- Advertised from 13th September 2024
Role
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).
Application notes
To apply for the position please contact Harry Barker at harrylbarker@gmail.com by the closing date of 30 October 2024.
North Glasgow Integration Network SCIO (NGIN) is currently seeking a new Treasurer. NGIN is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees, who guide and oversee our organisation. Our board is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, with an interest in supporting asylum seekers & refugees and all New Scots in Glasgow,
The main aim of NGIN is to support asylum seekers and refugees who are accommodated in North/North East Glasgow communities. Led by the needs and interests of people accessing the service, NGIN connects people with services that will support them and hosts and promotes tailored events and opportunities. The charity works with people on an individual and group basis to help them to feel safe, develop the confidence to integrate with the host community and to have an improved quality of life.
The treasurer would work closely with the lead worker to provide regular financial updates for the board, prepare annual accounts and budget forecasts and support the aims of the organisation through effective financial management of the funds received through grant awards and donations.
We are looking for an individual with an interest or experience in accounts and finances. We would also welcome skills in other areas relevant to the wider work of the board in steering the organisation such as social media, human resources, community learning & development, finance/fundraising or marketing. We are looking for candidates with a belief in social justice and financial inclusion and an interest in the wellbeing of New Scots. Given our aims and commitment to diversity, we encourage applications from all genders, the BAME community and people with additional support needs.
The position of treasurer is a voluntary position but travel expenses and other reasonable expenses accrued when carrying out the role will be paid.
Time Commitment
For the role of treasurer we ask for availability to attend online meetings with the lead worker once a month to effectively support the financial management of NGIN. As with all board members we are also seeking commitment to attend 1 board meeting per quarter, held online or in person, with email contact on matters arising between meetings. Alongside this, additional requests may be made for support with board activities such as recruitment of staff on an occasional basis.
North Glasgow Integration Network SCIO (NGIN) is currently seeking a new Chair of Trustees. NGIN is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees, who guide and oversee our organisation. Our board is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, with an interest in supporting asylum seekers & refugees and all New Scots in Glasgow,
The main aim of NGIN is to support asylum seekers and refugees who are accommodated in North/North East Glasgow communities. Led by the needs and interests of people accessing the service, NGIN connects people with services that will support them and hosts and promotes tailored events and opportunities. The charity works with people on an individual and group basis to help them to feel safe, develop the confidence to integrate with the host community and to have an improved quality of life.
The role of chair, alongside being a board member, is to chair board meetings and annual general meetings, provide line management support to the lead worker of NGIN, and work with other office bearers to ensure that the board, staff and volunteers at NGIN are all able to work effectively for the benefit of the people using NGIN services.
Our Board wishes to expand its skills base and welcomes individuals with relevant financial, community and business experience, aligned with a belief in social justice and financial inclusion. We are looking to attract individuals with skills and experience ranging from social media, human resources, community learning & development, finance/fundraising, marketing and, most importantly, an interest in the wellbeing of New Scots. Given our aims and commitment to diversity, we encourage applications from all genders, the BAME community and people with additional support needs.
The position of chair is a voluntary position but travel expenses and other reasonable expenses accrued when carrying out the role will be paid.
Time Commitment
For the role of chair we ask for availability to attend online meetings with the lead worker 1-2 times per month to provide strategic support to the organisation and line management support to the lead worker role. As with all board members we are also seeking commitment to attend 1 board meeting per quarter, held online or in person, with email contact on matters arising between meetings. Alongside this, additional requests may be made for support with board activities such as recruitment of staff on an occasional basis.
North Glasgow Integration Network SCIO (NGIN) is currently seeking new Board Members. NGIN is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees, who guide and oversee our organisation. Our board is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, with an interest in supporting asylum seekers & refugees and all New Scots in Glasgow,
The main aim of NGIN is to support asylum seekers and refugees who are accommodated in North/North East Glasgow communities. Led by the needs and interests of people accessing the service, NGIN connects people with services that will support them and hosts and promotes tailored events and opportunities. The charity works with people on an individual and group basis to help them to feel safe, develop the confidence to integrate with the host community and to have an improved quality of life.
Our Board wishes to expand its skills base and welcomes individuals with relevant financial, community and business experience, aligned with a belief in social justice and financial inclusion. We are looking to attract individuals with skills and experience ranging from social media, human resources, community learning & development, finance/fundraising, marketing and, most importantly, an interest in the wellbeing of New Scots. Given our aims and commitment to diversity, we encourage applications from all genders, the BAME community and people with additional support needs.
The position of trustee is a voluntary position but travel expenses and other reasonable expenses accrued when carrying out the role will be paid.
Time Commitment
We ask board member candidates for a minimum commitment of attending 1 meeting every quarter, held online or in person, with email contact on matters arising between meetings. Alongside this, additional requests may be made for support with board activities such as recruitment of staff on an occasional basis.
Board vacancies: Almond Enterprises Limited
- Management Board
- Unpaid
- Remote: Livingstone
- Closing 13th January 2025
Almond Enterprises Limited (AEL) is seeking Board Members from candidates with a keen interest in driving the strategic direction and growth of the organisation to maximise its benefit to the local community. This is a voluntary role with no financial remuneration however travel expenses will be reimbursed.
AEL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Almond Housing Association, and is an established social enterprise, working for over fifteen years to provide cleaning and environmental services throughout West Lothian. The parent company, Almond HA owns over 2,500 properties, 655 garages, and delivers a factoring service for 176 properties.
Much has been achieved by AEL since its inception, however we recognise that it has the ability and resources to do much more. As a subsidiary of Almond HA, it has the ability to deliver real impact within the community and to assist the parent company in achieving the aims of its community impact strategy.
The subsidiary receives support from the Almond HA Board and senior management team. Almond HA delivers large programmes of planned and cyclical maintenance works and there is significant opportunity for AEL to deliver additional workstreams. We are also keen to create training and employability opportunities for our local communities. AEL is a Real Living Wage employer, and it is proposed that as the scope of services increase the terms and conditions offered to the team will be enhanced.
Having recently appointed a new Chair of the AEL Board, the role of Board member represent an exciting opportunity to help lead AEL through a period of significant growth as it looks to realise its significant potential and increase its considerable positive impact within West Lothian. Commitment, enthusiasm and relevant experience are valuable assets.
We would welcome all applications and particularly from those with knowledge or experience in the following areas:
- Managing and delivering property related services
- Finance
- Legal
- Third sector knowledge
Ideally, we are looking for individuals with an appetite and drive to help AEL increase its activity and range of services. We would love to hear from you if you think you can bring added value, experience, and leadership to the Board. Previous experience as a Board member is not required as induction and training will be provided. The Board currently meets remotely 3 times each year and once in person – in the early evening.
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