Issue - meetings
Publica Business Plan 2026-28
Meeting: 16/04/2026 - Cabinet (Item 230)
230 Publica Business Plan 2026-28 
PDF 533 KB
Purpose
To consider the Draft Publica Business Plan 2026-28, produced by the Publica Board in consultation with Directors and Shareholders, and to recommend that the Leader (as Shareholder Representative) approves the plan.
Recommendations
That Cabinet resolves to:
1. Endorse the Publica Business Plan 2026-2028
2. Ask the Leader, as shareholder representative, to recommend its adoption to the Board.
Additional documents:
Decision:
The purpose of the item was to seek Cabinet’s consideration of the Draft Publica Business Plan 2026–28 and to ask that Cabinet recommend that the Leader, as Shareholder Representative, approve the Plan.
Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the report and explained that Publica’s Articles of Association include twelve reserved matters requiring Shareholder Council approval, among them the adoption or amendment of the Business Plan. The Draft Business Plan 2026–28, prepared by the Publica Board in consultation with Directors and Shareholders, set out a two-year programme aligned to the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) timetable through to Vesting Day on 31 March 2028.
The report outlined Publica’s proposed priorities and service delivery arrangements. Members noted that the Business Plan had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Publica was recognised as being a key service delivery partner for the Council, and the Plan focused on supporting the organisation, its services, and its workforce through a period of change, including preparation for Local Government Reorganisation, while continuing collaboration with partner councils across Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Tony Dale.
Cabinet RESOLVED to:
1. Endorse the Publica Business Plan 2026-2028
2. Ask the Leader, as shareholder representative, to recommend its adoption to the Board
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.
Minutes:
The purpose of the item was to seek Cabinet’s consideration of the Draft Publica Business Plan 2026–28 and to ask that Cabinet recommend that the Leader, as Shareholder Representative, approve the Plan.
Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the report and explained that Publica’s Articles of Association include twelve reserved matters requiring Shareholder Council approval, including the adoption or amendment of the Business Plan. The Draft Business Plan 2026–28 had been prepared by the Publica Board in consultation with Directors and Shareholders and set out a two-year programme aligned to the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) timetable through to Vesting Day on 31 March 2028.
It was noted that the Business Plan had been considered by the Shareholder Forum, comprising the Leaders and Chief Executives of the partner councils, and had also been presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Publica was recognised as a key service delivery partner for the Council, and the Plan outlined its proposed priorities and service delivery arrangements, together with a work programme focused on supporting the organisation, its services and its workforce through a period of change. This included preparation for Local Government Reorganisation, while continuing collaboration with partner councils across Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire.
Members were reminded that Publica had experienced a significant period of transition, including the return of some services to councils, and that no decisions had yet been taken regarding the future structure of either Publica or local government arrangements across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. The Plan therefore sought to provide clarity and stability over the next two years while retaining flexibility in the context of ongoing uncertainty.
Members acknowledged the challenges of preparing a forward-looking Business Plan in such circumstances and commended the leadership of Publica for producing a coherent and adaptable document. It was noted that maintaining flexibility during transformation would preserve future options while supporting effective cost management. The Plan was welcomed as providing assurance regarding continuity of service delivery, financial stewardship and strategic direction through to reorganisation and beyond.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Tony Dale.
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.