THE chairman of Poole Housing Partnership’s (PHP) board is to be paid for the first time to try and improve the organisation’s effectiveness.

Members of Poole council’s cabinet backed the findings of a review of the governance arrangements of the arms-length company which manages its social housing stock.

On top of introducing a £6,000 remuneration package for the position holder, the number of members is to be reduced from 15 to nine to “improve the way it works with the council”.

Councillors backed the changes on Tuesday with the cabinet member for housing, Cllr Karen Rampton, saying that the payment would “increase accountability”.

“I’m fully supportive of what has been proposed,” she said. “Having fewer board members will improve its focus.

“The introduction of a remuneration package, of about £6,000, for the chairman recognises and increases the accountability of the position.

“It will also ensure that we have a good, independent chairman.”

The new arrangements will see the board made up of five independent members, two council representatives and two tenants or leaseholders and were unanimously approved by the cabinet.