetings will be held at least quarterly.
Meetings are not open to the public.
Format
Meetings will be held either face to face or online.
Day / Time / venue
The Board will determine the best time of day/ day of week and venue for the meetings to take place to maximise inclusivity.
Board Support
Wealden District Council officers will support the Board including scheduling of meetings, publication of agenda, minutes (subject to confidentiality and data protection requirements)
Quorum
To be agreed by the Board.
Access to Information
The Board will determine the arrangements relating to provision of information and meeting documentation, arrangements for requesting additional data, reports and information to carry out their activities.
Transparency and Accountability
- Board meetings will be publicised on the council’s website and in our tenants newsletter Threshold
- Minutes and meeting papers will be made available on the council’s website.
- Annual Report to Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Equal Opportunities
Improving equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) forms an integral part of the Board’s work and members of the Board should demonstrate a commitment to supporting EDI. The Board will have regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty in its work.
Review
These Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.