Agenda and draft minutes

In the absence of the chair and vice-chair, it was moved by Councillor Wyatt, seconded by Councillor Beadle and

RESOLVED – Councillor Bools be appointed chair for the first part of the meeting only.

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

RESOLVED – Councillor Beadle be appointed chair for the 2025/26 municipal year.

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

RESOLVED – Councillor Woodman be appointed vice-chair for the 2025/26 municipal year.

To receive and note any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bray, Knowles and Lynch with the substitution of Councillor Bools for Councillor Lynch in accordance with paragraph 4.3 of the joint committee’s constitution.

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.

No interests were declared.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

On the motion of Councillor Woodman, seconded by Councillor Bools, it was

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March were confirmed as a correct record.

To inform members of the performance of the Partnership for the period April 2024 to March 2025

Members were updated on the performance of the partnership for 2024/25. Concern was expressed in relation to the low collection rates for benefit debt and it was noted that it was difficult to recover this debt due to the nature of it and the vulnerability of the debtors, but improvements had been implemented.

The report was noted.

To inform members of the financial performance of the Partnership for the period April 2024 to March 2025

The draft financial outturn for 2024/25 was presented to the committee. A member queried the making of investments with local government reorganisation on the horizon. In response, it was explained that in authorities that had already been through reorganisation, functions had taken several years to harmonise so the value of the investments would be realised.

The report was noted.

Verbal update to be provided

It was proposed that the internal audit scope should focus on council tax support and business rates key controls. This was supported by members.

The report was noted.

Verbal update to be provided

Members were updated on the awaited business rates reset which would allow the government to redistribute the income from business rates and would result in a reduction of business rates income for the authorities within the partnership who benefitted from a relatively high level of income.

To present the schedule of meetings for the forthcoming year.

The dates of future meetings were agreed as:

18 September 2025 at North West Leicestershire District Council

20 November 2025 at Harborough District Council

22 January 2026 at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

26 March 2026 at North West Leicestershire District Council

25 June 2026 at Harborough District Council (annual meeting 2026/27).

To note the joint committee’s forward plan.

The forward plan was noted.