1. Purpose

The Slade Green & Crayford Marshes Neighbourhood Board (“the Neighbourhood Board”) is the strategic, community-led decision-making body established to oversee delivery of the Pride in Place Programme within the neighbourhood.

The Board will bring together residents, community organisations, businesses, public sector partners and elected representatives to develop a long-term vision and investment plan for the area.

The Board is responsible for:

  • Community-led vision and planning.
  • Investment recommendations and prioritisation.
  • Programme oversight and monitoring.
  • Community engagement and participation.
  • Promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.
  • Supporting the transition towards increased community leadership and delivery over time.

2. Scope

In Scope

  • Development, approval and review of the Pride in Place Plan and the Slade Green & Crayford Marshes 10 Year Vision.
  • Oversight of delivery of the priorities and outcomes set out within the Pride in Place Plan and 10 Year Vision.
  • Community engagement and co-production activity.
  • Approval and prioritisation of projects and investment opportunities.
  • Monitoring delivery, outcomes and benefits.
  • Working with the London Borough of Bexley (“the Council”) as Accountable Body.
  • Establishment of task and finish groups where appropriate.

The Board may undertake such additional activities and functions as are consistent with the role of a Neighbourhood Board under the MHCLG Pride in Place Programme Guidance and any successor guidance.

Out of Scope

  • Day-to-day project delivery.
  • Entering into funding agreements and contracts
  • Statutory local authority functions.
  • Planning and regulatory decisions.
  • National policy decisions relating to the programme.

3. Guiding Principles

The Board will operate in accordance with the following principles:

  • Community-led
  • Inclusive
  • Transparent
  • Collaborative
  • Accountable
  • Evidence-led
  • Focused on long-term sustainable change.

Board members will be expected to uphold the Nolan Principles of Public Life:

  • Selflessness
  • Integrity
  • Objectivity
  • Accountability
  • Openness
  • Honesty
  • Leadership

4. Membership

The Board shall comprise representatives from the local community and organisations with a strong connection to the Pride in Place area. In accordance with the community-led principles of the Pride in Place Programme, the Board shall be resident-led, with the majority of members living and/or working within the Pride in Place area and resident representatives forming the majority of voting members.

The Board shall comprise:

  • Independent Chair (mandatory)
  • Resident Representatives
  • Community and Voluntary Sector Representatives
  • Local Business Representatives
  • Local Member of Parliament (mandatory)
  • Ward Councillors (one Ward Councillor mandatory)
  • The Leader of the London Borough of Bexley or their nominated representative
  • Other stakeholder representatives with a connection to the area as agreed by the Board and the Accountable Body.

In appointing Board members, the Board and Accountable Body shall have regard to MHCLG guidance and shall ensure that community leadership remains at the heart of the Board's membership and decision-making arrangements. Elected representatives shall support, but not outweigh, the community-led nature of the Board.

Advisory Members (non-voting)

The following advisory members shall be invited to attend meetings in a non-voting capacity:

  • Chief Executive, London Borough of Bexley
  • NHS Representative
  • Chief Executive, Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC).
  • Up to two representatives of Registered Providers of Social Housing operating within the Pride in Place area.

Key Requirements

  • A minimum of 51% of members must live or work within the Pride in Place area.
  • Representatives who live and/or work within the Pride in Place area will form the majority of voting members.
  • Membership should reflect the diversity of the local community.
  • The Board shall comprise a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 20 voting members.
  • Voting members may not nominate substitutes.
  • Advisory members may nominate a suitable substitute to attend meetings in their absence. Any substitute shall attend in a non-voting capacity.
  • Membership and the operation of the Neighbourhood Board will be reviewed annually in September of every year by the Chair and the London Borough of Bexley, as Accountable Body, to ensure that the Board continues to operate effectively, remains representative of the community, and is able to fulfil its responsibilities under the Pride in Place Programme. The review will also consider whether the Board is providing the governance, assurance and information required to enable the Council to meet programme requirements, including the submission of monitoring and assurance returns and the continued release of programme funding. Members will be eligible for re-appointment following the annual review unless their membership ceases under paragraph 13. Where a member is appointed as a representative of an organisation, that organisation may review and recommend an alternative representative from time to time. The Board with the approval of the London Borough of Bexley (as Accountable Body) and the local Member of Parliament will invite applications or nominations (as appropriate) for a member vacancy and make appointments.

In Attendance

The Board may invite:

  • Council officers
  • Subject specialists
  • Delivery partners
  • Representatives of voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations
  • Youth representatives and representatives of other local communities and groups with relevant lived experience
  • Statutory agencies
    to attend meetings in a non-voting capacity.

5. The Chair

The Chair will:

  • Provide leadership and direction.
  • Promote community-led decision-making.
  • Ensure effective governance arrangements.
  • Facilitate inclusive and constructive discussion.
  • Promote collaborative working and build relationships across partners and stakeholders.
  • Act as the public ambassador for the programme.

The initial Chair shall be appointed jointly on an interim basis until 30 June 2027 by the London Borough of Bexley and the local Member of Parliament in accordance with MHCLG guidance. A replacement Chair shall thereafter be appointed following an open and transparent process led by the Council and the local Member of Parliament.
The Board may appoint a Deputy Chair.
 

6. Roles and Responsibilities

The Board will:

  • Lead the development, approval , review and oversight of the Pride in Place Plan and the Slade Green & Crayford Marshes 10 Year Vision.
  • Ensure meaningful and ongoing community engagement and participation in the development and delivery of the Pride in Place Programme.
  • Promote active involvement from residents, businesses, community organisations and other local stakeholders in shaping priorities and decision-making.
  • Consider investment opportunities, other sources of funding and project proposals.
  • Seek opportunities to align Pride in Place investment with other public, private, voluntary and philanthropic funding to maximise benefits for the neighbourhood.
  • Monitor delivery, performance and programme outcomes
  • Review programme risks, issues and dependencies
  • Champion the interests of Slade Green & Crayford Marshes.
  • Support the delivery of outcomes and priorities set out within the Pride in Place Plan and the Slade Green & Crayford Marshes 10 Year Vision.
  • Request, sponsor or support the development of business cases, feasibility studies and investment proposals to inform future investment decisions and delivery of the Pride in Place Plan and 10 Year Vision.
  • Consider and approve business cases, feasibility studies and investment proposals that support delivery of the Pride in Place Plan and 10 Year Vision, prior to submission through the Council's governance arrangements as Accountable Body.
  • Receive regular financial monitoring reports from the Council in its role as Accountable Body, detailing expenditure, commitments and the overall financial position of the Pride in Place Programme.
  • Monitor and evaluate programme performance, outcomes, deliverables and long-term impact, taking appropriate action where delivery is not progressing as planned.
  • Establish advisory groups; task and finish groups; or other sub-groups where necessary to support delivery of the Board's responsibilities.

The Board will work collaboratively with the Council as Accountable Body to ensure investments are deliverable and compliant with relevant legislation, programme requirements and MHCLG guidance.

The appointment of the Chair shall be made jointly by the London Borough of Bexley, as Accountable Body, and the local Member of Parliament, following consultation with the Board. In the event of a vacancy, an Interim Chair may be appointed pending recruitment of a permanent Chair.

7. Council as Accountable Body

The Council is the Accountable Body for the Pride in Place Programme. The Council will work in partnership with the Neighbourhood Board to support the successful development and delivery of the Pride in Place Plan, whilst maintaining responsibility for the stewardship of public funds and compliance with programme requirements.

The Council will:

  • Administer Pride in Place programme funding.
  • Enter into funding agreements and contracts to implement the Board’s
    approved recommendations.
  • Ensure compliance with contract and grant conditions.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements including financial regulations where applicable.
  • Oversee procurement, subsidy control obligations and other legal obligations.
  • Maintain appropriate financial management and control arrangements.
  • Monitor programme expenditure, commitments and funding allocations.
  • Maintain financial records, accounting arrangements and monitoring processes that separately identify Pride in Place Programme funding, expenditure and commitments.
  • Provide regular financial monitoring reports to the Board on programme expenditure, commitments and the overall financial position of the Programme.
  • Provide governance, assurance and secretariat support to the Board as appropriate.
  • Provide or facilitate access to appropriate professional advice and support, including legal, financial, procurement, programme management and other specialist advice required to support the effective operation of the Board and delivery of the Programme. Such support may be funded from the Programme and/or be subject to the Council's cost recovery arrangements where appropriate.
  • Ensure public funds are used appropriately and lawfully and in accordance with MHCLG guidance.

The Board will determine local priorities, develop investment proposals and make investment recommendations having regard to MHCLG guidance and the priorities set out in the Pride in Place Plan. The Council's role as Accountable Body is to provide governance, assurance and stewardship of public funds.
 

8. Decision-Making

The Board will seek consensus wherever possible. 

Where a vote is required:

  • Each voting member shall have one vote.
  • Decisions shall be carried by a simple majority of voting members present.
  • The Chair shall have a casting vote in the event of a tied vote.
  • Where an urgent decision is required between scheduled meetings, the Chair may take the decision in consultation with the Council and, where practicable, the Deputy Chair. The decision, reasons for urgency and any actions taken shall be recorded and reported to the next meeting of the Board. Any urgent decision involving the allocation, commitment or expenditure of funding shall remain subject to the Council's governance and approval processes in its role as Accountable Body.

The Board is responsible for determining local priorities, developing investment proposals and making recommendations on the use of Pride in Place Programme funding.

Recommendations involving expenditure shall be formally documented and supported by a business case, investment proposal, feasibility study or other supporting information proportionate to the value, complexity and risk of the proposal.

Any recommendation involving the allocation, commitment or expenditure of funding shall be subject to the Council’s approval and governance arrangements in its role as Accountable Body.
In implementing Board recommendations, the Council shall ensure compliance with its Constitution, Financial Regulations, Contract Procedure Rules, Scheme of Delegation, grant conditions and all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.

Appropriate officer approvals and authorisations shall be obtained before any funding is committed, contracted or expended.

Where a recommendation cannot be implemented due to legal, financial, procurement, subsidy control or other compliance considerations, the Council shall provide advice to the Board and work collaboratively to identify an alternative compliant approach where appropriate.

Decisions and recommendations of the Board shall be recorded in the minutes and maintained as part of the Programme's governance records.
 

9. Meetings

  • Meetings will normally be held monthly during establishment and development of the Pride in Place Plan and 10-Year Vision.
  • The Board may subsequently determine an alternative meeting schedule.
  • Papers will normally be circulated at least five working days before meetings.
  • Meetings may be held in person, virtually or on a hybrid basis.
  • The public may be excluded from part or all of a meeting where the Chair determines that confidential, commercially sensitive or exempt information is to be considered.
  • Draft minutes of the meeting will normally be prepared within 10 working days of the meeting for approval by the Chair and shall then be circulated to the other members of the Board. Minutes shall remain in draft form until approval by the Board at its next meeting.

Quorum

The quorum shall be:

  • The Chair (or Deputy Chair); and
  • At least one elected representative of the London Borough of Bexley who is a member of the Board ; and
  • At least 50% of voting Board members, including the Chair (or Deputy Chair) and elected representative where they are voting members.

10. Conflicts of Interest

All Board members must:

  • Complete a Declaration of Interests Form.
  • Declare any actual, perceived or potential conflicts of interest.
  • Update declarations whenever circumstances change.
  • Declare relevant interests at the beginning of meetings (which shall be published in the minutes).
  • Refrain from voting on any matter where a conflict exists. The Council will maintain a Register of Interests.

11. Transparency and Accountability

The following will be published wherever appropriate:

  • Board membership.
  • Register of interests.
  • Agendas.
  • Meeting minutes.
  • The Pride in Place Plan and 10-Year Vision.
  • Programme updates.
  • An annual report setting out programme progress, outcomes, expenditure and funding commitments.

Confidential, personal and commercially sensitive or otherwise exempt information may be withheld from publication where appropriate.

12. Secretariat Support

Secretariat support may be provided through the Pride in Place Programme and/or the London Borough of Bexley.

The secretariat function may include:

  • Meeting administration.
  • Governance support.
  • Action tracking.
  • Maintenance of records.
  • Support to the Chair and where required, the Deputy Chair in relation to their governance responsibilities, including where the Deputy Chair is acting on behalf of the Chair.
  • Stakeholder correspondence and communications.

The secretariat function does not provide legal, financial, procurement or programme management advice, which will be provided separately by the Council and other professional advisers as required.

13. Membership Review and Removal

A member may cease membership through:

  • Resignation.
  • Change in eligibility.
  • Persistent non-attendance including failure to attend three consecutive meetings.
  • Failure to comply with these Terms of Reference.
  • Failure to declare conflicts of interest.
  • Breach of the Nolan Principles or Code of Conduct.

The Board may recommend removal of a member following a fair and transparent process.

14. Review

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed:

  • Annually each September; or
  • Following significant programme changes; or
  • Following amendments to Government guidance.