There were no apologies for absence from the meeting.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)           Councillor S George (Chair) - Minute 4 (Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP and Better Queensway Update) - Brother-in-law is a Member of the Board of Sanctuary Housing.

(b)           Councillor M Davidson - Minute 4 (Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP and Better Queensway Update) and Minute ??? (PSP Southend LLP: Receipt of Accounts 2021/22) - Member of the Board of Directors of South Essex Homes.

(c)           J Burr (Officer) - Minute 6 (LHCS and Southend Travel Partnership Ltd Status Update (T/A Vecteo)) - Named and referenced in the report of the Director of Legal Services.

(d)           A Richards (Officer) - Minute 4 (Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP and Better Queensway Update) and Minute 5 (PSP Southend LLP: Receipt of Accounts 2021/22) - Member of the Board of Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP and PSP Southend LLP.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Board held on 12 October 2022 and 8 November 2022 be received and confirmed as a correct record.

Report of Director of Regeneration and Growth

The Board considered a report of the interim Director of Regeneration and Growth providing an update on Better Queensway and Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP, following the successful business combination between Swan Housing and Sanctuary Housing in February 2023.

The Board asked a number of questions which were responded to by the interim Director of Regeneration and Growth.

Resolved:

1.          That the report be noted.

2.          That a further update be provided to the Board when Swan/Sanctuary and the Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP Board have identified the next steps regarding Better Queensway.

Report of Executive Director (Growth and Housing)

The Board considered a report of the Executive Director (Growth and Housing) presenting the financial statements of PSP Southend LLP for year ended 31 March 2022, together with the report of their auditors.

The Board asked a number of questions which were responded to by the Executive Director (Growth and Housing).

Resolved:

That the financial statements of PSP Southend LLP for the year ended 31 March 2022, together with the report of their auditors, be noted.

Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) to follow

The Board was advised that it would be necessary to move into Part 2 business in order that the matters concerning the status of the London Hire Community Services and Southend Travel Partnership Ltd (trading as Vecteo) joint venture company set out in the report of the Director of Legal Services that had been circulated to members on a confidential basis, could be considered.

Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources)

The Board considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) proposing a work programme for the Shareholder Board for the 2023/24 municipal year. Members were also requested  to highlight any other areas of shareholder interest that should be considered by the Board during the year.

Resolved:

That the proposed work programme for the Shareholder Board for 2023/24, be agreed.

The Board was advised that the calendar of meetings for 2023/24 was being prepared for adoption by the Council.

Resolved:

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below (LHCS and Southend Travel Partnership Ltd Status Update (t/a Vecteo) (Confidential Report)), on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Board considered a confidential report of the Director of Legal Services providing an update on the current position with regard to the Council’s acquisition of the remaining shares in Vecteo with the intention of it becoming the sole shareholder and the changes proposed to be made to the company board structure and its appointees, as a result of the acquisition of the remaining company shares.

Resolved:

1.          That the following be noted:

(a)       The progress undertaken towards the aim of the Council becoming the sole shareholder of Vecteo.

(b)       The new company board structure and appointees.

2.          That a recommendation be made to the Cabinet that the appointment made to the position of the Executive Chairman of the Board of Vecteo be on an interim basis only and that details of the arrangements for the appointment of an Executive Chairman of the Board on a permanent basis, be reported to the next meeting of the Shareholder Board.