Homes and Communities Agency

Homes and Communities Agency

Appointment of up to four Board Members

August 2016

Closing Date for Applications: 6 September 2016 at 5pm

Information Pack Contents

The HCA’s Role3

The Role of the HCA Board3

RoleDescription4

Person Specification5

How to Apply6

The Selection and Recruitment Process8

Interviews8

Post Interview Next Steps9

Complaints9

The Seven Principles of Public Life10

Terms and Conditions11

Annexes13

The HCA’s Role

The Government has set itself two significant major aims in relation to housing:

To deliver a significant increase in housing supply
To increase opportunities for people who aspire to own their own home

The HCA is key to the successful delivery of these housing ambitions, outside of London.

The 2015 spending review allocated in excess of £20 billion of gross capital investment over the next five years to support housing and local growth. This includes a doubling of the affordable housing budget from 2018-19, which represents the largest affordable house building programme by a government for many decades. Other major funding includes extending the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme to support homeownership, funds targeting support for small builders and tackling barriers to development.

The HCA employs around 900 staff with an annual operational budget in 2016/17 of £80 million. It operates from a London headquarters, co-located with DCLG, with regional operational bases.

The Role of the HCA Board

The responsibilities of the Board include:

Leading the HCA through a period of crucial change as the organisation responds to a fast-moving policy environment.
Establishing the overall strategic direction of the HCA to deliver the corporate priorities and targets approved by the Secretary of State, within the policy and resources framework agreed with DCLG.
Holding the HCA’s management to account for the effective use of public funds, value for money and achieving Ministers’ priority objectives and targets.
Setting strategy and risk management policy for the investment portfolio in line with the Department’s risk appetite, receiving regular reports on the performance of the portfolio and exercising a challenge function of the investment unit.
Overseeing the delivery of the Agency’s public land role, plus programmes and projects to deliver housing.
Overseeing the advancement and recovery of equity and loans to support housing development.
Enabling the Regulation Committee to discharge its regulation functions effectively, in accordance with the regulatory framework.
Ensuring that the HCA’s affairs are conducted with probity and that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times.

Role Description

Board members have corporate responsibility for ensuring that the HCA fulfils the overall aims and objectives set out in the legislation and the priorities determined by the Secretary of State. Board members also have responsibility for ensuring that the HCA complies with any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds and assets.

The Role

Board Members will:

Establish the overall strategic direction of the HCA within the policy and resources framework agreed with DCLG, through development of the Corporate Plan and the HCA’s contribution to driving economic growth.
Hold the HCA’s management to account for the effective use of public funds and driving value for money.
Receive and review regular financial data and other performance information concerning the management of the HCA.
Set strategy and risk management for the investment portfolio, receive regular reports on the performance of the portfolio, and exercise a challenge function of the investment unit.
Oversee the delivery of the HCA’s emerging public land role, plus programmes and projects for housing and regeneration.
Approve individual projects within delegated authorities.
Enable the Regulation Committee to discharge its regulation functions effectively and efficiently, in accordance with the regulatory framework.
Work with HCA’s management to ensure the enhancement of the reputation of the Agency.
Advise on the effective management of stakeholders.
Ensure that the HCA’s affairs are conducted with probity, and that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times.
Ensure that the Board operates within the limits of its statutory authority and in accordance with the authority delegated from its sponsoring Department and with guidance issued by it.
Comply at all times with the rules relating to the use of public funds and conflicts of interest.
Act as a champion for the work and role of HCA at public events and meetings.
Act in accordance with the seven principles of public life, full details of which are provided on page 10.

Person Specification

The successful candidate should be well informed about the HCA and the environment in which it operates. A proven track record of dealing with Government would be highly beneficial. Due to the increasingly commercial and evolving environment in which the HCA operates, the candidate must be able to demonstrate strong commercial and financial acumen.

Essential Criteria

Evidence of strong business acumen.
Substantial commercial background, ideally including experience of property and land.
Strong understanding of governance and risk.
Strong analytical skills evidenced in regulation, finance or economic development.
An understanding of some or all of the following areas: surveying; construction; mixed use developments; housebuilding; investment; and finance

We are seeking one Board member to also chair the HCA’s Audit and Risk Committee. For this role, we are seeking an individual with the essential criteria above and the following:

Experience of chairing boards or committees.
Strong understanding of governance and risk management with recent experience in audit or finance at a senior level.

Desirable Criteria

Track record of ensuring effective governance for high profile organisations, and management of organisations, particularly during a process of change.
A good understanding of current housing market issues, including the delivery of both private rented and affordable housing.
An understanding of the decision-making processes within public sector organisations.
Professional qualifications and/or practical experience such as, but not limited to accountancy, chartered surveying andquantity surveying.

How to Apply

All candidates are required to complete and submit the following:

Position Preference – please can you indicate whether you are applying for appointment as a Board Member or specifically for the Audit and Risk Committee Board appointment (also a Board member).

A Curriculum Vitae – which includes your education and professional qualifications and full employment history (no more than 3 pages)

Covering Letter – explaining how you meet both the essential and desirable criteria for the role (no more than 2 pages of A4) – please refer to the person specification section of this candidate pack

Political Activity Questionnaire – Annex A

Other Relevant Information Declaration Form – Annex B

Diversity (Equal Opportunities) Monitoring Questionnaire – Annex C

Guaranteed Interview Scheme Form - if applicable – Annex D

Conflict of Interest Form – Annex E

List of Referees – Annex F (The referees will be approached only if you are shortlisted for interview)

Publicity Survey – Annex G

Your completed application should be returned by 5pm on Tuesday 6 September by email to

If you are unable to apply by email you may send your application by post to: Gayle Springett, Department for Communities and Local Government, 1st Floor NE, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.

Political Activity Questionnaire

This questionnaire enables the monitoring of political activity of candidates for a public appointment insofar as it is already in the public domain.

Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire

The Department for Communities and Local Government is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and welcomes applications from candidates irrespective of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender or working patterns.

Please complete this form and return it with your application. Please note the form will not be treated as part of your application. The data will be treated in the strictest confidence, and will be used for monitoring and statistical purposes only.

Other Relevant Information Declaration Form

Any appointee to a Public Body could find that matters or incidents which previously attracted no attention could become matters of public interest once the person concerned holds a public appointment.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

DCLG uses the guaranteed interview scheme to help widen employment opportunities for disabled people. Applicants with disabilities who meet the criteria stated in the person specification and submit a completed 'Guaranteed Interview Scheme' form will be guaranteed an interview.

The Selection and Recruitment Process

This process is being managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Any queries regarding the process should be directed to Gayle Springett at or 0303 444 4129.

Commissioner for Public Appointments

All appointments are made following an open competition conducted in accordance with The Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

The Commissioner regulates and monitors appointments to public bodies to ensure procedures are fair, open and transparent and based on merit. More information about the role of the Commissioner and his Code of Practice is available from -

The Commissioner for Public Appointments would like to find out what you think of the public appointments process. When you have completed the process, the Commissioner would appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete this survey: your response will be anonymous and will inform the Commissioner’s ongoing work with Government Departments to improve the public appointments process.

After the closing date applications will be carefully assessed by the appointment panel on their merits against the criteria as published and a short list for interview will be drawn up.

The panel for the HCA Board Member appointments will be:

Chair – Sir Edward Lister – Chair of the HCA Board
Helen MacNamara – Director General for Housing and Planning, DCLG
Independent Panel Member – To be confirmed

It is vital that you provide evidence through worked examples to demonstrate that you meet each required criteria.

Interviews

Candidates who the panel considers meet the criteria for the posts and merit appointment will be recommended to the Secretary of State for consideration. The Secretary of State may choose to meet with appointable candidates before making a decision. If he does, he will meet all the candidates in the presence of the panel Chair or their nominated representative. The time taken between interview and a final appointment decision can sometimes take a number of weeks. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

Reasonable travel expenses will be payable for travel to and from the interview, in accordance with HCA guidelines.

Post Interview – Next Steps

Following the Ministerial decision on appointment, letters will be sent to all interviewees with the result. The successful candidate will be sent a letter of appointment to sign and return. They will also be asked to provide a biography which will accompany the Press Notice which will announce their appointment to the Board. Once the appointment commences training will be offered.

Complaints

If at any time during the appointments procedure you have reason to question your treatment, you should first address your complaints to the administration team (by email: or by post: ALB HCA Sponsorship Team, Department for Communities and Local Government, 1st Floor NE, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF

If after investigation by the Department, you remain dissatisfied, you may take your complaint to the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Details on how to make a complaint can be found on the Commissioner’s website at:

Complaints should be lodged within 12 months of the appointment being made.

The 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.

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.

Terms and Conditions

Remuneration

For this role, the remuneration is set at £12,000 per annum for a time commitment of 2 days per month,however, the allowance will be adjusted pro rata, depending on Committee membership.

Period of Appointment

The appointment will be for 3 years.

Location

The location of the Homes and Communities Agency is at, Ground Floor, Fry Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF. Board meetings are customarily held at this location, however, a small number of meetings may be held outside London.

Conflicts of Interest

As with any public appointment, it is important that the highest possible levels of probity and integrity are maintained. To that end, we ask that you give details of any business or other interests or any personal connections which, if you are appointed, could be misconstrued or cause embarrassment to the Agency or DCLG. These could include financial interests or share ownership, active connections within a field of expertise in which the Agency will work, membership of societies, activities, associations or employment of a partner or friend in the particular field in which the Agency will operate. The recruitment panel will explore potential conflicts of interest during the interview process.

Any statements you make will be treated confidentially and we will contact you to discuss any potential conflicts that might arise ahead of the sift process to explain what might be required if you are successful and check that you still wish your application to be considered. The sift panel may wish to explore any conflicts of interest at interview.

Please note that you cannot be a Board member of a Registered Provider. If you are currently a Registered Provider Board member, you would need to resign that position before taking this post.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment, you will need to be either a UK national or a national of another European Economic Area Member State, or a Commonwealth citizen and have the right to work in the UK. Swiss nationals are also eligible. In addition, if you have dual nationality you will be eligible as long as one of the nationalities meets the requirements.

Security clearance

Before the appointment of the successful candidate can be confirmed, you will be subject to a Basic Disclosure Scotland check and Counter Terrorist Check.

Annex A

POLITICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE

All applicants should complete the question below. Please indicate which of the following activities you have undertaken during the past five years by ticking the appropriate box and by providing details of your involvement. Name the political party or body for which you have been active. If you have been or are an Independent or have sought or obtained office as a representative of a particular interest group, you should state this. You should tick all relevant categories.

If you are successful, the information provided will be published with the announcement of your appointment.

 Obtained office as a Local Councillor, District Councillor, MP, Devolved Offices, MEP, etc.

 Stood as a candidate for one of the above offices

 Spoken on behalf of a party or candidate

 Acted as a political agent

 Held office such as Chair, Treasurer or Secretary of a local branch of a party

 Canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at elections

 Undertaken any other political activity which you consider relevant

 Made a recordable donation to a political party[1]

 None of the above activities apply

Name of Party for which activity undertaken:

Details of your involvement: (Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary)

Name: ………………………………………………………………….

Signed: …………………………………………………………………

Date: …………………

Note: This form is for monitoring purposes only and therefore will be detached from your application and will not be seen by any selection panels. However, it is appreciated that such activities may have given you relevant skills, including experience gained from committee work, collective decision making, resolving conflict and public speaking. If, therefore, you have had such experience and you consider it relevant to your application for this post, you should include it separately in the main body of your covering letter. You should not, however, identify the relevant political party in the application form.

Annex B

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION – DECLARATION

Please provide details on a separate sheet, if you answer “yes” to any of the following questions. Have you:

Yes / No
(1)ever been convicted of any offence (other than minor motoring offences) which are not spent in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974;
(2)got any charges outstanding;
(3)become bankrupt over the past 10 years;
(4)been dismissed from any office or employment over the past 10 years;
(5)ever been disqualified from either acting as a Company Director or in the management of a Company;
(6)ever been a Director, Partner or Manager of a Company which has gone into liquidation, receivership or administration;
(7)any other information which you would consider relevant to an assessment of your suitability as a public appointee; for example business interests or personal relationships, which may lead to an allegation of conflict of interest.

Please note: a YES answer to any of the questions (1) to (7) above will not necessarily disqualify a candidate for public appointment.