Councillor Munkonge sent apologies. Councillor Turner sent apologies for a late arrival to the meeting.

None.

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 no reports from the Scrutiny Committee for this meeting.

The Chief Executive presented the report. She noted that this was a straightforward report asking the SJVG to approve appointments to company boards. The Chief Executive said that the need for these changes were largely a result of changes to the senior team in OCC. For example, the report proposed that Nerys Parry should replace Peter Matthew on the OX Place Board. The Chief Executive said that a further change was because Carolyn Ploszynki had gone on maternity leave and they were therefore asking to appoint an interim replacement for her.

Jane Winfield, Director of Property and Assets, said that they have had the continuity they needed on the company Boards, as she and the Deputy Chief Executive – Place had covered the various entities.

Councillor Smith welcomed the appointment of Nerys Parry to the board of the housing companies. She said that this was a strong appointment and would benefit the company and city. 

The Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolved to:

1.           Appoint Nerys Parry as a Council’s Directors on the OCHL, OCH(D)L and OCH(I)L (“Housing Group” or “OX Place”) Boards, replacing Peter Matthew;

2.           Appoint Clive Tritton as a Council appointed Directors on the Oxford West End Development LLP (OxWed), replacing Carolyn Ploszynski;

3.           Appoint Clive Tritton as a Council appointed Directors on the Barton Park Oxford LLP (BOLLP) Board, replacing Carolyn Ploszynski;

4.           Note the Advisors to Shareholders for matters relating to the business of companies as:

Housing Group – Tom Bridgman & Jane Winfield

Barton Oxford LLP – Jane Winfield

OxWED LLP – Tom Bridgman

All – Nigel Kennedy & Emma Jackman

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 OX Place.

The SJVG received a 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.

Report from the Chair of the OCHL Board to update the Shareholders.

The SJVG received a report providing an update from the Chair of the OCHL Board. The SJVG discussed and commented on the report in private session.

Present for this part and the remainder of the meeting:

Kerry Kyriacou, Non-Executive Director

Jane Winfield, Non-Executive Director

Rosemary Farrar, Non-Executive Director

Tim Bacon, Interim Head of Development

David Watt, Strategic Finance Manager

To update shareholders on OCHL’s financial position, including the 2024/25 Outturn.

The SJVG received a report providing an update on OCHL’s financial position, including the 2024/25 Outturn. The SJVG discussed and commented on the report in private session.

To update Shareholders on the Sewerage network.

The SJVG received a report providing an update on the OX Place Sewerage network and related implications. The SJVG discussed and commented on the report in private session.

To update Shareholders on the Development Programme for OCHL.

The SJVG received a report providing an update on the Development Programme for OCHL. The SJVG discussed and commented on the report in private session.

Recommendation: to approve the public and private minutes of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group meeting on 05 December 2024 as a true and correct record.

The public and private minutes of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group meeting on 05 December 2024 were approved as a true and correct record.