Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

Councillor S Pochin declared a non-pecuniary interest as a former Director of Engine of the North and the Skills and Growth Company.

Councillor L Smetham declared a non-pecuniary interest as a former Director of Orbitas.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th November 2019.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the minutes of the meeting of 28^th November 2019 be approved as a correct record;

2.    it be noted that in relation to the ASDV business plan reviews there would be a report back to the Committee after the Portfolio Holder had taken his decision; and

3.    a report be submitted to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee on the criteria for appointing Directors to the boards of Council-owned companies, taking into account proportionality and geographical area.

To consider a report on the audits of the 2018-19 Annual Accounts for Orbitas, Transport Service Solutions, ANSA, Civicance, Skills and Growth Company and Engine of the North.

The Committee considered a report on the audits of the 2018-19 Annual Accounts for Orbitas, Transport Service Solutions, ANSA, Civicance, Skills and Growth Company and Engine of the North.

The companies’ appointed auditors, Grant Thornton, had attended the respective company Board meetings in October/November 2019 to report their findings direct to the company Directors. A summary of their findings was set out at Appendix A to the report.

With regard to ANSA, the Committee expressed concern that a tripartite agreement had still not been put in place.

The Committee noted the audit findings in relation to the retention of signed resignation letters. It also felt that every company should have a formal letter in place to agree the management fee with the Council.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the audit findings reports for each Council-owned company for the year ending 31 March 2019 be received and the recommendations therein be supported; and

2.    the officers involved with the audit be thanked.

To note the proposed timetable for the appointment of the co-opted members to the Shareholder Committee, and agree the interview panel members.

The Committee considered the proposed timetable and arrangements for the appointment of co-opted members to the Committee.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the timetable for the recruitment of co-opted members be approved as amended as follows:

2.    the interview panel comprise the following:

Councillor Steve Carter

Councillor Lesley Smetham

Frank Jordan

3.    the draft press release be approved subject to an amendment to say that there would be no salary or remuneration associated with the appointments but that normal expenses would be reimbursed.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

PART 2 – MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS PRESENT

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and the public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To receive a verbal update on progress with the ASDV Change Programme.

The Committee received a verbal update on progress with the ASDV Change Programme.

A change programme timeline was circulated at the meeting.

Two key activities for ANSA were outlined, and the future structure of the company was discussed. A report on the matter would be submitted to Cabinet in March following consideration by the Committee.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the change programme timeline and the proposals in relation to ANSA be noted; and

2.    a special meeting of the Committee be held on 14^th February 2020 at 2.00 pm to consider the draft report for the March Cabinet meeting.

To receive verbal feedback from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the progress report from the Shareholder Committee presented on 9^th January 2020.

The Committee received a verbal report back from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee onthe progress report from the Shareholder Committee presented on 9^th January 2020.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To review the risk register maintained by the Committee in light of recent business.

The Committee reviewed the risk register for the ASDV group of companies.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the risk register be noted; and

2.    the register be amended to include a focus on resident benefit/service in addition to growth.