Agenda, decisions and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

There were no declarations of interest submitted.

[For approval]

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 April 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

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

[To designate the Wyrley and Essington Canal Local Nature Reserve (Wolverhampton part) and approve an associated legal agreement.]

1. That the declaration under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (as amended) of that part of the Black Country Wyrley & Essington Canal Local Nature Reserve (LNR), which falls within the City of Wolverhampton administrative area as shown on Plan 1 in the report, be approved.

2. That the City of Wolverhampton Council be authorised to enter into a Collaboration Agreement with the Canal & River Trust and Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to manage the LNR for 21 years in accordance with the published Management Plan.

3. That the designation of the Wyrley & Essington Canal Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), as shown on Plan 2, be authorised.

4. That it be agreed to receive a further report in 2020 to summarise progress made on delivering key actions in the Management Plan and to consider any appropriate updates or changes needed to the Management Plan.

Councillor John Reynolds presented the report and sought approval to declare a new Local Nature Reserve in Wolverhampton covering the Wyrley & Essington Canal and adjoining land owned by the Council, to enter into a collaboration agreement with the Canal & River Trust and Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to manage the Local Nature Reserve appropriately and to designate the Reserve in Wolverhampton as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

Resolved:

1. That the declaration under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (as amended) of that part of the Black Country Wyrley & Essington Canal Local Nature Reserve (LNR), which falls within the City of Wolverhampton administrative area as shown on Plan 1 in the report, be approved.

2. That the City of Wolverhampton Council be authorised to enter into a Collaboration Agreement with the Canal & River Trust and Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to manage the LNR for 21 years in accordance with the published Management Plan.

3. That the designation of the Wyrley & Essington Canal Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), as shown on Plan 2, be authorised.

4. That it be agreed to receive a further report in 2020 to summarise progress made on delivering key actions in the Management Plan and to consider any appropriate updates or changes needed to the Management Plan.

[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.]

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 any individual, information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual and/or information relating to the business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)].

[To seek approval of a new service model for the delivery of housing services between the City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes.]

Report to follow.

Resolved:

That the report be withdrawn from the meeting.

[To seek a decision in relation to the leasehold (former council flats sold under Right to Buy legislation) flats which are due to have major works carried out, this meaning the leaseholder will face significant charges under the service charge provision of the lease.]

1. That it be approved, that where the leaseholder contribution to the cost of approved works in the Heath Town estate refurbishment programme exceeds 30% of the market value of the property, the Council will, on request, offer to purchase the property from the leaseholder, subject to the conditions outlined in this report.

2. That it be approved that the methodology outlined for the Heath Town programme will form the basis of future offers for leaseholders subject to major investment programmes, subject to Cabinet approval.

1. That it be noted that the Council will offer to grant a secure tenancy in respect of a property purchased under this policy, subject to any cost adjustment in the valuation for not having vacant possession, and having regard to the Council’s allocation policy.

Councillor Peter Bilson presented the report and requested approval for the Council to offer to purchase property involved in the Heath Town estate refurbishment programme where the leaseholder contribution would exceed an agreed percentage of the cost, and for the methodology set out in the report to form the basis of offers for leaseholders subject to similar programmes in the future, subject to the approval of Cabinet.

Resolved:

1. That it be approved, that where the leaseholder contribution to the cost of approved works in the Heath Town estate refurbishment programme exceeds 30% of the market value of the property, the Council will, on request, offer to purchase the property from the leaseholder, subject to the conditions outlined in this report.

2. That it be approved that the methodology outlined for the Heath Town programme will form the basis of future offers for leaseholders subject to major investment programmes, subject to Cabinet approval.

1. That it be noted that the Council will offer to grant a secure tenancy in respect of a property purchased under this policy, subject to any cost adjustment in the valuation for not having vacant possession, and having regard to the Council’s allocation policy.