1. Trust Board and Council of Governors Capitalising on our Potential Mike Smith, Chair

2. Context Governor evaluation exercise and discussion of results
Governor Action Plan
Group meetings between Chair and Governors
Board discussion, 26 January
Coming up to 2 years as a Foundation Trust in May

3. Purpose of the January Board session:
Remind ourselves of Governors statutory duties
Think about how far we have come in developing relationships
Consider what else we need to do to develop potential

4. Ways in which we have developed our relationships/involved Governors
15 Steps visits
PLACE visits
Quality Account Task and Finish Group
Annual Members’ Meeting/Meet your Governor
CoG IPR Task and Finish Group
Surveys in clinics
Attendance at Board/Committees
Bite-size training by NEDs
Annual planning
Chair & NEDs performance evaluation
Chief Executive/Deputy Director/NED recruitment
Development of Membership Strategy
Redesigned Integrated performance report

5. Board Reflections Governors Information The agenda
want to be involved in a meaningful way
have a better understanding of their duties and powers
are focussed on assurance
value contact with NEDs & EDs
have a wealth of experience and networks
The agenda
has been largely shaped by the Trust
needs to be influenced by the Governors
Information
has been largely one way
needs to be presented clearly and concisely

6. Board Insights
We value the support of the governors and respect their duty to seek assurance
We want to support the Council to be more meaningful and interactive – to have more focus
Whilst local accountability remains, FT autonomy has been diminished through financial challenges, central oversight and regulation
Direction of travel is towards collaboration and system wide solutions. The challenge is to move from STPs to ST action
We feel that Governors have ‘know-how’ to help us meet these challenges.

7. Helping the Trust to think about ‘Knotty Problems’
Examples of ‘knotty problems’
Pressure on A&E
Obesity and Diabetes
Care home closures
Public Health funding
Accountable Care

8. Opportunities Mental Health Wellbeing ‘You and Your Care’
‘Personal Budgets’
Personal access to information
Health Innovation

9. Helping the Trust to ‘Navigate the Environment’
What fresh perspectives have we got?
Who do we need to engage with and influence?
How do we increase momentum?

10. Working with the Trust on ‘What’s next’ for the Council of Governors
How to achieve the appropriate focus on ‘assurance and holding to account’ and ‘helping to meet our local challenges’?
What knotty problem (or opportunity) stands out for you and why?

11. Preparing for the year ahead
Annual Plan discussion by CoG – May 2017
Joint Board/Governor half day in July
CoG Elections in 2018
Need to start preparations in Nov 2017
Must maintain current balance of public, appointed and staff governors
Opportunity to reflect on the size and composition of the CoG