TACT Independent Member

• TACT_recruitment_pack_2026

Bring challenge. Create change. Stay curious.

Annual allowance

£1,200, paid quarterly

Commitment

Ten scheduled activities each year, plus preparation

Term

Three years, with an option to renew for a further two years

Apply by

11.59pm on Sunday 4th October 2026

Interviews

From Monday 12th October 2026

Apply to

Annie Hall (ahall@winchester.gov.uk)

Thank you for considering joining Tenants and Council Together (TACT). TACT is our tenant-led scrutiny and assurance board. It helps tenants and leaseholders hold Winchester City Council's Housing Landlord Service to account and shape better services.

We're recruiting one independent member. You will examine evidence, ask thoughtful questions and help turn what tenants experience into practical change. We will provide induction, mentoring and ongoing support. For the independent role, we're looking for relevant professional expertise and the ability to offer objective scrutiny and constructive challenge.

Why TACT matters

The Regulator of Social Housing's Consumer Standards say landlords must give tenants meaningful opportunities to influence and scrutinise their strategies, policies and services. Landlords must also provide clear performance information and accessible support so tenants can hold them to account. TACT is central to how we meet these expectations in Winchester.

• hold us to account for safe, good-quality homes and services
• review performance, complaints, Tenant Satisfaction Measures, policies, strategies and budgets
• check whether services are fair, open, respectful and offer value for money
• bring evidence and tenants' lived experience together
• recommend practical improvements and monitor whether change happens
• champion equity, diversity and inclusion across housing services

What we expect: challenge, change and curiosity

Challenge

Ask constructive questions, test the evidence and speak up when something could be safer, fairer or more effective.

Change

Focus on practical improvements and help us turn scrutiny and tenants’ experiences into action.

Curiosity

Ask why, notice what may be missing and consider different perspectives before reaching a view.

Challenge doesn't mean confrontation, and you don't need to be the loudest person in the room. Good scrutiny includes listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions and being willing to learn.

How the Board works

TACT brings together lived experience, independent expertise, elected leadership and senior accountability. The Board includes four tenant members, two independent members, the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing as Chair, and the Strategic Director or their substitute as a non-voting member.

Your annual commitment

TACT Board meetings

Four each year, two hours each

Housing Improvement Workshops

Four each year, 90 minutes each

Stock tours

Two each year, half a day each, with lunch provided

Preparation

Read papers, consider questions and take part in induction or training as agreed

Meetings usually take place on weekday evenings at Winchester City Council offices. We prefer members to attend in person, but we can arrange hybrid attendance when needed to make meetings more accessible. Dates are planned in advance.

Allowance and support

• £1,200 annual allowance, paid quarterly
• reasonable travel and agreed out-of-pocket expenses
• induction, mentoring and ongoing learning
• digital support and a laptop loan if needed
• papers in an accessible format or printed copies on request
• reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and Board membership
• childcare and agreed printing costs in line with the Terms of Reference and relevant policy

Opportunity to develop as Vice-Chair

We're particularly interested in applicants who may want to develop towards a Vice-Chair role. You don't need chairing experience. Please say in your covering letter if this interests you, and tell us about any experience or qualities you could build on. Training and opportunities to practice chairing will be available.

Independent member role profile

The independent member brings external expertise, independence of thought and objective scrutiny. You must be independent of Winchester City Council's Housing Landlord Service and able to act in the interests of tenants and leaseholders. You don't need to live in the district, but you must be able to meet the role's attendance requirements.

What you'll do

• provide independent challenge and objective scrutiny of housing services
• test performance, risk, assurance, and improvement information
• help TACT consider whether we meet the Consumer Standards
• offer strategic insight and relevant specialist expertise
• act as a constructive critical friend to tenant members, councilors and officers
• help strengthen governance, accountability, and value for money
• support TACT to turn findings into measurable improvements for tenants and leaseholders
• share knowledge in an accessible way and help other members build confidence

Expertise that would add value

• social housing governance or consumer regulation
• property compliance, building safety or asset management
• tenant engagement, customer experience or equality and inclusion
• risk, audit, assurance or performance improvement
• local government transformation or organisational change
• finance, business planning or value for money

What we're looking for

• relevant professional, governance, scrutiny or assurance experience
• an understanding of social housing or the ability to learn its regulatory context quickly
• the ability to analyse information, identify gaps and ask clear questions
• independence of thought, integrity and sound judgement
• a collaborative style that combines challenge with support
• a strong commitment to better outcomes for tenants and leaseholders
• the ability to explain complex issues clearly and respectfully
• reliability and time to prepare for and attend the scheduled activities

We particularly welcome independent applicants whose perspectives are currently under-represented on boards, including younger professionals, women, people from Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people and disabled people. Appointment remains based on the published criteria.

How to apply

Send us:

• Your CV, including relevant employment, voluntary, community and lived experience.
• A covering letter explaining why you want to join TACT and how you meet the criteria for the tenant or independent role.
• A short statement saying whether you would like to develop towards a Vice-Chair role. This is optional and will not disadvantage you if you are not interested.

Email your application to Annie Hall, Tenant Partnership Officer (ahall@winchester.gov.uk) by 11.59pm on Sunday 4 October 2026.

If you need help to understand the role, prepare your application or request a reasonable adjustment, email Annie or call the Tenant Partnership Team free on 0800 716 987. We'll be happy to help.

What happens next

• We will check that applications meet the eligibility rules.
• A panel will assess every application against the published criteria for the relevant role. Equality monitoring information will be kept separate and will not be shared with selectors.
• We will invite shortlisted applicants to an interview from 12th October 2026. We will ask every candidate the same core questions.
• The panel will make a recommendation for final approval through TACT’s agreed governance process.
• We will contact all applicants with the outcome and offer feedback to interviewed candidates.

Important information

This is an appointed public involvement role, not a contract of employment. Activities may change as housing priorities develop. Any material change to the expected commitment will be discussed with members.