Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1SH

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors, Harbans Singh Bagri, Payal Bedi-Chadha, Mike Hardacre, Louise Miles and John Reynolds.

 

2.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made.

3.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 60 KB

[To receive the minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary Council meetings held on 18 July 2018.]

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

That the minutes of the previous extraordinary and ordinary meeting, held on 18 July 2018, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

 

4.

Communications

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

Minutes:

1.     WW1 Commemorative Paving Stones

 

The Mayor reported that the paving stone and service was part of a UK Government First World War Centenary campaign, to commemorate recipients of the Victoria Cross during World War One and that the paving stones were laid in the local authority of their birth.

 

The first of two services took place on Wednesday 22 August, where the Mayor and Mayoress attended Oxford Street Memorial in Bilston for the dedication of Victoria Cross Paving Stone for Lance Corporal George Onions VC who served in the Devonshire Regiment.

 

The second service, for Corporal Roland E Elcock, would take place at the Cenotaph at the family’s request on Monday 15 October at 11am, followed by a reception in the City Suite.

 

2.     Former Mayor and Councillor Mike Heap

 

The Mayor was saddened to report that former Mayor and Councillor Mike Heap, had recently undergone a serious operation and was in Russell’s Hall Hospital recovering.

 

The Mayor had sent a card to Mike on behalf of the City Council and was sure all would join in wishing him well.

 

3.     Wolverhampton City Half Marathon

 

The Mayor was delighted to report that the 21st Carver Wolverhampton City Half Marathon was held on Sunday 2 September.  There were 5 events;

 

·     Half marathon

·     Banks’s 10k run

·     Cousins 10k/20k cycle

·     The Paycare children’s mini marathon and

·     Callprint walk in the park

 

Since 1998 Carver Marathon events had raised over £400,000 to help local charities.The Planning Committee would present the proceeds of this year’s event on 10 December to the following charities: -

·     Give us a Break Wolverhampton

·     Compton Care

·     Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletic Club and

·     The Mayor’s chosen charities

 

The Mayor congratulated the organising committee, the sponsors, the many volunteers, the participants, spectators and everyone concerned in

staging a very successful event.

 

4.       Remembrance Sunday

 

The Mayor reported that Councillors would shortly receive an invitation to this year’s Remembrance Sunday service which would take place on 11 November. 

 

5.        BEM Investiture

 

The Mayor reported that, on Wednesday 12 September, he and the Mayoress had attended an Investiture at the Council House in Birmingham.

Ms Katheryn Angela Maria Ann Livingstone was awarded the BEM for services to People with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Ms Livingstone’s honour was part of the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, 2018.

 

5.

Annual Scrutiny Report pdf icon PDF 71 KB

[To consider the Annual Scrutiny Report.]

Decision:

That the video presentation detailing the work being carried out in relation to the scrutiny function be noted.

click here to access video

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Steve Simkins presented the Annual Scrutiny Review. He introduced the video presentation played which detailed the work undertaken in relation to the scrutiny function. He advised that scrutiny would continue to focus on the issues facing the community of Wolverhampton whilst also looking at broader issues facing the region.

 

Councillor Steve Simkins proposed the recommendation and Councillor Arun Photay seconded the recommendation. Both paid tribute to members on the Scrutiny Board and various Panels and the Scrutiny Team.

 

Resolved:

 

1.     That the Annual Scrutiny Report be received.

2.     That the video presentation detailing the work being carried out in relation to the scrutiny function be noted.

6.

Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2017-2018 pdf icon PDF 67 KB

[To approve the Annual Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2017-2018.]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the contents of the 2017-2018 Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report be approved.

Minutes:

Councillor Craig Collingswood presented the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2017 – 2018. 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 Audit Team for their contributions. 

 

Councillor Craig Collingswood proposed the recommendation and Councillor Sohail Khan seconded the recommendation.

 

Resolved:

 

That the contents of the 2017-2018 Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report be approved.

 

7.

Executive Business pdf icon PDF 62 KB

[For the Cabinet Member to answer any questions. To Follow]

Decision:

That the Executive Business be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor Paul Singh asked the following question in relation to the item on the Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2018 - 2022.

 

Could the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing advice on the number of homelessness cases and rough sleepers.

 

Councillor Peter Bilson responded that he would ensure that Councillor Paul Singh received a written response to the question raised. He added as an estimate there was approximately 20 rough sleepers however, the situation remained fluid.

 

Resolved:

 

That the Executive Business be noted.

 

8.

Written Questions pdf icon PDF 72 KB

[That the Cabinet Members for City Environment and City Assets and Housing respond to questions received].

 

Minutes:

Councillor Simon Bennett asked the Cabinet Member for City Environment:

 

“To ask the Cabinet Member for City Environment, what the Council is doing to support permanent market traders in light of concerns about markets on Dudley Street affecting their sales”.

 

Councillor Steve Evans responded the new market was a success story for the City. After significant investment the new city centre market had opened in July this year. The permanent traders had been supported during the transition period with a 33% reduction of fees.

 

He added the Council had a contractual agreement with LSD to run the themed market and that £10,000 from the contractual agreement was spent to support the permanent traders. Occupancy on a Wednesday had increased from 20% to 80%- which was an increase of 20 traders.

 

He highlighted there was also a variety of traders at the market, the themed markets organised by LSD increased the footfall into the city, for three consecutive years rates had been frozen to support the permanent traders. The market only trades four days a week, and more start up investment was required to attract more people in the city.

 

He added a chocolate and prosecco event was coming up which again would increase footfall. He was proud market was on the up.

 

Councillor Simon Bennett asked the following supplementary question:

 

Permanent traders had contacted him regarding the negative impact the themed markets had would the Cabinet Member agree that the Council had blown the tax payers money on the market.

 

Councillor Steve Evans responded that he had not been provided with any complaints of negative feedback from the traders, if Councillor Simon Bennett can provide these details he would be more than willing to have a joint meeting with Councillor Simon Bennett and the traders to address their concerns/issues.

 

He added the Council had invested in the market and by doing so supported the traders. This had led to increased growth of the market. The number of traders was also on the increase.

 

Councillor Wendy Thompson asked the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing:

 

What employment support the Council has made available to employees at the Civic Hall during the continuing restoration works.

 

Councillor Peter Bilson responded that since the restoration works commenced, the salaried staff who were part of the Civic Halls team prior to the establishment of the Visitor Economy team had been working across the service to support the other areas of the service. These include the Art Gallery, Bilston Craft Gallery, Bantock House, The Slade Rooms, Northycote Farm, Archives and large outdoor events like Vaisakhi. 

 

He added in recent years, the casual front-line staff had been predominantly supplied by Yoo Recruit. Since the start of this year, the level of work had not been available and so, these staff have either gone on to find other work or been deployed elsewhere in the Visitor Economy service when demand requires it. The Council continue to employ local people across the cultural estate in this way whenever  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.