5.2.6 Leader of The Council and Executive Member for Housing
5.2.6.1
To take responsibility and provide leadership for all the Council’s activities.
5.2.6.2
To appoint up to nine members of the Executive and Deputy Executive members as required (appointments to be on an annual basis).
5.2.6.3
To make all other appointments as required.
5.2.6.4
To make changes to the composition of the Executive within the municipal year as necessary.
5.2.6.5
To make changes and reallocations in the responsibilities of Executive and Deputy Executive Members within the municipal year as necessary.
5.2.6.6
To give specific responsibilities, targets, strategies and objectives to Executive Members, monitor their performance and make changes as necessary.
5.2.6.7
To present to the Executive the Forward Programme of Executive business covering no less than four months.
5.2.6.8
To ensure that the Forward Programme is updated monthly in accordance with statutory requirements.
5.2.6.9
To oversee and be responsible for policy co-ordination and strategy and for the preparation of the Council’s Corporate Strategy and Plan and its enumeration in the medium term financial plan, for both the development of future Corporate Strategy and the operationalising and delivery of the current strategy as set out in the Corporate Delivery Plan, across the Council. To be responsible for the development, analysis and interpretation of both internal and external Insights that will enable the Council to make informed decisions for the delivery and continued relevance of the strategy to the residents and businesses across Wokingham Borough.
5.2.6.10
To work with the Chief Executive, Directors, Assistant Directors, staff, Executive (and Deputy Executive Members if appointed) to achieve the Council’s Service Plans and meet the Council’s financial targets.
5.2.6.11
To be responsible for overseeing the production of the service plans of the Communications Service.
5.2.6.12
To promote and oversee the Council’s Communications and Marketing Strategy.
5.2.6.13
To seek to raise the profile of the Council in both a county, regional and national framework.
5.2.6.14
To lead on Member training and mentoring.
5.2.6.15
With the Chief Executive, to develop the Council’s organisation and to take responsibility for approving it.
5.2.6.16
To ensure that there is an appropriate level of consultation, communication and participation by residents, community groups, businesses and public sector.
5.2.6.17
To chair the board of Wokingham Borough Council (Holdings) Limited and to oversee the operation of all Council owned companies and their subsidiaries by working with the Holding Company, and to be responsible for the Borough’s housing companies in order to deliver the Council’s ambition for the delivery of social housing and housing for residents on a median income and below to aspire to rent or buy.
5.2.6.18
To hold the Chief Executive to account for performance and implementation across the Council, including the actions of officers, whilst ensuring that, together with the Chief Executive, there is a healthy and productive relationship between Members and officers.
5.2.6.19
To hold regular meetings with the Chief Executive, Directors, and Assistant Directors to monitor their performance and the Council’s overall performance.
5.2.6.20
To attend whatever meetings are being held in the Council as the Leader deems necessary in order to gain understanding of all that is taking place.
5.2.6.21
5.2.6.22
5.2.6.23
To lead on the Commissioning Strategy for Housing.
5.2.6.24
To take responsibility for the development of new or revised Housing policies with due regard to corporate objectives, including equal opportunities and social inclusion.
5.2.6.25
To develop the Council’s strategy for the delivery of housing to meet different demographic needs, including affordable housing schemes.
5.2.6.26
To develop a strategy to ensure the availability of sites for a pipeline to supply the Council’s housing companies, including seeking external funding for development opportunities.
5.2.6.27
To take responsibility for overseeing the Affordable Housing Strategy and implementing the Council’s statutory housing functions; including responsibility for the overall management of the housing stock.
5.2.6.28
To work with and advise the affordable housing Working Group as to requirements.
5.2.6.29
To take responsibility for the preparation for and implementation of agreed action plans from inspections including Housing Inspectorate reviews.
5.2.6.30
To be responsible for Tenant Services including monitoring liaison with tenants through discussion with the Council’s representatives on the Tenant and Landlord Improvement Panel.
5.2.6.31
To ensure an effective communication and stakeholder engagement framework is built into each housing development scheme.
5.2.6.32
To take responsibility for overseeing the development of the contract procurement strategy within the Housing portfolio, including ensuring corporate and consistent standards for monitoring and evaluation of such contracts, and paying attention to timeliness and value for money.
5.2.6.33
To act as the primary press spokesperson on all matters relating to the whole of the Housing portfolio.
5.2.6.34
To lead on the relationship with Town and Parish Councils and other external partners.
5.2.6.35
5.2.6.36
To be responsible with the Executive Member for Finance for overseeing the Council’s overall corporate contract procurement strategy, including ensuring corporate and consistent standards for procuring, monitoring and evaluating such contracts that take into account timeliness and value for money.
5.2.6.37
To deputise for Executive Members as and when required.