Present
Chairman: Professor Ian Cumming
Public Constituency Governors:
- Peter Brookes (Birmingham)
- Khalid Ali (Birmingham)
- Anthony Bradley (Black Country)
- Brian Murray (Coventry and Warwickshire)
- Roy Alcroft (West Mercia)
- Brenda Richards (West Mercia)
- Eileen Cox (Staffordshire)
- Robin Cooke (Staffordshire)
Staff Constituency Governors:
- Sarah Lawson (Emergency and Urgent Operational Staff)
- Inderpal Sidhu (Non-Emergency Operational Staff)
- Matt Brown (Support Staff)
- Duncan Spencer (Emergency Operation Centre Staff)
Appointed Governors:
- Dave Fitton (Community First Responder Regional Forum)
- Councillor Carol Littler (Dudley Council)
In Attendance:
- Phil Higgins (Trust Secretary)
- Suzie Wheaton (Governor and Membership Engagement Manager)
Minutes
07/25/01
Apologies
Received from: Dave Murray, John Davies, John Auerbach, Julie Jasper.
07/25/02
Declarations of Interest
The chairman asked governors to note the register of interests and reminded the governors that it is their responsibility to inform us of any changes and to report them to Suzie Wheaton, in order for the register to be updated.
The Council of Governors received the register of interests and noted that it will now be published on the Trust’s website.
07/25/03
Approval of Previous Minutes
Governors were asked if the minutes of the previous meeting were a correct and accurate record.
Resolved
The minutes from the meeting held on 8th May 2025 were approved as a correct record.
07/25/04
Chairman’s Update
The chairman opened the meeting by welcoming Cllr Carol Littler (Dudley MBC), who has been recently appointed as the local authority representative on the Council. The Chairman took the opportunity to thank Cllr Ed Lawrence, who Cllr Littler replaced, and who had stepped down from the CoG to take on additional duties at Dudley Council for his time and dedication whilst serving on the Council of Governors.
The Chairman referred to the publication of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England published by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. He stated that whilst the document sets out the Government’s plans on its three main strategic “shifts” for the NHS
- Move the principle of treatment from hospitals to community services
- Move from analogue to digital, utilising developing technology
- Move the emphasis and purpose of the NHS from sickness to prevention.
In addition, HM Government indicated in the plan that it will reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, giving more power and resources to the frontline. Within this context of reforms and changes the Chairman indicated that the document set out HM Government’s intention to remove the requirement for FTs to have governors. The document stated that while governors have provided helpful advice and oversight for some FTs, the next generation of NHS Foundation Trusts to put in place arrangements to take account of patient, staff and stakeholder insight. The Chairman emphasised that at present the NHS was awaiting the implementation plan and timescales to provide clarity on the contents of the plan. Given the clear direction set out in the plan the Trust has decided that in line with other Foundation Trust’s it wouldn’t be holding elections until there was clarity on timescales so that public funds can be redirected to patient care. The next elections were planned to be held in Autumn 2026. When plans became clearer it would be reported to the Council of Governors, and he was sure the Council would support the move to not hold elections in 2026 given the stated aims set out in the 10 year plan and the lack of certainty.
The chairman confirmed that all NED appraisals had been completed. The outcome demonstrated to him that the Board has a very strong group of NEDs that whilst willing to challenge to receive assurance were also supportive of the CEO and executive colleagues this was down to successful recruitment appointments made by the Governors. He therefore took the opportunity to thank the Governors for their support.
The chairman confirmed that the Fit and Proper Person Tests (FPPT) for the leadership team had all been completed and that there were no issues to report. The Director of People had completed the required declarations and submitted them to the NHSE following Board approval within the prescribed timescales for submission to the NHSE.
The Chairman’s final item was around NED renumeration. He reminded the Governors that at the Council of Governors at its meeting on 18 November 2020 it had agreed “That with effect from the 1 April 2020 the People Director of the Trust be requested to award the Non-Executive Directors the same cost of living adjustment that is paid to Executive Directors going forward.”
In line with this agreement he reported that the relevant Government appointed pay body had recommended to HM Government, and the recommendation had been accepted that it VSM salaries be increased by the cost of living of 3.25%. In pursuance of the above standing delegation the Director of People had applied the same cost living increase to the NEDs remuneration. In line with the recommendations the remuneration increase for all Non-Executive Directors will be applied from August pay and backdated to 1 April 2024. The Chairman asked the CoG the note that the delegation had been applied.
Resolution:
- Chairman’s report noted.
- Endorsed postponement of Governor Elections in 2026.
- Noted application of NED remuneration adjustment.
07/25/05
CEO Update
The Chief Executive Officer began by thanking the Governors for their service and the contributions they make that had been set out by the Chairman. The CEO expressed his appreciation for the messages of support he had received from governors throughout what has been a difficult year given the current position in relation to handover delays.
The CEO outlined the current performance. He discussed that performance which he described as reasonably good. However, the Trust was developing its winter planning as there was always uncertainty as what winter season will bring that will impact on the service. Mitigation against poor weather, covid, influenza, hospital delays, are some of the factors that are being used to develop the Trust’s Winter Plan which he indicated will be submitted to Board for approval and will be shared with the Governors to reassure Governors in relation to the Trust’s winter planning.
The CEO updated the Governors on the current position with regard handover delays that are continuing to with the consequential impact on patient safety. He further reported that he had taken the decision to reduce overtime as handover delays were showing signs of improvement and as such he felt it was an opportunity to take some of the pressures of staff pending the winter pressures. However, he indicated that he would take action to mitigate any increase in handover delays.
The CEO reported on mandatory training that has commenced and every member of staff will complete the training.
The Board and the Trust are reviewing the PTS contracts and it was essential that the PTS contracts should be able to be self-funded. PTS Estate leases should also match the tenure of the relevant contract, otherwise the Trust will be left holding estate that it doesn’t need if they are unsuccessful in the tendering process.
The fleet for both the U&E and PTS contracts are being renewed as the Trust continues to operate a modern fleet.
The CEO then reported on external factors that will impact on the Trust. He stated that Governors will have heard about the NHS Reset and the ICBs corporate staffing being reduced by 50%. The six ICBs in our region will be reduced to three. The CEO’s and Chairmans for these are yet to be appointed.
The CEO reported that in 2025/26, NHS segmentation is being implemented for providers. For providers, segmentation will be from 1 (high-performing) to 4 (low-performing), with an additional segment 5 for those needing the most support via the Recovery Support Programme. Providers in the Recovery Support Programme will be automatically assigned segment 5. The scorings were still to be reported.
Major Incident preparedness has seen an increase in training for all commanders and there are a lot of multi-agency exercises to strengthen the Trust’s response and preparedness to major incidents.
Brenda Richards asked about the future of Donnington Hub. The CEO stated that we own Donnington Hub and there isn’t anything wrong with that hub other than there is limited space for a mechanic workshop. The main priority in Shropshire is the current Shrewsbury Hub. The lease expires within the next two years and the hub is in a residential location and given that the service is 24/7 it is disturbing local residents. The Trust has begun work on an alternative site and a Business case for funding is being drawn up.
Sarah Lawson reported on the operational issues and challenges she faces at hospital with handover of patients. She also discussed a specific operational matter where she was called out to a GP surgery for the patient that wanted a prescription.
07/25/06
Communications Annual Report
The Chairman invited Murray MacGregor, Communications Director to present to the Council of Governors.
At the conclusion the Chairman thanked Murray for his presentation.
07/25/07
Audit Committee Annual Report
The chairman informed the governors that unfortunately Julie is unwell and is unable to attend today’s council of governors. We will reschedule Julie’s report to another date.
07/25/08
Attendance Record
The attendance record of governors was presented. If a Governor fails to attend 3 meetings of the Council of Governors in any rolling year period, they shall cease to hold office unless the Chair is satisfied that:
- The absence was due to a reasonable cause; and
- The person will be able to start attending meetings of the Council of Governors again within such a period as the Chair considers reasonable.
The attendance was record was noted.
07/25/09
Meeting Dates & Schedule
Chairman to ask Governors to receive the Council of Governors schedule of business for the year ahead and request that Governors note the meeting dates in their diaries.
The next date is the development day. If any governors have any area which they would like a little more information on email Suzie and we will see if we can put something on the development day agenda.
07/25/10
Any Other Urgent Business
None raised.
07/25/11
Future Meetings
- Governor Development Day: 4 September 2025
- Council of Governors Meeting: 6 November 2025
- Annual Meeting of the Membership: 29 July 2026