COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

The Board delegates a number of its functions to committees who are responsible for reporting to the Board on the most important areas of business and each formal committee is chaired by a non-executive director.

Following each committee meeting, a summary report of the meeting is prepared for Trust Board and presented by the relevant committee chair. In addition, as part of its work programme, the committee undertakes an annual review of its terms of reference, schedule of business and committee effectiveness.

The Board committees are: Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, Remuneration Committee, Quality and Safety Committee, the Finance and Performance Committee and the People and Culture Committe.

 

Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

The Audit and Risk Assurance Committee is a statutory committee of the Board and provides assurance on the effectiveness of the Trust's governance, risk management and internal control arrangements.

Its responsibilities include:

• Overseeing risk management and the Board Assurance Framework;
• Reviewing the work and findings of internal and external auditors;
• Monitoring the effectiveness of financial reporting and governance arrangements;
• Receiving assurance on information governance, counter fraud and clinical audit activities;
• Reviewing the Trust's Annual Report and Accounts before recommending approval to the Board.

 

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee is a statutory committee of the Trust Board responsible for overseeing the recruitment, performance, remuneration and contractual arrangements of the Trust's Chief Officers. It is responsible for appointments, pay and conditions of service, and matters relating to the employment of Chief Officers. The Committee meets at least three times each financial year and reports regularly to the Trust Board.

 

Quality and Safety Committee

The Quality and Safety Committee is a formal committee of the Trust Board that provides assurance on the quality, safety and effectiveness of Trust services. It oversees patient safety, patient experience, clinical effectiveness and health and safety, and monitors quality performance and governance arrangements to ensure high standards of care are maintained across the Trust.

Its responsibilities include:

• Overseeing patient safety, patient experience, clinical effectiveness and health and safety arrangements across the Trust;
• Monitoring performance against quality indicators and seeking assurance on improvement actions;
• Reviewing and overseeing delivery of the Trust's quality and safety strategies and programmes of work;
• Receiving assurance on infection prevention and control, patient safety and quality governance arrangements;
• Reviewing the Trust's Quality Account and ensuring effective arrangements are in place for complaints, concerns and compliments.

 

Finance and Performance Committee

The Finance and Performance Committee is a formal committee of the Trust Board that provides assurance on the Trust's financial sustainability, operational performance and delivery of strategic objectives. The Committee oversees financial management, operational performance, estates, facilities and digital services to ensure that effective systems, processes and controls are in place to support the delivery of high-quality services.

Its responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the Trust's financial strategy and monitoring risks to its delivery;
• Monitoring financial and operational performance and seeking assurance on improvement and recovery actions;
• Reviewing significant business cases and overseeing the Trust's capital programme;
• Receiving assurance on financial management, operational performance, emergency preparedness and sustainability arrangements;
• Overseeing estates, facilities and digital services, including digital transformation opportunities and cyber risk management;
• Reviewing the acquisition, disposal or change of use of Trust land and buildings.

 

People and Culture Committee

The People and Culture Committee is a formal committee of the Trust Board that provides assurance on the delivery of the Trust's people strategy, workforce priorities and organisational culture. The Committee oversees workforce planning, staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, leadership development and employee engagement to ensure the Trust attracts, develops and supports its people effectively.

Its responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the delivery of the Trust's People Strategy and workforce priorities;
• Monitoring workforce performance, organisational development and staff wellbeing initiatives;
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and overseeing compliance with relevant reporting requirements;
• Supporting leadership and management development and the creation of a positive organisational culture;
• Considering staff feedback and employee engagement, including learning from staff surveys and Freedom to Speak Up arrangements;
• Reviewing workforce-related risks and seeking assurance that appropriate controls and mitigations are in place.

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