Council of Governors

The Council of Governors is the collective body that supports and advises the executive and non-executive directors of the Trust. It works closely with the Trust Board to make sure services are meeting the needs of the local community.

The Council of Governor meeting papers will be posted on this page a few days before each meeting, and the meeting will be available to view a few days after the meeting – please see below for the most recent meeting video.

The Council of Governors consists of 26 governors who gather the views of the hospital's members and give them a voice at the highest level of the organisation. These representatives have certain roles and responsibilities and must carry out statutory duties.

For further details of the Council of Governors please contact the foundation trust manager, Georgina Holmes:

Email Georgina.Holmes@wsh.nhs.uk

2022 meeting dates 

Members of the public are normally invited to attend and observe Council of Governor meetings. However, while social distancing requirements are in place our meetings are being held virtually. 

The agenda and papers will be posted on this page a few days before each meeting, together with information on how you can observe the virtual meeting. Unless otherwise stated meetings take place from 5.30pm until approximately 7.30pm.

• Monday 17 January (rearranged from 16 December 2021)
• Tuesday 29 March (this meeting will take place virtually)
• Wednesday 18 May
• Tuesday 9 August
• Tuesday 27 September (Annual Members Meeting)
• Thursday 10 November

Council of governors papers

To view an archive of previous Board papers please click here.

Contact the governors

If you wish to contact any of our governors please email: governors@wsh.nhs.uk

Role of a governor

Governors' duties and powers include

• Informing strategic direction
• Membership strategy
• Championing public and staff engagement
• Appoint chair and non-executive directors
• Approve appointment of chief executive
• Agree remuneration of non-executive directors
• Receive Trust’s annual report, annual accounts, appoint external auditors

Our council of governors is broken down into the following groups: 

Public - Governors elected by our public members (including our patients and their carers)who must live in the county of Suffolk. This is made up of 14 people. 

Staff - Governors elected by our staff members who come from all staff groups including volunteers. This is made up of 5 people. 

Partner organisations - Governors nominated to represent the following organisations: Suffolk County Council, West Suffolk Council, University of Cambridge, West Suffolk College, Friends of West Suffolk Hospital and West Suffolk CCG. This is made up of 7 people. 

Our current Governors by constituency

Public

Florence Bevan

Allen Drain*

Keith Foss*

Robin Howe

Ben Lord

Jayne Neal

Adrian Osborne

Joe Pajak

Margaret Rutter

Jane Skinner

Liz Steele

Clive Wilson

2 vacancies

Staff

Rachel Darrah

Margo Elsworth*

Sarah Judge

Amanda Keighley

Martin Wood

*In accordance with the Trust’s constitution, if a vacancy arises for an elected Governor the Trust may, instead of holding a by-election, fill the vacancy by appointing the highest polling unsuccessful candidate at the most recent election of governors for the constituency or class in respect of which the vacancy has arisen. Any person so appointed shall hold office for the unexpired term of office of the retiring Governor. 

Partner Governors 

Cllr Carol Bull - West Suffolk Council, in consultation with Mid Suffolk District Council Babergh District Council

Cllr Rebecca Hopfensperger - Suffolk County Council

Dr Thomas Pulimood - University of Cambridge

Dr Andrew Hassan - West Suffolk CCG (2 seats) in consultation with local GPs and West Suffolk Alliance Partners

Laraine Moody - West Suffolk College in consultation with University of Suffolk

1 vacancy

To be confirmed:- West Suffolk CCG (2nd seat) n consultation with local GPs and West Suffolk Alliance Partners