Agenda, decisions and minutes

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Contact: Jaswinder Kaur  01902 550320 or Email: jaswinder.kaur@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Payal Bedi-Chadha, Peter Bilson, Olivia Birch, Dr Paul Birch J.P.,  John Rowley and Paul Singh.

 

2.

Declarations of interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made.

3.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 387 KB

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 May 2019. ]

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor proposed, the Deputy Mayor seconded, and it was resolved:

 

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 15 May 2019, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

 

4.

Communications

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.   The Friendship Agreement with Arjundhara Municipality, Nepal

 

The Mayor was pleased to be hosting a dinner for the council’s distinguished guests at the conclusion of this meeting, together with local residents from the Nepalese community.

 

The Mayor added to celebrate the occasion, the Ambassador of Nepal had invited all Councillors, together with a guest, to attend a celebratory dinner at the Embassy of Nepal, in London this coming Saturday at 7pm. 

 

2.   The Queen’s Birthday Honours

 

The Mayor was delighted to report that three people were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.  Mrs Amarjit Kaur Cheema was awarded an OBE for Services to Education in the West Midlands. Dr Helen Macpherson Hibbs was awarded an MBE for services to NHS Leadership and Christine Mary McGowan was awarded an MBE for services to developing the arts in Wolverhampton.

 

The Mayor had written to Amarjit, Helen and Christine on behalf of the City Council to extend the Council’s sincere congratulations.

 

3.   Armed Forces Day 2019

 

The Mayor was delighted to attend the new-style Armed Forces Day celebration at West Park. Over 5,000 people had attended to support the armed forces community.

 

4.   Young Citizen of the Year

 

The Mayor was delighted to present the award for Young Citizen of the Year to Samuel Iwaye, from Moreton School. The two runners up were Jude Aston and Melvin Riley Samuel. Samuel was nominated for being a voice for young people in the city and for trying to improve the lives of children in care. He was also extremely passionate about combatting knife crime.

 

5.    Cricket

 

The Mayor congratulated the England Cricket Team for winning the world cup and added it was a great example of a diverse team working together to deliver success.

 

6. Pride Awards

 

The Mayor reported that the Pride Awards recognise employees’ achievements and reward those who go the ‘extra mile’ to serve the City of Wolverhampton.  This year more than 140 nominations had been received which was fantastic. The Pride Awards would take place on Monday 22 July at the Grand Theatre.

 

7. VJ Day commemorative events

 

The Mayor informed Councillors that the Central Branch of the City of Wolverhampton Royal British Legion and the Ex-Service Council would hold a service of remembrance on Thursday 15 August, at the Cenotaph, St Peter's Square, commencing at 11:30am.   

 

8. Visitor Programme

 

The Mayor reported the 2019 Visitor Programme provided a platform for showcasing the city’s great entertainment offer this July. The event showcased 33 events and activities to encourage visitors to the city. Details of all events and activities could be viewed at visitwolves.com The showpiece event, the ‘City of Wolverhampton Festival of Food and Drink’,took place last weekend and a short highlights video was played.

 

5.

Parental Leave Policy pdf icon PDF 130 KB

[To approve the Parental Leave Policy for Councillors.]

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the Parental Leave Policy for Councillors be approved.

Minutes:

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE presented the report on Parental Leave Policy for approval. She advised the policy would ensure that councillors with children and other caring responsibilities were supported as appropriate. At present there was no legal right to parental leave of any kind for people elected in public office.

 

She added the policy detailed leave periods, cover arrangements and the impact on basic and special responsibility allowances. The policy would also assist with retaining experienced councillors, particularly women by making public office more accessible.

 

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE proposed the recommendation and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield seconded the recommendation.

 

Resolved:

 

That the Parental Leave Policy for Councillors be approved.

 

6.

Appointment of Councillor Champions pdf icon PDF 133 KB

[To approve the appointment of Councillor Champions.]

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.    That Councillor Champions for Digital Innovation, Climate Change and

Wolverhampton for Everyone be appointed.

2.    That it be noted, the term IT would be removed from the Councillor Champion for CouncillorDevelopment and IT title to avoid any confusion.

3.    That it be noted, the Councillor Champion for Climate Change would Chair the Sustainability AdvisoryGroup which would be renamed Climate Change Advisory Group.

 

 

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on Appointment of Councillor Champions for approval. He proposed that Councillor Champions be appointed for Digital Innovation, Climate Change and Wolverhampton for Everyone. The cost of additional Councillor Champions would be met from existing budget provisions.

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield proposed the recommendations and Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE seconded the recommendations.

 

Resolved:

 

  1. That Councillor Champions for Digital Innovation, Climate Change and Wolverhampton for Everyone be appointed. 
  2. That it be noted, the term IT would be removed from the Councillor Champion for Councillor Development and IT title to avoid any confusion.
  3. That it be noted, the Councillor Champion for Climate Change would Chair the Sustainability Advisory Group which would be renamed Climate Change Advisory Group.

 

7.

Capital Budget Outturn 2018-2019 including Quarter One Capital Budget Monitoring 2019-2020 pdf icon PDF 269 KB

[To review the outturn statement in respect of the Council’s capital budgets for 2018 – 2019.]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.    That the revised City of Wolverhampton Council Capital Strategy be approved.

2.    That the revised medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of

£334.2 million, a reduction of £7.9 million from the previously approved programme and the change in associated resources be approved.

3.    That the revised Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme of £441.9 million be approved, a reduction of £609,000 from the previously approved programme and the change in associated resources.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Capital Budget Outturn 2018-2019 including Quarter One Capital Budget Monitoring 2019-2020 report for approval. She advised the report provided an update on the outturn position for 2018-2019 and update on the 2019-2020 financial performance of the General Revenue Account and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programmes whilst also providing a revised forecast for 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 as at quarter one of 2019-2020. The report also recommended revisions to the current approved capital programmes covering the period

2019-2020 to 2023-2024.

 

She added the £16.7million change of funding was due to the projects now being funded by the Combined Authority.

 

Councillor Louise Miles proposed the recommendations and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield seconded the recommendations.

 

In response to Councillor Wendy Thompson questions, Councillor Louise Miles agreed to provide a more detailed written response on:

 

  • When the legal agreements with Urban and Civic on the westside project would be completed.
  • Whether the overall risk rating of amber included Civic Halls.
  • Whether procurement spend with local people and businesses was currently maximised.
  • Confirm whether the Newbridge playing fields were open for general use. 

 

Resolved:

 

  1. That the revised City of Wolverhampton Council Capital Strategy be approved.
  2. That the revised medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £334.2 million, a reduction of £7.9 million from the previously approved programme and the change in associated resources be approved.
  3. 3. That the revised Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme of £441.9 million be approved, a reduction of £609,000 from the previously approved programme and the change in associated resources.

 

8.

Treasury Management-Annual Report 2018-2019 and Activity Monitoring Quarter One 2019-2020 pdf icon PDF 128 KB

[To approve matters relating to the year-end position with regards to treasury management arrangements.]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.    That it be noted, the Council operated within the approved Prudential and Treasury ManagementIndicators, and also within the requirements set out in the Council’s approved TreasuryManagement Policy Statement during 2018-2019.

2.    That it be noted, a revenue net overspend of £2.2 million for the General Revenue Account and anunderspend of £195,000 for the Housing Revenue Account were generated from treasurymanagement activities in 2018-2019.

3.    That it be noted, a break even position for the General Revenue Account and an underspend of £910,000for the Housing Revenue Account were forecast from treasury management activities in2019-2020.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Treasury Management-Annual Report 2018-2019 and Activity Monitoring Quarter One 2019-2020 report for approval. She advised the report sets out the results of treasury management activities carried out in 2018-2019, together with performance against the Prudential Indicators previously approved by Council. She added the report also provided a monitoring and progress report on treasury management activity for the first quarter of 2019-2020, in line with the Prudential Indicators approved by Council in March 2019.

 

She added the activity had taken place in accordance with the required rules and regulations. Also that the changes of rules had impacted the minimal revenue provision.

 

Councillor Louise Miles proposed the recommendations and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield seconded the recommendations.

 

In response to Councillor Wendy Thompson question, Councillor Louise Miles agreed to provide a written response on the average cashflow balance for 2018/2019.

 

Resolved:

 

  1. That it be noted, the Council operated within the approved Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, and also within the requirements set out in the Council’s approved Treasury Management Policy Statement during 2018-2019.
  2. That it be noted, a revenue net overspend of £2.2 million for the General Revenue Account and an underspend of £195,000 for the Housing Revenue Account were generated from treasury management activities in 2018-2019.
  3. That it be noted, a breakeven position for the General Revenue Account and an underspend of £910,000 for the Housing Revenue Account were forecast from treasury management activities in 2019-2020.

 

9.

Youth Justice Plan 2019-2020 pdf icon PDF 132 KB

[To approve the Youth Justice Plan.]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the adoption of the Youth Justice Plan 2019-2020 be approved.

Minutes:

Councillor John Reynolds presented the Youth Justice Plan 2019-2020 report for approval. He advised the plan related to the work of the Youth

Offending Team (YOT) partnership under the oversight of the YOT Management Board and the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership. The work of this plan was regularly reviewed by the YOT Management Board, which encompassed membership from City of Wolverhampton Council, West Midlands Police, The Royal Wolverhampton Hospital Trust, Recovery Near

You (substance misuse service), National Probation Service and the Chair of the Black Country Youth Court Bench.

 

He provided an overview of the three national indicators on which performance was measured and how Wolverhampton had performed against these indicators. It was noted Wolverhampton had performed well compared to the previous year and against national averages.

 

He also provided an overview of the key areas that would be given significant priority over 2019-2020.

 

Councillor John Reynolds proposed the recommendation and Councillor Dr Mike Hardacre seconded the recommendation.     

 

In response to Councillor Wendy Thompsons question on the average time to be seen by CAMHS for a young person following a referral, Councillor John Reynolds agreed to provide a written response.

 

Resolved:

 

That the adoption of the Youth Justice Plan 2019-2020 be approved.

 

10.

Motions on Notice pdf icon PDF 286 KB

[That Council consider the motions received by Councillor Jonathan Yardley and Councillor John Reynolds.]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.    That the motion on Civic Halls Refurbishment Project was lost.

2.    That the substantive motion on Declaring a Climate Change Emergency be agreed.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Jonathan Yardley moved the following motion:

 

“The collapse of Shaylor Group, and the sad loss of 200 jobs, throws the entire Civic Halls refurbishment project into question. The £38 million budget will undoubtedly rise, and the opening date will be pushed back, as the Council is forced to find another contractor to finish the job. Despite other businesses expressing concerns about Shaylor’s financial situation months ago, we note that as recently as May, the previous Cabinet Member for City Economy decided to approve a variation order with Shaylor’s instead of re-tendering the contract for Phase Two of the works. This Council therefore calls for an independent review into the whole project, further to the internal ‘lessons learned’ report in 2018.”

 

Councillor Jonathan Yardley outlined the rationale for the motion. Councillor Wendy Thompson seconded the motion.

 

The motion was debated by Council.

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the motion on Civic Halls Refurbishment Project was lost.

 

Councillors Wendy Thompson, Chris Haynes, Jonathan Yardley, Udey Singh, Simon Bennett and Jonathan Crofts left the Council Chamber at 18:53.

 

The Mayor proposed that in accordance with the Constitution,  Full Council Meetings Procedure Rules, Council Procedure Rule 20.1 the usual procedure rules of debate be suspended to allow the Youth Council to speak. Councillor John Reynolds seconded the motion.

 

Resolved:

 

That in accordance with Full Council Meetings Procedure Rules of the Constitution and Council Procedure Rule 20.1 the procedure rules be suspended.

 

The Youth Council introduced a presentation on ‘Our Views Matter’.

 

Following the presentation from the Youth Council the Mayor re-instated standing orders.

 

Councillor John Reynolds  moved the following motion:

 

That the Council notes:

 

·         That the impacts of climate change are already causing serious damage around the world.

 

·         That the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C’, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018,

a.    describes the enormous harm that a 2°C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause compared with a 1.5°C rise, and

b.    confirms that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector.

 

·         That all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to act, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies;

 

·         That strong policies to cut emissions also have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits.

 

Therefore, in order to address this emergency, the Council commits to:

 

·         Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ that requires urgent action;

 

·         Make the Council’s activities net-zero carbon by 2028;

 

·         Ensure that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning and regulatory decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2028;

 

·         Support and work with all partners in the City towards making the city zero carbon within the same timescale;

 

·         Ensure that all Council leadership teams embed this work in all areas and take responsibility for reducing, as rapidly as possible, the carbon emissions resulting from the Council’s activities;

 

·         The Council’s Scrutiny Panels considering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Written Question to Cabinet Member pdf icon PDF 259 KB

[That the Cabinet Member for City Economy respond to questions received.]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That it be noted, the item on Written Question to Cabinet Member was not considered.

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

That it be noted, the item on Written Question to Cabinet Member was not considered.