Minutes of the Council of Governors Meeting held on 6th May 2026

Present

Professor Ian Cumming – Chairman of the Board of Directors

Membership

Public Constituency Governors

• Peter Brookes – Birmingham
• Khalid Ali – Birmingham
• Anthony Bradley – Black Country
• Brian Murray – Coventry and Warwickshire
• John Davies – Coventry and Warwickshire
• Brenda Richards – West Mercia
• Eileen Cox – Staffordshire

Staff Constituency Governors

• John Auerbach – Emergency and Urgent Operational Staff
• Sarah Lawson – Emergency and Urgent Operational Staff

In Attendance

• Anthony Marsh – Chief Executive Officer
• Phil Higgins – Trust Secretary
• Suzie Wheaton – Governor and Membership Engagement Manager
• Pippa Wall – Head of Strategic Planning
• Karen Rutter – Director of Finance
• Usha Ramnatsing – Learning and Development Manager
• Julie Jasper – Non-Executive Director

All attendees to this meeting must be aware that minutes will be made accessible to members of the public on the Trust’s website, and that access may be given to all minutes and associated documents under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Minutes

05/26/01

Welcome, Apologies and Chairman’s Announcements

The chairman welcomed Karen Rutter, Pippa Wall and Usha Ramnatsing who will be presenting later.

Apologies have been received from Duncan Spencer, Inderpal Sidhu and Matt Brown.

The chairman moved on to his report. He confirmed that NED appraisals are well underway with six completed and one left to do. He confirmed that he would provide a full update at the July meeting.

The chairman spoke about the feedback received from the Governor self-assessment for 2025/26. A paper with the feedback has been circulated to the governors. The feedback is varying so we will go through it in detail and tease out any areas we need to look at. This anonymous feedback is published in the annual report.

Chairman informed the CoG and the and the CEO attended the Midlands CEO/ Chairs event recently. Jim Mackey and Russell Hardy spoke about how they could support the work of NHS teams and how they intend to work with organisations going forward. The chairman/CEO have asked Vivek Khashu to put together a paper for Jim MacKey and Russell Hardy outlining the challenges the Trust faces.

Sarah asked if Ian if one of the challenges could be the issue of security on hospital sites and the lack of intervention from hospital security staff when ambulance staff need it. John Auerbach echoed Sarah’s comments confirming that he has also witnessed assaults and serious issues and security staff do not intervene.

The chairman suggested at future CoG meetings he will list of key meetings that he has attended, such as the one above so the governor are aware.

The chairman concluded his report.

05/26/02

Declarations of Interest – Council of Governors

The Chairman asked governors to note the register of interests and reminded the governors that it is their responsibility to maintain their entry in the register by letting Suzie know of any material changes that need to be included in the Register of Interests. The Chairman asked the Governors send changes to their entry in the Register 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.

05/26/03

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Governors that took place on the 12^th February 2026.

The Minutes of the last meeting was submitted to confirm them as a correct and accurate record.

The Chairman announced one amendment had been made at the request of the CEO. The minutes circulated recorded the winter seasonal influenza vaccination programme. The minutes sent out stated WMAS were in the top 4% nationally.  In fact WMAS were actually 4th out of all NHS provider organisations nationally.

The Governors confirmed that the minutes were a true and accurate record of the meeting subject to the above factual amendment.

05/26/04

Chief Executive Report

The Chairman invited Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive Officer to present to the Council of Governors.

The CEO began by informing the CoG that the Trust achieved breakeven financially at the end of march 2026. He highlighted that the Trust also superseded the category 2 mean performance target that had been set, nationally this target was 30 minutes, we had aimed for 28 minutes but the service actually hit 24 minutes. This the CEO stated was excellent news as the Trust had achieved both financial and performance targets. In addition all mandatory clinical training was completed.

The CEO discussed the current position regarding Commissioner funding for mental health services. The CEO stated that the Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull Integrated Care Boards had reduced Mental Health funding and as a consequence the Trust has had to restructure to ensure that staffing matched the funding provided by the ICB. The Trust had made representations about the impact of reduced funding in this area of patient care without any change of decision from the ICB. Whilst the Trust had offered the staff affected alternative roles to anyone that was displaced due to the decision of ICB, most of the staff affected were found alternative positions with the Trust. However, this was not achieved for one individual, and redundancy was enacted, which the Trust approved in compliance with the Trust’s own policies and Regulations.

Sarah Lawson indicated that there had been a lot of discussion in the “Mess Room” at her workplace on this topic and there had also been something posted on social media as well that may have caused that discussion.

Dave Fitton asked if there were any further restructures planned? The CEO confirmed that there wasn’t at present, and that the Mental Health restructuring was caused solely by a reduction in Commissioner funding.

Brenda Richards asked what impact it is was going to have on the mental health service provision as she was aware that one person with mental health issues that calls the Trust regularly.  The CEO confirmed that mental health training is incorporated into the annual staff Mandatory Training scheme. The Trust does have high intensity users, unfortunately removing the funding for the team doesn’t help those people. The number and severity of mental health issues are increasing but the Trust can only provide the services that the Commissioners fund.

The CEO moved on to discuss the Trust CiPs plan to meet the Trust’s obligation to break even financially in the current financial year.. However, each year it gets more and more difficult to find the savings and efficiency improvements. The Trust continually makes representations for more funding to meet its commitments.

All our vehicles for next year have been ordered so that they meet the construction timescales to enable delivery in year.

The national performance target for next year is to go from 30 minutes to 25 minutes, which is a big ask. If we had more funding the CEO felt that WMAS could achieve 24 mins 30 secs.

The Trust has another cohort of student paramedics have been recruited and will start training this year, half will start now and the other half starting later in the year. The Trust had received over 500 applications for graduate paramedic roles. Some of those will have applied for more than one job at different services though.

Lost hours at hospitals were the worst on record last year. However, it has got better so far this year with 20,000 lost hours in April and estimate to do the same this month. Last year as a comparison we had 400,00 lost hours for each month.

Mandatory training has started for this year, and the Trust Has implemented changes to JRCALC guidance (specifically in relation to Termination of Resuscitation), including All operational staff receiving an additional 2-hour National e-learning package on the JRCALC update. 

The Trust is continuing to work more closely with East Midlands Ambulance Service as part of this collaboration the EMAS Head of IT has been appointed to jointly head up the WMAS IT department as well rather than WMAS advertise and fill the vacancy separately. The CEO indicated that as the joint workstreams develop he will keep the CoG advised.

The Advanced Foundation Trust (AFT) model was contained in the government’s NHS 10 Year Health Plan. It is designed to reinvent the traditional Foundation Trust model by giving the highest-performing NHS trusts greater autonomy and financial flexibility. The Board is exploring the criteria for applying for Advanced Foundation Trust status. The CEO indicated that he would keep the CoG updated as the guidance for becoming an AFT is published and that there is more clarity.

The CEO reported that there had still not been any progress in NHSE funding the implementation of the recommendations arising from the Manchester arena inquiry. Given the increasing national threat level the Trust has reviewed its needs and developed a needs analysis based on lessons learnt and the Trust has implemented some things using existing funding, but in order to implement all the recommendations, it needed funding and none of the ambulance service’s have been given any money.  The CEO had raised his concerns again with NHS England (NHSE).  He stated that a paper had been presented to the NHSE Executive Board at the end of April 2026 where they had noted and accepted the risks and agreed that it would take action to ensure Ambulance Services were properly funded to implement the recommendations arising out of the public inquiry. He reminded the CoG meeting that the recommendations arising from the inquiry into this tragic incident which concluded over 3 years previously. The CEO stated that there was to be a subsequent paper which is due to be submitted to the NHSE Executive Board at the end of June 2026 and the Trust was awaiting to see how much of its bid of £32m of additional funding to fulfil all the recommendations based on the Trusts own needs assessment. The CEO will keep the CoG updated. 

The CEO updated the CoG on the current position relating to the PTS contracts currently operated by the Trust..

The CEO opened the floor to any questions

Brenda Richardson asked what is the biggest threat for the service, what really concerns you as the CEO?

CEO responded that this was asked three months ago, it would have been lost hours but two things have shifted since then. The lost hours have reduced. The global situation and in particular Iran/US/Israel conflict and its impact and consequences that brings; more attacks and violence of the streets, and also it has impacted on the supply chain – fuel disruption/ food supplies could impact us both directly and indirectly. However, the Trust always plans for a response to the Trust always tries to plan its local response to such emergencies.

Khalid Ali asked if the fuel price increase was a problem for the Trust given it was so reliant on fuel to maintain its service. The CEO confirmed that it was and that the Trust has in place mitigation to reduce the impact although fuel costs do of course impact on the Trust’s finances which Karen Rutter will set out in her report to the CoG later in the meeting.

Both John Auerbach and Sarah Lawson discussed the violence they had encountered whilst on duty serving the public. John Auerbach took the opportunity to enquire about the Trust’s current position on stab vests and whether it was  still progressing pilot/ trials of the use of stab vests by operational staff whilst on duty. The CEO confirmed that based on the current rise in violence faced by staff he could see the benefits of stab vests to mitigate the risks to personal harm, but it was important that staff wore them hence didn’t want to spend money if staff didn’t want them. Sarah Lawson said she was part of a trial years ago and she found people were more hostile and more abusive towards her when she had it on. She mentioned that staff have body worn camera but she was of the opinion that staff don’t wear them. The CEO indicated that the Trust and the Board will keep the position under review.

05/26/05

Finance Update

The chairman called upon Karen Rutter, Director of Finance to present.

The chairman formally noted what remarkable job Karen and the team has done.

Karen Rutter outlined the current position and stated that it is the time of year to work with two sets of accounts. The Accounts for the financial year 2025/26 which were submitted to the host ICB and NHSE and will be subject to Audit; and the opening approved budget for 2026/27.

Month 12 – End of year 25/26

The Trust reported position to the system at the end of March is a £13k surplus.  This is in line with the end of year forecast reported previously.

Please note that this information forms part of the end of year financial statements which are subject to external audit – as such there could be changes to the balances shown in this report and the position remains draft until the audited statements are complete.

This position includes a CIP which delivered £2.5m above planned levels by the end of 25/26.

Capital resource was fully utilised with a £6.1m additional delivery above the original plan.  This over delivery was approved and relates to in year PDC funding, additional CDEL received as part of the Chesire PTS contract agreement and reinvestment of asset disposals. 

External audit colleagues are now undertaking the review of the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) with a final Audit Committee to approved the audited ARA arranged for 22 June 2026.

Month 01 – April 26/27 current financial year

The headline Month 01 financial results, reported to NHSE, are as follows:

The Trust reported position at the end of April is a £1m deficit from plan – this is an actual deficit of £700k compared to a planned surplus of £300k.  This relates to a reduced level of income due to the improvements to handover delays and a higher than planned spend on overtime.  There is a slide in the pack which sets out the impact on the overall Trust financial position.  Overtime restrictions are now in place with the focus being to limit spending in all areas to recover the early deficit position. 

The end of year forecast remains as breakeven, which is the plan that the Trust has signed up to deliver.  The biggest risk to achieving that end of year position remains the level of workforce expenditure incurred to meet the resources required, alongside a reduction to income.  However, this is being closely monitored with relevant actions taken. 

Another risk to the forecast is the continued rise in fuel costs, as a result of the global conflicts.  This continues to be managed with our supplier relationships and despite the market disruption and the current volatility, there have been no delivery shortages.

The reported financial position includes the CIP which is on track for month 01 with work still ongoing to identify the gap to deliver the full year efficiency requirement.

Capital resource for 26/27 is planned with confirmation of strategic capital still in progress.  There has been little spend in April with business cases progressing in the first quarter.   Run rates illustrate, at a high level, the rate of spending incurred or income received across the year.  Comparisons to plan then illustrate the trajectory to the end of year forecast and identify where actions may be required.   The Trust’s plan is to fulfil its obligation to break even in 26/27.  

The Chairman thanked Karen for her presentation to the Council

05/26/06

Staff Survey Result and Action Plan

Usha Ramnatsing Learning and Development Manager presented to the CoG

Usha gave the CoG an overview of how the staff survey works, the results, trust wide action plans and local action plans. The time scales for the plans were also discussed.

Usha concluded her presentation and took questions.

John Auerbach said that recognition is very important and stated that he had have raised this item with Vivek Khashu previously. Staff are invited to the awards but if they are scheduled on shift they have to swap, attend in their own time or not attend. He asked if staff could have the time off to attend.

Secondly, I have staff extremely upset and in tears as they have been on relief rotas for two years, I’m raising this as it seems unfair and concerned about staff welfare and work life balance. They only know four weeks in advance as well,

The CEO addressed Johns concerns.

Unfortunately the Trust can’t let everyone have the day off for the awards ceremony as it would really comprise the service provision. We did consider if someone has done so many years to give them the time off, but then it isn’t fair on others, so the Trust took the decision that everyone has to do it in their own time.

In regard to the relief rota The CEO stated that he entirely understood the situation. We want 400 crews at peak each day. If everyone did their fair share of days, night and weekends but staff don’t. the Chief Operating Officer is looking into extending the period of time that relief staff get their duties.

The chairman agreed that when he goes out on shifts with ambulance crew, the relief rota is the most common issue that gets raise, along with handover delays. Dudley hub has managed to change over 300 staff shifts to solve the problem. There is a piece of work underway to try a resolve it.

Brenda Richards asked is the staff survey and any survey are purely a snapshot of that moment in time, someone could feel negative in that moment and vice versa so there should always be caution especially if staff feel aggrieved through things like delays getting off shift due to handover delays.

CEO mentioned in the past an incentive was given to complete the survey, we didn’t this year and the rates went down so we will look at maybe doing it again this year.

05/26/07

Quality Account and Governor Statement

The chairman invited Pippa Wall, Head of Strategic Planning to present.

Pippa provided the governors with an update to the progress of the document from the previous meeting in February. The only priority not achieved was the handover delays.

The proposed Governor statement was drafted by Lead Governor, Eileen Cox with the assistance of Suzie Wheaton and has been circulated with the papers for this meeting. The governors were asked to approve the statement for inclusion into the Quality Account. The governors approved the statement.

05/26/08

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.

05/26/09

Meeting Dates and Schedule of Business for the Council of Governors 2026

Chairman announced a change to the meeting date in November (6^th) this will now be Thursday 29^th October.

Governors were asked 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 chairman reminded governors that if they ever wanted specific items of the agenda they can speak with Suzie and we can organise the relevant speakers. He also mentioned the development day in September.

05/26/10

Any Other Urgent Business notified to The Membership and Governor Engagement Manager in advance of the meeting

Peter Brookes raised an item regarding a recent mass casualty scenario he attended. He said the training is superb, he did mention that some time attendance seems quite low but HART attended. He asked if they would be fully trained staff or in training?

The CEO confirmed that they would all be fully trained and qualified.

Brenda asked if the Trust gets any funding from BHF or other charities?

The CEO stated that we have received some allocated funding from the BHF over the years but this funding is for specific projects, such as Cliff Melicott, Community Response Manager who currently rolling out a programme design to train members of the public in cpr and defib training.

John Auerbach raised the Good Sam App and his concerns around the cancellation of using the system, he made reference to the cost and uptake to respond, he felt it hadn’t been promoted well and he was happy to champion it as he stated his reasoning as what’s the cost human life?

David Fitton responded to John, as he was part of the group that made the decision. The Trust had to make sure the governance was of a high standard. If we are tasking people to go into homes, we are only tasking our staff or CFRs where there has been the correct checks such as DBS. The Goodsam App does not require the same standard of governance and checks so members of the public can be tasked via the App. As a Trust we didn’t believe that was right as it posed a risk without, in addition the number of jobs that we could task people to attend via the App were minimal and outweighed the costs of the system, the money would be better invested in front line provision.

John Auerbach responded to say he had himself attend 40 incidents via the App and felt it had made a difference to peoples life and so he was happy to champion the app.

The CEO said they would keep it under review.

05/26/11

Date of the Next Meeting

29th July 2026 – Council of Governors & Annual Meeting of the Membership