Trustee of City and Hackney Mind

Role Description and Statement of Responsibilities

Trustees have overall legal responsibility for City and Hackney Mind.

INTRODUCTION

City and Hackney Mind is a charity and a company limited by guarantee. It is governed by a Board of Directors who are its Trustees. Trustees are required to act in the best interests of City and Hackney Mind at all times.

The Board is responsible for the policy and overall direction of the work of City and Hackney Mind. As a charitable body, there are restrictions on what City and Hackney Mind can do, e.g., it cannot engage directly in any form of trading or operate outside its objects.

The Board is a non-executive body and has appointed an Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other members of staff to conduct the day to day business of City and Hackney Mind on its behalf. The CEO and the staff act within the terms of their job descriptions or delegated authority.

Overall objective

As a Trustee, to demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and values of City and Hackney Mind and to be responsible collectively with other Trustees for setting the strategic aims and objectives of the organisation, in fulfilment of the charity’s objects; for the well-being and development of the organisation; and for its good governance, in compliance with current legislation under the Companies and Charities Acts.

MAIN WORKING CONTACTS

The Chairperson, Vice Chair, Treasurer
Other members of the Board of Trustees
The CEO and members of the Senior Management Team

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To be aware of and to conform to the responsibilities of a charitable trustee and, where relevant, of a director of a company limited by guarantee.

To ensure that City and Hackney Mind pursues its charitable objectives as set out in its constitution, complying with charity law, company law and other relevant legislation and regulations.

To attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and, as appropriate, of its Committees, contributing to its role in setting the strategic direction of City and Hackney Mind, defining overall policy, setting targets and monitoring performance; ensuring that its decisions are implemented and that the work is consistent with the mission and values of the organisation.

To ensure that the City and Hackney Mind takes appropriate steps to secure necessary resources, material and human; that such resources are managed with due probity and dedicated exclusively to the organisation’s charitable objects.

To exercise oversight of the good financial and general management of City and Hackney Mind, promoting good relationships between Trustees, the CEO, staff and volunteers.

To ensure that independent professional advice is taken by City and Hackney Mind when necessary.

To sit on ad hoc panels, and attend other meetings for particular purposes, by invitation of the Board or its Chair.

To abide by the City and Hackney Mind’s guidelines for trustees, to safeguard its good name, reputation and values and to represent it in the public arena as appropriate.

Trustee duties

To act in the best interest of City and Hackney Mind (‘the organisation’), its beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document (i.e. its memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
To ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document.
To ensure that the organisation applies its assets (including funds, investments and property) exclusively to pursue its objectives
To avoid any conflict of interest, to act with integrity and not obtain personal benefit
To contribute actively to the board of trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
To maintain absolute confidentiality about all aspects of the trustees’ business.
To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
To protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of its funds.
To appoint the chief executive officer and monitor his/her performance.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Trustee person specification

A commitment to the organisation
A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
Strategic vision
Good, independent judgement
An ability to think creatively
A willingness to speak his or her mind
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
Reflexive and self aware.

NOLAN PRINCIPLES

Trustees are expected to subscribe to Nolan’s seven principles of public life:

Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Integrity Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands it.
Honesty Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example

This role description is a broad guide which may be refined through discussion and practice. It should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines for Trustees document and with current Charity Commission guidelines on the responsibilities of trustees