The Shareholder Cabinet Sub-Committee approved the continuation of West Northamptonshire Council's participation in the OPUS People Solutions (East) Limited joint venture for a further five years. The committee also received an update on the investigation into council-owned companies and a management action plan.

OPUS Joint Venture

The committee approved the continuation of West Northamptonshire Council's involvement in the OPUS People Solutions (East) Limited arrangement for another five years, commencing in January 2027. This decision supports the continuity of a service the council uses to manage temporary and agency resourcing, promoting value for money, workforce resilience, and compliance. The committee also authorised the Corporate Director - Workforce, Technology and Change, in consultation with relevant officers and the Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services, to finalise necessary updates to the shareholder agreement, service agreement, terms of reference, and other governance documents.

A legal and procurement review confirmed that the current arrangement can continue under an exemption within the Procurement Act 2023¹, provided statutory conditions remain met and governance documents are finalised. The updated documentation may include an optional horizontal access arrangement, allowing other public sector bodies to access OPUS services without becoming shareholders, provided this is supported by legal and procurement advice and does not diminish the council's governance rights or create unacceptable risks.

The alternative option of ending participation and undertaking a separate procurement route was not recommended due to potential service disruption, increased management activity, and risks to compliance, supply, and costs.

Council-Owned Companies Further Investigation Survey Update

The committee was informed about the ongoing investigation into council-owned companies. A questionnaire was distributed to senior managers to identify any additional companies that West Northamptonshire Council controls or should control, particularly those inherited from predecessor authorities. The responses revealed one previously unidentified company, Border to Coast Pensions Partnership Limited, in which the council is a shareholder. This company is an FCA-regulated investment management firm providing asset pooling services to partner Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds. A governance health-check will be conducted for Border to Coast Pensions Partnership Limited, with findings to be reported back to the committee. The report noted limitations, acknowledging that the process could not guarantee the identification of all companies in which the council has significant control.

Management Action Plan

The committee reviewed a management action plan detailing agreed actions arising from an internal audit. The plan addresses several issues, including the establishment of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for companies like TDECL, the filling of vacant director positions on company boards, and the implementation of board evaluation policies and ongoing professional training for board members. Recommendations also cover the formal adoption of financial policies by companies such as TDECL, the reporting of annual reports to the Shareholder Cabinet Sub-Committee, and the implementation of structured annual performance evaluations for senior company staff. The plan prioritises actions as Essential, Important, or Standard, with associated officer responsibilities and due dates.