NMC Annual Report and Accounts 2013 - 14

Annual governance statement
124 The NMC is an independent statutory body. Our powers and responsibilities are
set out in the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (as amended) (the Order) and in
our statutory rules. 31 We are also a charity registered in England and Wales
(number 1091434) and in Scotland (number SC038362). Our charitable object is
to protect and safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public. The Council has
had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance and we explain elsewhere
in this report how our work demonstrates public benefit.
The Council
125 The Council is the governing body of the NMC and the Council members are the
charity trustees. The Council members are collectively responsible for directing the
affairs of the NMC, ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivers public benefit.
126 The Council was reconstituted on 1 May 2013 in accordance with the Nursing and
Midwifery Council (Constitution) (Amendment) Order 2012. 32 This reduced the size
of the Council from 14 to 12, whilst maintaining an equal number of registrant and
lay members. Lay members are those who have never been a registered nurse or
midwife. All members are appointed by the Privy Council.
127 In preparation for reconstitution of the Council, we commissioned an independent
review to help develop a fit for purpose model of governance. Since taking office,
the Council has implemented the review recommendations: streamlining
governance structures and agreeing a new scheme of delegation, standing orders,
and code of conduct for members. This has enabled the Council to operate at a
strategic level whilst ensuring clear responsibility and accountability for operational
matters at executive level.
128 The Council’s remit is to (a) set the NMC’s strategic direction and corporate
objectives, in line with its core purpose; (b) ensure effective systems are in place
for managing performance and risk; (c) maintain probity in, and public
accountability for, the exercise of the NMC’s functions and the use of funds.
129 Attendance by members at Council meetings during the year is set out below.
Council membership and attendance 1 to 30 April 2013
Member Meetings Attended
Mark Addison CB (Chair) 1 1
Professor Judith Ellis MBE 1 1
Alison Aitken 1 1
Dr Kuldip Bharj OBE 1 0
Sue Hooton OBE 1 1
Lorna Jacobs 1 1
Grahame Owen 1 1
Nicki Patterson 1 1
David Pyle 1 0
Carole Rees-Williams 1 1
31 SI 2002/253
32 SI 2012/2745
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