Elections for seats on the Members’ Council
Seventeen candidates have put themselves up for election on the Members' Council this year and will contest nine vacant seats.
These seats are in four of the six constituencies that make up the membership (see below).
SLaM members only vote for candidates in their constituency. So local service users only vote for candidates in the local service user constituency, staff members vote for candidates in the staff constituency and SLaM members drawn from the public vote in the two public constituencies (local and national).
Ballot papers will be sent to SLaM members in each of these four constituencies in mid-October, including all SLaM staff.
No candidates came forward in the national service user constituency so three seats will remain vacant, and only one candidate came forward in the carer constituency and will be elected unopposed.
The Members' Council supports the Trust's Board of Directors in setting the long term vision for the organisation and is effectively the 'voice' or executive arm of the membership. Although the Members' Council is not responsible for the day-to-day running of SLaM, the Trust's Board has a duty to consult and listen to its views. More specific roles of the Council below.
In total there are 40 seats on Members' Council with the majority elected from SLaM's membership. Other seats are drawn from organisations that the Trust works closely with such as local authorities, other hospitals or voluntary organisations.
The results of the election will be announced on 30 October. For more information see the intranet front page, the SLaM website or contact Paul Mitchell, Trust Secretary at paul.mitchell@slam.nhs.uk
Ends
What are constituencies?
Having a membership made up of a mix of service users, carers, staff and members of the public is an important part of being a Foundation Trust. It is important that this mix is represented on the Members' Council so seats are shared out between the six constituencies below.
|
Constituency |
Total seats |
Vacant seats |
Number of candidates |
|
Carer |
3 |
1 |
1 (elected unopposed) |
|
Public (national) |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Public (local) |
5 |
4 |
7 |
|
Service user (national) |
3 |
3 |
0 (seats remain vacant) |
|
Service user (local) |
6 |
2 |
5 |
|
Staff |
6 |
2 |
3 |
In addition to the roles above, the Members' Council also:
- appoints the Chair and other Non Executive Directors, removing
them, if three quarters of the Members' Council decide it to be
necessary
- acts as a source of ideas on how the Trust can provide its
services in a way that meets the needs of the community it
serves
- reviews the extent to which the Trust is meeting its objective of
delivering high quality services
- appoints or removes the Trust's auditor