Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Payal Bedi-Chadha, Jasbir Jaspal, Linda Leach, Louise Miles, Arun Photay, Martin Waite and Andrew Wynne.

Kevin O’Keefe, Director of Governance advised that Councillor Mike Hardacre had made a non- pecuniary interest in item 9 (School Expansion Programmes) as a Director of the Central Learning Partnership Trust. 

There were no other declarations of interest made.

[To receive minutes of the meeting of the 19 July 2017]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 19 July 2017, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1.   Wolverhampton City Marathon

The Mayor reported the twentieth Carver Wolverhampton City Marathon was held on Sunday 3 September 2017 and reported the event was a huge success and featured six events. 

He reported that since 1998 the Carver Marathon events had raised over £360,000 to help local charities, the proceeds would benefit; Compton Hospice, Samaritans of Wolverhampton, Sunnyside Kennels at Coven and The Mayor’s chosen charities.

He stated on behalf of the Council, he would like to congratulate the organising committee, the sponsors, the many volunteers, the participants, spectators and everyone concerned in staging a very successful event.

2.   Wolves Pride

The Mayor reported the City of Wolverhampton Council was to hold what he hoped would be the biggest ever Wolves Pride event on Saturday 30 September 2017.

He reported the newly-formed Wolverhampton LGBT Alliance was hosting the event with support from City of Wolverhampton Council, University of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton Homes.

He was honoured to be invited to formally open the event and gave details of the event and requested that as many Councillors as possible support the event. 

3.   Remembrance Sunday

The Mayor reported the Remembrance Sunday service would take place on 12 November 2017 to which Councillors had been invited and gave details of the arrangements of the civic procession and the services at Drumhead and St. Peter’s Church and he requested that as many Councillors as possible support the remembrance event in the City. 

4.     Councillor Claymore

The Mayor congratulated Councillor Claymore on his marriage to Paul.

5.    Management Team

The Mayor reported that the City of Wolverhampton Council said farewell to Strategic Director for People, Linda Sanders on Thursday 31 August 2017.  He reported that Linda had been appointed Independent Chair of the City of Wolverhampton’s Safeguarding Adults and Children’s Boards.  The Mayor thanked Linda for the significant contribution she had made to the City Council and wished her every success in her new appointment.

The Mayor welcomed new Directors some of whom were new to the City of Wolverhampton Council Management Team and some of whom were already with us and taking up new roles: -

·       Tim Johnson - appointed Deputy Managing Director as well keeping his role as Strategic Director for Place

·       Mark Taylor - appointed as the Strategic Director for People

·       Claire Nye - appointed Director of Finance

·       Emma Bennett - appointed Director of Children’s Services

·       David Watts - appointed Director of Adult’s Services

·       Jennifer Brake - appointed Service Director for Public Service Reform

6.      Wednesfield in Bloom 2017

The Mayor was delighted that Wednesfield had scooped a Gold Award in the Urban Community Category at this year’s Heart of England in Bloom awards. The Mayor congratulated the team of volunteers on a well-deserved gold award.

The Mayor reported that this year’s Heart of England In Bloom theme was ‘Greening Grey Britain’ which inspired the self-funded group of volunteers. The volunteers put a lot of effort into raising money for this year’s effort. It was only the second time Wednesfield  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

1.     That the revised Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2017-2018, in particular, the change regarding investment assets which was being backdated to 1 April 2013, as set out in appendix F of the report.

2.     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 2016-17.

3.     That it be noted, the revenue savings of £1.7 million for the General Fund and £2.5 million for the Housing Revenue Account were generated from treasury management activities in 2016-17.

4.     That it be noted, the revenue savings of £810,000 for the General Fund and £329,000 for the Housing Revenue Account were forecast from treasury management activities in 2017-18.

Councillor Andrew Johnson presented the Treasury Management Annual Report and Activity Monitoring 2017/18 report. He advised the report provided the results of treasury management activities carried out in 2016-17, together with performance against the Prudential Indicators previously approved by Council.  He added it also provided a monitoring and progress report on treasury management activity for the first quarter of 2017-18, in line with the Prudential Indicators approved by Council in March 2017.

Councillor Andrew Johnson placed on record his appreciation of the Treasury Management Team.

Councillor Andrew Johnson proposed the recommendations and Councillor Peter Bilson seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.    That the revised Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2017-2018, in particular, the change regarding investment assets which was being backdated to 1 April 2013, as set out in appendix F of the report.

2.    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 2016-17.

3.    That it be noted, the revenue savings of £1.7 million for the General Fund and £2.5 million for the Housing Revenue Account were generated from treasury management activities in 2016-17.

4.    That it be noted, the revenue savings of £810,000 for the General Fund and £329,000 for the Housing Revenue Account were forecast from treasury management activities in 2017-18.

[To approve the utilisation of the existing borrowing provision to support the Interchange Programme.]

1.     That the utilisation of the existing borrowing provision to support the Interchange Programme be approved.

Councillor John Reynolds presented the Wolverhampton Interchange Programme report. He sought approval to utilise existing borrowing provision to support the Interchange Programme. He added the Interchange Programme was a vital strategic programme for Wolverhampton and the Black Country and featured in the Black Country Strategic Economic Plan.

Councillor John Reynolds proposed the recommendations and Councillor Andrew Johnson seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.    That the utilisation of the existing borrowing provision to support the Interchange Programme be approved.

[To approve a capital budget for the City Learning Quarter.]

1.     That a capital budget of £50.0 million for the City Learning Quarter be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to Cabinet to approve the final business case and funding strategy.

The Leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the City of Wolverhampton College report. He provided an update on the development of a City Centre Learning Quarter and sought approval to a capital budget for the project. He further added that it was envisaged that grant funding would also be sought from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, West Midlands Combined Authority and Heritage Lottery Fund to support the project.

The Leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence proposed the recommendations and Councillor Claire Darke seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.    That a capital budget of £50.0 million for the City Learning Quarter be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to Cabinet to approve the final business case and funding strategy.

[To approve the implementation of a proposal to improve pedestrian safety.]

1.     That the implementation of option three and the necessary funding required as detailed in the report be approved.

The Leader Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the Improving Pedestrian Safety report. He presented proposals which would reduce the risk of vehicle ramming attacks in Wolverhampton by installing protective street furniture around crowded areas of the City to protect the public.

The Leader Councillor Roger Lawrence proposed the recommendations and Councillor Steve Evans seconded the recommendations.

Responding to a question from Councillor Wendy Thompson on the timeline for the Civic Hall report the Leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence agreed to ask the relevant employee to contact Councillor Wendy Thompson and provide an update.

Resolved:

1.    That the implementation of option three and the necessary funding required as detailed in the report be approved.

[To approve the proposed funding strategy for the school expansion programme.]

1.     That the proposed funding strategy, amounting to £34.3 million, to support the planned Primary School Expansion Programme 2018-20 and the planned Secondary School Expansion Programme 2017-19 be approved.

2.     That the establishment of new capital budgets, amounting to £34.3 million, to support the planned Primary School Expansion Programme 2018-20 and the planned Secondary School Expansion Programme 2017-19 be approved.

3.     That it be noted, the Council was not in full control of all the factors relating to the effective and timely supply of school places.

4.     That it be noted, a further report would be presented to Cabinet to set individual scheme budgets.

Councillor Claire Darke presented the School Expansion Programmes report. She sought approval of the proposed funding strategy to support the planned Primary School Expansion Programme 2018-20 and the planned Secondary School Expansion Programme 2017-19.

Councillor Claire Darke proposed the recommendations and Councillor Val Gibson seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.    That the proposed funding strategy, amounting to £34.3 million, to support the planned Primary School Expansion Programme 2018-20 and the planned Secondary School Expansion Programme 2017-19 be approved.

2.    That the establishment of new capital budgets, amounting to £34.3 million, to support the planned Primary School Expansion Programme 2018-20 and the planned Secondary School Expansion Programme 2017-19 be approved.

3.    That it be noted, the Council was not in full control of all the factors relating to the effective and timely supply of school places.

4.    That it be noted, a further report would be presented to Cabinet to set individual scheme budgets.

[To receive the Annual Scrutiny Review and workplan.]

1.     That the Annual Scrutiny Report and Work Plan 2017-18 be approved.

2.     That the on-going developments in relation to the scrutiny function be noted.

Councillor Steve Simkins presented the Annual Scrutiny Review and Workplan report. He outlined the key developments in scrutiny and added that improvements were being made in relation to the scrutiny function, new processes and ways of working were being introduced.

He went on to highlight some of the key achievements of the Scrutiny function over the 2016-17 municipal year and detailed the progress and outcomes from a selection of Panel meetings and Reviews.

Councillor Steve Simkins proposed the recommendations and Councillor Barry Findlay seconded the recommendations.

Councillor Barry Findlay put on record his appreciation of members, officers and partners for the work undertaken to support the scrutiny function.

Resolved:

1.    That the Annual Scrutiny Report and Work Plan 2017-18 be approved.

2.    That the on-going developments in relation to the scrutiny function be noted.

[To approve the Annual Audit and Risk Committee report]

1.       That the contents of the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2016 -17, attached as an appendix be approved.

Councillor Craig Collingswood presented the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2016 – 17. He outlined the main areas of work undertaken by the Committee during the year. He also placed on record his thanks to the Committee members and officers for their contributions. 

Councillor Craig Collingswood proposed the recommendation and Councillor Christine Mills seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

That the contents of the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2016 -17, attached as an appendix be approved.

[That the appointment for Director of Education be confirmed.]

1.       That the appointment of Meredith Teasdale as Director of Education on the Council’s senior management terms and conditions be approved.

The Leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence presented a report on the appointment of the Director of Education. He advised that on 14 August 2017, a Special Appointment Committee was convened to interview for the post of Director of Education. The Committee’s recommendation was to appoint Meredith Teasdale.

The Leader Councillor Roger Lawrence proposed the recommendation and Councillor Claire Darke seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

1.  That the appointment of Meredith Teasdale as Director of Education on the Council’s senior management terms and conditions be approved.

[For Cabinet Members to answer any questions.]

1.     That the summary of executive business be received.

The Council received a summary of executive business relating to the City of Wolverhampton Ethical Homecare Charter and Creation of a Regional Adoption Agency – Adoption@Heart.

Resolved:

1.  That the summary of executive business be received.

[That Council consider the motion received by Councillor Phil Bateman]

1.     That the motion on neighbourhood policing be agreed.

Councillor Phil Bateman moved the following motion:

“The City of Wolverhampton Council was concerned about the ability of the West Midlands Police as it was currently funded to continue to deliver the sort of proper Community and Neighbourhood Policing that keeps our City safe.

We note the Chief Constable’s recent comments that the force was very stretched, and that he may not be able to deliver ‘neighbourhood policing’.

We therefore request that the Police and Crime Commissioner urgently demand increased funding from Government to meet the needs and requirements of West Midlands Police and the Chief Constable and return confidence in Policing to our City.

We call on the Government to provide the resources that tackles the changing face of crime, protects our residents and their property, delivers better and safer policing, in an age when large Metropolitan conurbations also had to protect themselves from terrorism.”

Councillor Phil Bateman outlined the rationale for the motion. Councillor Daniel Warren seconded the motion.

Resolved:

1.    That the motion on neighbourhood policing be agreed.

[That the Cabinet Member for City Environment respond to question received]

Councillor Udey Singh asked the Cabinet Member for City Environment the following question:

“Can the Cabinet Member inform Council the revenue in fines for bus lane infringements in Wolverhampton for the last three completed financial years?”

Councillor Steve Evans confirmed that for 2014 - 15 no revenue was generated; for 2015 - 16 the income generated was £1,307,432 and in 2016 -17 the income generated was £1,870,629. 

Councillor Udey Singh thanked Councillor Steve Evans for his response and asked the following supplementary question:

“Can the Cabinet Member for City Environment advice whether an urgent review would be carried out on the infringement for bus lanes”.

Councillor Steve Evans responded that the Council had been given the discharge responsibility by the police as they were unable to discharge the function. The Council’s responsibility was to enforce the law and that the income generated from bus lane fines was ringfenced to be spent on highways and transportation schemes. He added that several schemes had been part funded from the revenue generated and that the Council made additional contributions towards the schemes.