Get on BoardMake a D ifference

High Peak Community Housing Ltd.Head Office: Municipal Building, Glossop, Derbyshire Sk13 8af

General Enquiries: 0845 129 8075 Repairs Hotline: 0845 129 8071Fax: 01457 860 290 Textphone: 0845 129 4876 Text Message: 07800 002 264

Email: enquiries@hpch.co.uk Web: www.hpch.co.uk

WHat i S expecteD Of BOarD MeMBerS?All Board members will be expected to:•attend Board and sub group meetings whenever possible

(there is an attendance target of 85%)

•actively participate at Board meetings

•Undertake a full training programme after joining the Board

•attend relevant training and development sessions•Work in a team

WHat next?to find out more about HpcH look at our website www.hpch.co.uk

if you are interested in becoming a board member, or you would like tocome along and see how a Board Meeting works please contact:Linda Mcalinden, Governance co-ordinator on 0845 1298075 ext 3803 or e-mail linda.mcalinden@hpch.co.uk

ALL ouR BoARd MEMBERs ARE

AMBAssAdoRs FoRHiGH PEAk

CoMMuniTy HousinG

HIgH peak communIty HousIng lookIng to tHe future

High peak community Housing Ltd is a company controlled by High peak Borough councila company limited by guarantee, registered in england and Wales number 498317

registered Office: Municipal Buildings, Glossop, Derbyshire Sk13 8pH

MeSSaGe frOM tHe cHair

this booklet gives you the opportunity to find out more about the role of High peak community Housing, especially for those who are interested becoming a Board member.

High peak community Housing has achieved a great deal since it was formed in 2004 and the board have played a key role in ensuring that we deliver excellent services to customers.

Becoming a board member is a great opportunity for anybody who has a few hours to spare a month, lots of enthusiasm and a commitment to improving the services High peak community Housing delivers to customers. One of the best ways to find out what the Board does is to come to one of our Board meetings. they are open to the public and i would encourage you to come along, i hope to see you there soon!

agnes BradleyChair

0845 129 8075www.hpch.co.uk

Agn e s Bra dley

0845 129 8075www.hpch.co.uk

To H iGH PEAk CoMMuniTy HousinG

High peak community Housing are an arms Length Management Organisation (aLMO) owned by High peak Borough council. High peak community Housing are responsible for the management and maintenance of over 4,000 homes owned by High peak Borough council and also provide a number of other key housing services on behalf of the council including homeless services and sheltered housing.

WHat i S arMS LenGtH ManaGeMent?arms Length Management was one option available to council’s who needed to improve council housing in their area in order to meet the government’s decent homes standard. Managing, maintaining and improving council homes is the responsibility of the aLMO but housing strategy and ownership of the housing stock remains the responsibility of the council. tenants remain council tenants. The responsibility for the ALMo rests with a Board of directors.

0845 129 8075www.hpch.co.uk

0845 129 8075www.hpch.co.uk

WHat i S tHe BOarD?

the Board are a group of people who are collectively responsible for managing High peak community Housing.

this means that they set the strategic direction of the company, monitoring performance, setting budgets and approving policies and procedures and ensures that the company fulfils all its legal obligations.

tHere are f i fteen BOarD MeMBerS, WHO cOMe frOM a nUMBer Of D ifferent GrOUpS :

•5membersaretenants Who are elected by their fellow tenants

•5membersare independent

•5members are Council appointed

meet anD greet

kERRy MARTin tenant BOarD MeMBer

“i have previously been involved on the tenants’ forum and was chair of the tenant action Zone in the South. i believe that these roles have given me a good insight into how the company works and its relationship with the community.

i am 35 years old married with a family, and i am also currently studying accounts which will lead to a degree.

My reasons for joining the Board are to help make the community a better and safe place, where all agencies work together. i truly believe that HpcH holds a strategic role in this.“

K erry Ma rti n

the Board has delegated responsibility for some duties to smaller sub groups. there are four sub groups who meet three to four times a year and each

group focuses on a specific area of the business, to oversee different aspects.

Agn e s Bra dley

the chair and Vice chair of the Board are elected every year by the Board, only tenant and independent board members can stand for these positions. they are currently agnes Bradley (chair) and John ardern (Vice chair).

Joh n Arde rn

0845 129 8075www.hpch.co.uk

0845 129 8075www.hpch.co.uk

HOW DO tHe BOarD’S Dec iS iOnS iMpact On H iGH peak cOMMUnity HOUS inG?

the Board’s decision making has a real impact on us delivering services to customers for example:

•SupportingandapprovingproposalstobuildmorehomestorentintheHighPeak,workingwiththeBoroughCouncilonthedevelopmentof5homesinTintwistle,asanexample.•Becoming involved in community partnerships like the community centre in Gamesley improving the repairs service with the help of the staff at the council’s call-centre. •TheXpressYourselfTourtofindoutwhatcustomersthinkofourservices.

•How we deal with empty homes and how we maintain the standards on our repairs.

are BOarD MeMBerS pa iD? Board members are not paid but they may claim expenses to cover the costs of attending meetings, training events and conferences. this includes travelling costs and the

costs of any child care that may be required.

HOW iS BOarD BUS ineSS cOnDUcteD? the main duties of the Board are conducted through regular Board and sub group meetings. the board meets approximately

6 times per year in the evenings with one full day training session. the sub groups meet three or four times per year. Board members receive a set of papers a week in

advance of meetings and are expected to read the reports and consider the main issues. they then come to the board meeting with questions, comments and

suggestions about proposals and reports.

WHat are tHe LeGaL reSpOnS iB i L i t ieS Of tHe BOarD?

High peak community Housing is governed by the companies act, which brings with it some legal responsibilities. Board members have to ensure that they act in the best interests of the organisation, exercise independent judgement, act in good faith, use reasonable care, skill and diligence and act within their powers, we will give you training to help you to meet these responsibilities.

as Board members are company directors registered with companies House, some people are not able to be Board members. please contact us for more details.

the Memorandum and articles of association of the company also prevent members of staff and tenants who are in serious breach of their tenancy agreement from being members of the Board.

are tHere any Spec iaL Sk i LLS Or exper ience neeDeD?

full training and development will be provided, but we do ask that all board members are enthusiastic. We want to attract board members that reflect our customers from all walks of life. Board membership is open to everyone but there is an election process to go through.