Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee to appoint a Chair for the Municipal year 2023-24

Resolved that Councillor Fairlie (Newcastle City Council) be appointed as Chair for the Municipal year 2023/24.

The Committee to appoint a Vice-Chair for the Municipal year 2023-24

Resolved that Councillor S Graham (North Tyneside Council) be appointed as Vice-Chair for the Municipal year 2023/24.

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apology received for Councillor J Bryne.

To be notified of the appointment of any substitute Members.

There were no substitute Members reported.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

You are also requested to complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To confirm the public minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 December 2022.

Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 December 2022  be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To consider a performance report on the Street Lighting PFI contract for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

The Committee received a report which explained the performance aspects of the conduct of the Street Lighting PFI Contract in the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

The report detailed the performance of the service provider against a number of contract performance standards and local indicators between 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, which included additional details on electricity consumption, spend and reduction programmes. Officers reminded the committee of the note at the end of the previous minute that there was likely to be a dip in performance during this report’s timeframe and that actions were in place to address the underlying issues.

While over 90% of standard repairs were carried out within the 5-day target across both areas, there were a number of repairs that significantly missed target. It was noted that while Newcastle’s figure was slightly lower, this was due to having a different, and more difficult portfolio, to manage. Both Authorities stated that the continuing programme of LED lighting installation was near completion and had significantly contributed to energy savings.

A member noted that the data shared showed the number of reports resolved rather than the number still outstanding. Officers stated that the acquisition of a Technical Specialist PFI Street Lighting working between the Authorities had meant the previous backlog of unresolved jobs had been tackled and was now in hand. The committee discussed consumption figures and points were responded to appropriately by officers.

Officers suggested that the committee meet biannually until nearer the end of the contract, when it should increase frequency again. Performance reports would continue to be presented at future Joint Street Lighting Committee meetings.

It was Agreed that (1) the Street Lighting PFI Performance report for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 be noted.

Resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3, 7 & 8 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

To confirm the confidential minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 December 2022.

Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 December 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To consider a financial report on the Street Lighting PFI contract for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

The Committee received the Street Lighting PFI Finance Report for the period 1 July 2022 to June 2023.

Members discussed the report and were given the opportunity to ask questions which were responded to appropriately. Financial reports would continue to be presented at future Joint Street Lighting Committee meetings.

The Chair asked for further information on areas within Newcastle awaiting adoption and info on the street lighting within, and officers agreed to send the current information covering Newcastle. 

It was Agreed that (1) the Street Lighting PFI Finance Report for the period 1 July 2022 to June 2023 be noted; (2) that Area Adoption information covering Newcastle be sent to the Chair.

To receive a verbal update on PFI.

Officers gave a PFI verbal update. Members discussed the report and were given the opportunity to ask questions which were responded to appropriately.

It was Agreed that (1) the verbal update be noted.

The date and time of the next meeting to be agreed in consultation with the Chair.

The date and time of the next meeting should be in March 2024, as part of the move to biannual meetings.