Council of Governors

Our Council of Governors represents our staff, stakeholders and our local communities in the running of the Foundation Trust, under the terms of the Trust's constitution.

The Council of Governors' statutory duties include the appointment and removal of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors, the appointment of the Trust's auditors and the approval of changes to the constitution of the Trust. They also hold to account the Trust Board for its management of the Trust.

The Council of Governors has strong working links with the Trust Board. A joint meeting with the Board is held twice a year and Board directors attend relevant Council of Governors committees and participate in joint seminars.

Foundation Trusts recruit members and, from these members, Governors are elected to represent the views of local service users and staff.

Find out more about our Governors in our Meet Your Governors page.

What does the Council of Governors do?

The Council of Governors works alongside the Trust's Board of Directors to ensure that local communities and staff have a greater say in how services are developed and delivered by the Trust. The Council of Governors is made up of local people, staff members and representatives of local stakeholder organisations.

The Council of Governors plays a major role in the governance of the Trust. Its main responsibilities include:

• Collating the views of members and the wider community about the services the Trust provides;
• Working alongside the Board of Directors to produce the strategic vision and the Trust's Annual Plan;
• Appointing the Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors and setting their remuneration;
• Appointing the Trust's auditor;
• Receiving the Annual Report and Accounts; and
• Developing the membership strategy.

Who are the Governors responsible to?

Public and Staff Governors are elected by the members of the Trust. Each Governor is responsible for representing the interests and views of their particular group of members. Public Governors represent local people in their constituencies. Staff Governors represent the views of their colleagues. Governors appointed by stakeholder organisations provide input from their organisations.

How do I become a Governor?

The Trust holds elections to the Council of Governors every year.  If you are a member of the Trust and over the age of sixteen years then you are eligible to stand for election in the public constituency in which you live.  Equally if you are employed by the Trust you are eligible to stand for election in the appropriate staff constituency.

If would like to stand for election then you can self nominate by filling in the nomination form.   If you would like further information about how to participate in the election process please contact the Foundation Trust Office.

How much of my time would being a Governor take up?

For each Governor the time commitment required will be different. As a minimum, a Governor is required to attend six meetings of the Council of Governors each year, in addition to the AGM. Governors need time to prepare for these meetings and to also deal with any queries raised by their constituents.

Governors are required to sit on at least one sub-committee of the Council of Governors and participate in the work of that sub-committee.

The sub-committees of the Council of Governors are as follows:

• Audit and Governance
• Quality and Healthcare Governance
• Nomination and Remuneration, and
• Strategy and Planning.

How long are Governors appointed for?

Governors are appointed for up to three years. Governors will be eligible to stand for re-election and may serve up to a maximum of nine years.

Do Governors get paid?

Governors do not get paid for the work they do. However, expenses properly incurred in the performance of their duties are reimbursed.