Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership is looking to recruit an interim volunteer chairperson who has the enthusiasm and drive to support the CRP through a task and finish review of the partnership’s governance until 31st March 2025.
We are seeking an individual who brings strong experience of governance to work with the partnership’s steering group and offer support and direction to the partnership officer to review and update key partnership documents and processes. The individual should be able to effectively set the agenda and chair steering group meetings and be able to work with all partners to ensure the continued success of the CRP.
1. Characteristics required for the task and finish review of the partnership’s governance:
Proven strong experience of governance.
Proven leadership skills and a willingness to lead this partnership.
Proven Collaborative working/Team building.
Enthusiasm/drive.
2. Additional characteristics beneficial to chair the CRP:
Commitment to attend and give full attention to meetings and matters of partnership business.
Advantageous to have experience of the rail industry, community development or sustainable travel.
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Impartiality, fairness, and the ability to respect confidences.
Ability to ensure decisions are taken and then actions followed-up.
3. Requirements to ensure the partnership functions properly:
Meet with the CRP Officer on a monthly basis to check progress on each element of the action plan, to provide any support needed to overcome any challenges.
Ensure meeting matters are dealt with in an orderly, efficient manner, actions are taken, carefully considered decisions are made and to arrange for accurate minutes to be recorded.
Bring impartiality and objectivity to meetings.
Facilitate change and address conflict within the steering group.
Review governance performance and skills.
Ensure the steering group has representation from all partners and communities covered
4. Requirements to ensure the steering group is managed effectively:
Coordinate with the CRP Officer and secretary quarterly regarding steering group meeting agendas and ensure meetings are run in accordance with the Constitution.
Ensure financial reports, progress reports and metrics are circulated to steering group members at least 7 days before the quarterly steering group meetings by the CRP Officer/Secretary
Ensure the CRP is meeting its contractual obligations with funding partners and vice versa
Ensure the CRP Code of Conduct is always being adhered to
5. Requirements to represent the organisation:
Act as an ambassador and effectively communicate the vision and purpose of the community rail partnership to external partners in the rail industry, public sector bodies and the media at external meetings and events.
Be aware of current issues in rail and local communities that might affect the organisation.
The role of interim voluntary chair requires an estimated average commitment of 8 hours/month. These hours will be Monday – Friday during the working day, however there may be a few occasions where events are in the evening or at weekends. Steering Group meetings usually take place at either Locomotion at Shildon or The Dolphin Centre in Darlington, or online. Meetings with the officer can take place at a suitable location between Bishop Auckland and Darlington.
There will be the opportunity to attend additional events such as the Community Rail Network (CRN) awards, CRN chair meetings and industry conferences/webinars and training can be made available through CRN.
The Interim Voluntary Chair will have access to complimentary travel on Northern Train services for travel to partnership meetings.
If you are interested in this voluntary role and feel you can demonstrate you have the characteristics below and proven experience required, please email chair@bishopline.org . Please include a statement of interest highlighting your suitability for this role and how you would approach the interim role’s governance review. If you would like an informal chat about the role with a partnership member please also email chair@bishopline.org and we can put you in touch with a representative.
