Do you take an interest in local planning applications and wish you could do more about it? Do you have some spare time in which you can take a proactive role on the voluntary board of a local community organisation?
We are seeking a non-exec Campaign Director who will be responsible for monitoring planning applications and any unauthorised development activity on Roman Road. The Campaign Director will be also be responsible for organising official objections to any development that may threaten the health of the high street, writing letters of objection and disseminating them via our Mailchimp, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and using other means as necessary to gain support from the local community. Being media savvy or keen to learn a few digital communication skills will be necessary.
It’s a satisfying job. Recently RRT shared its campaign to stop 538-540 Roman Road being turned into flats. Over 100 local people responded in the first two days and as a direct result of our action, the planning application was withdrawn.
The voluntary role will see some months when little is needed other than scanning the planning applications and than attending monthly Board meetings, and then other months when it may entail up to an hour’s voluntary work per week.
Planning Control Director role
Responsibilities include:
- To monitor the Council’s planning application portal on a weekly basis to identify planning applications pertaining to Roman Road
- To attend monthly Board meetings and advise the Board on current planning application activity
- To attend local planning consultation events
- To speak at Council planning committees if necessary
- To compose petition letters objecting to planning applications as necessary, referring to relevant planning guidelines (we will share our learnings
- To use the Roman Road Trust’s WordPress, Mailchimp, Facebook and Twitter account to circulate the circulate petition letter to our members
- To use other means as necessary to gather support for the petition, which may occasionally involve canvassing and organising a public meeting
All Directors must abide by the RRT Members’ Code of Conduct, RRT Financial Procedures and RRT Equal Opportunities Policy.
About Roman Road Trust C.I.C
The Roman Road Trust (RRT) is an non-profit organisation helping regenerate a high street and its community in one of the poorest boroughs of the country – Tower Hamlets, London. The Roman Road is in the heart of London’s East End and home to one of London’s longest-running and largest street markets.
RRT’s Vision is for a thriving local economy that gives opportunity and space for communities to flourish.
Since its creation in 2013, RRT has helped launch several regeneration initiatives including the now annual Roman Road Festival, the Roman Road LDN online platforms, the Roman Road Neighbourhood Plan and the Roman Road Yard Market.
RRT is a Community Interest Company (CIC). All profits are ploughed back into our community initiatives. Our ambition is to become a financially sustainable structure that offers a viable vehicle to empower the local community now and long into the future.
RRT is constitutionally set up as a membership organization, with local Members. However, the membership scheme is yet to be implemented.
The Organisation
RRT’s work is done on a project-basis, and much work is also done on a voluntary basis, or with volunteer assistance. The RRT has no permanent employees.
RRT’s activities have grown gradually since the organization began as the Roman Road Town Team in 2012, incorporating in November 2014. In this financial year the organization will turn over c£50k.
The Board
- Chair – Holly Stout (local resident, barrister specializing in public and employment law)
- Secretary – Stephanie Fox (local resident, Ecommerce and Marketing Manager at a jewellery brand)
- Finance Director – Chris Worthington
- Planning and Development Director – Sarah Allan-Sinclair (local resident, architect, urban designer and project manager)
- Commercial Director – Nick Morgan (local resident, founder of Big Cat Events)
- Membership & Communications Director – Laura Kékuti
- Civic Engagement Director – Irene de Lorenzis
Find out more about Roman Road Trust’s Board of Directors
Board Meetings and Duties
Board meetings are usually held in the evenings on a Wednesday. At the moment, these are monthly but it is intended to reduce these to bi-monthly then quarterly once the organisation is more established. Directors are expected to attend Board Meetings regularly and to also attend relevant sub-committee and other meetings occasionally where necessary.
The Board is non-executive and all directors are unpaid. However Directors are expected to have an active role in order to help this young organisation mature into a more sustainable form. Activity levels vary quite a bit. Some months very little is needed other than attending monthly Board meetings, and then other months the role may entail up to an hour’s work per week.
Apply by email to hello@romanroadtrust.co.uk
