Agenda item

Background:

The report sought to update the Sub Committee on progress, performance, risk, budget and contract status relating to the operation of the joint venture between September 2025 and December 2025.

The Chairperson took the opportunity to thank the Executive Assistant at Medway Norse for all their work in compiling the papers for the Client Liaison Board. He also took the opportunity to highlight successful events which staff of Medway Norse had participated in such as the Christmas Tractor Run, the Children's Herb Garden (sensory garden), and the Winter Wonderland event at Christmas as well as other child friendly events. He congratulated the Household Waste and Recycling Centre on the achievement of an overall satisfaction rate of the service of 95% in the Medway Council satisfaction survey, and thanked those involved for a successful Christmas refuse collection service.

The Sub Committee noted that the new 5 year Business Plan would be signed off by the Client Liaison Board ready for the 1 April 2026. As there was not a meeting of this Sub Committee before the end of the financial year and the Sub Committee also needed to agree the Business Plan, a delegation for expediency and flexibility, to the Assistant Director, Frontline Services and Deputy Director of Place, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Sub Committee was discussed and agreed. It was also noted that the Norse Group would need to agree the Business Plan within the timeframe. The Assistant Director, Frontline Services and Deputy Director of Place agreed to keep members of the Sub Committee regularly updated with progress on the business plan.

Exempt Appendices A and B to the report provided further information in respect of the Medway Norse Performance Update (MN Q3 Report), and the Medway Norse Risk Register status report as audited by Norse Group, which the Sub Committee considered and discussed.

From the discussions of the Exempt Appendices above, it was requested that ‘commercial activity’ be added to the workplan for future reporting to the Sub Committee. The Sub Committee also requested further information on the Risk Register at subsequent meetings. Discussions on the form this would take would be held outside of the meeting in readiness for reporting at the next meeting.

In response to queries, the Assistant Director, Frontline Services and Deputy Director of Place agreed to confirm Trade Union consultation and keep the Sub Committee regularly updated on Human Resource matters.

Reasons:

In order to fulfil its role as shareholder, on behalf of the Council, the Sub Committee must be appraised of the financial performance of the company.