Councillor Ed Turner sent apologies. Councillor Linda Smith sent apologies for a late arrival.

None.

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 Shareholder and Joint Venture Group 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 Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1BX 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 Group Finance Director provided a commentary on reports relating to ODS.

The SJVG received one report from the Group Finance Director which provided an overview on a number of distinct areas outlined within the report. 

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.

The SJVG noted the contents of the report.

Councillor Linda Smith arrived during the discussion of this item at 18:14.

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.

The SJVG received one report from the Finance and Performance Panel, which provided an overview of the recommendations from the Panel.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session. The Committee and Member Services Manager, on behalf of the Panel, responded to questions from the SJVG.

The SJVG noted the contents of the report.

The SJVG agreed to approve the recommendations from the Finance and Performance Panel.

To provide the SJVG with a summary of the 2024/25 trading year to date; to present refreshed ODSL and ODSTL Business Plans for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29 and a new Acquisitions Strategy.

The Shareholders and members of the meeting introduced themselves to the new ODS Board members and welcomed them to their first Shareholders meeting. The new Board members introduced themselves to the SJVG. 

The Board of ODS had submitted a report to SJVG to provide the SJVG with a summary of the 2024/25 trading year to date; to present refreshed ODSL and ODSTL Business Plans for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29 and a new Acquisitions Strategy.

Present for this part and the remainder of the meeting:

Lucy Walker, Non-Executive Director

Raymond Jones, Non-Executive Director

James Towner, Non-Executive Director

Michael Whitwell, Non-Executive Director

Cath Robinson, Chair of ODSL/ODSTL, Non-Executive Director

Simon Howick, Managing Director, ODS Group

Ola Adeniran, Company Secretary

Paul Concannon, Chief Operating Officer

James Gutteridge, Finance Consultant

To seek approval from the SJVG for the refreshed ODSL Business Plan for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29.

The SJVG received a report which sought approval from the SJVG for therefreshed ODSL Business Plan for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.

The SJVG resolved to approve the refreshed ODSL Business Plan for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29.

To seek approval from the SJVG for the Oxford Direct Services Trading Limited Business Plan.

The SJVG received a report which sought approval from the SJVG for Oxford Direct Services Trading Limited Business Plan.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.

The SJVG resolved to approve the refreshed Oxford Direct Services Trading Limited Business Plan.

To seek approval from the Shareholder for the new acquisition strategy for ODS.

The SJVG received a report which sought approval from the SJVG for new acquisition strategy for ODS.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.

With amendments suggested by the ODS Managing Director and OCC Group Finance Director, the SJVG resolved to approve the new acquisition strategy for ODS.

The SJVG received a report to update the SJVG on the ODSL and ODSTL Corporate Risk Registers.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.

To update the Shareholder Board on the enhancements made to the Governance Arrangements at ODS.

The SJVG received a report to update the SJVG on the enhancements made to the Governance Arrangements at ODS.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.

To seek approval from SJVG for a pay increase for ODSTL staff equivalent to the OCC / ODSL pay award 2025.

The SJVG received a report which sought approval from SJVG for a pay increase for ODSTL staff equivalent to the OCC / ODSL pay award 2025.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.

The SJVG resolved to approve the pay increase for ODSTL staff equivalent to the OCC / ODSL pay award 2025.

Recommendation: to approve the public and private minutes of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group meeting on 19 October 2021 as a true and correct record.

The public and private minutes of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group meeting on 19 March 2025 were approved as a true and correct record.