Agenda, decisions and minutes

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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 Councillors Peter Bilson and Paul Sweet.

2.

Declaration of interests

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest received.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 112 KB

[For approval]

Minutes:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 February 2018 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:

It was noted that this Cabinet meeting was Councillor Andrew Johnson’s last. The Cabinet recorded their thanks to Councillor Andrew Johnson for his work and service as Cabinet Member.

5.

West Midlands Joint Committee pdf icon PDF 68 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That Cabinet recommends that Council:

1. Agree to the dissolution of the West Midlands Joint Committee, for the reasons set out in this report.

2. Agree to set up a Joint Executive Committee with the other six Councils within the West Midlands for the purpose of airport decisions known as West Midlands Shareholders Airport Committee in accordance within the terms of reference set out at Appendix 4 to this report.

3. Agree to the proposals for managing the remaining residual business of the West Midlands Joint Committee once it is dissolved as set out in Appendix 3 to this report.

4. Note that the Monitoring Officer will set out all relevant changes to the Council’s Constitution at a future meeting of Full Council in order to enact recommendations 1 and 2.

5. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to negotiate, execute and complete all legal documents necessary to support and deliver the above recommendation.

Minutes:

Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the report on the West Midlands Joint Committee for approval and recommendation to Council. The report sought approval to dissolve the West Midlands Joint Committee and of the new arrangements for managing the remaining residual business, including matters related to Birmingham Airport.

 

That Cabinet recommends that Council:

1. Agree to the dissolution of the West Midlands Joint Committee, for the reasons set out in this report.

2. Agree to set up a Joint Executive Committee with the other six Councils within the West Midlands for the purpose of airport decisions known as West Midlands Shareholders Airport Committee in accordance within the terms of reference set out at Appendix 4 to this report.

3. Agree to the proposals for managing the remaining residual business of the West Midlands Joint Committee once it is dissolved as set out in Appendix 3 to this report.

4. Note that the Monitoring Officer will set out all relevant changes to the Council’s Constitution at a future meeting of Full Council in order to enact recommendations 1 and 2.

5. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to negotiate, execute and complete all legal documents necessary to support and deliver the above recommendation.

6.

Corporate Parenting Strategy 2018-2021 pdf icon PDF 69 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That Cabinet recommends that Council:

1. Approve the Corporate Parenting Strategy for three years from April 2018 to March 2021.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, to make any final amendments before publication.

 

1. That it be noted that the Corporate Parenting Strategy will be presented at the Corporate Parenting Board on 24 May 2018.

Minutes:

Councillor Val Gibson presented the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2018-2021 for approval and recommendation to Council. The Children and Social Work Act 2017 required local authorities to evidence how they

met the seven Corporate Parenting Principles in relation to looked after children and care leavers. The refreshed strategy provided a framework for both the City of Wolverhampton Council and its partners to ensure that services provided effective support for children and young people in or leaving care.

 

That Cabinet recommends that Council:

1. Approve the Corporate Parenting Strategy for three years from April 2018 to March 2021.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, to make any final amendments before publication.

 

Cabinet resolved:

1. That it be noted that the Corporate Parenting Strategy would be presented at the Corporate Parenting Board on 24 May 2018.

7.

Youth Council Annual Report 2017 pdf icon PDF 60 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the Youth Council’s future aims for 2018 be endorsed.

2. That the work of the City’s Youth Council throughout 2017 as outlined in their annual report attached as Appendix 1 to the report be acknowledged.

Minutes:

Councillor Val Gibson introduced the Youth Council Annual Report for 2017 for endorsement. Members of the Youth Council attended the meeting to present their report and gave an overview of the achievements made in 2017 and the priorities for the Youth Council in 2018. Councillors recorded their thanks to the Corporate Parenting Officer and the Participation Officers for their work. It was also noted that the Youth Council had participated in key areas of Council work, including the Libraries Review and the Budget Consultation. On both occasions the comments made by the Youth Council had been thorough and well received.

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the Youth Council’s future aims for 2018 be endorsed.

2. That the work of the City’s Youth Council throughout 2017 as outlined in their annual report attached as Appendix 1 to the report be acknowledged.

8.

No Recourse to Public Funds pdf icon PDF 124 KB

[To endorse the policy of no recourse to public funds for Adult Social Care and Children and Young People]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the policy and procedure regarding the support to be provided to families and adults with no recourse to public funds be approved.

2. That the financial support provided to families and adults with no recourse to public fund be approved to ensure that statutory responsibilities are met.

Subject to the following amendment to the report:

That paragraph 2.1 be removed and replaced with ‘Over the past few years there has been an increase in NRPF familied locating in the City of Wolverhampton. Some have been placed by London Boroughs due to the cost of private, rented accommodation. The majority of these families continue to be supported (including financially) by the originating London Borough. Some are assessed within Wolverhampton and require support directly. Where families choose to locate here themselves, the original London Borough will be contacted.’

Minutes:

Councillor Val Gibson presented the No Recourse to Public Funds report for approval. An amendment was required to paragraph 2.1 of the report to clarify the position. It was agreed that that paragraph 2.1 be removed and replaced with ‘Over the past few years there has been an increase in NRPF familied locating in the City of Wolverhampton. Some have been placed by London Boroughs due to the cost of private, rented accommodation. The majority of these families continue to be supported (including financially) by the originating London Borough. Some are assessed within Wolverhampton and require support directly. Where families choose to locate here themselves, the original London Borough will be contacted.’

 

There had been an increase in families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) being relocated outside of London. The policy would ensure consistency in the level of financial support offered throughout the City, following national NRPF network practice guidance. The policy also enabled the Council to fulfil the statutory duty required in supporting families and adults with NRPF.

 

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the policy and procedure regarding the support to be provided to families and adults with no recourse to public funds be approved.

2. That the financial support provided to families and adults with no recourse to public fund be approved to ensure that statutory responsibilities are met.

9.

Early Help Strategy 2018 - 2022 pdf icon PDF 80 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the Early Help Strategy 2018 – 2022 be approved.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, in consultation with the Director of Children Services, to make any minor changes to the Early Help Strategy arising from wider consultation.

3.   That it be noted that the Early Help Strategy 2018 – 2022 is a partnership approach and the final strategy will be endorsed by partners at the next Children’s Trust Board meeting on 14 June 2018.

Minutes:

Councillor Val Gibson presented the Early Help Strategy 2018 – 2022 for approval. The Strategy outlined the importance of working with vulnerable families at an early stage as intervening with low level problems could avoid the need for more services and costlier social care. The roles and responsibilities of all partners were outlined with priorities in two timeframes, 2018-2020 and 2020-2022 to ensure more measurable and achievable outcomes.

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the Early Help Strategy 2018 – 2022 be approved.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, in consultation with the Director of Children Services, to make any minor changes to the Early Help Strategy arising from wider consultation.

That it be noted that the Early Help Strategy 2018 – 2022 is a partnership approach and the final strategy will be endorsed by partners at the next Children’s Trust Board meeting on 14 June 2018.

10.

Governance of West Midlands Fire Service Public Consultation Outcomes pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the submission of the Governance Scheme with the results of the public consultation to the Secretary of State for the Home Office, be agreed so as to enable the transfer of governance of West Midlands Fire Service from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, to the Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority.

2. That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Managing Director, to approve the draft order received from Government to be laid before parliament, to enable the changes for West Midlands Combined Authority to assume governance of West Midlands Fire Service.

3. That the outcomes of the formal public consultation be noted.

4. That the changes to the indicative timeline presented to Cabinet on 18 October 2017 be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the Governance of West Midlands Fire Service Public Consultation Outcomes. The proposal outlined would see a transfer of the functions of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority to the West Midlands Combined Authority. A formal public consultation on the proposed scheme had concluded and the constituent authorities were asked to consent to the submission of the scheme and consultation results to the Secretary of State for the Home Office to enable the transfer of governance. 

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the submission of the Governance Scheme with the results of the public consultation to the Secretary of State for the Home Office, be agreed so as to enable the transfer of governance of West Midlands Fire Service from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, to the Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority.

2. That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Managing Director, to approve the draft order received from Government to be laid before parliament, to enable the changes for West Midlands Combined Authority to assume governance of West Midlands Fire Service.

3. That the outcomes of the formal public consultation be noted.

4. That the changes to the indicative timeline presented to Cabinet on 18 October 2017 be noted.

11.

Delivery of Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Management pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the Council entering into a Collaboration Agreement with West Midlands Fire Service be approved, whereby:

a. The overall day to day management and delivery of City of Wolverhampton Council’s emergency planning and business continuity management service is delegated to the West Midlands Fire Service;

b. The City of Wolverhampton Council remains the principal authority as regards its statutory obligations for civil contingencies;

c. The Council Cabinet portfolio holders retain overall responsibility for the strategic direction, budget setting and performance monitoring of the civil protection and emergency management service;

d. The Council’s Resilience Board oversees WMFS delivery of the service.

2. That the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) of City of Wolverhampton Council employees to West Midlands Fire Service be approved.

3. That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Managing Director and Director of Public Health, to proceed with the implementation of the proposal.

Minutes:

In the absence of Councillor Paul Sweet, Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the report on the Delivery of Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Management. The report outlined the proposal to transfer the day to day management and delivery of emergency planning and business continuity management services to the West Midlands Fire Service, whilst retaining political ownership. The transfer would achieve a more resilient, co-ordinated and effective service through a Collaboration Agreement.

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the Council entering into a Collaboration Agreement with West Midlands Fire Service be approved, whereby:

a. The overall day to day management and delivery of City of Wolverhampton Council’s emergency planning and business continuity management service was delegated to the West Midlands Fire Service;

b. The City of Wolverhampton Council remains the principal authority as regards its statutory obligations for civil contingencies;

c. The Council Cabinet portfolio holders retain overall responsibility for the strategic direction, budget setting and performance monitoring of the civil protection and emergency management service;

d. The Council’s Resilience Board oversees WMFS delivery of the service.

2. That the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) of City of Wolverhampton Council employees to West Midlands Fire Service be approved.

3. That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Managing Director and Director of Public Health, to proceed with the implementation of the proposal.

12.

Transportation Capital Programme, 2018-2019 and future years pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the list of projects for development and implementation as part of the Transportation Capital Programme 2018-2019 and future years, be agreed as set out in appendices 2 and 3 to the report.

2. That the Head of City Transport be authorised to proceed with development work for each project on the list including surveying, site investigation, options appraisal, feasibility analysis, traffic modelling, detailed design, statutory advertising and public consultation, as appropriate.

3. That the projects marked ‘Approve’ in the ‘Approval’ column of appendix 2 to the report be approved for implementation, subject to the availability of funding.

4. That the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Service Director for City Environment be authorised to approve, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice, implementation of the projects on the list marked ‘IEDN’ in the ‘Approval’ column of appendix 2 to the report, subject to the satisfactory outcome of public consultation, availability of funding and any other relevant considerations.

5. That the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Service Director for City Environment be authorised to approve, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice, the bringing forward of projects from appendix 3 to appendix 2 to the report and thereafter to approve them for implementation during 2018-2019 subject to the satisfactory outcome of public consultation, availability of funding and any other relevant considerations.

6. That it be agreed to receive further reports at the appropriate times in order to obtain the necessary authority to construct the projects marked ‘Cabinet’ in the ‘Approval’ column of appendix 2 to the report.

7. That the Director of Governance be authorised to serve all necessary notices in respect of the projects listed in appendix 2 to the report and, subject to there being no unresolved objections, make traffic regulation orders as required.

8. That the Director of Finance be authorised to enter into funding agreements with the various funding bodies to receive grant funding in respect of the projects included in the report.

9. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Strategic Director for Place and Director of Finance to approve capital budgets for transport projects upon receipt of a grant offer letter.

10. That the expenditure and progress made in delivering the projects in the Transportation Capital Programme during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, be noted as set out in appendix 1 to the report.

11. That the Council’s continuing success in bidding for additional funding and delivering new projects through the Highway Maintenance Challenge Fund, the Local Pinch Point Fund, the Access to Growth Fund, the Managing Short Trips programme and more recently the National Productivity Investment Fund be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor Steve Evans presented the Transportation Capital Programme, 2018-2019 and future years for approval. The report outlined the programme of capital funded projects to develop and maintain the transportation network. Councillors recorded their thanks to the officers involved for their work. The Cabinet Member was congratulated for work on the City’s canal towpaths and the implementation of the national cycling scheme.

 

Councillor Roger Lawrence declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Canal and River Trust Council.

Resolved:

 

1. That the list of projects for development and implementation as part of the Transportation Capital Programme 2018-2019 and future years, be agreed as set out in appendices 2 and 3 to the report.

2. That the Head of City Transport be authorised to proceed with development work for each project on the list including surveying, site investigation, options appraisal, feasibility analysis, traffic modelling, detailed design, statutory advertising and public consultation, as appropriate.

3. That the projects marked ‘Approve’ in the ‘Approval’ column of appendix 2 to the report be approved for implementation, subject to the availability of funding.

4. That the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Service Director for City Environment be authorised to approve, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice, implementation of the projects on the list marked ‘IEDN’ in the ‘Approval’ column of appendix 2 to the report, subject to the satisfactory outcome of public consultation, availability of funding and any other relevant considerations.

5. That the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Service Director for City Environment be authorised to approve, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice, the bringing forward of projects from appendix 3 to appendix 2 to the report and thereafter to approve them for implementation during 2018-2019 subject to the satisfactory outcome of public consultation, availability of funding and any other relevant considerations.

6. That it be agreed to receive further reports at the appropriate times in order to obtain the necessary authority to construct the projects marked ‘Cabinet’ in the ‘Approval’ column of appendix 2 to the report.

7. That the Director of Governance be authorised to serve all necessary notices in respect of the projects listed in appendix 2 to the report and, subject to there being no unresolved objections, make traffic regulation orders as required.

8. That the Director of Finance be authorised to enter into funding agreements with the various funding bodies to receive grant funding in respect of the projects included in the report.

9. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Strategic Director for Place and Director of Finance to approve capital budgets for transport projects upon receipt of a grant offer letter.

10. That the expenditure and progress made in delivering the projects in the Transportation Capital Programme during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, be noted as set out in appendix 1 to the report.

11. That the Council’s continuing success in bidding for additional funding and delivering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Allocations Policy and the Homelessness Reduction Act pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the amendments to the Allocations Policy in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act be approved, including the ability to discharge homeless duty into the private rented sector.

2. That the amendment to the data protection statement within the Allocations Policy be approved in readiness for the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations.

Minutes:

In the absence of Councillor Peter Bilson, Councillor Andrew Johnson presented the report on the Allocations Policy and the Homelessness Reduction Act for approval. The report set out the proposed changes to the Housing Allocations Policy in order to support the

Council to deliver a preventative homeless service in line with the new duties set out in the Homelessness Reduction Act.

 

Resolved:

 

1. That the amendments to the Allocations Policy in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act be approved, including the ability to discharge homeless duty into the private rented sector.

2. That the amendment to the data protection statement within the Allocations Policy be approved in readiness for the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations.

14.

Implementation of the Devolution Agreement for the Adult Education Budget pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1. That the making of a draft Devolution Order that will transfer powers to the West Midlands Combined Authority for Adult Education Budget functions and funding from the 2019-2020 academic year be approved.

2. That the delegation of necessary powers to the West Midlands Combined Authority to approve the final draft Devolution Order be approved.

3. That the Managing Director, following consultation with the Leader, be authorised to give any necessary consent on behalf of the Council to the making of the Order and to take any necessary or consequential action to approve the final draft Order.

Minutes:

Councillor John Reynolds presented the Implementation of the Devolution Agreement for the Adult Education Budget report for approval. A Parliamentary Order would be drafted to enable the transfer of functions and funding to the West Midlands Combined Authority for the Adult Education Budget from 2019-2020. The transfer would add flexibility to the budget for the region to address the deficit in skills in both Wolverhampton and the West Midlands.


Resolved:

 

1. That the making of a draft Devolution Order that would transfer powers to the West Midlands Combined Authority for Adult Education Budget functions and funding from the 2019-2020 academic year be approved.

2. That the delegation of necessary powers to the West Midlands Combined Authority to approve the final draft Devolution Order be approved.

3. That the Managing Director, following consultation with the Leader, be authorised to give any necessary consent on behalf of the Council to the making of the Order and to take any necessary or consequential action to approve the final draft Order.