We're looking for a new Byker Community Trust Customer Committee Member!

The Karbon Community Pledge to BCT Customers will help BCT achieve it strategic objectives of:

• Making Byker an Estate of choice
• Contributing to a thriving Byker
• Ensuring that Byker’s community ethos is sustained

By:

• Completing the modernisation programme by 2029
• Fund and build new affordable homes on the Estate
• Maintain a local office
• Agree a strategy to maintain and invest in the District Heating System
• Support a BCT Committee
• Create a new BCT Community Budget with access to Karbon's Community Budget
• Extend customer access to Karbon’s services to maximise income and employment opportunities. 

Responsibilities:

1.   Performance Monitoring, Scrutiny and Challenge

To monitor Karbon’s performance in the matters delegated to the Committee, including monitoring service levels and quality, plans, budgets, controls and decisions. To maintain an independent overview, scrutinizing relevant reports, papers and key performance indicators. As a committee, to provide effective challenge when required.

2.     Strategic Leadership

To provide strategic leadership and direction to the work of the organisation in the matters delegated to the Committee, upholding Karbon’s vision, mission and values and helping to optimize the fulfilment of Karbon’s social purpose.

3.     Risk Management

To ensure that key risks in the matters delegated to the Committee are identified and mitigated to the fullest extent possible and that relevant controls are in place.

4.     Good governance and compliance

To help to ensure that Karbon is governed efficiently, effectively and in line with the requirements of law, the requirements of the Regulator of Social Housing and best practice.

5.     Sound decision making, including financial decision making

To work collaboratively on projects where the Committee has devolved budget responsibility to determine how the budget should be committed, monitor expenditure and provide regular updates to Karbon. To ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of Karbon, are consistent with the vision, mission and values, and balance the interests of current and future customers.

6.     Team working, communication and reporting to Board

To work collaboratively as a Committee and with internal and external stakeholders, including customers and BCT’s Customer Scrutiny Panel, as required. As a Committee, to provide minutes of each Committee meeting and an annual report to the Group Board.

7.     Strategic planning

To take part in the annual Karbon strategy review and make recommendations on the strategy for the Byker Estate as part of that process.

Key Expectations of Committee Members:

• Make a positive contribution to the work of the Committee by diligently preparing for and then attending Committee meetings.
• Participate in discussions and decision making, giving an independent viewpoint and then helping to form a consensus, ensuring decisions are well founded and sharing collective responsibility for and upholding Committee decisions.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Committee by taking part in relevant learning and development activities and participating in individual appraisals and committee effectiveness reviews.
• Seek a close understanding of Karbon’s activities and in particular the matters delegated to the Committee, including participation in site visits, meeting with residents and community representatives and taking an active interest in the work of the organisation and of the sector as a whole.
• Keep any specialist skills and knowledge up to date.
• To participate fully and openly in individual appraisals and an annual review of Committee effectiveness.
• Act with independence and integrity at all times, following the Code of Conduct and declaring all conflicts of interest.
• Champion Karbon’s values and model the behaviours.
• Represent Karbon externally, acting in accordance with its values and ethos and promoting Karbon’s image and reputation with stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with all colleagues, building excellent relationships and providing appropriate support and challenge.
  

Person Specification

Skills and Abilities

1. Can express views succinctly and effectively in a formal Committee meeting environment making reasoned and thought-through contributions. Able to question and listen to colleagues.
2. Can scrutinise and challenge financial, performance and other data and underlying assumptions to ensure best decisions can be made.  
3. Understands the boundaries between Committee Member and Executive responsibilities.
4. Builds trust and respect from colleagues and stakeholders.
5. Makes reasoned judgements and contributes to forming a consensus with other Committee members when involved in decision making and influences through persuasive discussion and sticking to discussing the matter at hand.
6. Is IT literate.
7. Has, or is able to reach, a threshold of competence in strategic thinking, financial planning, knowledge of housing operations and community development, risk management and understanding of excellence in governance and regulation in the housing sector.
8. Has a demonstrable passion and enthusiasm for social housing operations, including regeneration and community development and the challenges and opportunities associated with the Byker Estate.
9. Has at least one specialist skill or area of knowledge/experience that will benefit the work of the committee, for example financial management skills, lived experience of the needs and aspirations of our customers and communities, or legal expertise.  
   

Attributes

1.          Interest in and commitment to the Byker Estate, its people and neighbourhood.

2.          Passion for social housing and its contribution to improving people’s lives.

3.          A high degree of personal probity, integrity and confidentiality.

4.          A commitment to the values of the organisation and a willingness to model behaviours, including promoting a culture that values diversity and provides equality of opportunity.