Join our 2025 Strategic Housing Board
We have saved you a place on our Strategic Housing Board
Are you a Gateshead Council tenant or leaseholder? Do you have a passion for making a positive difference to the lives of people living in your community? Then being part of our Strategic Housing Board could be opportunity you've been waiting for.
What is the Strategic Housing Board?
The Strategic Housing Board is a council advisory committee that considers and make recommendations on a wide range of housing and community related matters. This includes but is not restricted to:
- the tenant and wider community voice
- housing strategy
- residential and affordable housing development
- area-based and housing-led regeneration proposals and plans
- tackling homelessness, rough-sleeping, and specialist housing provision
- independent living
- private-sector housing
- housing's contribution to the delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Thrive agenda
Chair of the Board, Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council said,
'The Council acknowledges the importance and value of hearing the tenant voice at the heart of decision making. Having customer representation on our Strategic Housing Board is a key part of our approach to fulfilling on this commitment.
'If you want to play a key role in influencing change across Housing Services then we would love to hear from you.'
What will I do as a board member?
Working with other board members and officers, you will help to develop and implement our approach to housing and community matters, with a workplan informed by the council's Thrive agenda and strategic priorities. The board also consider legislation and social housing regulation, as well as the opportunities for change, including better and more efficient ways of working.
A little bit more about the role
Time commitment
The frequency of board meetings will vary, but they usually meet every two months, and each one is scheduled to last two hours.
Location
The board meets in person, and all meetings are scheduled to take place in the Civic Centre, Gateshead.
Tenure
The term of tenant membership is set at a maximum period of three years, and a tenant representative can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Expenses
This is an unpaid volunteer role, but we do pay expenses to help you attend and participate in meetings and activities.
Support
We offer a range of support to help you attend and participate in meetings, such as making reasonable adjustments and offering training opportunities to keep you up to date with social housing policies and priorities.
What qualities will I need?
We want to make sure that the customer voice is heard at the centre of our decision making. We also want a diverse range of views and opinions from people with different backgrounds and experiences. With this in mind we are looking for people with:
- a passion for providing excellent services to all our residents and communities across Gateshead
- sound judgement and common sense
- a willingness to challenge constructively
- self-awareness, who will take responsibility for their own learning and will actively participate in meetings
- a commitment to diversity in all its forms
- an awareness of housing and community issues.
Current board member, Joseline, shared her thoughts about being on the board:
"I feel like I am given a platform to learn and develop, [things like] professional communication skills and knowledge around social policies and current issues in social housing, while representing social housing tenants and influencing tenants focused policies.
"The team welcome is amazing as I feel accepted and my concerns are observed carefully and with respect.
"Workshops and panels are empowering, educational and provide knowledge and truth about how the social housing systems operate."
This sounds interesting. How do I apply?
It's easy to apply. All you need to do is send an e-mail to involve@gateshead.gov.uk telling us why you would like to join the board, and what you can bring to the role. Share what skills and experience you have that makes this the right opportunity for you.
Housing experience or being a previous board member isn't essential. We want you to bring your unique insight and experience to this role to help us make a positive difference.
We are accepting applications until midnight on Sunday 30 March 2025.
What happens next?
We will review all applications following the closing date, and will arrange informal interviews with you if we feel you have the right qualities for the role.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like an informal chat about the role, please e-mail involve@gateshead.gov.uk and we will be in touch.