There were no apologies for absence.

To approve the record of the meeting held on 10 June 2015.

The record of the meeting held on 10 June 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are invited to declare any interests in relation to any agenda item in accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by their Authority.

No interests were declared.

The Chairman will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he/she has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report.

There were no urgent matters.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

3.  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

5.  Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

(1) That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

5.  Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

One of the Business Plans objectives is to investigate moving the consultancy into a Local Authority Company as this will enable a profit to be generated which could be used by the partners to reinvest into the enterprise and potentially reduce commitments by each authority.  This presentation will look at the legal structures and issues around commercialisation of the partnership highlighting the benefits and risks associated with this development.

The Chairman introduced the item and welcomed Helen Randall from Trowers & Hamlins LLP to the meeting. 

Helen gave a presentation on commercialisation of the Partnership.  She spoke about the legal structures and issues around commercialisation of the partnership highlighting the benefits and risks associated with moving the consultancy into a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC). 

She outlined how to create a LATC and showed alternative ownership models.  The presentation also included information about public procurement; employment and pensions and taxation. Helen also outlined the main potential benefits and risks of a LATC. 

Members and officers were then invited to ask questions which Helen responded to.

The Chairman thanked Helen for her presentation.  It was agreed that the presentation would be forwarded to the Committee.

·         Democratic Services Officer

The Committee adjourned at 11.14am and recommenced at 11.24am.

The Director of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership stated that officers would meet separately with Helen Randall about developing a Business Plan and report back to the December 2015 meeting.  In response to a query, the Director of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership stated that potentially a trading company could be set-up by October 2016.

Resolved:

(1)  That a draft programme be prepared in order to move development of a Business Plan forward and an update be reported at the next meeting of the Committee on Thursday 10 December 2015.

This report seeks agreement to the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership and Business Plan and Service Delivery Documentation for 2012-2017.

The Director of South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership introduced the report which sought agreement that the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership’s Business Plan (dated 10 August 2015 Version 1) and Delivery Plan for 2016 - 2019 (dated 10 August 2015 Version 1) be sent to each Partner Authority for comment. 

Resolved:  That the draft Business Plan 2016-2019 (dated 10 August 2015 Version 1) and Delivery Plan 2015-2016 (dated 10 August 2015 Version 1) be sent to each Partner Authority for comment.

This report gives an overview of the position of the budget and the progression against the objectives shown in the business plan 2012/17. 

The Director of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership introduced the report which updated the Committee on the current forecast for the 2014/15 financial year and gave details against the progress of the objectives of the Business Plan 2012/2017.

The Chairman thanked all staff and Members of the Joint Committee for their hard work.

Resolved: 

(1)  That the report be noted.