Job Title: Board Member
Remuneration: £4775 per year plus reasonable expenses
Time Commitment: Board meetings (in-person) every other month, on a Tuesday afternoon plus
two-day Board Innovation days held twice a year where attendance is expected. We also hold three
Spotlight sessions each year for training and briefing purposes. These are primarily virtual. In addition,
there is a requirement to participate in ad-hoc ambassadorial work and attend conferences. As a
Board Member, there is an expectation to join other committees of the Board such as Audit and Risk,
Development, Remuneration & Nominations and our Strategic Tenants Committee. The frequency of
these committee meetings varies and will increase any time commitment required. You will also have
an annual appraisal.
Job Purpose: Board Members are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the
Company.
Main Responsibilities of the Board as a whole
- To ensure that the Company functions in line with its Articles of Association and within the legal and
regulatory framework of the sector - To uphold the fiduciary duty and the duty of skill and care invested in the positions of Members
undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence in the Company - To determine the overall strategic direction and development of the Company
- To set and ensure compliance with the values, vision, and strategic objectives of the Company
approved by Somerset Council, ensuring its long-term success - To establish and oversee and participate in a risk management framework in order to safeguard
the assets and reputation of the Company - Core Qualities for all Board MembersTo ensure the Board has adequate information to take informed, clear and strategic decisions.
- To ensure that the needs of present and future beneficiaries of the Company’s activities inform the
decisions that are taken - To ensure that the Executive Team exercise effective control over the operations of the Company by
establishing and overseeing a framework of delegation and systems of internal control - To develop and promote the highest standards of governance and maintain high standards of
probity, integrity and conduct. To promote and maintain shareholder’s trust in the organisation - To set and lead by example a positive culture, where tenants and customers are placed at the heart
of the Board’s decision making - To demonstrate a clear and active commitment to achieve equality of opportunity, diversity, and
inclusion in all of the Company’s activities, as well as in its own composition - To ensure the Company operates effectively, efficiently, and economically
- To provide oversight, direction and constructive challenge to the Company’s Chief Executive, and
Executive Team - To appoint and, if necessary, dismiss or terminate the services of the Chief Executive
- To satisfy itself as to the integrity of financial information, approving each year’s budget, business
plan and annual accounts prior to publication and ensure that the Company remains financially
viable
Key tasks and responsibilities of individual Board Members
To act as an accountable member of the Company by:
- Contributing to the development of the Company’s values and upholding those values
- Contributing to the development and delivery of the Company’s purpose and the achievement of its
strategic objectives - Declaring any relevant financial or non-financial interests to the Company Secretary for entry in the
Register - Abiding by the Code of Conduct for Board Members and Members of Committees at all times
- Respecting the confidentiality of information at all times
- Adhering to the principles of collective responsibility
- Ensuring that decisions made by the Board are upheld both publicly and privately
- Upholding the reputation of the Company and refraining from any actions that may bring the
Company into disrepute - Complying with and acting within the Company’s governance framework, Code of Governance, and
associated policies and procedures, as set and amended from time to time by the Board - Avoiding situations where there is, or may be perceived to be, a direct or indirect interest that
conflicts, or may potentially conflict, with the interests of the Company - Actively participating in individual and Board performance and effectiveness reviews, and learning
and development activities, to ensure the organisation is led by a skilled and diverse Board - Complying with the law and with HiS’s policies and procedures relating to equality, diversity and
inclusion
To make an effective contribution to the Company by:
- Operating collectively as a team
- Working effectively with the Executive Team and other senior staff, and maintaining positive working
relationships with all staff - Being self-motivated in seeking out information and requesting training where needed
- Preparing thoroughly for meetings by reading and assessing all relevant papers and reports and,
where necessary, questioning these to ensure decisions are well founded - Preparing thoroughly for training sessions and other events, and attending with a willingness to
participate - Paying particular attention to strategic and creative thinking when formulating policy and avoiding
involvement in operational detail - Being open and effective in communications
To ensure the effective management and promotion of the company by:
- Representing the Company in a professional manner
- Attending various events on behalf of the Company
Common Responsibilities
All Board Members share responsibility for the decisions made by the Board. All decisions must be
made in the best interests of the Company and cannot be made owing a greater allegiance to any
other organisation or interest.
Person Specification
This person specification is in two parts, a set of core qualities expected of all Board Members; and
a set of knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience that the Board needs to have among its
membership. Where specific gaps in core qualities are identified at the recruitment stage, support may
be given to meet them. All Board Members are encouraged to expand their general knowledge of thesector and maintain their specialist knowledge if it is of positive relevance and benefit to the Company.
Core Qualities for all Board Members
To have and demonstrate a commitment to:
1. The success of the Company
2. Social housing and the development of sustainable communities
3. Meeting the needs of vulnerable people
4. Working effectively with other Members and colleagues
5. The Company’s purpose
6. The Company’s values
7. Tenant involvement
8. Equality, diversity and inclusion
9. Adding social value to the communities that the Company serves
To have and demonstrate a sufficient standard of education or skills and knowledge to enable the
proper assimilation of information presented to the Board and its Committees; to be able to raise
relevant questions about them; and to reach informed decisions.
To have personal circumstances that enable:
- Attendance at an average of six Board meetings per year, plus Committee and/or working group
meetings as appropriate - Ad hoc discussions between meetings with other Members and staff to help inform and develop the
work of the Company - (For Board Members) attendance at two Board Member Innovation Days per year, Board Spotlight
sessions (an average of three per year), and a minimum of two days of training and personal
development each year - Full participation in the annual appraisal process
- Taking on a Champion role, where Members assist staff in the preparation of strategies, policies
and other work within their chosen area
To have the ability to:
- Work effectively in groups
- Understand the principles of budgeting and monitoring financial performance
- Understand the core elements of letting, managing and maintaining property, and monitoring
performance - Make rational decisions based on the information available
- Exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence
Knowledge, skills, and experience to be provided by Board Members
Each Member will be appraised annually to review their skills and contribution to the Board and/or the
Committees on which the Member sits. Every three years the appraisal will include a 360-degree review
where other members and senior staff input into the process. An annual assessment of the collective
Board and Committee skills and attributes will be reviewed by the Board. Individual Member skills,
knowledge and experience will be measured against the following areas:
- General organisational and business skills
- Neighbourhoods and community experience and skills
- Housing and related services skills
- Finance and audit skills
- Regulation and compliance skills
Any knowledge/skills/experience gaps on the Board and its Committees will be identified through
an annual Members Skills Assessment and consideration will be given to the identified gaps when
recruiting Members and during succession planning. The gap analysis will also support the programme
of learning and development for Members.
Homes in Somerset has adopted the National Housing Federation’s Code of Governance requirements
and previously elected members of the Board are not permitted to apply unless a period of three years
has elapsed.
Reasonable adjustments will be made for anyone requiring additional support with numeracy and
literacy.
Board Member at Homes in Somerset employer: Homes in Somerset
Homes in Somerset is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and collaboration within a supportive work culture. As a Quantity & Contract Management Surveyor, you will benefit from a dynamic environment where your expertise in quantity surveying and contract management directly contributes to enhancing our property portfolio, all while enjoying a strong commitment to health and safety and compliance. With opportunities for professional development and a focus on delivering high-quality projects, you'll find meaningful and rewarding employment here.
