ROLE OF THE HOUSING ASSOCIATION

The Devon and Cornwall Housing Association is the corporate body with the ultimate legal and financial responsibility for running the Foyer.  In this respect, the Association shall:-

1.1

Be the corporate body which is ultimately responsible for the activities of the Foyer.

1.2

Be the employer of the Foyer staff.

1.3

Produce budgets and accounts for the Foyer and oversee its financial performance.

1.4

Audit the accounts for the Foyer (as part of the Association’s annual accounts).

ROLE OF THE ADVISORY BOARD

The primary role of this group is to provide a broad range of expertise in order to give direction to, and support for the Foyer.  The group will oversee the progress, development and routine operation of the Foyer.

Members of the Advisory Board shall:-

2.1

Monitor overall management of the Foyer, including financial matters and good practice.

2.2

Review progress of the Foyer and its objectives on a two yearly basis.

2.3

Suggest ways of improving and expanding the network of contacts and publicity methods.

2.4

Participate in the promotion of the Foyer and assist in publicising the scheme among their day to day working contacts.

2.5

Ensure that the project is accessible to all sectors of the community targeted and that the principles of equal opportunities and equal access are applied to all aspects of its operations.

2.6

Participate in resident selection based on agreed eligibility criteria.  Board members should be nominated for this and working in a relevant professional capacity with an agreed confidentiality policy.

2.7

Receive information from the Foyer Manager on any evictions or licence terminations.  A member of the Board should be nominated to receive/discuss this information at the time of the action.

2.8

Receive regular reports from the Foyer Manager on the progress of the Foyer.

2.9

Take up policy issues as appropriate by making representations to agencies and authorities whose practices and policies may make it difficult for the Foyer to operate, e.g. Social Services, Housing Benefit.

THE LINKS BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THE ADVISORY BOARD

3.1

The Committee of Management of the Association shall receive regular written reports about the progress of the Foyer.

3.2

The meetings of the Advisory Board will normally be attended by the Foyer Manager and the relevant Area Supported Housing Manager.

3.3

The Housing Association representative(s) shall be responsible for making any relevant policy decisions of the Association known to the Advisory Board, which must in turn abide by them.

3.4

The Advisory Board may make representations to the Association’s Committee of Management upon relevant policy issues.

MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY BOARD

4.1

Membership will be drawn from: agencies and organisations (Public and Voluntary Sector) involved in the provision of relevant services to the Foyer, (such as the Local Authority, Social Services, Health, Education/Youth Service); local groups and individuals with a positive interest in the Foyer; local/regional businesses who have a positive interest in the Foyer.

RULES OF OPERATION

5.1

The Advisory Board shall meet a minimum of three times each year.

5.2

Non-attendance at two consecutive meetings without explanation shall be considered to be an effective resignation and the matter will be referred back to the relevant agency.  At least 24 hours notice will be required by non-attendance.  If 24 hours notice is not received for two consecutive meetings, this shall also be considered an effective resignation, unless non-attendance is due to being called away to a crisis.

5.3

If only a maximum of two representatives are able to attend a meeting (excluding the Foyer Manager and Area Supported Housing Manager), it will be rescheduled.

5.4

The Foyer staff will take minutes and ensure that these are circulated along with agendas and notification of any meeting at least one week before the date of the meeting.

5.5

The Advisory Board may invite other individuals to attend other meetings as observers or to speak on specific topics.

5.6

The Advisory Board must at all times operate within the general policies and guidelines laid down by the Committee of Management of the Association.

5.7

Membership of the Board should be reviewed every two years as part of the operational review to ensure that members are still appropriate representatives.

EMPLOYMENT ISSUES

6.1

The Association is the employer of all Foyer staff and takes responsibility for ensuring that all legal requirements as employer are met.  The Association will also take responsibility for recruitment and training issues.