Catholic ACADEMY trust MEMBERS

The Members of our two Multi Academy Trusts perform an important and defined governance role.  They are the ones who founded the CMATs, that is they legally created them by signing the Memorandum of Understanding and they are the ultimate guardians of governance.  They are independent from the CMAT Board of Directors and have the ability to hold the CMATs to account in a number of areas.

The role of the Members is to:

• Assure themselves that governance in the CMATs is effective both at Director and Governor level
• Ensure that MAT Directors are acting in accordance with the CMATs Charitable Objects
• Ensure that the Trustees estate is cared for and developed – this involves oversight of building and maintenance projects in academies
• Assure themselves that the Catholic Life of the CMAT and the academies within it is maintained and developed in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Appoint or remove the CMAT auditors
• Amend the CMATs Articles of Association if required

The Members also have the authority to direct CMAT Directors, by special resolution, to take specific action where CMAT Directors are unable or unwilling to act in the best interests of the CMAT.  In practice this could include a failure to uphold the Catholic character of the CMAT, a failure of CMAT Directors to discharge their safeguarding or financial duties or a direction to undertake an external governance review.  Further details of Members roles and responsibilities can be found in the DfE publication: Academy Trust Governance: Structures and Role Descriptors (October 2020).

The Members of our Diocesan Multi Academy Trusts are:

• The Bishop of Northampton
• Episcopal Vicar
• Diocese of Northampton Board of Trustees

The Members meet at least once per year to undertake their oversight duty.