To support the Board in carrying out its duties effectively, a number of Committees have been formally established. Each Committee receives a set of regular reports, as outlined in their respective terms of reference, and each provides highlights and exception reports to the Board after each meeting.
The following table outlines Board members’ attendance at Board and Committee meetings during 2022/23 against the total possible number of meetings for which an individual was a member. Committee attendance is shown in relation to those Committees of which a director was formally a member.
The non-executive directors will, if required, hold meetings without the executive directors being present. These provide an opportunity for non-executive directors to consider the performance of the executive team in the delivery of Trust priorities. If directors were to have concerns that could not be resolved about the running of the Trust or a proposed action, these concerns would be documented and recorded in the minutes of the Board meeting.
Executive Directors
Non-Executive Directors
Joint Board meetings
The Council of Governors and the Board of Directors continue to work together to develop an effective working relationship. The Board of Directors meets with the Council of Governors three times a year to discuss the strategies and plans. These Joint Council and Board meetings provide a valuable tool in helping the governors to discharge their responsibilities for providing a view on the Trust’s Annual Plan and assessing the performance of the Board of Directors. In turn, this enhances their overall governance responsibility and accountability to the people of Lincolnshire.
At every meeting of the Council of Governors, the Chief Executive delivers a report in relation to the Trust’s strategic position and plans. In addition, a performance assurance report is presented by the non-executive directors. During the course of the year the governors have not had cause to take a vote on the directors’ performance. The Trust has a policy (as articulated in the Constitution and the Responsibilities and Codes of Conduct) to underpin the power and influence of governors to ensure the directors participate in meaningful engagement. These were comprehensively reviewed and updates in 2022/23.
No individual is permitted to hold, at the same time, positions of director and governor. All the directors on the Board of Directors and the governors on the Council are assessed to ensure they meet the ‘fit and proper persons test’ as described in the provider licence. This assessment for directors is undertaken on appointment, and in the case of non-executive directors, on re-appointment, and includes references, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, Companies House disqualified director register and Individual Insolvency Register (IIR) and documentation checks.
