Issue - meetings
Updated Publica Members Agreement and Services Agreement
Meeting: 16/04/2026 - Cabinet (Item 231)
231 Review of Publica Governance Agreement and Extension of Service Agreement 
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Purpose
The purpose of this report is for the Cabinet to consider proposals for amendments and an extension to governance arrangements following the conclusion of the Publica Review. This includes the updating of service specifications, service agreements, the members agreement and articles of association.
The report also seeks delegated authority to make any minor adjustments to the Publica specification in the run-up to Local Government Reorganisation should it become necessary.
Recommendations
That Cabinet resolves to:
1. Approve in principle the changes to the governance agreements set out in section 3.
2. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise and enact through appropriate legal documentation, the detailed changes to the agreements, in line with the principles agreed.
3. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to approve minor amendments to the scope of services delivered by Publica to Cotswold District Council in advance of Local Government Reorganisation.
Additional documents:
Decision:
The purpose of this report was for the Cabinet to consider proposals for amendments and an extension to governance arrangements following the conclusion of the Publica Review. The report also sought delegated authority to make any minor adjustments to the Publica specification in the run-up to Local Government Reorganisation should it become necessary.
Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the report and explained that it reflected the significant changes to the Publica shared service arrangements following the Publica Review, including revised governance structures and reduced service provision. Members noted that the updated arrangements clarified roles and responsibilities and aligned service specifications with current delivery, while supporting preparation for potential Local Government Reorganisation. It was noted that amendments would be implemented primarily through deeds of variation to existing agreements to minimise cost, with delegated authority granted for minor amendments as required. The changes applied to the Articles of Association, Members’ Agreement, Service Agreements and Service Specifications, and included the extension of Service Agreements to October 2030, while retaining flexibility for service exit with appropriate notice.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Tony Dale.
Cabinet RESOLVED to:
1. Approve in principle the changes to the governance agreements set out in section 3.
2. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise and enact through appropriate legal documentation, the detailed changes to the agreements, in line with the principles agreed.
3. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to approve minor amendments to the scope of services delivered by Publica to Cotswold District Council in advance of Local Government Reorganisation.
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.
Minutes:
The purpose of this report was for the Cabinet to consider proposals for amendments and an extension to governance arrangements following the conclusion of the Publica Review. The report also sought delegated authority to make any minor adjustments to the Publica specification in the run-up to Local Government Reorganisation should it become necessary.
Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the report. He explained that, as part of Publica’s work to ensure it was fit for the future, a review of governance arrangements and service agreements had been undertaken. Members noted that the new Agreement reflected the significant changes to the Publica shared service arrangements following the insourcing of services during Phases One and Two of the Publica Review, including revised governance structures and reduced service provision.
The proposals had been considered by other shareholders and were discussed at the most recent Shareholder Forum, which was chaired by Councillor Mike Evemy and attended by Jane Portman, Chief Executive. Members noted that the updated arrangements clarified roles and responsibilities, aligned service specifications with current delivery, and supported preparation for potential Local Government Reorganisation.
It was further noted that amendments would be implemented primarily through deeds of variation to existing agreements in order to minimise cost, with delegated authority granted for minor amendments as required. The changes applied to the Articles of Association, Members’ Agreement, Service Agreements and Service Specifications, with minor amendments to the constitutional documents and more substantive revisions to the Service Agreements and specifications, as detailed in the report.
The principal change was the extension of the Service Agreements to October 2030, aligning all councils to a common end date. It was noted that Cheltenham Borough Council had already agreed to this approach, and the Shareholder Forum had supported consistency across all councils. The extension was not intended to bind successor authorities but to provide time for them to determine future service delivery arrangements, including the potential continuation of services through Publica.
Members also noted that flexibility was retained through existing break clauses, allowing some or all services to be withdrawn prior to October 2030 with appropriate notice, as had occurred during the Phase One and Two transitions. The effect of the proposal was therefore to regularise and align the agreements to October 2030 while maintaining the option for earlier service exit if required.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Tony Dale.
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.