Apologies were noted from Cllrs Munkonge, Linda Smith and Upton.

None received.

The Group is asked to consider any comments and/or recommendations from the Companies’ Scrutiny Panel on matters not on the agenda.

Representatives of the Companies’ Scrutiny Panel may also comment on substantive items.

Cllrs Fry and Morris were present to represent the Companies Scrutiny Panel and questions and issues identified were taken as part of the discussion under the individual agenda items.

If the SJVG wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for the SJVG to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The SJVG may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The SJVG passed a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 to exclude the press and members of the public on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Those who may attend for this company’s items:

Company Directors:

Simon Howick (Managing Director)

Tim Sadler (Chair of the ODS Board)

Gregor Budde (Finance Director)

Others in attendance:

Lindsay Cane (Company Secretary)

Present for this part of the meeting:

Tim Sadler (Chair of ODSL/ODSTL)

Simon Howick (Managing Director)

Jane Lubbock (Commercial Director)

Catherine Pridham (Non-Executive Director)

Tom Hook (Non-Executive Director)

Apologies were received from:

Lindsay Cane (Company Secretary)

Michael Whitwell (Non-Executive Director)

Gregor Budde (Finance Director)

Report by: ODS Group Board

Purpose of the report: To update the Shareholder Group on the ODS Group performance for 2021/22 and outline progress against the Business Plan for 2022/23.

Recommendations:

1.    To note and approve the decision taken by the ODSL and ODSTL directors to declare and pay the companies’ shareholders a joint dividend payment of £600k from distributable reserves.

2.    To note the 21/22 outturn, and that subject to:

          a) finalisation and auditing of the accounts, and

          b) a quantification of risk and any subsequent financial provision,

the Board’s intention to declare and pay a further dividend  later this calendar year, to at least meet the 21/22 Business Plan projection of £1,068k.

3.    To note the progress against the ODS Business Plan for 22/23.

4.    To note the principal risks and mitigations.

5.    To note there are on-going discussions with the Council regarding further potential efficiency opportunities including pay, with early engagement planned with the Shareholder given it is a reserved matter.

The SJVG received a report which provided an update on the ODS Group performance for 2021/2022 and outlined progress against the Business Plan for 2022/2023.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.  Members of the Companies Scrutiny Panel contributed questions and comments.

The SJVG noted the contents of the report and resolved to:

1.    To Note and approve the decision taken by the ODSL and ODSTL directors to declare and pay the companies’ shareholders a joint dividend payment of £600k from distributable reserves.

2.    To note the 21/22 outturn, and that subject to:

a)    finalisation and auditing of the accounts, and

b)    a quantification of risk and any subsequent financial provision,

the Board’s intention to declare and pay a further dividend later this calendar year, to at least meet the 21/22 Business Plan projection of £1,068k.

3.    To note the progress against the ODS Business Plan for 22/23.

4.    To note the principal risks and mitigations.

5.    To note there are on-going discussions with the Council regarding further potential efficiency opportunities including pay, with early engagement planned with the Shareholder given it is a reserved matter.

The Commentary on ODS Performance Report to Shareholder and Joint Venture Group Report provides the shareholder with an update on the 2021-22 financial year outturn and also progress against the business plan target for the financial year 2022-23 and beyond.

The SJVG had before them a report from Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services which provided the Shareholders with a commentary on the ODS Performance Report and was discussed alongside the 2021/2022 year end and 2022/2023 year to date report.

The report contains a brief outline of the board development activities undertaken during that period.

The Shareholder Group is recommended to:

·       Note the appraisal process and comments of the Chair of the Board of Directors about the performance of the NEDs

·       Note the improvements proposed to the appraisal process, to be finalized with the SH’s representative

·       Support the steps proposed to enhance the interaction between the NEDs and the SH.

·       re-appoints Catherine Pridham and Michael Whitwell for a second three-year term on the boards of ODSL and ODSTL.

·       Note the commentary on the board development activities undertaken

Catherine Pridham left the meeting.

The SJVG considered the report which provided a brief outline of the board development activities undertaken during that period and resolved to agree the recommendations contained within the report.

Recommendation: to approve the public and private minutes of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group meeting on 14 April 2022 as a true and correct record.

The Group agreed to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2022 as a true and accurate record.