Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hardacre, Haynes, Hodgkiss, Thompson and Yardley.

Apologies were also received from Kevin O’Keefe, Director of Governance.

The following Councillors declared the interests detailed below in respect of agenda item 8 Wolverhampton Homes Annual Delivery Plan 2016/17.

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 27 January 2017, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

To receive the Mayor’s announcements.

The Late Jonathon Webber MBE DL

Councillors stood in silent tribute to remember the late Jonathan Webber MBE DL.  Councillors were advised of the funeral arrangements and wake.  The Mayor extended the Council’s sincere condolences to the family.

Mayoral Event for Volunteers

The Mayor reminded Councillors that they had been invited to nominate two volunteers from their ward to attend an event to recognise volunteering which would take place in the Mayoral Suite.

Beat the Streets Initiative

The Mayor reminded Councillors of the Beat the Streets initiative.

To consider and determine the Council’s budgetary provisions for the forthcoming municipal year.

·       Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2019/20 quarter three review and 2016/17 to 2020/21 budget strategy

·       Treasury Management Strategy 2016/17

·       2016/17 budget and Medium Financial Strategy 2016/17 to 2019/20

·       Council Tax Formal Resolutions.

The Council received a report on the annual capital budget, treasury management strategy and revenue budget and statutory formal Council Tax resolution.

The report was moved by Councillor Lawrence and seconded by Councillor Johnson.

Councillor Lawrence outlined the content of the report, drawing Councillors attention to the challenges that the Council faced.

Upon being put to the meeting, and a division been required, voting thereon was as follows

It was moved by Councillor Lawrence and seconded by Councillor Johnson

Resolved:

1. The revised medium term General Fund capital programme of £246.0 million, an increase of £31.3 million from the previously approved capital programme, reflecting the latest projected expenditure for the medium term be approved.

2. The additional resources for six new and thirty one existing General Fund projects totalling £31.3 million be approved.

3. The authorised borrowing limit for 2016/17 as required under Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 be set at £1,008.6 million (PI 5, page 27) be approved.

4. The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2016/17 as set out in appendix A to the report be approved.

5. The Annual Investment Strategy 2016/17 as set out in appendix B to the report be approved.

6. The Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators as set out in appendix C to the report be approved.

7. The Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2016/17 onwards as set out in appendix D to the report be approved.

8. The method used to calculate MRP for 2015/16 as set out in the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement approved by Council on 4 March 2015 be amended to the method as set out in appendix D to the report be approved.

9. The Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices as set out in appendix F to the report be approved.

10. That authority continues to be delegated to the Director of Finance to amend the Treasury Management Policy and Practices and any corresponding changes required to the Treasury Management Strategy, the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, the Investment Strategy and the Annual MRP Statement to ensure they remain aligned. Any amendments will be reported to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet (Resources) Panel as appropriate.

11. The net budget requirement for 2016/17 of £217.4 million for General Fund services be approved.

12. The Medium Term Financial Strategy 2016/17 to 2019/20 as detailed in Table 6 and the budget preparation parameters underpinning the MTFS as detailed in appendix B be approved.

13. A Council Tax for Council services in 2016/17 of £1,424.29 for a Band D property, being an increase of 3.99%  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To confirm Council’s previous decision to formally become a Constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority, approving delegated consent of the draft Order to the Chief Executive and Leader

The Council received a report the purpose of which was to present the draft statutory order for the creation of the West Midlands Combined Authority for consent, subject to minor and drafting amendments. 

Councillor Lawrence moved and outlined the content of the report, this was seconded by Councillor Bilson.

Resolved:

1.    To consent to the draft Statutory Order, to create the West Midlands Combined Authority, subject to minor and drafting amendments.

2.    To delegate to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Managing Director, final consent to the Order and the ability to agree with government any further drafting amendments to the Order that may prove necessary.

3.    To note the progress made in establishing the West Midlands Combined Authority and the remainder of the relevant process to be followed.

4.    The draft Combined Authority Constitution be noted.

·       To approve the proposed devolution deal

·       To instruct the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to take any further decisions necessary to bring about the implementation of the Agreement, working with the other members of the Shadow Combined Authority Board and the Government.

The Council received a report, the purpose of which was to inform Council on the progress of the devolution deal and to seek approval of the deal.

Councillor Lawrence moved the report and outlined the content explaining the progress that had been made, moreover he highlighted the significant investment that it would bring to the region. 

The report was seconded by Councillor Bilson.

Resolved:

1.    The West Midlands Combined Authority Devolution Agreement, including the creation of an elected Mayor, subject to agreement with Government of the scope and discharge of Mayoral functions be endorsed.

2.    To receive a further report at the appropriate time on amendments to the Combined Authority resulting from the requirements of the devolution deal.  Council instructs the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Managing Director, to take any further decisions necessary to bring about the implementation of the Agreement, working with the other members of the Shadow Combined Authority Board and the government.

3.    That it be noted that the historic West Midlands devolution agreement signed on 17 November 2015 be recognised as the start of a process of devolution with the potential for significant further steps. Council further notes that the subsequent work on a clarification process and an assurance process has been satisfactorily completed.

4.    That it be noted that the subsequent work on a clarification process and assurance work has been satisfactorily completed.

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet on the Wolverhampton Homes Annual Delivery Plan 2016/17.

Council received a recommendation from Cabinet on the Wolverhampton Homes Annual Delivery Plan 2016/17.

This was moved by Councillor Bilson and seconded by Councillor Johnson.

Resolved:

That the Wolverhampton Homes Annual Delivery Plan 2016/17 be approved.