Our Council of Governors

The role of the Governors

The Board of Directors works closely with the Council of Governors to ensure that it understands the views of governors, and through them, the views of members.

The Council of Governors has a number of statutory duties, including appointing the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors and ratifying the appointment of the Chief Executive. The Council of Governors also determines the remuneration and terms and conditions of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors, receives the Trust’s Annual report and accounts and auditor’s report, and appoints the Trust’s external auditor.

The public and staff members of the Council of Governors are elected from the Foundation Trust membership by the members and serve for terms of office between two and three years. The Council of Governors also consists of nominated representatives from key stakeholder organisations.

Your Governors

Contact us

You can contact the Council of Governors by emailing ekh-tr.governorsquestions@nhs.net or by letter to:

The Council of Governors Membership Office
Trust Management Offices
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG

Council of Governor meetings

Join our next Council of Governors Open Meeting

Thursday 11 April 2024 at 09:30 – 12:00

How to join online

For joining details, please contact ekh-tr.governorsquestions@nhs.net

For any queries please contact Neville Daw, Governor and Membership Lead on 01233 616806 or via email to Neville.daw@nhs.net.

Council of Governor Committees

The Council of Governors hold Full Council meetings in public four times a year and have a further two meetings dedicated to development work and to provide an opportunity to look at specific topics in greater depth. A joint meeting of the Council and the Trust’s Non-Executive Governors is also held annually.

In addition the Council has a number of Committees to undertake specific roles. Powers cannot be delegated to these Committees; they are required to report the Full Council with a summary of their work and any recommendations or proposals to be considered. The Committees of the Council are as below. Ad hoc groups may also be formed from time to time to address specific issues, with clear terms of reference. Again, powers cannot be delegated to these groups.

Nominations and Remuneration Committee

Governors on this committee work with the Trust’s Chairman and HR Department to fulfil the Council of Governor’s statutory duty to appoint (or remove) the Trust’s Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and Chairman.

Recommendations are put forward from the committee to the Council of Governors for approval. The committee also has a key role in developing the appraisal policy for the Chair and NEDs and in putting forward proposals to the full Council of Governors regarding the remuneration to be offered for these roles. The Committee meets as required when NED vacancies arise and once a year to consider NED and Chair remuneration.

Membership Engagement and Communications Committee

Governors on this committee work with the Trust in the development of the Council's Membership and Members' Engagement Strategy. The Council of Governors exists as a two way “conduit” between the Trust, its membership and the public - the committee is there to facilitate this. The Committee is responsible for monitoring performance against the strategy and identifying any necessary changes. The Committee meets quarterly.

Audit and Governance Committee

This committee oversees the Council of Governor’s statutory duty to appoint the Trust External Auditors at the end of the current holder’s term of contract. The Committee receives the external auditor's plan, timetable and annual report - for information. The Committee works with the Group Company Secretary to regularly review the Trust's Constitution. It also reviews the effectiveness of NED engagement with Council Committees. The Committee meets quarterly.

Staff and Patient Experience Committee

This Committee is tasked with looking at the Trust's performance with respect to quality of care and drafting the Council's commentary on the Trust's annual Quality Report. The Committee was created following the Council meeting in public held on 20 May 2021.