The Board of Trustees met on 15th December and discussed a range of issues and reports from its directors. Key points:

Conflicts of Interest Policy

Our policy on declaration of Interests was reviewed and some changes made to improve transparency and good practice within governance and senior management of the charity.

Funding Cuts

Trustees heard of potential reductions to our existing service contract from April, 2012. The Chief Executive had written to the Chair of the Trust in question and the Minister to express concern about the cut and how it was being applied.   Our own Chair had raised the matter with the local MP. Two Trustees, who had visited services in the area recently, spoke about the concerns raised by staff and service users. The Board is aware of budgetary pressures but is concerned about the effects on service users.  MindWise will continue to raise concerns about how services are commissioned and will do its best to meet the needs of users within whatever funding allocated.

Big Lottery projects

Big Lottery funding will shortly enable us to create eight new MindWise posts to deliver two new and innovative projects for people at each end of the age spectrum - young people and those of retirement age. 

Business Plan

Trustees debated priorities as part of the consultation on our new business plan 2012-17. Work on the plan is well advanced.

Workforce planning 

Trustees endorsed a proposal to start work on a workforce planning exercise based on the anticipated staff requirements of our business plan.

Feedback

I hope that this regular report on what the Board is doing is helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Seamus Mullan

Chair of Board of Trustees