Our Governance
Contents
The mhs homes Group Board is the governing body for the mhs homes Group comprising mhs homes and Heart of Medway Housing Association. All housing services for Heart of Medway are delivered by mhs homes.
Heart of Medway is a subsidiary of mhs homes. It has its own Board.
The boards are supported by three committees that support effective decision-making, oversight and accountability across the Group. Our governance structure ensures we deliver high-quality services, manage risks effectively and remain financially strong and compliant with regulatory requirements.
Group Board
The mhs homes Group Board provides the overall leadership and strategic direction for mhs homes. It is responsible for setting our vision, values and long-term objectives, while ensuring the organisation operates effectively, responsibly and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Board oversees:
Strategic planning and organisational performance
Financial sustainability and risk management
Governance and regulatory compliance
Leadership, succession planning and executive oversight
Approval of key policies, budgets and business plans
The Board may delegate specific responsibilities to its committees while retaining overall accountability for the organisation.
Heart of Medway Board
The Heart of Medway Board provides strategic leadership and governance. It is responsible for ensuring that the organisation remains financially viable, complies with regulatory requirements and delivers its objectives for residents and stakeholders.
Its responsibilities include:
Financial oversight and business planning
Governance and regulatory compliance
Monitoring organisational performance
Approving budgets, annual accounts and key strategic decisions
Managing risks and ensuring effective internal controls
Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC)
The Finance, Risk and Audit Committee supports the Boards by providing oversight and assurance on financial, audit and risk matters across the mhs homes Group.
The committee's responsibilities include:
Reviewing financial performance and annual accounts
Monitoring financial controls and governance arrangements
Overseeing risk management and internal control systems
Reviewing internal and external audit findings
Monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
Assessing the effectiveness and independence of auditors
Supporting the prevention of fraud, bribery and financial misconduct
The committee meets regularly throughout the year and makes recommendations to the Boards.
Treasury Committee
The Treasury Committee advises the Boards on treasury management and funding matters. Its role is to help ensure the organisation maintains a strong financial position and has appropriate funding in place to support its long-term objectives.
Key areas of focus include:
Treasury strategy and financial planning
Liquidity and cash management
Loan portfolio management and lender compliance
Borrowing arrangements and funding opportunities
Treasury-related risks and mitigation measures
The committee provides recommendations to the Boards and may be delegated authority to approve specific treasury matters.
People and Culture Committee
The People and Culture Committee supports the Boards in ensuring that hawse have the right culture, leadership, policies and workforce arrangements to achieve its objectives.
Its areas of focus include:
Organisational culture and values
Employee engagement and wellbeing
Leadership and succession planning
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Workforce and remuneration matters
People-related strategies and policies
Customer Scrutiny Panel
The Customer Scrutiny Panel is an independent panel made up of mhs homes and Heart of Medway customers. It plays an important role in ensuring customer voices influence decision-making and service improvement.
The panel works alongside staff, the Executive Team and the Board to:
Review services from a customer perspective
Challenge performance and service standards
Carry out independent service reviews
Make recommendations for improvement
Monitor progress against agreed actions
Promote customer involvement and accountability
Help ensure that services reflect the needs and experiences of our customers and deliver value for money.
Who's on our Board and committees?
Click here to view details of who sits on our Board and our committees
Declarations of interest
Click here to view the Board and committee declarations of interest
Meeting minutes
Click here to view the minutes from our Board and committee meetings