Decision details

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services advised that following their decision to adopt the Community Housing Cymru model rules 2017, Trivallis were seeking Cabinet’s consent to amend the rules of the association in respect of tenant representation on their Board. This follows

Members were informed that Trivallis had reduced the size of their Board to between a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 members (excluding co-optees) and had removed the previous requirement for three constituent groups; tenant, local authority and independent. The Director explained that, instead, appointment to the Board would be made on the basis of skills, knowledge and experience. The Council would still be able to appoint up to two Board members as was current practice, although this would now be subject to those nominated persons meeting the Board’s skills requirements.

The Director continued and explained that the proposal meant that the current requirement for four tenant representatives would be removed and under the new rules one space on the Board would always be available for a tenant Board member subject to the candidate meeting the skills requirements as assessed by the Board. The Director added that it would still be possible for more than one tenant to be a Board member, however the requirement for four spaces would be removed.

The Leader spoke of the discussions which had taken place between the Local Authority and Trivallis, commenting that he was pleased that the Council had secured two Board representatives as part of their constitution.

The Deputy Leader raised concerns in respect of the reduction of tenant participation and commented on the importance of the voice of the tenant. The Deputy Leader suggested that Trivallis introduce a tenant scrutiny group to keep tenant participation at the forefront of the organisation.

Both the Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing and Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Wellbeing and Cultural Services echoed the comments made by the Deputy Leader and were assured that the two representatives on the Board would hold Trivallis to account.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To confirm consent to the proposed change to Trivallis’ rules of the association concerning tenant representation on Trivallis’ Board.