There were no apologies for absence.

To approve the record of the meeting held on 23 September 2015.

The record of the meeting held on 23 September 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.

The Director of South Thames Gateway (STG) Building Control Partnership introduced the report which sought agreement from the Joint Committee for funding to develop a business case to deliver the consultancy through a Local Authority Trading Company.

The Director highlighted the main points in the report.

Members spoke in support of the proposal.

Resolved:

(1)    That it be recommended that the respective partner authorities provide £2,000 each to secure the delivery of the Business Plan objective.

The Finance Business Partner introduced the report which presented the external auditor’s certificate and opinion in respect of the Joint Committee’s accounts for 2014/15.

The Finance Business Partner confirmed that no errors had been identified, and reported that it was no longer a requirement for joint committees to have their accounts audited.  He asked Members if they wished to continue the audit services and confirmed, that in any case there would be a periodic review by internal audit.

Members were happy to dispense with the separate audit.

Resolved:

(1)       That the external auditor’s certificate and opinion as presented be noted.

(2)       That the joint committee audit ends and an effective financial and governance framework is maintained for STG Building Control.

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

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.

(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.

The Director of STG Building Control Partnership introduced the report which set out updates on the current forecast for the 2015/16 financial year, and gave details against the progress of the objectives of the Business Plan 2012/17.

Members requested that positive aspects of the report be presented in a bullet point format which could be forwarded to all Members, and that a briefing takes place to provide details of where building control sat in the planning process.

Resolved:

(1)       That the report be noted.

The Director of STG Building Control Partnership introduced the report which set out revised proposals for the STG Building Control Draft Business Plan and Delivery Plan for 2016/19 following consultation, and sought agreement to refer the revised documents to the Cabinet of each partner authority.

A Member requested that the percentage of non-chargeable work is included in the report.

The Director explained that the report would be updated prior to it being considered by the three Cabinets.

Resolved:

(1)  That the updated version of the Business Plan be approved and referred to the Cabinet of each partner authority to approve the Final Draft Business Plan.

(2)  That the final contributions figures, which will be included in each authority’s budget planning process for 2016/17 be noted.