Community Partnership Members – attributes and role profiles

Introduction

Whilst working as a Community Partnership with team values, each person will have been invited to join because of their links into particular communities of interest and will be joined by the nominated NWS representative/s, the relevant Principal Local Authority(ies).

This document sets out an expectation of skills, knowledge and experience required to ensure the Community Partnership operates efficiently and effectively to achieve its Programme of Activities, with each member committed to the aims and deliverables of the Community Partnership.

The Community Partnership working as a team will jointly be responsible for:

For more detail see Working with Communities Policy (WWC Policy)

Commitment to exploring the possibility of the development of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in the identified Search Area, according to the requirements of the WWC Policy.
Developing and refining the Community Partnership Agreement as required.
Delivering the role and functions of the Community Partnership as identified in the WWC Policy.
Understanding GDF development proposals to an appropriate level, including interaction with any specialists or advisors employed or contracted by NWS.
Identifying and appointing additional or alternative members to the Community Partnership.
Developing and regularly reviewing a Programme of Activities with clarity of outputs and outcomes to ensure timely delivery of each part of that programme.
Ensuring people in or affected by the Search Area have the continued opportunity to get involved being mindful of engagement, media and messages to ensure social inclusion.
Ensuring networks, groupings and organisations represented by members are both informed, and their views reflected, whilst understanding confidentiality and GDPR requirements.
Establishing a Community Investment Panel and criteria for allocation of funds in accordance with WWC Policy.
Ensuring there is a Community Vision in place that enables effective use of the Community Investment Funding and reflects the needs of people in the Search Area.
Making recommendations to the relevant Principal Local Authority (ies) relating to the Test of Public Support and the Right of Withdrawal.
Undertaking self-reflection to ensure efficient and effective delivery

Attributes of Community Partnership members

Members of the Community Partnership will be expected to have (or acquire through onboarding) the following attributes which will be used by the Selection Panel.

Skills with the ability to:

act as a spokesperson for a local community/interest group/local stakeholder group
engage with people on difficult issues, including active listening
recruit volunteers for community/local stakeholder groups
make an active contribution to support delivery of the Partnership’s Programme of Activities

Experience with the ability to:

demonstrate positive involvement in resolving matters of importance to the local community
demonstrate a strong connection to the Search Area/its community (lives and/or operates in the Search Area)
engage with stakeholders representing local business/local causes/local partnerships
work as a team member and/or in partnership with community organisations

Knowledge with an understanding of:

Local government and how decisions are made
Key issues that are relevant to part or all of the local community within the Search Area
The siting process for a GDF
Allocation and/or management of grant processes

Personal commitment to:

Delivery of the Community Partnership’s responsibilities as outlined above
Conforming with the Community Partnership Values
A schedule of meetings at a mutually agreeable time, and in a style to suit members of the Community Partnership
Participate in subgroups/events/networks by agreement and personal relevance to ensure relevant information is gathered and exchanged.
Induction, on-boarding and personal development
Adhere to Terms of Reference, Community Partnership Agreement, and other compliance policies and procedures that have been developed for the Community Partnership to operate safely, effectively, and efficiently
Sharing skills, knowledge and experience with team members, taking lead roles as required

Supporting Community Partnership members

Employed personnel are expected to be paid/reimbursed by their employers.
Non-employed members or those working for organisations in a voluntary capacity will have out of pocket expenses reimbursed as identified in the expenses policy.
Induction, on-boarding and personal development will be provided to ensure effective engagement to undertake partnership roles and requirements.
NWS will provide technical, professional, administrative and other support including access to contractors to provide expertise and a variety of support to assist Community Partnership Members
The Partnership chair will be available to support members as appropriate.
Members will be expected to sign the partnership agreement. Professional advice will be available if required.

Role profile for Chair of Community Partnership

The Chair will be expected to adhere to the generic role profile above and undertake the additional duties as outlined below mindful of Policy requirements.

- Ensure all the relevant policies and procedures are in place with a clear understanding of NWS and the relevant Principal Local Authorities’ roles and requirements.
- Chair Community Partnership meetings, agree agendas, ensuring information is circulated in a timely manner, meetings are recorded, and actions undertaken.

Agree personal working arrangements including scope and time commitments.
Work with the Community Partnership members to ensure each can fulfil a meaningful role to deliver identified outcomes.
Ensure the Programme of Activities is delivered in a timely manner with evaluation and audit functions clearly understood.
Deal with personal concerns, conflict and non–performance, engaging the most appropriate people according to the issue.
Actively participate in events, media and any representational occasion and be responsive as required by the communications policy.
Encourage an environment of mutual respect, openness, and honesty.
Monitor the progress of subgroups and/or task groups.
Support the Community Investment Panel in its role of enabling effective promotion, application, and approval for the purposeful use of the Community Investment Fund.
Support the Community Partnership in its review and audit of the effectiveness of the Partnership, including where appropriate suggesting adjustments to be considered and potentially implemented.

Role Profile for Chair of the Community Investment Panel

The Chair will be expected to adhere to the generic role profile and undertake the additional duties as outlined below mindful of Policy requirements.

Work with the NWS Community Investment Team (comprising a grant manager and a grants officer) to ensure the objectives of the Community Investment Fund are understood and being achieved.
Work with the Community Partnership members to ensure the relevant people with right skills and knowledge are on the panel
Chair the meetings of the Community Investment Panel, agreeing the agenda and ensuring information is circulated in a timely manner, meetings are recorded, and information is made available to the Community Partnership.
Work with Community Partnership members who represent areas/communities of interest to ensure Community Investment Funding is distributed in accordance with the criteria and utilised on an annual basis.
Ensure that grants allocated or recommended to be allocated, are allocated fairly in accordance with the WWC Policy and annual priorities for allocation as agreed by the Community Partnership and are implemented as far as practicable.
Ensure evaluation of grants is undertaken, addressing any issues as appropriate.
Ensure that awards are publicised and published.
Bring any exceptional practice or untoward issues to the immediate attention of the Community Partnership Chair.

Role profile for chair of subgroups (task and finish groups)