Our Council of Governors

The Council of Governors, collectively, is the body that provides local accountability to the Trust’s service users, carers, staff, stakeholders and the wider public. The Council consists of a number of individuals, made up of both appointed and elected governors.

The concept of an NHS Foundation Trust rests on local accountability, which Governors perform a pivotal role in providing. The Governors represent the interests of members of the Trust as a whole and the interests of the public, contributing to the future direction of our Trust; holding the Non-Executive Directors (collectively and individually) to account for the way our Board of Directors performs. The Council of Governors shares information and key decisions with Foundation Trust members.

Council of governors

Who makes up our Council of Governors?

Public Governors
Public Governors provide local accountability and help to increase the involvement of the general public. You can contact your local Public Governor via the relevant email address:

Constituency	Areas within the Constituency
Bradford South	Great Horton, Queensbury, Royds, Wibsey, Tong, Wyke
Bradford West	City, Great Horton, Manningham, Thornton and Allerton, Toller
Bradford East	Bolton and Undercliffe, Bowling and Bakerend, Bradford Moor , Eccleshill, Idle and Thackley, Little Horton
Rest of England	Remaining electoral wards in England (excluding those in Bradford, Shipley or Craven).
Shipley	Baildon, Bingley, Bingley Rural, Shipley, Windhill and Wrose, Wharfedale

Craven

Aire Valley with Lothersdale, Barden Fell, Bentham, Cowling, Embsay-with-Eastby, Gargrave and Malhamdale, Glusburn, Grassington, Hellifield and Long Preston, Ingleton and Clapham, Penyghent, Settle and Ribblebanks, Skipton East, Skipton North, Skipton South, Skipton West, Sutton-in-Craven, Upper Wharfedale, West Craven

Keighley

Worth Valley, Ilkley, Keighley Central, Keighley East, Keighley West

Staff Governors
Staff Governors bring a staff member viewpoint to the discussion and have the opportunity to provide information from the staff’s perspective.

Appointed Governors
Our appointed Governors are from a pre-defined list of partner organisations. Appointed Governors bring the perspective of our partners and ensure they are informed of our plans.

What is the role of a Governor?

The role of a Governor is very important; it is to:

provide a link between the Board of Directors and the local community;
influence the forward/strategic plans of the Trust;
hold the Non-Executive Directors individually and collectively to account for the performance of the Board;
appoint or remove the Chair and the other Non-Executive Directors;
approve the appointment of the Chief Executive;
decide who will be the Trust’s auditor.

How can I hear about the work of the Council of Governors?

One way in which you can hear about the work of the Council of Governors is to join us at our Annual Members Meeting. Our Lead Governor delivers a presentation about the work of the Council of Governors over the year.
Members of the Trust and members of the public are welcome to attend our public Council of Governors meetings which are held four times a year.

Our Council of Governor meetings take place every three months, usually in the months of February, May, July and December.

Find out how to become a Governor.

Find out how to become a Trust member.

See the Declaration of Council of Governors’ interests.