Our Council of Governors
Sherwood Forest Hospitals became an NHS Foundation Trust on February 1, 2007 and a Council of Governors was established.
Governors work with the Board of Directors and represent the interests of our members in the planning of services.
The Council of Governors are elected by our public and staff members or appointed to represent community partners, such as the 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 sets out advice on what it means to be a Governor in a document called the Code of Governance. The key points include:
- Every Foundation Trust will have a Council of Governors which is responsible for representing the interests of NHS Foundation 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, including ensuring the Board of Directors acts so that the NHS Foundation Trust does not breach the terms of its authorisation.
As such, the role of the Governors is to:
- Represent the interests of Foundation Trust members and stakeholder organisations in the local health economy in the governance of the Foundation Trust
- 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
- Acts in an advisory capacity by providing the 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 to listen to ideas and opinions from members of the public and staff
- Acknowledge the overall responsibility of the Board of Directors for running the Foundation Trust and should not try to use the powers of the Council of Governors to veto the decisions of the Board of Directors.
Foundation Trust Governor duties also include:
Governors have specific statutory powers and duties which include to:
- Appoint and, if appropriate, remove the Chair
- Appoint and, if appropriate remove the other NEDs
- Decide the remuneration and allowances, and other terms of office, of the Chair and other NEDs
- Approve the appointment of the Chief Executive
- Appoint and, if appropriate, remove the Trust Auditor
- Receive the Trust Annual Accounts, and any report of the auditor on these, along with the Annual Report.
- In preparing the Trust's Forward Plan (Annual Plan) the Board of Directors must have regard to the views of the Council of Governors.
- To oversee the membership development strategy of the Foundation Trust.
If you are interested in becoming a Governor please email sfh-tr.governors@nhs.net.
A full breakdown of our Executive Directors and Governors can be found here.