Trafford Housing Trust and Limelight Candidate pack Limelight Committee Chair August 2016
Letter from the Chair Dear Applicant, After more than two years as Chairman of Trafford Housing Trust (THT), I am pleased to announce that we are recruiting a Committee Chair for the Limelight project, a unique and exciting 20M development opportunity based on Shrewsbury Street in Old Trafford. The development aims to create a vibrant, sustainable community, with quality housing, excellent environment, and good connections to employment opportunities together with improved retail and community facilities. The Limelight project promises to be a challenging and extremely rewarding undertaking, delivered by THT in collaboration with the local community. The community we know in Old Trafford is strong and resilient and used to solving its own challenges and we're looking for a Chair who has a track record as an enabler and proven networker. Economic conditions in the UK, and therefore for our customers, have been difficult over the past years and continue to be so. Despite these difficulties, we are confident that the resilience of the Trust means we are in a strong position to face the challenges ahead and support our customers to live well. Limelight represents a pioneering and ambitious route to regenerating and improving standards of living in the community and we intend for it to be a catalyst for positive change in Old Trafford. The Government s plans for Greater Manchester devolution will see the region gain control over many key aspects of public sector administration, including increased autonomy in relation to health, social care and housing. These plans represent the largest decentralisation of powers in the UK outside of London. They present a unique opportunity for Registered Providers like THT to work collaboratively and innovatively to maximise the contribution of the sector to the wider society of Greater Manchester. We intend for Limelight to be an example of how to combine the new powers enjoyed in Greater Manchester to greatest benefit for the people who live here. Whilst there is no doubt that the coming months and years will see significant changes across Greater Manchester and the social housing sector, I am confident that our commitment to social justice means we will go from strength to strength, contributing to new housing provision, influencing social change and remaining at the heart of all that is good in Trafford. I very much hope you choose to join us in this exciting undertaking and very much look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Edna Robinson Chairman of the Board, Trafford Housing Trust 2
Vision and Purpose We are a force for good, driven by social justice, inspiring people and neighbourhoods to be the best they can be. Trafford Housing Trust Who We Are Trafford Housing Trust (THT) is no ordinary business; we are more like a collection of social enterprises than purely a housing provider of 9,000 homes. Our activities range from property development, property repair and maintenance, care for older and vulnerable people, community investment, support and grant giving. This social heart and commercial edge is what makes us different. It unites our businesses and helps us to make a real different to people s lives. Achieving this requires innovation, dedication to value for money and sheer hard work. What is the Limelight development? The Limelight development on Shrewsbury Street is a 20 million investment into the Old Trafford area, which aims to "create a vibrant, sustainable community, with quality housing, excellent environment, and good connections to employment opportunities together with improved retail and community facilities." Limelight is all about creating a space which the local community benefits from, with a reach that spreads much wider than just the building itself. There will be fantastic amenities, high quality accommodation, vital community services, accessible facilities and a genuinely inclusive approach throughout the whole design. Limelight is unique because it is a purpose built facility created to benefit the community by offering a range of services, all aimed at improving health and wellbeing and providing information, advice and support under one roof. It also offers a unique opportunity for partners to work more innovatively together by providing health services, along with local priority services in an easily accessible, central location, 3
promoting the option of alternative therapies that compliment more traditional methods. It will also include a nursery, café, library, pharmacy and a number of services aimed at all members of the community, to ensure that it is a truly intergenerational space and that can be used by everyone. Local people will be directly involved in delivering better health, education and training as well as being directly involved in how Limelight will continue to meet the needs of the community in the future. With our aging population there is need for an extra care facility which will cater for our most vulnerable people, of any age and so Limelight will provide 81 residential apartments for this purpose. The Limelight Journey Since October 2013 we have been working with the Old Trafford Community to create plans for the new development. The Community has been involved throughout the process, helping to guide and influence the plans, with hundreds of people contributing, through drop in sessions, community votes, one to ones, talking to us at local events and by attending special visioning events. This input along with information gathered by a team of neighbourhood researchers who interviewed local residents has given us great feedback, and that enabled us to develop the designs and guide the principles of the project. 4
Governance Limelight Management Committee (LMC) The Limelight Management Committee will be part of the governance structure of Trafford Housing Trust (THT). The Chair of the Committee will have two key roles to manage having a strong relationship with the Chair of the THT Board and linking into the broader governance of THT; and also being an encouraging and supportive leader which brings together a new Committee. Trafford Housing Trust Executive Directors The day-to-day running of the Trafford Housing Trust group is the responsibility of our Leadership Team, consisting of our Chief Executive Matthew Gardiner, who is supported by a team of directors. Trafford Housing Trust Non-Executive Directors The Trafford Housing Trust Board consists of ten Non-Executive Directors who are responsible for the general management, policy development and operation of Trafford Housing Trust. There are ten board members including the Chair. Whilst working closely with the Chair as well as other THT trustees, it will be the initial task of the Chair of Limelight to recruit new Committee members for the project. Financial information The Annual Report and Financial Statements can be found on the Trafford Housing Trust website: http://www.thtannualreport.co.uk/. Please note that financial information for the 2015-16 financial year will be available at the end of September. 5
ROLE PROFILE: LIMELIGHT CHAIR This is a fantastic opportunity to take the helm of an exciting, innovative and challenging project, leading the Limelight Committee in the delivery of its strategic objectives. Not only will you play a pivotal role in the formation of the Limelight Committee itself, you will be key to ensuring that the Limelight project achieves its aim of transforming and regenerating Shrewsbury Street and the surrounding environs of Old Trafford. A project of this scale has the potential to make a huge difference to the community. It will therefore be the job of the Chair and the Limelight committee to ensure that goals encompassing health & wellbeing, employment, retail as well as many other community services are incorporated fully and delivered. The Chair of the Committee will be responsible to the Chair of Trafford Housing Trust Board. What behaviour does a Committee Chair demonstrate? Lead the Committee in fulfilling the duties set out in the Limelight Committee Member Role Profile, in particular: Make sure that everyone present has the opportunity to contribute to discussion, a good Chair will consider all views and seek contributions from everyone in the room. Guide discussions so that decisions are made in the best interests of the business, the local community and other interested parties. You re working together for the greater good, don t allow people s personal interests to influence the meeting. Act with openness and integrity we want Limelight to have a great reputation, and you re part of making that happen. Encourage debate which challenges decisions in a constructive way, and balances the need to challenge with being supportive and respectful. Make sure that feedback from the local community is taken into account when making decisions. Lead by example by being true to the vision and values of Limelight these are shared by everyone and it s important that we all behave in a way which promotes them. What additional activities will a Committee Chair be involved in? Attending occasional planning meetings to set the agendas and work plan for the Committee. Training and development activities focused on the Chair role. Attending additional meetings within Trafford Housing Trust where appropriate. How do you know you re making an effective contribution? You ll be asked to regularly review how well you think you re doing, and also how well the Committee is working as a team. Colleagues will provide feedback on how they see the Limelight Committee developing. Training needs will be identified, and you ll be able to participate in training and development activities.by demonstrating and promoting the behaviours which meet the Limelight vision and values, you ll be acting as an ambassador for the building and its community. From time to time you might be asked to carry out additional duties not covered in this role profile, so it s important that you can be flexible and willing to learn as the business develops. 6
What Qualities and Skills do you need to be a Chair? Qualities Expected of a Committee Chair: These are the qualities which will be demonstrated by a Committee Chair: Respected leader Passion and Commitment Understand and connect with the area Trustworthy and honesty Key Skills, Knowledge and Experience There are some keys skills, knowledge and experience required of a Limelight Committee Chair: Confident in leading discussions, encouraging and listening to the views and opinions of everyone present. Previous experience of chairing meetings. Basic understanding of what governance is and how it works. Able to build trust and make connections with people quickly and easily. Adapt well to change and look for innovative solutions to problems. Strong customer focus, embracing feedback and the views of the local community and stakeholders. Local knowledge of the Old Trafford area is desirable. The Chair of Limelight Committee will be ready to lead a diverse and vibrant group of people who are passionate about making a positive difference in their community. Time Commitment: Around 12 hours per month, including planning for and preparing for meetings, attending meetings and events, and undertaking training activities. Meetings will take place at a time to be agreed by the Committee. The duration of time you will serve on the Committee will be 1, 2 or 3 years. Expenses: The role is voluntary, but expenses will be paid, for example cost of travel to meetings. Length of service: Equality & Diversity: We want the Limelight Committee to be diverse and vibrant, like the building itself and the community it will serve. Whatever your background, we believe you have something great to offer and encourage you to get involved in Limelight. Opportunities will be available to get involved in the Committee, or a Sub-Group, or just be a Member and support the building. However you want to be involved, we welcome you! This Role Profile should be read alongside the Code of Conduct and the Terms of Reference for the Committee. This Role Profile will be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that it fully reflects the duties and responsibilities required from a Limelight Committee Chair. 7
The Trafford Housing Trust is: Registered in England and Wales under No 04831118. Registered Office: Trafford Housing Trust, Sale Point, 126-150 Washway Road, Sale, M33 6AG. A Charity registered (No 1106967). Further information on THT can be found on: The website http://www.traffordhousingtrust.co.uk Annual Reports and Financial Statements Year ended 31 st March 2015 filed with the Charity Commission - http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/accounts/ends67/0001106967_ac_2015 0331_E_C.pdf The Homes and Communities Agency website, to find out more about Housing Trusts: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-and-communitiesagency Contact for applications and enquiries TrusteeWorks is liaising with candidates on behalf of THT/Limelight and all applications are made to TrusteeWorks in the first instance. Application is by CV and cover letter. For any preliminary enquiries about this role, please e-mail the TrusteeWorks Team, TrusteeWorks Manager, at: TrusteeWorks@reachskills.org.uk. Reach Volunteering 89 Albert Embankment SE1 7TP Tel: 0207 582 65 43 Trafford Housing Trust Limited Head Office Sale Point, 126-150 Washway Road, Sale M33 6AG 8