Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a Chair for this committee

It was proposed by Councillor Wyatt, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                    RESOLVED – that Councillor Lynch be appointed chair for the next                               municipal year.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodiwiss, seconded by Councillor Lynch and

                    RESOLVED – that Councillor Graves be appointed as vice-chair                     for the municipal year.

To receive and note any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillors Beadle, Graves and Bray, with the following substitutions authorised:

Councillor Cartwright for Councillor Bray

Councillor Woodiwiss for Councillor Graves.

Under the code of conduct members are reminded that in declaring interests they should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is a disclosble pecuniary interest, registrable interest or other interest.

There were no interests declared at this meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2024.

It was moved by Councillor Wyatt, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                        RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2024                         be confirmed as a correct record.

To inform members of the performance of the Partnership for the period April 2023 to March 2024

Members were informed of the performance of the Partnership for the period April 2023 to March 2024. This item was discussed and voted on as part of item 8 under the performance report to November 2024.

To inform members of the performance of the Partnership for September 2024

Members were informed of the performance of the Partnership for September 2024. This item was discussed and voted on as part of item 8 as part of the performance report to November 2024.

To inform members of the performance of the Partnership for November 2024

Members were informed of the performance of the Partnership from April 2023 up to November 2024.

In response to a question from members around what monitoring controls were in place, officers confirmed that the Partnership Management Board discussed performance management monitoring in great detail and received very detailed financial analysis on a quarterly basis.

In response to additional questions from members, officers confirmed that:

-       In relation to business rates forecast the Section 151 officer ultimately forecasted the rates from financial information provided by the team taking into account valuation information and exemptions and it was not unusual that there was a variance at year end due to the transient nature of business rates;

-       Housing Benefit overpayments were notoriously difficult to collect and the legal remedies were limited, and customers would be already receiving benefits in the first instance so the levels would be lower.

It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Woodman and

                        RESOLVED –

(i)            Performance for the period April 2023 to March 2024 is noted and used to determine targets for 2024/25

(ii)          Performance for the period up to September 2024 is noted

(iii)         Performance for the period up to November 2024 is noted.

To inform members of the provisional year end position on financial performance of the Partnership for the period April 2023 to March 2024.

Members were informed of the provisional year-end positon on financial performance of the Partnership for the period April 2023 to March 2024. This item was discussed and voted on as part of item 11 under the financial report to November 2024.

To inform members of the financial performance of the Partnership for the period April 2024 to September 2024

Members were informed of the financial performance of the Partnership for the period April 2024 to September 2024. This item was discussed and voted on as part of item 11 under the financial report to November 2024.

To inform members of the financial position of the Partnership for the period  April 2024 to November 2024.

Members received reports on the financial performance of the Partnership for the periods: April 2023 to March 2024; April 2024 to September 2024; and April 2024 to November 2024.

It was moved by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Woodman and

                    RESOLVED –

(i)              That the financial performance is noted

(ii)             That the savings in year-end are approved to be added to the ICT earmarked reserves

Budget proposals for the Partnership for 2025/26 be approved for agreement by the Joint Committee

Members received a report on the draft budget for 2025/26.

It was proposed by Councillor Wyatt, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                    PROPOSED – the budget proposals for the Partnership 2025/26               be approved.

Report from Head of Partnership

Members were presented with the service plan for 2025/26.

It was proposed by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Wyatt and

                    RESOLVED – the plan be approved.

For members to agree the schedule of meetings for the forthcoming year

Members agreed the schedule of meetings for the forthcoming year.

To note the joint committee’s forward plan.

Members noted the forward plan.