Your Governors – The Council of Governors
The Council of Governors represents the views of patients, public members and staff and it comprises elected public and staff members, together with appointed representatives of partner organisations. The governor role is voluntary, and the Council is primarily responsible for assuring the performance of the Board.
The role of a governor
Governors influence the strategic direction of the Trust by representing the views and interests of our patients, the local community and our members. This includes people who use our services and their carers, the public, staff and partner organisations.
Governors help develop a representative, diverse and well-involved membership and help improve patient experience.
Your governors bring expertise, enthusiasm, challenge and support to help us abide by our values: Committed to Excellence, Working Together and Facing the Future.
What governors do
- Hold the Trust’s Board of Directors to account for its performance
- Review and approve the pay of the Chair and non-executive directors
- Approve the appointment of the Chief Executive
Determine the terms of office of the Chair and non-executive directors - Appoint or remove the Trust’s auditor
- Approve significant transactions (e.g., mergers)
- Receive the annual report and accounts
- Feed back to the Trust’s Board of Directors on a range of issues
Other responsibilities
- Act as a source of ideas for how the Trust can provide its services in a way that meets the needs of the communities it serves
- Contribute to and are consulted on the Trust’s development plans
Oversee the Foundation Trust’s membership strategy and encourage membership - Attend quarterly Board of Directors/Council of Governors workshop events (BoD/CoG’s)
- Select the lead governor of the Council of Governors
What governors don’t do
- Deal with individual complaints
- Have responsibility for running the Trust
- Have a veto over a Board of Directors’ decision
- Have a right to inspect Trust property or services, meet patients or conduct quality reviews
The Council of Governors
Our 21-strong Council of Governors comprises:
Public governors (elected)
Two representing each of the following constituencies: Bracknell Forest and Wokingham, Hart and East Hampshire, Rushmoor, Slough, Surrey Heath and Runnymede, and Windsor and Maidenhead.
One representing each of the following constituencies: Guildford, Waverley and Woking, Rest of England (where the Trust provides services), South Buckinghamshire.
Staff governors (elected)
One representing each of the following: Frimley Park Hospital, Heatherwood and community hospitals, Wexham Park Hospital.
Stakeholder governors (appointed)
One representing the Ministry of Defence and three representing local authorities.
Council of Governors’ meetings
The Council of Governors usually meets quarterly at external venues across the Trust’s catchment area as well as at Frimley Park and Wexham Park Hospitals and online via Microsoft Teams.
These meetings are open to the public.
Your Governors have an important part to play by listening to the views of the Trust’s members, the public and other stakeholders, and representing their interests in the Trust, and particularly in meetings with the Board.