We currently have 23 dedicated board members. All of our board members, with the exception of three, are residents on Blenheim Gardens Estate.

Board members can be council tenants, leaseholders or freeholders on the estate. Also the RMO can nominate co-opted members to the board. Co-opted members generally have a particular experience or specialism that will benefit the board and the community.

You do not need any specialist qualification or experience to become a board member and we particularly welcome residents from ethnic minority groups and young estate residents, since, at the present time, residents from these groups are under represented at board level.

Any training required by board members is provided free of charge. The board also operates a board ‘buddy' system, where new board members are shadowed in their new role by a more experienced board member.

Board Members for 2011- 2012

Executive members

• Eamon Maguire, Chair
• Pat Prendergast, Vice Chair
• Anne Jones, Secretary
• Maud Simmance, Treasurer

Board members

• Derek Bailey
• Mary Bailey
• Angela Bartley
• Elise Binder
• Maureen Champion
• Sally Champion
• Martin Cherry
• Greg Furlong
• Linda Hilaire-Lewis
• Sally Hill
• Anton Manickam
• Blodwen Outlaw
• Jackie Pereria
• Richard Vinter

Co-optees

• Sue Alldis
• Selena Ellis
• Simon Ghartey
• Victoria Hogg
• Diana Thompson

How do I join the board?

First you must be a shareholder and the cost is 10p for a lifetime membership to the RMO. Then complete a board nomination form attached to the notice of an annual general meeting (AGM) and ask a friend or neighbour on the estate to nominate you by signing the paper. You must return the nomination form to the estate office for the attention of the secretary.

Alternatively, you may simply turn up at the AGM and put your name forward. If you are a freeholder, who does not a service charge, you cannot be elected; instead, you may become a co-opted member.

See out meetings page for the dates and location of future meetings.

Benefits of getting involved

• More control of your homes and community
• Receive better services reflective of need
• Able to influence service delivery
• Able to monitor URH's activities
• Able to highlight local priorities based on local knowledge
• Receive free training and gain experience that may help with career advancement
• Strengthens the local community by developing ways of involving the whole community
• Contribute to developing URH's policies

If you would like more information regarding becoming involved, please contact the estate office or ask for a copy of the Resident Compact in the estate office or you may download a copy here.

How do I go about joining the board?

It's simple, just complete a Board Nomination Paper (PDF 62Kb) which is attached to the notice of an AGM (annual general meeting) and have a friend or neighbour on the estate nominate you by signing the paper. Return the nomination paper to the estate office for the attention of the secretary. Alternatively, you may turn up at the AGM and put your name forward. If you are a freeholder, who does not pay a service charge, you cannot be elected, but you may still become a co-opted member.

Board members recruitment pack (PDF 217Kb)

Finance sub committee

The RMO also operates a monthly finance sub committee (FSC) meeting to assist in the monitoring of the RMO's income and expenditure.

It is at the FSC where the RMO's annual budget is set and this provides estate residents with the opportunity to set localised spending priorities for the coming year. You do not have to be a governance board member to become a member of the FSC. Membership is open to all estate residents.

(updated 24/2/2012)