Council of Governors
The Council of Governors works with the Board of Directors to represent the interests of our members in the planning of services.
Governors are elected by the public and staff members or are appointed to represent community partners, such as local councils and commissioners.
Governors are not responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trust. This responsibility remains with the Board of Directors who are held to account by the Non-Executive Directors (NEDs).
Roles and Responsibilities of Governors
Foundation Trusts are regulated by an organisation called NHS England (NHSE), which advises on what it means to be a Governor in a document called the Code of Governance. The key points are:
- All Foundation Trusts will have a Council of Governors which is responsible for representing the interests of Trust members and partner organisations in the local health economy in the governance of NHS Foundation Trusts
- Governors must act in the best interests of the NHS Foundation Trust and should adhere to its values and code of conduct.
- The Council of Governors should hold the Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) individually and collectively to account for the performance of the Board of Directors and the NHS Foundation Trust
As such, the role of the Governors is to:
- Advise the Board of Directors to ensure that the Foundation Trust acts in a way that is consistent with its objectives and that it operates under the terms of its authorisation.
- Act in an advisory capacity by providing stakeholder, public and staff representation to the strategic direction of the Foundation Trust.
- Give the views of the Council of Governors on the development of the forward plans of the Foundation Trust and any significant changes to the health care provided by the Foundation Trust.
- Meet with people in their local community or staff group to report back on what happens in Council of Governor meetings and listen to their ideas and opinions.
- Acknowledge the overall responsibility of the Board of Directors for running the Foundation Trust and not try to use the powers of the Council of Governors to veto the decisions of the Board of Directors.
Foundation Trust Governor have specific statutory powers and duties which include:
- Appointing and, if appropriate, removing the Chair and other NEDs
- Deciding the remuneration and allowances, and other terms of office, of the Chair and other NEDs
- Approving the appointment of the Chief Executive
- Appointing and, if appropriate, removing the Trust Auditor
- Receiving the Trust Annual Accounts, and any report of the auditor on these, along with the Annual Report.
- Giving their views on the preparation of the Trust’s Forward Plan (Annual Plan)
- Overseeing the membership development strategy of the Foundation Trust
If you are interested in becoming a Governor please email sfh-tr.governors@nhs.net.
Our Governors
Find out who the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Governors are below.
View the Board of Directors and Council of Governors table (opens in new window).
Council of Governors meeting papers
For earlier Council of Governors meeting papers, a Freedom of Information request should be sent to the Information Governance Department by emailing sfh-tr.foi.requests@nhs.net.
