Guide to Membership

Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities

Current Management Structure

Chairman: Dr. Adrian Kendal

Vice Chair: Geraldine Breakwell

Mental Health Sector: Carl Tims

South Devon Community Services: Lisa Robins

Learning Disability Sector: Louise Hatzer

What is the Management Committee?

The Management Committee is made up of members of the Society and has legal and financial responsibilities for the organisation. It may elect or appoint members to positions (e.g. Chair) and Sub-Committees (e.g. Finance and Operations Sub Committee) and appoints the senior management team.

What are the rules of membership and operational procedures?

The rules and procedures are outlined in the following sections, covering the Committee's terms of reference, responsibilities, and the duties of its members.

Management Committee Terms of Reference

  • To maintain a long-term overview of the Society and all its work.
  • To make strategic and major decisions about the Society's objectives, policies and procedures.
  • To ensure the needs and interests of relevant people and bodies are taken into account when making decisions.
  • To ensure adequate resources (especially people and money) are available to carry out the Society's activities.
  • To monitor progress towards objectives.
  • To take legal responsibility for the organisation and all its actions and comply with statutory requirements and the Society's rules.
  • Serving as a well informed interested, supportive Committee, which meets on at least a quarterly basis.
  • Maintaining democratic procedures and accountability.
  • Undertaking visits to schemes under the provisions of the Care Standards Act 2000.
  • Ensuring the members have the information needed to make decisions.
  • Calling the AGM and ensuring elections and other essential items are dealt with as required.
  • Ensuring adequate communication between the committee, subgroups, managers, staff, volunteers, and the organisation's users.

Delegation of Responsibilities

The Society employs a senior management team who oversee managers and staff to whom the majority of day-to-day responsibility for work is delegated. This is managed under the direction of the Chair, Management Committee and the Society's policies.

Ultimate Legal Responsibilities

The legal responsibilities of the Management Committee include:

  • Constitutional rules and standing orders
  • Procedures and accountability
  • Legal obligations and undertakings
  • Financial responsibility and accountability
  • Employment
  • Equal opportunities
  • Premises and health & safety
  • Insurances

Statutory and common law obligations exist in law and must be met (e.g. GDPR, contracts of employment etc).

Financial Responsibility and Accountability

The Management Committee is responsible for all aspects of the finances, (e.g. bills paid and proper records kept). It has ultimate responsibility for:

  • Wages, tax, NI, statutory sick pay and maternity pay, pensions, redundancy pay, and any other pay or benefits due to workers under legislation or the terms of their contracts.
  • Mortgages, rents, rates, insurances and all other bills.
  • Ensuring the organisation will have enough money to meet any financial obligations when they come due.
  • Ensuring all grants or other funds received for specific purposes are used as specified.
  • Ensuring the organisation is paid enough for any services it is providing under a service agreement or contract.
  • Ensuring the organisation's funds are wisely invested.
  • Ensuring the organisation keeps accurate and comprehensive financial records, accessible to Management Committee members and authorised members of staff.
  • Receiving regular financial reports in a form, which members can understand.
  • Ensuring annual accounts are drawn up and audited in accordance with rules and, where relevant, funders’ requirements and/or legislation.

The Management Committee delegates specific financial responsibilities to the Finance and Operations Sub-Committee and these are detailed in the Society’s Financial Regulations.

Management of Risk and other Responsibilities

The Management Committee is responsible for ensuring all insurances are taken out and paid for. Insurance cover extends to:

  • Employer’s liability - for paid staff. The certificate of insurance is displayed at the Society’s offices.
  • Public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
  • Buildings insurance, road traffic insurances.
  • Fidelity - insurance against dishonesty, covering employees and management committee members.

The Management Committee has overall responsibility for the use, safety and security of premises used by the organisation and must ensure they are properly and legally managed and used.

It is the Management Committee’s responsibility to ensure the organisation complies with equal opportunities legislation in both employment and service delivery.