How we came together
We were set up in 2017 as a not-for-profit company owned by Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, and Cheltenham Borough Council to share resources, deliver more for residents and businesses and reduce costs.
We are on a journey of continual improvement, and we are looking for new ways to effectively deliver local services for each council and the communities they represent.
We have made progress transforming the way services are delivered within the four districts, helping the councils deliver great services for local residents and businesses. Over the coming years we will strive to deliver even better services, innovate in the way we deliver them and continue to deliver the council priorities.
How Publica is managed
Publica is managed by a Board which comprises independent Non Executive Directors and Executive Directors. The Board is responsible for the ongoing oversight of the business and its operation to ensure the best outcomes are delivered for the shareholder councils.
A nominated Councillor from each of the four councils (Leader of the Council) is appointed as the Shareholder Representative and oversees the governance of Publica and takes any reserved matter decisions on behalf of the Shareholder Councils.
Additionally Publica and each of the shareholder councils have agreed communication and liaison arrangements which ensures that for those councils that receive all services from Publica the Business Plan and the Annual Report will be presented to formal open meetings of either the Cabinet or Council.
Each council's Scrutiny Committee monitors Publica's performance against Service Standards agreed by each council.
Our Business Plan
Our Business Plan sets out the direction for Publica between 2022 to 2025 as we look to deliver more locally by working together.
It is the continuation of our journey to providing better public services for our shareholder councils and also delivering against their local priorities in an ever-changing local government environment with reducing budgets.
The plan covers the three key themes that underpin all we do: planet, people and place. It outlines our ambition to build on our progress to date and develop as a public service provider for the future.
Read more here: Publica Business Plan 2022 to 2025
The 2021-22 Annual Report
We are pleased to present to you the Publica Annual Report 2021-22. This report outlines some of the key projects and outcomes that have been delivered across the partnership from September 2021 to September 2022. It shows the wide range of services we deliver, the amazing successes of the year and how we are improving. Please read to find about more about the great work being delivered at Publica.
2020-2021: You can read the previous year's Publica Annual Report 2020-21 here.
Questions?
One of our company values is to be authentic, so if you have any questions about Publica or the services it provides please contact a member of our Board and we will provide a full response.
Our Transparency Disclosure
Company Articles of Association and Members' Agreement
Services Agreement - Cheltenham Borough Council
Services Agreement - Cotswold District Council
Services Agreement - Forest of Dean District Council
Services Agreement - West Oxfordshire District Council
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
Statement of Accounts
Publica Group (Support) - Annual Report and Accounts 31 March 2021
Publica Group (Support) - Statement of Accounts 31 March 2020
Publica Group (Support) - Statement of Accounts 31 March 2019
Publica Group (Support) - Statement of Accounts 31 March 2018
Freedom of Information
Much of the data that Publica processes is owned by the Council partners and as such freedom of information requests should generally continue to be made directly to them.
Any requests relating to employment matters would fall to Publica and we will deal with any such requests under normal time limits.
If you wish to make an enquiry please contact us at enquiries@publicagroup.uk
