Recommendation: That the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group agree the minutes of the meeting held on the 22^nd of April 2026 as a true and accurate record.

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 agenda item text indicates which documents are available to the public and which are private. Public reports in this section are available on the website under each agenda to download individually but are not included in an agenda pack.

The Group is asked to consider any comments or recommendations submitted by the Finance and Performance Working Group (of the Scrutiny Committee) in relation to the substantive items on the agenda or in respect of other issues the Working Group considers appropriate to raise.

The Director of Law, Governance, and Strategy and the Group Finance Director submitted commentaries on reports relating to ODS.

Commentaries to follow the publication of the agenda as a supplement.

Report of: ODS Group Board

Purpose of report: To give an update on 2025/26 year end and 2026/27 service provision and trading; to provide a narrative on key strategic matters.

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

1.    To note the 2025/26 financial outturn (subject to audit)

2.    To note ODS Group continue to expect to be able to recommend a dividend in 2026 in-line with OCC MTFP expectations, subject to audit

3.    To note the period two 2026/27 trading position for both businesses

4.    To note updates on some matters of strategic importance including the recent Board and Committee Effectiveness Assessments

5.    To note the recent ODS Governance & Audit Committee activities and risk management update

Report of: Cath Robinson (Chair of ODS Board)

Purpose of report:  In line with the Executive Pay Policy and as agreed with the statutory officers of the Council, an independent Executive Pay Benchmarking Review has been undertaken to allow consideration of ODS Executive Pay position. Following this benchmark review legal advice was received on any equal pay risks that may arise from the proposed recommendations.

Recommendations: That the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolve to:

-       Agree the recommendations as outlined in the confidential report.