Decision details

RESOLVED: That Cabinet;

A.    Noted the decisions made by Milton Keynes Council and Cambridgeshire County Council in relation to the Shareholding.  

B.    Agreed to the addition of the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust as a new shareholder of Opus. 

C.    Agreed to the proposed changes to the shareholding of each of the existing shareholders 

D.    Agreed to the proposed amendments to the Dividend Policy 

E.    Agreed to delegate responsibility for the negotiation on behalf of West Northamptonshire Council of a revised Shareholder agreement to the Executive Director of Corporate Services.   

REASONS:

A.    To ensure that Opus shareholding reflects the changes brought about through Local Government Reorganisation and the creation of the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust. 

B.    To support the continuation of Opus in order that West Northamptonshire Council will have greater influence over the quality and pay of agency workers, achieve financial savings by reducing agency costs and achieve a continued supply of agency workers to support the ongoing efficient delivery of staff to the Council 

C.    To enable the Head of Paid Service to have arrangements in place to meet the fluctuating demands of the Council.   

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: Arrangements with OPUS are governed by individual service agreements that run until 8^th January 2022.  Choices with regard to OPUS and shareholding and dividend changes were part of the consideration, prior to vesting day.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS DECLARED AND DISPENSATIONS GRANTED: None.