Volunteer Director and Treasurer, Chase Community Solar Limited

What will you be doing?

Chase Community Solar (CCS) is a Community Benefit Society. CCS was established in 2014 with the twin aims of addressing the climate emergency and tackling fuel poverty. The main route to achieving this goal was the installation of solar PV on 314 Cannock Chase Council bungalows. CCS has recently been able to install batteries in a quarter of these properties to enable a greater level of self-consumption and therefore financial savings to the tenants, the majority of whom are elderly or with limiting circumstances. The Society has also played an active role in the Zero Carbon Rugeley Initiative which included the installation of solar PV on the local Community Centre – and aims to play an influential role in local and sub-regional climate policy.  We are seeking a committed and skilled individual to join our Board as a Director and Treasurer. You will play an important role in managing the Society’s financial affairs, working in partnership with our administrative and accounting contractor, Sharenergy. The Treasurer must be a member of the Society or become one by purchasing (at least) 100 £1 shares, and is appointed by the Board. The position is unremunerated, as is that of all CCS Board members. Location: Working from home with occasional face-to-face meetings in Staffordshire. Key Responsibilities: In liaison with Sharenergy, provide regular financial reports and updates for the Board; Work with Sharenergy to ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and reporting requirements; Provide financial insights to support strategic planning; Identify financial risks and propose risk mitigation strategies; Work with the Board to establish financial policies; Collaborate with other Board members; Provide financial guidance to support decision-making; Check quarterly and annual Management Accounts to identify and understand or correct any unexpected changes in performance; Maintain a 12 month cashflow forecast for presentation at Board meetings. Additional Information There is currently a Board of 7 members (with a maximum of 12 allowed). The Board meets quarterly with occasional intervening meetings of the Board or the officers. CCS does not have any employees but does retain contractors for financial support and accounting, for maintenance and for occasional other tasks.

What are we looking for?

Qualifications and Skills: Financial management or accounting background; Strong analytical skills; Good communication and interpersonal skills; Commitment to the Society’s objectives.

What difference will you make?

As part of our Board you will support and shape our work and strategic direction, as well as help us achieve our twin aims of addressing the climate emergency and tackling fuel poverty. The main route to achieving these aims has been the installation and management of solar PV systems on 314 Cannock Chase Council bungalows which has enabled a saving of over 900,000 kg of carbon dioxide since 2014. We also have a Community Fund which to date has supported energy advice to tenants through home visits and the installation of solar immersion controllers for hot water. The Treasurer is a vital role, to manage and report on our finances and provide cash flow projections to assist Board decision making.