Message from the Chair
Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company, a subsidiary of Cunninghame Housing Association. We welcome individuals who wish to contribute their skills and passion to our organisation’s future.
CFRC is looking for passionate and dedicated people to become members of our Board of Directors and play a role in steering the organisation’s future growth. As a Board Director, you will play a vital role in providing strategic leadership, ensuring strong governance, and supporting CFRC to deliver positive outcomes for the communities we serve.
Previous board experience is welcome but not essential. We value diversity of background, perspective and lived experience, and are committed to building an inclusive Board.
CFRC currently has five Board Directors and would welcome new members to complement our existing skills set to ensure a well-rounded Board.
The CFRC Board holds four scheduled meetings during the year, which are held in Cunninghame Housing Association’s head office in Ardrossan or via MS Teams. For all of these meetings there are reports which are issued electronically to Board members a week in advance. Mobile devices to access the reports and full training is provided for all members.
If you are interested in joining, we would love to hear from you!
How To Apply
You should complete the Board Application Form as fully as you can. The form should simply tell us why you would like to join the Board of Directors. If you require further assistance, please contact Jennifer McCann, Executive Director of Housing & Communities who will be happy to discuss.
We will review all forms received and be in touch to organise a meeting with the Group CEO and Chairperson. This meeting will allow you to meet and to chat about your reasons for wanting to join the Board of Directors to find out what is involved.
About CFRC
Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company (CFRC) is a subsidiary of Cunninghame Housing Association (CHA).
Established in 2010, CFRC is a community-focused social enterprise based in Irvine, but services all three Local Authority areas across Ayrshire. The organisation collects donated furniture and household goods, refurbishes items where needed, and redistributes them at affordable prices to individuals and families in need.
CFRC is committed to reducing landfill waste and promoting reuse. The organisation plays an important role in environmental sustainability while also supporting local people facing financial hardship. Through furniture recycling, community partnerships and volunteer opportunities, CFRC helps improve lives and strengthen the local community across Ayrshire.
Our Vision, Mission and Values
Our Vision – “To be one of the leading furniture reuse social enterprises in Scotland, achieving significant social, environmental and employment benefits for Ayrshire residents”.
Our Mission – “Furniture Reuse Working for You”.
To achieve this, we operate using a set of values, which we describe as EPICC. These were developed by our staff team and Board of Management during the business planning process.
Equality: We will be fair and consistent with all of our people, customer and business partners by being open, honest and accountable at all times
Participation: We will involve our stakeholders by promoting clear communication, participation and engagement in order to improve our effectiveness and efficiency as we continue to grow our business
Investment: We will invest in all of our people, products, and places, to create environments that are positive, motivating, challenging and rewarding
Creativity: We will continue to create and develop new initiatives and take measured risks to exceed our partners and customers expectations
Customer Focus: We will focus on the needs of all of our customers and deliver a quality customer driven service
These values define how we operate, engage with stakeholders and plan the delivery of our strategic objectives. They drive our business development, ensuring value for money in our work delivering the highest quality outcomes for our customers.
Current Board of Directors
The CFRC Board of Directors comprises a maximum of 15 members. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson are elected annually by CFRC’s Board of Directors which comprise of individuals with differing skillsets and experience and have a strong and shared commitment to delivering CFRC’s strategic objectives
Board of Directors
Brenda Johnstone, Chair
Elizabeth Shedden, Vice Chair
John Kelly
Janet Strang
Jane Hoey
CHA’s Executive Management Team comprises of Group CEO and three Executive Directors. They are also responsible for leading CFRC. The Board delegates responsibility for the day-to-day running of the parent organisation to the Group CEO, supported by the Executive Directors.
Person Specification
Commitment to:
- Vision, mission and values of CFRC
- Communities served by CFRC
Desirable Knowledge or Experience in any of the undernoted fields
(however, this is not essential as training will be provided)
- Basic understanding of furniture repair and refurbishment
- Awareness of reuse, repair and circular economy principles
- Understanding of sustainability and circular economy practices
- Knowledge of furniture collection, storage and distribution
- Experience working with public sector or social enterprise partners
- Understanding of community development and social inclusion work
- Ability to support environmental and social impact reporting
- Awareness of low cost retail or reuse shop operations
Skills
- Ability to work as a member of a team with other Board members and with staff
- Ability to contribute to discussions about strategy and policy
- Ability to interpret and question information received
- Ability to communicate effectively, contribute to decision making and to challenge constructively
Other Attributes
- Willing to contribute ideas and new perspectives
- Willingness to attend training courses, seminars and conferences to gain knowledge and skills appropriate to the role
Board of Management Role Description (Group Policy)
Standard 1 – “The governing body leads and directs the RSL to achieve good outcomes for its tenants and other service users.”
1.1 This role description has been prepared to set out the responsibilities that are associated with being a Board member within the Cunninghame Group of Companies. It should be read in conjunction with the accompanying person specification and CFRC’s Articles of Association.
1.2 CHA is a Registered Social Landlord, Scottish Charity and is a Registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. The role description reflects the principles of good governance and takes account of (and is compliant with) the expectations of the Regulatory Standards of Governance and Financial Management for Scottish RSLs and relevant guidance produced by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
1.3 The Cunninghame Group of Companies encourages people who are interested in its’ work to consider seeking election as a Board member and is committed to ensuring broad representation from the communities that it serves. Board members do not require ‘qualifications’ but, from time to time, we will seek to recruit people with specific skills and experience to add to or expand the existing range of skills and experience available to ensure that our Boards are able to fulfil their purpose. We have developed a profile for our Boards which describe the skills, qualities and experience that we consider we need to lead and direct our Group of Companies and carry out an annual review of the skills that we have and those that we need to inform our recruitment activities.
1.4 This role description applies to all members of Boards within the Cunninghame Group of Companies, whether elected or co-opted or appointed, new or experienced. It is subject to periodic review. The role has been generalised to cover the Group of Companies, however Board members of subsidiary companies will have the same responsibilities and duties pertaining to the specific subsidiary company, rather than the entire Group.
2.1 Board Members have a set of key responsibilities within the Group. The primary responsibilities are, with the other members of the Board, to:
- Lead and direct the Group’s work
- Promote and uphold Group values
- Set and monitor standards for service delivery and performance
- Control Group affairs and ensure compliance
- Uphold the Group’s Code of Conduct and promote good governance
2.2 Responsibility for the operational implementation of Group strategies and policies is delegated to the Chief Executive (CEO).
3.1 The Cunninghame Group of Companies has adopted a Code of Conduct for Board of Management Members which every member is required to sign on an annual basis and uphold their membership of the governing body.
3.2 Each Board member must accept and share collective responsibility for the decisions properly taken by the Board. Each Board member is expected to contribute actively and constructively to the work of the Cunninghame Group of Companies. All members are equally responsible in law for the decisions made.
3.3 Each member must always act only in the best interests of the Cunninghame Group of Companies and their customers, and not on behalf of any interest group, constituency or other organisation. Board members cannot act in a personal capacity to benefit themselves or someone they know.
3.4 Our rules contain specific requirements that all board members should be aware of. Those pertaining to the Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company include:
- The quorum for a CFRC Board of Directors meeting is three members
- A person cannot remain as a director if:
- they are absent (without permission) from more than three consecutive meetings of the directors
- they become an employee of the Company
- they are declared bankrupt
- A director who has declared an interest in any transaction or other arrangement which the Company is proposing to enter into must leave the meeting, before the matter is discussed, and cannot vote on the issue.
- To contribute to formulating and regularly reviewing Group values, strategic aims, business objectives and performance standards.
- To monitor Group performance.
- To be informed about and ensure Group plans take account of the views of tenants and other customers.
- To ensure the Group operates in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
- To be assured that the Group is compliant with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
- To ensure that risks are realistically assessed and appropriately monitored and managed.
- To ensure that the Group is adequately resourced to achieve its objectives and meet its obligations.
- To oversee and ensure the Group’s financial viability and business sustainability whilst maintaining rents at levels that are affordable to tenants.
- To act, along with the other members of the Board, as the employer of Group staff.
- To ensure that the Group is open and accountable to tenants, regulators, funders and partners.
- Act at all times in the best interests of the Group.
- Accept collective responsibility for decisions, policies and strategies.
- Attend and be well prepared for meetings of the governing body and any sub-committee.
- Contribute effectively to discussions and decision making.
- Exercise objectivity, care and attention in fulfilling your role.
- Take part in ongoing training and other learning opportunities.
- Take part in an annual review of the effectiveness of Group governance and of your individual contribution to Group governance.
- Maintain and develop your personal knowledge of relevant issues and the wider housing sector.
- Represent the Group positively and effectively at all times, including in local communities and when attending meetings and other events.
- Respect and maintain confidentiality of information.
- Treat colleagues with respect and foster effective working relationships within the governing body and between the governing body and staff.
- Be aware of and comply with our policy on the restrictions on payments and benefits.
- Register any relevant interests as soon as they arise and comply with the Group policy on managing conflicts of interest.
6.1 An estimate of the annual time commitment that is expected from Board members is:
Attendance at up to 4 regular meetings of the governing body – 8hrs
Reading and preparation for meetings of the governing body – 4hrs
Attendance at events such as estate tours, tenant / customer conferences, openings and site visits – When required
Attendance at internal briefing and training events – When required
External Training and conference attendance (may include overnight stay or weekend) – When required
7.1 All Board members are volunteers and receive no payment for their contribution. The Group has adopted an Entitlements, Payments and Benefits Policy which prevents you or someone close to you from inappropriately benefiting personally from your involvement with the Group. This and related policies also seek to ensure that you are not unfairly disadvantaged by your involvement with the Group. All out of pocket expenses associated with your role as a Board Member will be fully met and promptly reimbursed.
7.2 In return for your commitment, Cunninghame Group of Companies offers:
- A welcome and introduction when you first join the Board;
- Formal induction training to assist settling in
- A mentor from the governing body and a named staff contact for the first six months, with ongoing support
- Clear guidance, information and advice on your responsibilities and on the Group’s strategic direction and corporate plan
- Board papers which are clearly written and presented, and circulated in advance of meetings
- The opportunity to put your experience, skills and knowledge to constructive use
- The opportunity to develop your own knowledge, experience and personal skills
- The chance to network with others with shared commitment and ideals
8.1 This role description was approved by the Board of Management on 3rd October 2024. It will form the basis of the annual review of the effectiveness of your contribution to our governance. It will be reviewed by the governing body not later than three years from adoption.