I was trying to find out the legal responsibilities and obligations of Housing Associations in general and under the Companies Acts, particularly in regard to tenants and in their wider social responsibilities. I tried looking it up on the web but there is not much in layman’s terms. So I would appreciate any summary and/or signposting to websites that explain this in a non-technical way?

Our trustees have suggested setting up a personnel committee, made up of 3 trustees, a member of the management team and an elected staff representative. The committee would oversee a review of HR policies, consider staff development and training and build closer links between staff and trustees. Are you aware of similar groups that have been established in other organisations (particularly organisations with under 20 employees), and can you provide examples of Terms of Reference that may be suitable to ensure the group remains focused? Thanks

We are looking for a policy or statement on conflict of interest in relation to board members and staff. Can you help?

Question: we are a local branch of a national charity and our chair is trying to sell our building for redevelopment and for it to be leased back to us. We feel he is undermining our committee and our members. We held a meeting where 41 members met and 39 called for a vote of no confidence in the chair. We called for a special general meeting (SGM) to be held and 22 members wrote to the secretary (who is married to the Chair) requesting a SGM. It took her 21 days to write back requesting reasons for a SGM. 11 of the 22 wrote in with our reasons and we are still waiting for a date to be set. In the meantime the Chair is still in place. We have complained to the National charity and the regional charity who seem not to be interested. What can you do for us?

I do know one of our members has sent in our constitution to your selves a while ago

but I can always send it in again with copies of the letter we have sent. We need action urgently. We have 2 members on sick due to stress through this chair with the project manager who is due to go back into work this week who has a grievance against the chair via a national unison for bullying.

About 15 months ago you were kind enough to give me advice on young persons, minors, contributing to trustee boards through a young persons forum?

Unfortunately I cannot trace this through the archives, I believe because the archives are not on the new system, so it will be of great help to me if you can forward your advice again please.