On this page:
- What do Governors do?
- Make up of our Council of Governors
- Could I be a Governor?
- How do I stand?
- How do the elections work?
- Where can I find out more information?
What do Governors do?
As a Governor your role will be to engage with our members and make sure their voice is heard.
The Council of Governors advises the Board of Directors as to public opinion and are guardians of the public interest. They take the temperature of the organisation and can challenge Board decisions.
As the key link between the Trust and the communities that we serve, Governors advise the Trust about the needs of patients and the community, and suggest ways to involve patients and the public in developing and delivering services.
As ambassadors, Governors promote the work of the Trust within their constituencies. This may involve attending and speaking at local events or holding local surgeries for patients, members of the public or staff. As guardians, Governors make sure that the Trust is run in a way that reflects its purpose, and complies with the obligations placed on it. When the COVID pandemic social distancing restrictions change, Governors will once again be talking to patients and the public about their experience of our services.
You will be required to:
- Have a duty to collaborate in holding Non- Executive Directors (NEDs) to account for the performance of the Board and represent the interests of our members and the public
- Appoint and, if necessary, remove the Chair and Non-Executive Directors
- Set the pay and conditions of employment for the Chair and NEDs
- Approve the appointment of the Chief Executive
- Appoint or remove the Trust’s auditors
- Approve significant transactions, mergers, acquisitions, separations or dissolutions.
As a Governor you will receive agendas and minutes for Board meetings via email and will have the power to require directors to attend meetings to answer questions.
Governors are expected to dial into the formal Council of Governors meetings which take place at least four times a year via video conference. The Council of Governors also has committees, of which some Governors are members, which meet virtually on a regular basis to help the Board fulfil its statutory and engagement duties.
Make up of our Council of Governors
Could I be a Governor?
You need to be 16 or over and registered as a member of the Trust to stand for election as a Governor, please click here to join.
You don’t need any formal qualifications to be a Governor. Some Governors have previous experience of working with their local communities while others bring skills that they have gained through paid or voluntary work.
Once elected, the Trust has the duty to ensure that governors are equipped with the skills to performisth role. Full induction and training required will be provided along with regular online briefing events.
We ask that prospective governors have a good level of IT literacy, and MUST have the ability to join virtual meetings and are comfortable communicating via email correspondence etc.
Whilst there are no qualifications needed, you may not become an elected governor if:
- You have been declared bankrupt;
- You have made a composition or arrangement with, or granted a trust deed for, creditors and have not been discharged in respect of it;
- You have been sentenced to prison for three or more months within the last five years.
- You have completed the maximum 9 year term as a governor or been dismissed as a governor.
There are other reasons why you may not be able to be a Governor so please contact the Company Secretary on the number above if you’d like to stand for election but think there might be an issue.
How do I stand?
If you are interested in being a Governor and want to submit your nomination today, please go to cesvotes.com/DBFT2023
If you require any further information please contact the Company Secretary on 01302 644157 or email dbth. trustboardoffice@nhs.net
How do the elections work?
An external agency runs the elections, to make sure that they are completely impartial. Nominations and ballot papers are handled by this external agency and the agency sends out information to all members to enable them to vote.
Candidates are given the opportunity to write a brief statement about why they are standing for election, to introduce themselves to members and encourage people to vote for them.
Ten seats are up for election in 2023; successful candidates will be elected for a three year term of office. Vacancies are as follows:
- Doncaster public (six seats)
- Bassetlaw public (three seats)
- Rest of England public (two seats)
- Staff Non-clinical – (one seat)
- Staff Nursing and Midwifery – (one seat)
- Other Healthcare – (one seat)
Ballot papers will be sent to all registered members within the constituencies where an election is to be held. A ballot will only be held where there are more nominations than vacant seats. The election system to be used is known as Single Transferable Vote (STV).
The 2023 election timetable is as follows:
Notice of election/nominations open: 6 July
- Nomination deadline: 3 August
- Summary of nominated candidates published: 4 August
- Final date for candidate withdrawal: 8 August
- Notice of poll published: 24 August
- Voting packs dispatched: 25 August
- Close of ballot: 20 September
- Declaration of results: 21 September
A candidate may not incur any expenses or make a payment of any nature for the purposes of an election.
Where can I find out more information?
If you are interested in being a Governor and want to submit your nomination today, please go to cesvotes.com/DBFT2023
If you require any further information please contact the Company Secretary on 01302 644157 or email dbth. trustboardoffice@nhs.net