Governance changes opposed by Scottish institute members

CIH members voted in favour of the governance changes at its annual general meeting at the Harrogate conference a fortnight ago.

The overhaul includes slimming-down the governing board and opening it up to non-CIH members if the relevant skills cannot be found in the organisation.

But the chair of the CIH’s Scottish board tabled a motion from the floor opposing the idea of an elected panel to interview unelected members from outside the organisation for board positions if necessary.

Jim Strang said the Scottish board wanted all board members to be elected. His motion was rejected but he believed about 35 per cent of the room raised their hands in favour of the amendment. ‘There were a number of people who voted in favour of the amendment and I find that heartening,’ he said. ‘It gives a basis for future discussion.’

Details of the proposed governance changes still need to be worked out and it must be discussed at a special general meeting before the end of the year.

‘I think there’s room for future debate on the detail and perhaps when we get into the details different views might prevail,’ Mr Strang said.

The board is being slimmed down from 32 people to 15, and only two non-members will be allowed to join.

Meanwhile Paddy Gray, professor of housing at Ulster University, has been elected president of the CIH.