Nuneaton and Bedworth Healthy Living Network

Trustee Recruitment Policy

1. Policy Statement1.1 Nuneaton & Bedworth Healthy Living Network (HLN) is committed to ensuring governance arrangements are managed in accordance with the current legislation, as well as adopting procedures that are examples of good practise and improve the effectiveness of the organisation.

2. Introduction2.1 The Charities Act 2011 defines charity trustees as the people responsible under the charity’s governing document for controlling the administration and management of the charity. For HLN, the charity trustees are the Board of Directors of the Organisation and are known as the HLN Board of Directors or the Trustee Board.

2.2 The new Code of Governance for the Voluntary and Community Sector includes as part of its principles that 'trustees should have the diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge needed to run an organisation effectively' and that 'trustees should ensure that they receive the necessary induction, training and ongoing support they need to discharge their duties.

2.3 In addition to this, disclosure is now required in SORP 2005 of the methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new trustees and the policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees.

2.4 Recruitment and selection processes will comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. A candidate’s protected characteristics, as defined in the Equality Act 2010, will never contribute to them not getting a particular job. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled candidates

3. Diversity3.1 HLN will ensure that it engages effectively with the community it serves, responds effectively and equitably to the needs of its users and increases its accountability and public confidence in its work.

4. Role of the Board of Trustees4.1 The Trustee Board must always act in the best interests of HLN, exercising the same duty of care that a prudent person of business would in looking after the affairs of someone for whom he or she had responsibility. The Trustee Board must act as a group and not as individuals.

5. Rules governing the appointment of Trustees5.1 In the governing documents of HLN (memorandum and articles of association) there is no maximum number of Trustees set, but there should, at any one time, be in place a minimum of three Trustees which represents the quorum. A Trustee must be over 18 years of age. The Trustees form the membership of the organisation, and are entitled to vote. A third of the Trustee board retires at each Annual General Meeting, but can be re-elected if there is a proposer, seconder and majority vote in their favour.

6. Eligibility to become a Trustee

Reviewed by L Pettifor on 25/6/2019

6.1 It is a criminal offence for an individual to serve as a Trustee if disqualified from doing so.

7. Process for appointment of Trustees7.1 Potential Trustees can be recruited through:

• Recommendation• Referral from a recruiting organisation (e.g. Council for Voluntary Services)• Self-Referral• Advertisement, following a skills audit which identifies gaps

7.2 Potential Trustees will, in the first instance, be met by the Chair and given an overview of the organisation from an operational perspective. They will be given background written information about the organisation and invited to meet with the Board to ascertain the following information:

• Skills• Background• Experience of working within a governance role

7.3 It is a two-way process and the discussion should present the prospective trustees with an opportunity to find out more about being a trustee for HLN and decide whether or not they are still interested.

7.4 They will be asked to complete, an application form and suitable candidates will be invited to attend the next available board meeting.

7.5 At this point, the new trustee will be asked to:• Complete and sign the declaration of interest form• Sign a declaration that they are eligible to serve as a Director• Agree and sign the code of conduct

7.8 The new trustee will be elected at a Board meeting and Companies House will be notified of the appointment.

8. Expectations of Trustees8.1 A role description will be provided outlining the duties of the Trustee and a person specification details the experience and qualities needed to fulfil the role. Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings. Board meetings are held around 4 times a year. Each meeting lasts from 1 to 2 hours, is usually in the evening, and papers are provided by email before the meeting with a hard copy available at the meeting.

9. Reimbursement of Expenses9.1 Trustees can claim reasonable out of pocket expenses in relation to travelling and other expenses (refreshments).

9.2 Under the terms of HLN’s governing documents, Trustees will not be paid for carrying out their duties on behalf of the organisation, although they may be paid for professional services if agreed by the board.

Reviewed by L Pettifor on 25/6/2019

9.3 This policy and procedure can be provided in large print and can be translated on request.

10. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be kept under continuous review and will be updated at periodic intervals of not less than 2 years.

Reviewed and approved by the HLN Board 19th July 2019

Reviewed by L Pettifor on 25/6/2019