Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lanie Shears.

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any items on the agenda.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2024 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

Any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

None.

The Sub Committee received the HTS Business Plan Progress Report 2024/25.

Councillor Dan Swords raise comment that many of the actions are in progress and asked how confident HTS were about meeting the targets. David Morrissey confirmed that he expected 80% of the targets to be achieved by the 31 March 2025.

Alan Townshend - Executive Shareholder Lead (Interim),  suggested that future reporting should be by exception.

Andy Belton, Non-Executive Chair – HTS Group Ltd, confirmed that more information would be brought to a future meeting.

RESOLVED that the Sub Committee:

A     The Shareholder Sub Committee noted the report. 

The Sub Committee received the HTS Quarter 2 Business Report 2023/24 and the Special Report on Work in Progress.

Andy Belton, in response to questions, confirmed HTS understood they needed to reduce their costs and decide a plan to clear their backlog.

David Morrissey - Managing Director - HTS Group Ltd, confirmed that apart from roofing and guttering repairs, overdue repairs were reducing. He confirmed that all roofing and guttering jobs that exceed the repairs priority will be cleared by 31 March 2025.

The Council have confirmed that there is no additional funding available for roofing and guttering works and HTS are to look at their existing budgets, and use of the reserve to clear this backlog.

Councillor Tony Edwards requested that a progress plan from HTS be reported to the subcommittee at a future meeting.

Councillor Dan Swords confirmed that a new change notice will be issued confirming that a 10-day grass cutting cycle and completely new grounds maintenance service standard.

Andy Belton advised he would come back to the members with a response to the change of notice for a 10-day grass cutting cycle.

Councillor Nicky Purse asked David Morrissey to confirm whether HTS still had any third party works. David Morrissey stated that the only third party works HTS had was a bin collection contract in Newhall.

Councillor Nicky Purse asked David Morrissey to confirm whether HTS sub-let the Mead Park yard at all. David Morrissey stated that HTS do sub-let to Jewsons, Veolia, a tree contractor, and Sharp Waste Management.

RESOLVED that the Sub Committee:

A     The Shareholder Sub Committee reviewed the Q2 HTS performance pack. HTS are to be asked to provide an improvement plan which addresses the repairs backlog and improves the Company’s financial performance.

B     The Shareholder Sub Committee noted the HTS Group Quarter 2 Business Report 2023/24.

C     The Shareholder Sub Committee noted the Special Report on Work in Progress.

The Sub Committee received the HTS Operations and Performance report.

Councillor Dan Swords requested that future reports looked at more operational matters and reflected the true nature of performance, not the ‘contract’ KPIs which he said did not reflect the true nature of performance.

A report on progress with the tree survey and works will be presented at the next Shareholder Sub Committee.

Andy Belton advised a joint working project would look at the changes to KPI’s.

RESOLVED that the Sub Committee:

A     The Shareholder Sub Committee noted the report. 

The Sub Committee received the risk register report.

Andy Belton pointed out that the HTS Board had discussed the Risk Register at the meeting on Monday 25 November and had made a number of recommendations that need to reflected in the risk register.

RESOLVED that the Sub Committee:

A     The Shareholder Sub Committee noted the strategic risks as relating to HTS Group Limited together with their analysis and mitigation.

B     The Shareholder Sub Committee provided comments on HTS strategic risks

To review the Sub Committee’s work plan

The Sub Committee Work Plan was not provided for the meeting, this was advised to be picked up outside the meeting and has since been circulated.

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

None.

29 January 2024

29 January 2025.