Decision

RESOLVED

i)               To note that Samantha Wilson will resign from the Board of Directors of Horsham District Homes Limited (HDH) and Horsham District Homes (Holdings) Limited (HDHH); and

ii)              The appointment of Kirstin Espley to the Board of Directors of HDH and HDHH with immediate effect be approved.

REASONS

i)      To enable the Deputy Section 151 Officer to fulfil her role as the Council’s acting principal financial adviser without any actual or perceived conflict of interest.

ii)     To ensure that the Council’s affordable housing companies retain the requisite number of directors in accordance with its constitutional requirements.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT

Retaining Samantha Wilson as a Director and managing any conflicts through declarations of interest and withdrawal from relevant discussions was considered. However, this option was discounted as the potential conflict arises from the ongoing and intrinsic overlap between the roles of Company Director and acting Section 151 Officer, making it neither practical nor appropriate to manage solely through declarations and recusal arrangements.

Not appointing Kirstin Espley as a director was discounted as the companies are required to maintain a Board of four directors to ensure compliance with their  governance arrangements. Additionally, the appointment of an external director was discounted given Kirstin’s knowledge of the companies and her proven financial and commercial expertise making her well placed to fulfil the role and provide continuity.