Governance
The Board of Management decides the systems and structures which ensure proper control and direction of the organisation. While day-to-day this is the responsibility of the Chief Executive and Directors, longer-term strategy and standards are the responsibility of voluntary board members. This is why housing associations are often referred to as part of the Voluntary housing sector, and are regulated by The Housing Corporation.
For “Johnnie” Johnson Housing the Board of Management consists of a dozen people from all walks of life, including three residents from our housing schemes to ensure that the customer perspective is represented. They meet regularly to monitor performance, decide policy and provide direction for the work of the Trust. The Board has Sub-Committees for Audit and Risk Management, and Remuneration, and sets up Working Parties as required to oversee specific projects or work areas. Please click on Meet the Board below to meet our Board members.
The Board of “Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust oversees all aspects of work carried out by the Trust. The Board contains independent volunteers including our own tenants and leaseholders.
If you are interested in attending one of the meetings of the Board of Management, please contact the Chief Executive by e-mail at generalenquiries@jjhousing.co.uk telling us why you would like to attend. We try to make our governance activities as open as possible and welcome observers with a genuine interest in our work whenever practical.
Similarly, our Regional Committees and Audit Committee meetings are open to attendance by interested non-members, and if you would like details of forthcoming meetings please contact the Chief Executive for more information.
- The Core Responsibilities of the Board
- Meet the Board
- Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's
- Housing Corporation
- Summaries of Recent Board Meetings
The core responsibilities of the Board are as follows: -
- To define and maintain the values and objectives of the Trust
- To approve policies and plans to achieve the objectives
- To approve the accounts and the annual budget and business plans
- To ensure that there is adequate delegation and good internal controls
- To ensure proper risk management
- To make decisions on important financial matters, or on issues which carry major risk, or are matters of principle
- To monitor the performance of the organisation and measure it against others
- To appoint and (if necessary) dismiss the Chief Executive and fix his/her contract terms
- To ensure that the Trust acts within the law
- To ensure that governance standards are maintained
- To appoint and (if necessary) remove the Chair of the Board
FAQ's
How often does the Board meet?
The Board meets roughly 10 times a year in formal session, to receive reports from officers and make decisions on the future of the Trust. Board members meet at other events to discuss particular issues; for example, there is an annual "away day" to discuss strategy, and every Board meeting is prefaced by an in depth briefing on a particular issue. Individual Board members may become involved in special Working Parties looking at particular issues, such as Governance or Asset Management.
Board members may also be involved in other aspects of our governance, and serve as members of a Regional Committee, or the Audit and Risk Management Committee. They may attend housing conferences and become involved with the voluntary members forum of the National Housing Federation. So apart from the actual Board meetings, members may give considerable time to their involvement with the Trust.
How do people come to be on the Board?
Some have been approached because they have particular skills or experience that we needed. Some have been recruited in response to advertising for members. There is a rota for retirement from the Board to ensure a reasonable turnover of members and under new rules we have adopted, no members will serve for more than 12 years to avoid the Board becoming stale.
Are Board members paid?
Until recently Board members received no remuneration, only repayment of any out of pocket expenses for travel etc. In 2004, the rules regarding this were relaxed and all housing associations are now able to remunerate their members, although payment limits are fairly low, being £3000 per annum for an average sized association Board member. The Trust has decided to make payments in line with industry guidance.
The Housing Corporation regulates the housing association sector. We are continuously assessed on our performance under the Regulatory Code. The Code judges viability, governance and management and how well we have used any corporation funds we have been allocated. For further information about the Housing Corporation, please visit their website at http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk
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Chair of The Board |
Deputy Chair |
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Kath Lavery became Chair of the Board on July 2007. She is the first female Chair of the Board of “Johnnie” Johnson Housing. She is also the first Chair to have been recruited through open advertising in the national press and to have been subjected to a number of recruitment assessments and interviews. Kath took on the role of Chair from Mel Hill who stood down in 2007. |
Until February 2000, Mr Goodman was a Regional Director of the Audit Commission (District Audit) with ten years service on the District Audit Management Board where he acquired wide experience of strategic business planning, performance monitoring and corporate governance. Mr Goodman is also a non-executive Director of several charities in the Sheffield area relating to economic and social regeneration and the care of the elderly.
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Mr Hill joined the Board of Management in 1995 bringing considerable expertise as a former Director of Works and Public Works with several local authorities. Previously an Advisor to the Association of Metropolitan Authorities. Former Chairman of the North West Regional Committee. Mr Hill was the Chairman of the Board of Management from July 2000 - July 2007.
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A member of our North West Regional Committee, Mr Ankers was seconded to the Board of Management in September 2002. After National Service in the RAF Mr Ankers joined the police force, serving in Cheshire and Greater Manchester and retiring as Chief Superintendent in 1987. In addition to his involvement with the Trust, Mr Ankers is also an active volunteer with The National Trust. |
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From a scientific background, Mr Evans has extensive business experience at Board level both in the pharmaceutical industry where he chaired overseas company Boards and as a non-executive Director in the NHS. He is also Chairman of a hospital charity, a panel chairman for Mental Health Reviews and a trustee of Age Concern, East Cheshire. Serves on the North West Regional Committee. |
Until August 2000, Mr Baker was a Financial Director with specific experience of the finance, treasury, IT and supply chain management functions with a market leading, US multi-national. Currently a Director of several charities in the Sheffield area, which are involved in providing care services to disadvantaged groups of all ages. Also serves as Chair of the Central Region.
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Norman Laidler has been a member of the North East Regional Committee for six years and serves as its Vice Chairman. His career in housing has included local authorities and housing associations, retiring as Assistant Director with Home Housing, where he was responsible for a portfolio of over 35,000 properties. He also holds senior honorary positions with the FA and other sporting bodies. |
Mrs Garvey was co-opted to the Board at the AGM in 2003. Her career in housing began at the Trust in the late 1980s, since when she has worked in front line management and strategic roles in housing associations, local authorities and consultancy. Her interests and specialisms include performance management, customer involvement, staff and organisational development and the development and provision of services to vulnerable groups. |
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Ms Dabhi was co-opted to the Board in July 2005. She is a qualified social worker with a Post Graduate Diploma and Masters in Social Work. Ms Dabhi has previously worked in management roles in further education and for the Youth Offending Service in Manchester. She is currently working as a Deputy Manager for a housing project working with families with anti-social behaviour. |
Mr Globe is a tenant Board member with a printing industry background. A bookbinder by trade, |
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Joe Robinson is a leasehold resident at one of our Leasehold schemes in Romiley. He took early retirement in 2006 from the role of Housing Market Renewal Director with Sefton MBC on Merseyside. He holds qualifications in building technology, housing, and management studies, and has held senior positions in local authority housing throughout his career and has also served on the board of a stock transfer RSL. |
Mrs Allenby is a resident representative, a Parish Councillor and a Director of East Northumberland Regeneration Group. She is involved in community activities and prior to retirement held various positions in the logistics industry. |
If you are interested in attending one of the meetings of the Board of Management, please contact the Chief Executive by e-mail at generalenquiries@jjhousing.co.uk telling us why you would like to attend. We try to make our governance activities as open as possible and welcome observers with a genuine interest in our work whenever practical.
Similarly, our Regional Committees and Audit Committee meetings are open to attendance by interested non-members, and if you would like details of forthcoming meetings please contact the Chief Executive for more information.
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