The company’s board of management consists of a number of directors, who are all volunteers. They include;
- Councillors, nominated by Amber Valley Borough Council
- Tenant representatives, elected by other tenants
- Independent directors selected by an open recruitment process.
Essential functions of the board of management include:-
- Defining and ensuring compliance with the company’s values and objectives
- Establishing policies and plans to achieve those objectives
- Approving each year’s budget and accounts before publication
- Establishing and overseeing a framework of delegation and systems of control
- Agreeing policies and making decisions on all significant matters
- Monitoring the Company’s performance in relation to plans, budgets, and decisions
- Appointing (and if necessary, dismissing) the chief executive and being represented in the appointment of key managers
- Satisfying itself that the company’s affairs are conducted lawfully and in accordance with generally accepted standard of performance and propriety.
Working arrangements
The company conducts its business through the board of management.
Board directors attend an annual corporate plan away day where they are able to take a more strategic view of themselves and their effectiveness as a board of management.
Composition of the board of management
Every effort is made to ensure that the composition of the board reflects the scale of the company’s operations and the focus of its work. The board collectively is required to have skills in and experience and understanding of:
- The housing needs the company aims to meet
- Tenants' needs and concerns
- Strategic management in a public or private body
- General business activities including management of staff, property and contracts
- Finance
- Legal matters
- Community relations and needs, including equal opportunities
- Development and building
- Public relations
- Information technology
Commitment and effectiveness of the board of management
The board will only function effectively if each director is committed to contributing fully by using their skills, experience, and time to help the board collectively to reach good decisions. Board directors must accept and share a responsibility for all board decisions.
Code of Conduct
Directors of the board of management sign a Code of Conduct with clear statements of their responsibilities and obligations. The board will review its performance and the effectiveness of all its governance arrangements, annually.
The responsibilities and obligations of the board of management include:-
- Upholding the values,objectives and policies of the company
- Contributing to and sharing responsibility for the board’s decisions
- Preparing for and attending meetings, training sessions and other events
- Representing the company
- Declaring any relevant interests
- Respecting confidentiality of information
- Upholding the National Housing Federation’s Code of Governance.
Declaration of interests
Directors of the board of management are unpaid volunteers and have a duty to declare any interests they maintain in other organisations with which the company does business. They should not place themselves in a position where their duty to the company and personal interest conflict and neither they, nor their relatives, may benefit in any way from their connection with the company, other than that which is allowed by Schedule 1 of the Housing Act 1996.
Board directors are asked to sign clear declarations which are recorded in the company's Register of Interests.
The role of individual board members
Amber Valley Housing's board may be augmented by the co-option of additional members.
The board is responsible for the strategic direction of the company, and the chair has specific responsibility for the effective operation of the board.
Essential elements of the role of the board members
The responsibilities of the company’s board directors include:-
- Formulating strategic aims;
- Ensuring policies and practices are in keeping with aims;
- Ensuring best practice.
If you would like to know more about the role of board members and the board of Amber Valley Housing then please contact us.
