ABOUT EAST LOTHIAN COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP

Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) were first established in England in the 1990s as a formal mechanism to reinvigorate local and rural railways. CRP status provides a framework for community involvement in strategic planning, development and operation of a specific railway line.

Since 2014, the East Lothian Community Rail Partnership has been pulling together a wide range of local organisations with an interest in communities and sustainable transport, to fix the link between railway stations, town centres and the surrounding areas, and realise an integrated transport network accessible to all. We work with four train operators (ScotRail, LNER, TransPennine Express, and Cross Country), Transport Scotland, East Lothian Council, the Regional Transport Partnership (SEStran), local businesses and community groups towards the following aims:

• Supporting the local economy by promoting rail use and rail facilities
• Actively promoting the use of rail and other public and low carbon-emitting transport
• Supporting safety, security and access initiatives relating to railway use
• Working with ‘station adopters’ (individuals and groups) to provide a more pleasant environment within the station areas.

ABOUT THE VACANCY

Harry Barker has been chairing East Lothian CRP since its inception in 2014 and is now preparing to pass on the reins of a well-established and respected organisation. In addition the time is right to expand the Board and also appoint a vice chair. Examples of projects completed to date include:

• restored the murals at Prestonpans Station (best community project 2023)
• improved signage to stations
• provided information boards for display in stations promoting local attractions and historical information
• supported many local events in the North Berwick and Dunbar areas
• producing a line guide and leaflets to encourage tourism
• working with bus operators to improve integration between bus and rail

Projects have always been dependent on external funding which to date has not proved problematical, and, as such, the incoming Chair will have the flexibility to pursue their own agenda. The CRP is financially sound and new ways of operating are being explored by The Community Rail Network and the new Chair will be well placed to provide input to these.

East Lothian CRP has no paid staff, and projects are led by volunteers under direction from the Board, and therefore the amount of work involved can vary but can be expected to be around 10 hours per month for the Chair.

DUTIES OF THE CHAIR

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that the CRP is run in accordance with the constitution
• Guiding and encouraging projects that will be undertaken from time to time
• Ensuring that the Action Plan is kept up to date
• Chairing four meetings per year, including the AGM (normally held in November)
• Producing an annual report for the AGM
• Ensuring that the activities of the CRP are within the guidelines produced by the Train Operating Companies in all respects particularly including safely

BENEFITS

You will receive a ‘staff’ rail pass from ScotRail permitting free rail travel throughout Scotland when travelling on ScotRail trains.

Reasonable expenses will be paid if required to travel on other rail services and/or stay overnight.

REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant will be expected to support public transport in general, with a keen interest in integration between modes such as buses, active travel and rail.

A willingness of Board members to attend committees and conferences is essential (expenses will be covered) and these will give valuable access to professional railway staff and management on the front line, where your views can be heard. These include:

• the local ‘Rail Forum’ involving MSPs, Councillors and Train Operating Companies - twice a year, usually virtually
• in-person or virtual annual conferences of the four local Train Operating Companies (ScotRail, Cross Country Trains, TransPennine Express, and LNER) which may be held anywhere in the UK
• An annual event in Scotland sponsored by Modern Railways magazine which is attended by many high profile railway managers and senior representation from Transport Scotland
• Virtual attendance (via Zoom) at the national Community Rail Network meetings
• In-person Community Rail Networks Awards ceremony, if the CRP is short listed for an Award – this year’s was in Swansea over three days
• Six Community Area Partnership ‘On the Move’ groups consider local transport in East Lothian – CRP representation on one or more of these groups is important for a full appreciation of issues surrounding each station. Each On the Move Group meets every two months

A knowledge of railways and their workings is desirable but not essential.

Living in East Lothian and using the county’s rail services from time to time would be advantageous.

You will be expected to liaise with the station adoption groups from time to time. They have a separate relationship with ScotRail.

You will be expected to be pro-active in instructing the website to be kept up to date via the CRP’s appointed webmaster, and in responding to public enquiries which come via the website. You will not be required to answer complaints from the travelling public but direct these to ScotRail for attention.

From time to time it may be necessary to communicate with the local Press (East Lothian Courier and occasionally Edinburgh Evening News).

East Park is seeking suitable skilled and motivated people to join its Board of Trustees in an exciting and challenging period.

East Park provides excellent, child focused education and residential care to children and young people with complex additional support needs, including autism spectrum disorder, physical and sensory impairments, and challenging behaviours. With the young person at the centre and working with external partners, our work focuses on seeking innovative, personalised approaches which enable each individual to reach his or her maximum potential.

Established in 1874, East Park’s services have developed considerably over many years and is now a niche and specialist service provider in education and care and has ambitious plans to improve its campus facilities and the general environments around East Park.

To help support the organisation going forward East Park seeks skilled and motivated individuals to join the Board of Trustees. As a non-executive member of the Board you will play a central role in developing strategy, monitoring quality and governance and supporting the provision of education and care services.

East Park seeks individuals who possess strategic vision, good independent judgement, and have the ability to work as part of a diverse team. We are keen to hear from you if you have high level experience in:

• Charity law or similar
• Social Care or similar
• Financial
• Fundraising

Above all, East Park seeks people who share our values and wish to support vulnerable children and young people in fulfilling their potential, that understand the challenges of the sector and will fulfil a constructive and supportive role in furthering the values and objectives of East Park.

The Board meets around 6 times per year for 2-3 hours on a weekday. Although the role is non-remunerated reasonable expenses will be reimbursed with training provided.

Please note – Board appointments are dependent on satisfactory references and PVG Scheme membership.

Director/Trustee of the Renfield Centre

The Renfield Centre is looking to appoint several individuals to its Board of Directors. The Board plays an essential and active role in pursuing the successful operation and development of the Renfield Centre, which is a Scottish charitable company limited by guarantee (SC153177; SC022996), located in the City Centre in premises owned by the Renfield Street Trust. With its Christian ethos (but no denominational affiliations) it is committed to the improvement of the wellbeing of the whole community, in physical, mental and spiritual respects. It provides short-term lets of serviced, IT-equipped accommodation, with capacities ranging from 8 to 200, to facilitate a huge range of social, professional, learning and creative activities. It also supports developments in the performing arts, and in addition offers long-term subsidised accommodation to enable particular charities to continue their vital work in meeting specialised needs. It presently employs a small team of seven permanent staff. It was incorporated in 1994.

It is an interesting time to become involved, as the Centre is on the threshold of initiating significant developments which will increase its prominence and contribute to the improvement of the ambience of this part of the City Centre. This will include the re-establishment of an integral café, operated by a wholly-owned trading subsidiary Renfield Enterprises

The Board is looking for enthusiastic and energetic individuals from all walks of life who feel they can become committed to the Centre’s objectives and take an active part in the Board’s deliberations and decision-making. The Board generally meets once a month, afternoon or evening and in-person or hybrid as arranged. Past experience in a relevant context is expected, and competencies in management, marketing or finance would be useful but not essential.

Directors of the company are simultaneously Trustees in respect of its charitable recognition.

Background

For 425 years, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has been improving health and healthcare for people around the world. Today, we remain the only multidisciplinary Royal College in the UK, home to more than 15,000 physicians, surgeons, dental surgeons and specialists in the fields of travel medicine and podiatric medicine.

College Vision, Purpose and Values

Our vision is to build an influential global community that enables our members to develop the skills, knowledge and influence to improve healthcare standards worldwide. Our purpose is built around delivering:

• Excellent education and outstanding member experience
• Elevated standards through assessment and gold-standard qualifications
• Transformative impact on health, wellbeing and the wider world

Our values support us in the delivery of our purpose, and articulate what we stand for, and the way we work. We live and work according to the values of:

• Community
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Inspiration
• Inclusivity

Purpose of the Audit and Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee’s purpose is to support the College Trustees/Executive Board and the Chief Executive Officer by reviewing the comprehensiveness and reliability of assurances on the adequacy of the College’s risk management processes, internal control environment, governance arrangements, and the integrity of the College’s Annual Report and Financial Statements.

Overview of role

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, who will also be a College Trustee, will work closely with College’s President, Registrar, CEO and Director of Finance, Operations and ICT Services to guide the Committee in achieving its purpose.

The Chair of this Committee is a member of College’s Executive Board.

This role is non-remunerated. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Trustee responsibilities

Trustees are responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, supervision and control of the activities and affairs of the College. They must use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that they:

• Exercise proper control over the College’s activities, assets, staff and consultants.
• Ensure that the College acts in compliance with all legal requirements.
• Set or approve appropriate strategies, policies, proposals and budgets, and monitor theCollege’s performance against them.
• Put in place an appropriate framework of delegation, and appropriate systems of internalcontrol.
• Conduct the affairs of the College with honesty and integrity.
• Carry out regular risk reviews and take appropriate steps to manage or otherwise respond tosignificant risks to the College and its affairs.
• The affairs and activities of the College are sufficiently able to stand the test of scrutiny bythe public, the media, charity regulators, Fellows and Members, other stakeholders,Parliaments and the courts.
• Comply with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations and the Trustee Code of Conduct.

Time Commitment

The Chair will be required to attend four Audit & Risk Committee meetings, six Executive Board meetings and six Council meetings each year, an annual time commitment of roughly 40 hours. The Chair will be expected to work closely with the Chair of College’s Finance & Investment Committee.

Additional ad hoc meetings are also likely to be required.

While some in person attendance will be required, meetings are generally hybrid.

The Chair of the Committee will be appointed for a term of three years with the option of serving a maximum of two terms by mutual agreement with the Chair of the Trustees

Person Profile

College is looking for a Chair who has:

• Significant professional experience overseeing one or more of statutory audit, internal audit,or organisational risk management of complex, customer focused organisations.
• Knowledge of the charitable sector.
• Experience of a Professional Body and/or at least one of Membership, Education,Examinations or the Health sector would be advantageous.
• A relevant professional qualification and membership of a professional body.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• The gravitas and personality to contribute effectively as a College Trustee and member of College’s Executive Board.