As a member of the board, you will be key to the development of the Barnet Group. Resident board members are appointed for a term of three years and can serve for a term of up to nine years if reappointed every three years.

Becoming a board member

Before registering your interest please ensure you have read through the eligibility criteria.

If you would like to become a Barnet Homes board member please register your interest by clicking here

Board Director eligibility criteria

You will only qualify for this position if you are:

  • 18 years or over
  • are a tenant (sole or joint tenant) or a family member of a tenant have lived at a council property for at least 12 months
  • agree with the aims of Barnet Homes
  • are willing and able to attend meetings and attend training sessions
  • are not employed by Barnet Homes (they may be employed by Barnet Council)
  • have no caution or convictions for fraud, theft, deception or harassment
  • have no rent or service charge arrears of more than two months (or such
  • that Barnet Homes could begin possession proceedings or legal proceedings)
  • have not previously been evicted for breach of tenancy within the last five years.
The role of Board members

All Board members take a collective responsibility for decisions made by the Board. Each member should act only in the interests of the organisation and not on behalf of any constituency or interest group.

Board members must at all times comply times with the duties imposed by the Companies Act 2006 including:

  • the duty to act within the powers of the Company
  • the duty to exercise independent judgement
  • the duty to promote the success of the Company
  • the duty to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence
  • any other directors’ duties set out in the Act as in force from time to time.

Directors are also expected to:

  • comply with the Company’s policies, procedures and standing orders as set and amended from time to time by the Board
  • act in accordance with the Constitution
  • uphold and promote the core policies, purpose, values and objectives of the Company (including its commitment to equal opportunities)
  • contribute to and share responsibility for decisions of the Board and/or any Committee of which you are from time to time a member
  • attend induction, training and performance review sessions and other such sessions or events as are reasonably required by the Company
  • read Board and/or Committee papers (as applicable) before meetings
  • represent the Company when requested
  • act in the best interest of the Company at all times.
Skills and abilities of Board Members

To discharge their responsibilities for the direction of the organisation, Board members should have or acquire a diverse range of skills, competencies and experience. These should cover the following broad areas:

  • working as an effective team to take strategic decisions for social outcomes
  • direct knowledge of the needs and aspirations of the communities and people served
  • general business, financial and management skills
  • other relevant skills, such as legal, property and development, and public affairs.

Each Board member will be given a copy of the Code of Conduct and service agreement specifying the Board member’s obligations, and should sign a copy to indicate acceptance.

The Board will regularly review the effectiveness of their own Governance arrangements.

Involvement required

Being a Board member would require:

  • participation in an induction programme to become familiar with the business and workings of the Board
  • regular attendance and preparation for Board meetings (six to eight meetings a year)
  • if necessary, to regularly attend the Audit and Risk Committee (four meetings a year)
  • a residential Board ‘away day’ at least once a year
  • attendance at significant company events, such as our Annual General Meeting
  • participation in appraisal and review – on a one-to-one basis with the Chair/ Vice Chair and also with the whole Board
  • Attendance at development events (based on Board and individual needs)

The Board meetings take place in the evenings and usually finish by 8.30pm.

Skills required of a Board Director
  • Show experience or the capacity to learn about working with a Board in a professional or voluntary capacity, including reading documents in preparation for meetings
  • Show an ability to bring a skill in a relevant area eg.governance, property, law, HR, housing management, finance, health, community welfare, procurement, or business development to the Board and show the ability to share this skill with other directors to assist their development in a specialist area
  • Show an understanding or the ability to develop, an understanding of the principles of effective governance
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the local area, community issues and an understanding of local residents’ concerns
  • Available and willing to attend evening and occasional daytime meetings, including training sessions
  • Experience of using computers or willing to undertake training in basic computer skills
  • Demonstrate an understanding of, or willingness to undertake training in equal opportunities, both in service delivery and provision
  • Prepared to attend meetings with residents to discuss housing issues
  • Prepared to participate in regular board development activities.