What follows councils of governors? A session for Chairs and Non-executive Directors

Future arrangements for local engagement and accountability in NHS foundation trusts

Following the publication of the 10-year health plan in 2025, the Health Bill currently proceeding through Parliament proposes removing the statutory requirement for foundation trusts to have councils of governors.

In their place, the government intends for foundation trusts to introduce "more dynamic arrangements to take account of patient, staff and stakeholder insight". While the abolition of councils of governors is dependent on the will of Parliament, it is important to consider what these new arrangements for local engagement might look like now, in advance of royal assent (likely spring 2027).

Consequently, The NHS Alliance, with policy and governance leads from NHS England, will host a series of online sessions during August to gather views from foundation trust chairs, non-executive directors, governance leads, governors and other interested parties.

Key takeaways

• Consider where governors add value and what has worked well locally.
• Explore the role that geographies and demographics play in effective and inclusive engagement approaches.
• Discuss what patients, staff, communities and foundation trusts will need from any new arrangements.

While the proposed abolition of councils of governors is dependent on the passage of the Health Bill through Parliament, there is an opportunity now to consider how foundation trusts might approach local engagement and accountability in the future.

The sessions will bring together a range of perspectives and experiences from across the sector. We will also test these ideas with others who have expertise and experience in this area, including NHS trusts. This will help identify what good could look like under future arrangements.

• Where governors add value and examples of what has worked well locally.
• The role of geography and demographics in effective and inclusive engagement.
• What patients, staff, communities and foundation trusts will need from future arrangements.
• Perspectives and experiences from across the sector to help inform future thinking.

Places will be confirmed one week before the event. Participants will be selected to ensure there are a diverse range of views from across the sector.

If you are unable to attend but have examples of good practice in local engagement and involvement, and/or local accountability arrangements either at your foundation trust or elsewhere, we would be pleased to hear from you.

We will publish findings from these sessions in the autumn, setting out:

• Examples of effective practice.
• Suggested principles to support future engagement arrangements.
• Advice for trusts and local stakeholders as they develop new approaches.

These sessions build on previous work, including Navigating uncertainty around Councils of Governors and Beyond Councils of Governors: rethinking public accountability.

• Foundation trust chairs.
• Non-executive directors.

Please note that a separate event is also being held for foundation trust corporate governance leads and company secretaries.