Hylton Trustee Prospectus 2. Contents Page

Introduction...... 4

Trustee Responsibilities...... 6

Trustee Duties-Policy & Planning...... 8

Trustee Duties-Advocacy...... 10

Trustee Duties-Accountability...... 12

Other Duties...... 14

Person Specification...... 16

Recruitment Process...... 18 Introduction

Hylton Castle is perhaps the most iconic and best loved of If you are over 16 and would like to serve as a trustee then ’s historic buildings. Castle in the Community, we’d like to hear from you. Sunderland City Council and local people have worked closely with and Historic to We are particularly keen to hear from people who have develop and deliver a stunning redevelopment of the skills that they would like to share. Alongside managing building creating flexible modern spaces for people to enjoy and developing the project our trustees will also mentor the as the next chapter of its 600 year history begins. next generation and help ensure that our younger members gain the necessary skills to meet future challenges. If you’d like to be part of and Hylton Dene’s future then we’d like to hear from you. Hylton Castle Trust After a major refurbishment, Hylton Castle will open in the is a newly established charitable trust that will manage the spring of 2019. The trust will shortly be recruiting staff and project on the community’s behalf. We are now looking to taking over the daily management of the site from English recruit new trustees to help drive the project forward and Heritage and Sunderland City Council. Staff, volunteers ensure its long term sustainability. and trainees will work closely with the City Council’s Cultural Heritage Team to deliver high quality visitor We are creating a self-sustaining project that will deliver experiences and training opportunities for local people. training and work experience for local young people. Our community-led heritage centre will not only tell the story Both English Heritage Trust and Sunderland City Council of the building and site and those who have owned and also have the right to nominate individuals to serve as managed it but will also offer a wide range of volunteering trustees. All trustees will be invited to serve for a three year and learning opportunities. Young and old alike will be able term. Training is available for all trustees. to gain valuable skills, meet new people and play a valued role in the life of the castle.

4. A Learning Volunteer helping local pupils discover how have changed over time Trustee Responsibilities

All trustees are collectively responsible for the This is an unpaid, voluntary position but reasonable decisions and management of the Trust. The role of expenses will be reimbursed. Whilst the decisions trustees is to: about the frequency, timing and location of board meetings will be a matter for trustees, it is probable ·Take ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs that meetings will take place in the early evening to of the Trust, and to do so with innovation, creativity, allow for maximum attendance and the Board is likely ambition and appropriate challenge; to meet monthly. Trustees will be required to work on behalf of the trust in addition to attending Board ·Ensure that the Trust has a clear vision, mission and meetings as business operations demand. strategic direction and is focused on achieving these as the Trust develops; ·Act reasonably and prudently in the best interests of the charity, never in pursuit of personal interests the interests of another organisation, meeting the legal obligations common to all trustees.

6. Families delve deeper into the natural history of Hylton Dene during one of our holiday family trails Trustee Duties- Policy & Planning

·Ensure that the charity has a clear vision, mission, values and strategic direction and is focused on ·Ensure that all significant risks associated with the achieving them; Trust are recognised and that appropriate mitigation measures are put in place and regularly monitored. ·Contribute actively to the board of trustees in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets;

·Approve and review the business plan, focusing on key issues and providing guidance on new initiatives;

8. ‘Darwin in the Dene’ Students from Northern Saints Church of England School discover the magic of Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection first hand Trustee Duties- Advocacy

·Safeguard the good name and values of the Trust, acting as an enthusiastic and well-informed ·Promote the Trust, its activities and its needs, ambassador at all times, and taking responsibility for to the public, private and voluntary sectors so as the Trust’s ‘corporate behaviour’; to enhance the Trust’s profile and assist with its fundraising activities and income generation. ·Champion excellent customer service and a great visitor experience;

10. ‘The Ghosts of Hylton Castle’ where everyone’s stories count. Local company Foresight volunteering their expertise to help us capture and enrich our understanding of the castle’s history through powerful local oral histories Trustee Duties- Accountability ·Ensure that the Trust complies with its agreed levels of financial performance and governing document, charity law, company ensure financial stability; law and any other relevant legislation or regulation; ·Ensure that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard, and that it ·Ensure that the organisation pursues its is openly and transparently accountable to charitable objects as defined in its governing funders, customers and stakeholders. document and uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects; ·Ensure that the Trust achieves the highest possible of standards of equality, diversity ·Regularly monitor performance against and safeguarding in everything it does. the annual budget and support appropriate management action designed to achieve

12. Making connections between health and hertiage. Preparations for our Hylton Castle Royal Wedding events in May for local residents Other Duties

·Scrutinise board papers, taking an active part in board discussions, leading discussions and board ·To ensure that Hylton Castle Trading Ltd, the Trust’s sub-groups as required, using any specific skills, trading subsidiary is operated appropriately. (Some knowledge or experience to help the board of trustees will be required to serve as directors of this trustees reach sound decisions; limited company at the discretion of the Board).

·Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, ensuring that appropriate internal policies are in place and monitored effectively respecting the role of staff and volunteers; ·Act as guardians of the assets owned and managed by the Trust, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.

14. Discovering captivating stories about plants and herbs as well as some of the weird remedies offered by surgeons in the past as part of our Plagues, Poisons and Potions’ summer family programme Person Specification

We are looking for people who are passionate about ·An ability to command respect among local, ensuring the sustainability of Hylton castle and regional and national stakeholders – acting as an Dene and that its remarkable heritage is protected, ambassador for the Trust. benefits the people of Sunderland and makes a key ·Passion and Commitment contribution to our economy and cultural life. ·Interest in and commitment to the project and its aims Experience ·A readiness and ability to play a role in fundraising/ ·We are particularly interested in hearing from development activities; people with experience in the following areas: ·Fair, impartial and open to new ideas. ·Finance/Accountancy ·Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Eligibility ·Education, learning, Curatorial and Volunteering ·An understanding and acceptance of the roles and ·Heritage, Tourism or the Arts responsibilities of trustees, and eligibility to act as a ·Legal trustee; ·Events management ·Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort, ·Commercial/Retail including attending board meetings and occasional ·Young people, youth engagement, safeguarding daytime and evening events.

Skills ·The ability to think creatively and strategically, demonstrating good judgement and analytical ability; ·Good communication, team-working and interpersonal skills, demonstrating tact, diplomacy and the ability to build and manage strong relationships and networks;

16. Yoga warriors just want to have fun; part of our summer family programme Recruitment Process

The Hylton Castle Project Trust was established in The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday July 2017as a company limited by guarantee and is 30th of November. currently undergoing registration as a charity and currently has three directors / trustees: Formal interviews will be held weeks begining Monday 3rd December and Monday 10th December. Mrs Susan Ord, Mrs Jackie Smith and Keith MacKnight Prior to being formally appointed applicants will need to confirm that they are eligible to be a trustee If you are interested in becoming a trustee of by confirming that they: the Hylton Castle Trust please submit a C.V. and covering letter explaining why you are interested Are not disqualified from acting as a charity trustee and why you think you would be a valuable trustee. or company director, have not been removed from Please also specify which of the trustee roles serving as a charity trustee, or been stopped from you wish to be considered for (non role-specific acting in a management position within a charity. applications are also welcome). Are not an undischarged bankrupt or have not made compositions or arrangements with creditors from Please email your C.V and covering letter to susan. which they have not been discharged. [email protected] Will at all times seek to ensure that Hylton Castle Additionally, if you wish to discuss this opportunity Project Trust funds and tax reliefs are used only for in more detail you are welcome to contact Susan charitable purposes. Ord on 07949642059.

18. Hylton Castle volunteers meeting new friends on their weekly Hylton Dene Get Active Walk The Hylton Castle Project is supported by:

The Hertiage Lottery Fund and Sunderland City Council

All images are copyright of Sunderland City Council and Hylton Castle Trust.

Hylton Castle Trust is a charity registered in England Registered Charity No. 1180548

The Trustees gratefully acknowledge the support of Daisy Wake in designing this publication. [email protected]

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