At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Housing Improvement Board to enhance housing services for over 8,000 tenants.
- Company: North Yorkshire Council, dedicated to improving housing across England's largest county.
- Benefits: Earn £500 per day, enjoy hybrid working, and contribute to meaningful change.
- Other info: Flexible commitment with excellent opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on housing services and improve lives in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing governance, regulation, or organisational improvement required.
Fee: £500 per day / approximately £4,000 per annum
Time commitment: Approximately 2 days per quarter
Term: Initial 3-year appointment
Location: North Yorkshire (hybrid, including face-to-face meetings)
Help Shape the Future of Housing Services in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Council is seeking to appoint three Independent Members to its Housing Improvement Board. This is a unique opportunity for experienced housing professionals to play a pivotal role in improving housing services for more than 8,000 council tenants and leaseholders across England's largest county.
Following the creation of North Yorkshire Council in 2023, a review of housing services identified areas requiring significant improvement. The Council made a self-referral to the Regulator of Social Housing, resulting in a C3 Consumer Standards grading. Since then, we have established a Housing Improvement Board, strengthened our governance arrangements and developed a comprehensive Housing Improvement Plan designed to deliver sustainable improvement and ensure our services meet the needs of residents.
We are now looking to strengthen the Board further by attracting three independent experts who can provide challenge, support, insight and assurance as we drive improvement and work towards achieving a C1 Consumer Standards grading.
About your responsibilities
- Provide independent challenge and objective scrutiny of housing services.
- Support and monitor delivery of the Housing Improvement Plan.
- Help ensure compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing's Consumer Standards.
- Contribute strategic insight and specialist expertise.
- Act as a critical friend to officers, members and tenant representatives.
- Influence improvements that deliver better outcomes for tenants and leaseholders.
- Help strengthen governance, risk management and accountability arrangements.
We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in:
- Housing governance and consumer regulation
- Property compliance and building safety
- Housing asset management
- Tenant engagement and customer experience
- Risk, audit and assurance
- Local government transformation and organisational improvement
- Finance and value for money
About You
You will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in housing, regulation, governance or organisational improvement and be able to demonstrate:
- Board-level, governance or assurance experience.
- Knowledge of the social housing sector and landlord responsibilities.
- Experience scrutinising performance, risk and improvement programmes.
- Excellent analytical, communication and influencing skills.
- A commitment to improving outcomes for tenants and leaseholders.
- Independence of thought, integrity and sound judgement.
Commitment and Remuneration
The Board meets quarterly, with meetings typically lasting half a day. At least two of the four meetings each year will be held in person at locations across North Yorkshire. In addition to meetings, members are expected to prepare thoroughly, provide advice and support to officers where appropriate, and act as ambassadors for housing improvement across North Yorkshire.
The role is offered on a self-employed consultancy basis (outside IR35), with a fee of £1,000 per quarter covering meeting attendance and associated preparation and wider advocacy work.
Key Dates
Closing Date: 23 August 2026
For an informal and confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact Victoria Young - Service Improvement manager at Victoria.Young@northyorks.gov.uk
For More Information please see full details in the recruitment pack below before applying.
Independent Members – Housing Improvement Board employer: North Yorkshire Council
North Yorkshire Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the picturesque town of Scarborough, employees benefit from a local government pension scheme, generous employee discounts, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community through their work in council tax and business rates management.
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