Dynamic Partnership wltm New Chair

Partnership promotes hot-seat vacancy

A Torbay partnership which is playing a key role in driving forward several cultural and environmental initiatives in the Bay is seeking a new chairperson.

In the past year, Torbay Culture and Environment Partnership members have led on a wide range of projects. These include the launch of the Creative Torbay website, lobbying for the Torbay Design Review Panel, winning funding for play in the Bay, establishing the Agatha Christie Festival into a worldwide event and its spin-off crime writers festival, leading on the establishment of a coastal management system, winning the Bay its coveted English Riviera Global GeoPark status, and leading the SeaChange projects for Cockington and Berry Head.

Vice-chair Dominic Acland, Director of Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, said: "The partnership is going from strength to strength, and we are indebted to our ex-chair Mark Green for his hard work.

"This is an important time for the Bay. The partnership is developing many exciting projects for the next year, including establishing a community food project at Occombe Farm, establishing the English Riviera Global Geopark brand, and working with partners from all over the South-west on Cultural Olympiad projects.

"The ideal candidate will have a good understanding and knowledge of cultural and environmental issues. He or she will be committed to using cultural and environmental projects as a tool for regenerating our Bay - a Bay rich in culture that is attractive for our residents to live in and be proud of, attractive for visitors, and attractive for investors to come and work in partnership with us.

"The candidate will also have experience of chairing meetings and representing the views of the partnership at the Torbay Strategic Partnership Board, and part of their role will be to act as ambassador for the partnership in and around the Bay."

Torbay Mayor Nick Bye, who chairs the Torbay Strategic Partnership Board, said: "The Culture and Environmental Partnership plays an important role in promoting and developing the Bay's rich culture and magnificent natural environment. I look forward to welcoming the successful candidate on to the Board as we all work together in partnership to take Torbay forward."

For further information about the Torbay Culture and Environment Partnership and the vacancy, please contact the partnership secretary via email at mischa.eligoloff@torbay.gov.uk or telephone 01803 208824.

The job description/person specification can be downloaded from the Creative Torbay website at www.creativetorbay.com

Applications close on Thursday 9 April.

Torbay Culture and Environment Partnership

Job Description/Person Specification – Chair of the Partnership

Partnership Chair
The role of the Chair of the Culture and Environment Partnership is set out in the job description below. The Chair of the Partnership will have a major role in the continued development of the partnership

1.0 Post description

Post Title: Chair of the Culture and Environment Partnership
Period of appointment: 1 year from May 2009
Type of Employment: Part-time voluntary
Place of work: N/A
Responsible to: Culture and Environment Partnership members
Key Relationships
Torbay Strategic Partnership
All public sector agencies in Torbay
Voluntary sector infrastructure organisations
Local/Regional business community
Other TSP Board members
Partnership officers (Secretary, Treasure and Vice–Chair)

Main purpose of the job:
The main purpose is to chair meetings of the partnership and to represent the
Partnership in its key relationships

Key Tasks

1. Promoting and demonstrating the benefits of the C and E Partnership and Torbay’s Community Plan.
2. Being an active leader in the development of the Partnership between meetings by helping to carry out its work.
3. Chairing of full Partnership meetings
• Partnership meetings take place (approx) 10 times a year.
4. Representing the Partnership at the TSP Board and other strategic events
(Approx 10 per year)
5. To represent the Partnership to the general public, to professional
bodies, to the local and regional business community, and local/regional/national agencies.

2.0 Personal Specification

Applicants should have the following experience:

• Chairing meetings of professionals at a management level
• Partnership working (working together with others to achieve an agreed common goal)

Applicants should have the following knowledge and skills:

• Good communication skills,
• Good written and verbal presentation skills
• Ability to present a positive image of the partnership to the general public and to professional groups locally, regionally and nationally
• Knowledge of the Community Strategies and Local Strategic Partnership in Torbay (desirable)
• Knowledge and experience of partnership working
• Knowledge of Torbay
• Understanding of the relationship between public, private, voluntary and community sectors

Applicants should have the following personal qualities:

• Positive and forward looking outlook
• Feel comfortable with a role that may involve being in the public eye
• Ability to embrace different perspectives and ways of working
• Ability to adopt new and innovative approaches
• Commitment to improving the relationship between the voluntary and community, private and public sectors
• Commitment to achieving an inclusive and transparent Local Strategic Partnership process
• Non discriminatory and non judgmental approach - committed to equal opportunities
• Ability to express opinions in an open and honest way, to listen to others with patience and respect and to discuss differences in a non-confrontational way
• Act as a champion figure for Torbay and its regeneration

3.0 Method of Application and Selection

• Applications will be made in writing with accompanying CV
• Completed applications to be returned to: Mischa Eligoloff – Partnership Secretary by 9th April 2009
• Short listing to be made by a panel made up of: current Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to address the Partnership who will then appoint the preferred candidate

Time Line

March 3rd – Call issued
April 9th – Closing date
April 2009 – Short listing
May 1st 2009 – Chair appointed
Contact:
Mischa Eligoloff
Residents and Visitor Services
2nd Floor
Tor Hill House
Union Street
TQ2 5QW
Tel: 01803 208824
fax: 01803 207981
mobile: 07825364805
Email: mischa.eligoloff@torbay.gov.uk