Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3, Third Floor - Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1SH

Contact: Philippa Salmon  Tel: 01902 555061 or Email: philippa.salmon@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Peter Bilson, Councillor Steve Evans and Councillor John Reynolds,

2.

Declaration of interests

Minutes:

Mark Taylor, Deputy Managing Director declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 6 as Chair of the Board of Governors of City of Wolverhampton College.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 319 KB

[For approval]

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

4.

Matters arising

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting]

Minutes:

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

5.

Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 pdf icon PDF 484 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the draft budget strategy linked to the Five Year Financial Strategy, including the budget reduction and income generation targets, be approved for inclusion in the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024, to be reported to Cabinet in October 2019.

2. That it be approved that work continue between August and October 2019 to further develop the budget reduction and income generation proposals identified in this report, in order to ensure that a balanced budget can be set for 2020-2021.

3. That it be approved that progress on the development of budget reduction and income generation proposals be reported to Cabinet in October 2019 for approval to proceed to the formal consultation stage of the budget process.

4. That it be approved that further options are explored between August and October 2019 to address the updated projected budget deficit of £4.9 million for 2020-2021 based on the Council’s Five Year Financial Strategy.

5. That it be noted that, a number of assumptions have been made with regards to the level of resources that will be available to the Council as detailed in section 5 of this report. It is important to note that there continues to be a considerable amount of uncertainty with regards to future income streams for local authorities over the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review period. At the point that further information is known it will be incorporated into future reports to Councillors. Any reduction in the Government’s allocation of funding to the Council would have a significant detrimental impact and further increase the budget deficit forecast over the medium term.

6. That it be noted that, due to external factors, budget assumptions remain subject to significant change, which could, therefore, result in alterations to the financial position facing the Council.

7. That it be noted that an element of the high-level strategy for 2020-2021 relate to one-off opportunities that can be achieved in 2020-2021.

8. That it be noted that the updated projected deficit assumes the achievement of budget reduction and income generation proposals amounting to £9.6 million over period 2019-2020 to 2023- 2024.

9. That it be noted that the 2020-2021 budget timetable will, as in previous years, include an updated report presented to Cabinet in October 2019 detailing budget reduction and income generation proposals that will be subject to formal budget consultation during October to December 2019. Further to this, an update on all budget assumptions and the Provisional Local Government Settlement will be presented to Cabinet by January 2020, with the final budget report due to be approved by Full Council in March 2020.

10. That it be noted that the overall level of risk associated with the 2019-2020 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 is assessed as Red.

Minutes:

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Draft Budget and Medium Term  Financial Strategy 2020 – 2021 report for approval. The report provided Councillors with an update on progress towards identifying additional budget reduction proposals in order to address the projected budget deficit of £27.3 million in 2020 – 2021, rising to £40 – 50 million over the medium term to 2023 – 2024.

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the draft budget strategy linked to the Five Year Financial Strategy, including the budget reduction and income generation targets, be approved for inclusion in the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024, to be reported to Cabinet in October 2019.

2. That it be approved that work continue between August and October 2019 to further develop the budget reduction and income generation proposals identified in this report, in order to ensure that a balanced budget can be set for 2020-2021.

3. That it be approved that progress on the development of budget reduction and income generation proposals be reported to Cabinet in October 2019 for approval to proceed to the formal consultation stage of the budget process.

4. That it be approved that further options are explored between August and October 2019 to address the updated projected budget deficit of £4.9 million for 2020-2021 based on the Council’s Five Year Financial Strategy.

5. That it be noted that, a number of assumptions have been made with regards to the level of resources that will be available to the Council as detailed in section 5 of this report. It is important to note that there continues to be a considerable amount of uncertainty with regards to future income streams for local authorities over the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review period. At the point that further information is known it will be incorporated into future reports to Councillors. Any reduction in the Government’s allocation of funding to the Council would have a significant detrimental impact and further increase the budget deficit forecast over the medium term.

6. That it be noted that, due to external factors, budget assumptions remain subject to significant change, which could, therefore, result in alterations to the financial position facing the Council.

7. That it be noted that an element of the high-level strategy for 2020-2021 relate to one-off opportunities that can be achieved in 2020-2021.

8. That it be noted that the updated projected deficit assumes the achievement of budget reduction and income generation proposals amounting to £9.6 million over period 2019-2020 to 2023- 2024.

9. That it be noted that the 2020-2021 budget timetable will, as in previous years, include an updated report presented to Cabinet in October 2019 detailing budget reduction and income generation proposals that will be subject to formal budget consultation during October to December 2019. Further to this, an update on all budget assumptions and the Provisional Local Government Settlement will be presented to Cabinet by January 2020, with the final budget report due to be approved by Full Council in March 2020.

10.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

City Learning Quarter pdf icon PDF 182 KB

Decision:

1. That the delivery of the City Learning Quarter project, in line with the business case and funding strategy, be approved.

2. That funds of up to £4 million be approved to progress the design and fund the continued development of the project, to be repaid once additional grants have been secured.

3. That it be approved for City of Wolverhampton Council to lead on both the City Learning Quarter and Wellington Road BCLEP bids (on behalf of City of Wolverhampton College) to deliver a comprehensive programme.

4. That it be approved that supplementary budgets are established for the Wellington Road project, subject to funding.

Minutes:

Mark Taylor, Deputy Managing Director left the room at this point and took no part in the consideration of this item.

 

Councillor Harman Banger presented the City Learning Quarter report for approval. It was noted that on 20 September 2017, Council approved the capital budget of £50 million for the City Learning Quarter and approved that authority be delegated to Cabinet to approve final business case and funding strategy. The report provided an update on the City Learning Quarter (CLQ) programme and Cabinet were recommended to approve the final business case and funding strategy.

 

It was noted that the funding strategy was subject to receiving grants through the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) and Cabinet were asked to consider approving the ongoing use of Council resources to fund the project until such time as external funding was secured.

 

It was highlighted that the scheme would generate 248 new job opportunities and safeguard 497 existing jobs within the City.  It was noted that a reduction of 613 tonnes of CO2 released into the atmosphere was anticipated, which was a great positive in light of the recent Climate Emergency declaration, as well as the reduction of NOX emissions by over 300 kg per year.

 

It was also anticipated that the scheme would accommodate a college population of almost 4,000 students. It was agreed that this would provide a revitalisation of the City centre and the importance of the provision of further education within Wolverhampton was strongly underlined.

 

The scheme and the team of officers involved in the delivery of the scheme were commended.

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the delivery of the City Learning Quarter project, in line with the business case and funding strategy, be approved.

2. That funds of up to £4 million be approved to progress the design and fund the continued development of the project, to be repaid once additional grants have been secured.

3. That it be approved for City of Wolverhampton Council to lead on both the City Learning Quarter and Wellington Road BCLEP bids (on behalf of City of Wolverhampton College) to deliver a comprehensive programme.

4. That it be approved that supplementary budgets are established for the Wellington Road project, subject to funding.

7.

Joint Dementia Strategy for Wolverhampton pdf icon PDF 598 KB

[To approve the Joint Dementia Strategy for Wolverhampton.]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the updated Joint Dementia Strategy 2019 2024 for Wolverhampton be approved.

2. That the topic specific Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for Dementia in Wolverhampton be approved.

3. That it be noted that an action plan has been developed to accompany the Strategy document which will be monitored by the Better Care Fund Dementia workstream group.

Minutes:

Councillor Linda Leach presented the Joint Dementia Strategy for Wolverhampton for approval. The report outlined the aims and scope of the updated Joint Dementia Strategy 2019 – 2024 for Wolverhampton, produced by a multi-agency workgroup including representation from the voluntary and community sector as well as carers of people who were living with dementia. It was highlighted that the strategy also included those who were deaf or hard of hearing and BAME communities.

 

The strategy placed an emphasis on increasing early diagnosis to ensure early access to treatment and services and that work needed to be continued to identify gaps in the service and meet the needs of those living with dementia.

 

It was noted that Wolverhampton had achieved the status of Dementia Friendly Community of the Year in 2018 and that the strategy supported the aspiration to continue to be a dementia friendly City. It was highlighted that a series of dementia friendly café sessions were also available.

 

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the updated Joint Dementia Strategy 2019 2024 for Wolverhampton be approved.

2. That the topic specific Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for Dementia in Wolverhampton be approved.

3. That it be noted that an action plan has been developed to accompany the Strategy document which will be monitored by the Better Care Fund Dementia workstream group.

8.

Wolverhampton Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements for children, as approved by the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children’s Board, be endorsed to ensure compliance with the Social Work Act 2017 and subsequent guidance set out in Working Together 2018.

2. That the application of the outlined proposals for the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children’s Board to be applied to the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Adult’s Board be endorsed, to ensure the continued integration of the arrangements going forward.

3. That it be agreed that City of Wolverhampton Council, as a statutory safeguarding partner in both arrangements, participate within the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together arrangements, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

4. That it be noted that the new arrangements for children were published on 28 June 2019 in line with statutory requirements and will take affect from 30 September 2019.

Minutes:

In the absence of Councillor John Reynolds, Councillor Linda Leach presented the Wolverhampton Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements report for approval. The report set out the new Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements for Wolverhampton, which would be known as Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together, to ensure compliance with the Social Work Act 2017 and subsequent Working Together 2018 guidance.

 

The report also highlighted the consultation work undertaken by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Board in developing the proposals as well as the main significant changes between the existing arrangements and the new ones which would be implemented from 30 September 2019. It was noted that the single Independent Chair would be replaced by partner representatives on rotation.

 

It was noted that the key strength of the current arrangements was the integration of the Adults’ and Children’s Safeguarding Boards

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements for children, as approved by the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children’s Board, be endorsed to ensure compliance with the Social Work Act 2017 and subsequent guidance set out in Working Together 2018.

2. That the application of the outlined proposals for the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children’s Board to be applied to the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Adult’s Board be endorsed, to ensure the continued integration of the arrangements going forward.

3. That it be agreed that City of Wolverhampton Council, as a statutory safeguarding partner in both arrangements, participate within the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together arrangements, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

4. That it be noted that the new arrangements for children were published on 28 June 2019 in line with statutory requirements and will take affect from 30 September 2019.

9.

Exclusion of press and public

[To pass the following resolution:

 

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below.]

Decision:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

10.

Grand Theatre Expansion Plans

Decision:

1. That the City of Wolverhampton Council (Grand Theatre Expansion) Compulsory Purchase Order ("the Order") under Section 226 (1) (a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 be made for the acquisition of land and new rights within the area shown coloured edged red on the plan detailed in the report for the purposes of securing an expansion of the adjacent Grand Theatre.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to:

a. Take all necessary steps as soon as is reasonably practical to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the Order including the publication and service of all notices and the presentation of the Council's case at any Public Inquiry;

b. Acquire interests in land and new rights within the Order either by agreement or compulsorily including prior to the making of the Order;

 c. Approve agreements with land owners setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the Order, including where appropriate seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the Order and/or making arrangements for rehousing or relocation of any occupiers.

3. That the Chief Legal Officer be authorised to execute all necessary legal agreements relating to the Order and the acquisition of land.

Minutes:

Councillor Harman Banger presented Grand Theatre Expansion Plans that was exempt as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the City of Wolverhampton Council (Grand Theatre Expansion) Compulsory Purchase Order ("the Order") under Section 226 (1) (a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 be made for the acquisition of land and new rights within the area shown coloured edged red on the plan detailed in the report for the purposes of securing an expansion of the adjacent Grand Theatre.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to:

a. Take all necessary steps as soon as is reasonably practical to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the Order including the publication and service of all notices and the presentation of the Council's case at any Public Inquiry;

b. Acquire interests in land and new rights within the Order either by agreement or compulsorily including prior to the making of the Order;

 c. Approve agreements with land owners setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the Order, including where appropriate seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the Order and/or making arrangements for rehousing or relocation of any occupiers.

3. That the Chief Legal Officer be authorised to execute all necessary legal agreements relating to the Order and the acquisition of land.