Board Member Information & Application

Application to become a Board Chair or Board Member have now closed.

There will be no formal requirements of Board Members, but they will:

• be required to make a commitment of two days per month
• be required to attend quarterly Board meetings
• be required to attend occasional development of engagement sessions
• be required to read all Board papers ahead of each Board meeting
• need to sign up to a code of conduct based on the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles)
• need to declare any potential conflicts of interest, support will be provided on how to do this once Board members are selected
• need to be prepared to welcome and listen to the views of others on the board and within the community
• help to think about solutions to community issues, but not by pushing personal agendas
• be open to learn and to receive feedback on their role

Board meetings will be held in person and where possible within Marsh Farm.

This work will need to be undertaken flexibility around existing commitments.

Board Members may be residents, but can also be local businesspeople, grassroots campaigners, workplace representatives, and faith and community leaders. They can also come from a local sport, arts, cultural or heritage organisation, and public agencies such as a local school or health care provider. 

Board Members will not be expected to have been a member of a Board or held a similar position before.

Board Members should have a deep connection living and/or working in Marsh Farm  

Training and support will be provided by the Chair and the council. Reasonable expenses for travel and other such as childcare will be considered.

Board members will be required to sign-up to a Code of Conduct based on the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles) and declare any conflicts of interests.

A DBS check will be required to be undertaken if the member doesn’t already hold one.

The Neighbourhood Board will:

• have at least eight members and no more than 15 
• have at least 75% of members who live or work within Marsh Farm
• members broadly reflecting the range and diversity of people who live in the area eg in relation to age, ethnicity, gender, faith, disability, and income levels
• include the local MP and at least one ward councillor
• have more residents and people who live or work in Marsh Farm than elected representatives.

The Neighbourhood Board’s role is to:

• oversee community engagement, shape a shared local vision, and guide the future investment into each of the respective areas

• collectively lead on the development of the Pride in Place Plan for the Marsh Farm
• decide how funding will be spent
• support delivery of the Plan
• include people with a strong connection to the area such as:
  • residents
  • local businesses
  • grassroots campaigners
  • workplace representatives
  • faith and community leaders
  • other relevant organisations

The Neighbourhood Board will:

• work in partnership with the local MP Sarah Owen and Luton Council to develop the Plan and distribute funding

All board members will have an equal right to vote on board issues.

This is a voluntary role, similar to a school governor or charity trustee, however, to ensure the Board has the right leadership, a basic payment may be made from the programme’s capacity funding. This can only be used for candidates who would otherwise not be able to fulfil the position.

The council and the local MP Sarah Owen must approve the final board selection, which will include local residents.