Purpose

The Shareholders’ Sub-Committee to consider the recommendations of the report, in relation to East Hampshire Norse (EHN).

Decision

It was RESOLVED that the Shareholders’ Sub Committee:

a.     Noted the Q1 2026/27 Performance Report, Potential Savings Report and Operational Risk Register, together with the officer assessment in this report.

b.    Approved the four savings opportunities for business case development only.  No saving may be incorporated into the Company forecast or Partnership Fee until Finance has validated the relevant business case, including the baseline, implementation date, one off costs, recurring cash benefit, service impact and accountable owner.

Reasons for the Decision

·       To present the East Hampshire Norse Limited Quarter 1 2026/27

performance report, Potential Savings report and operational risk register. It provides the Council’s officer assessment to support the Sub Committee in exercising the Council’s shareholder function.

·       To distinguish reported performance from matters that remain unverified or contingent. It also assesses whether the company has implemented the reporting improvements previously requested by the Sub Committee.

Alternative Options Considered

Option 1

To note all papers without qualification, had been discounted because it would treat reported performance and contingent savings as equally reliable. It would also fail to address the reporting gaps previously identified by shareholders.

Option 2

To approve the headline savings as a committed target, had been discounted.

The two largest items are contingent, and the net financial effect has not been validated.

Option 3

To note the reports and approve controlled development of the savings

opportunities through defined business case gateways, was recommended. It

preserves momentum while preventing unsupported savings from entering the forecast or Partnership Fee.