Councillor Chapman sent apologies. Councillor Brown sent apologies for joining the meeting late.

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 Head of Law and Governance and Head of Financial Services have provided commentaries on reports relating to ODS.

Publication of the commentaries to follow the publication of the agenda.

The SJVG received one report from the Head of Financial Services 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.

The Finance and Performance Panel will meet on 4 December 2024. The following report is expected, together with any other recommendations from that meeting:

·       ODS – ODSTL Business Plan

Publication of the Finance and Performance Panel’s recommendations to the SJVG will be published following the publication of the agenda.

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.

Report of: ODS Group Board.

Summary and Recommendations

Purpose of report: To recommend a dividend for the trading period 2023/24; to give an update as to 2024/25 service provision and trading; to review a refreshed DRAFT ODSTL Business Plan for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29.

Recommendation(s): That the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolves:

1.    To note confirmation of 23/24 close of accounts

2.    To delegate to the Leader the decision to declare a dividend of £1.9m for the financial year 2023/24 from ODSL once the item has been on the forward plan for the required 28 days in advance.

3.    To note the Board have determined that the ODSTL earnings will retained in the balance sheet (and therefore no dividend it proposed from ODSTL) to continue building the business in support of the refreshed ODSTL business plan.

4.    To note the period 6 trading position to date.

5.    To note and provide comments on the refreshed draft ODSTL Business Plan for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29, which will be brought for approval in April 2025.

The Board of ODS had submitted a report to SJVG to recommend a dividend for the trading period 2023/24; to give an update as to 2024/25 service provision and trading; to review a refreshed DRAFT ODSTL Business Plan for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29.

Present for this part of the meeting:

Catherine Pridham, Non-Executive Director

Michael Whitwell, Non-Executive Director

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

Simon Howick, Managing Director, ODS Group

Jason Munro, Business Development Director

Chris Urwin, Executive Director of Finance

Paul Concannon, Director of Property Services

The SJVG received a report which outlined a draft ODSTL Business Plan for discussion and comments from the SJVG.

The SJVG discussed the report in private session.

The SJVG noted the risk register.

The ODS Board had nothing to flag for this item and the SJVG noted the risk register.

Recommendation: to approve the public and private minutes of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group meeting on 06 November 2024 as a true and correct record.

The Shareholder and Joint Venture Group received the private minutes of the meeting held on 06 November 2024 and approved these as a true and accurate record.