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

Purpose of report: To propose the appointment of Mazars LLP as external auditor for the 2022/23 financial statements.

Recommendation: that the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolves to:

1.    Note the current position in respect of 2021/22, the current state of the audit market, and the increase in audit requirements.

2.    Approve the appointment of Mazars LLP as external auditor for the 2022/23 financial statements.

The Head of Financial Services presented the report which sought approval to appoint Mazars LLP as external auditor for the 2022/23 financial statements of Oxford Direct Services Ltd and Oxford Direct Services Trading Ltd.

He updated the SJVG on the current position in respect of 2021/22, the current state of the audit market, and the increase in audit requirements.  He advised that the current contract was let to a single auditor for them to provide the audit for all of the Council’s companies, due to the complex inter-company relationships which are best dealt with on a consistent basis by one auditor and also to enable Council officers to have one point of contact and one process through which to manage the audit.  He confirmed that the appointment of the external auditor for the 2023/24 accounts would go out to tender.

The SJVG resolved to:

1.    Note the current position in respect of 2021/22, the current state of the audit market, and the increase in audit requirements.

2.    Approve the appointment of Mazars LLP as external auditor for the 2022/23 financial statements.

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.

Cllr Chapman joined the meeting.

The Commentary on ODS to the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group Report provides an update on three distinct areas:

·       The 2021-22 Outturn;

·       2022-23 budget monitoring update;

·       Achievement of 2023- 24 Business Plan.

The SJVG received a report from the Head of Financial Services which provided an update on three distinct areas:

·       The 2021-22 Outturn

·       2022-23 budget monitoring update

·       Achievement of the 2023-24 Business Plan.

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.

Cllr Fry joined the meeting.

Those who may attend for this company’s items:

Company Directors:

Tim Sadler (Non-Executive Director, Chair of the ODS Board)

Catherine Pridham (Non-Executive Director, Chair of ODS Audit

Committee)

Michael Whitwell (Non-Executive Director)

Simon Howick (Managing Director)

Gregor Budde (Finance Director)

Others in attendance:

Lindsay Cane (Company Secretary)

David Curtis (Chief Commercial Officer)

Present for this part of the meeting:

Tim Sadler (Chair of ODSL/ODSTL)

Michael Whitwell (Non-Executive Director)

Catherine Pridham (Non-Executive Director)

Tom Hook (Non-Executive Director)

Gregor Budde (Finance Director)

Anne-Marie Scott (People & Corporate Services Director)

Dave Curtis (Chief Commercial Officer)

Report of: ODS Group Board

Purpose of report: to provide the Shareholder Group with an update on the ODS Group performance 2022/23 and the 2021/22 close of accounts.

Recommendations: that the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolves:

1.    To note the 21/22 close of accounts update and steps being taken to support the timely conclusion of 22/23 accounts

2.    To note the timeframe for confirmation of ODS Group net profit after tax for 2022/23

3.    To note progress supporting delivery of the Business Plan

4.    To note progress made towards the acquisition of a target business

5.    To ratify payment of £500 (pro-rata) to ODS staff consolidated into pay with effect from February 2023

6.    To note the group principal risks and mitigations

7.    To note the update regarding new pay deal discussions

8.    To note the ODS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy & Plan

The SJVG received a report which provided an update on the ODS Group performance for 2022/23 and the 2021/22 close of accounts. 

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

The SJVG resolved to:

1.    Note the 2021/22 close of accounts update and steps being taken to support the timely conclusion of 2022/23 accounts.

2.    Note the timeframe for contribution of ODS Group net profit after tax for 2022/23.

3.    Note progress supporting delivery of the Business Plan.

4.    Note progress made towards the acquisition of a target business.

5.    Ratify payment of £500 (pro-rata) to ODS staff consolidated into pay with effect from February 2023.

6.    Note the group principal risks and mitigations.

7.    Note the update regarding new pay deal discussions.

8.    Note the ODS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Plan.

Recommendation: to approve the public and private minutes of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group meeting on 8 December 2022 as a true and correct record.

The SJVG agreed to approve the open and confidential minutes of the meeting held on 08 December 2022 as a true and accurate record.