Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Contact: Dereck Francis, Democratic Services  01902 555835 or Email: dereck.francis@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Peter Bilson, Linda Leach and Sandra Samuels OBE.

2.

Declarations of interests

Minutes:

No declarations of interests were made.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting - 18 June 2019 pdf icon PDF 356 KB

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record]

Minutes:

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 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.

Revenue Budget Monitoring pdf icon PDF 570 KB

[To receive a projection of the likely revenue outturn position for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account compared with the Council’s approved revenue budgets for 2019-2020]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.       That the use of £735,000 from the Regeneration Reserve to fund various development works and schemes as detailed at paragraph 5.4 of the report be approved.

 

2.       That the use of £8,000 from the Community Initiatives and Crowdfund Wolves Reserve to community led projects in the City as detailed at paragraph 5.5 of the report be approved.

 

3.       That the use of £5,000 from the Art Gallery Touring Exhibitions Reserve to support the costs of touring exhibitions as detailed at paragraph 5.6 of the report be approved.

 

4.       That the use of £4.3 million from the Adult Social Care Reserve to address in year forecast pressures across Adult Services as detailed at paragraph 5.7 of the report be approved.

 

5.       That the use of £500,000 from the Highways Management Reserve and to support Highways and Transportation projects and programmes as detailed in paragraph 5.8 of the report be approved.

 

6.       That the use of £135,000 from the Efficiency Reserve to fund Business Support Programme as detailed at paragraph 5.9 of the report be approved.

 

7.       That the use of £19,000 from the Transformation Reserve to fund library transformation programme for Finchfield and Central Libraries as detailed in paragraph 5.10 of the report be approved.

 

8.       That the contribution of £147,000 from ICTS to the Transformation Reserve to accommodate one off revenue costs of the OLM project going live in 2020-2021 as detailed in paragraph 5.11 of the report be approved.

 

9.       That the use of £122,000 from the Budget Contingency Reserve to fund academy conversion deficit as detailed in paragraph 5.12 of the report be approved.

 

10.   That 21 virements totalling £9.5 million, for transfers within directorates, as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report be approved.

 

11.   That a virement totalling £4.1 million, for transfers within the Housing Revenue Account, as detailed in paragraph 9.6 of the report be approved.

 

12.   That the establishment of supplementary expenditure budgets within the 2019-2020 approved budgets as detailed in paragraph 4.0 of the report for grant funded expenditure be approved.

 

13.   That a grant payment to The Way Youth Zone in 2019-2020 as detailed in paragraph 4.3 of the report be approved.

 

14.   That the write off of nine Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) debts totalling £85,990.09 as detailed in Appendix 5 to the report be approved.

 

15.   That the write off of four Council Tax debts totalling £27,623.83 as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report be approved.

 

16.   That the write off of five sundry debts totalling £66,544.02 as detailed in Appendix 7 to the report be approved.

 

17.   That it be noted that the overall projected outturn for the General Fund for 2019-2020 is forecast to be an overspend in the region of £2.2 million. 

 

18.   That it be noted that this position is not untypical at this point in the financial year. The forecast overspend is largely attributable to demand led services.  It is important to note that it is early in the financial  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

Minutes:

Councillor Louise Miles presented the report on the Council’s revenue budget outturn position for quarter one of 2019-2020 compared with approved budget and targets. She informed the Panel that the recommendations in the report included plans to use specific reserves to address areas where the Council faced cost pressures, such as Adult Social Care and Children’s Services.  Requests for write-offs, virements and use of reserves were all considered to be prudent in the opinion of the Director of Finance.  Councillor Louise Miles also drew to the Panel’s attention that a surplus of £21.1 million was being projected on the outturn of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) compared with a budgeted surplus of £16.9 million.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the use of £735,000 from the Regeneration Reserve to fund various development works and schemes as detailed at paragraph 5.4 of the report be approved.

 

2.    That the use of £8,000 from the Community Initiatives and Crowdfund Wolves Reserve to community led projects in the City as detailed at paragraph 5.5 of the report be approved.

 

3.    That the use of £5,000 from the Art Gallery Touring Exhibitions Reserve to support the costs of touring exhibitions as detailed at paragraph 5.6 of the report be approved.

 

4.    That the use of £4.3 million from the Adult Social Care Reserve to address in year forecast pressures across Adult Services as detailed at paragraph 5.7 of the report be approved.

 

5.    That the use of £500,000 from the Highways Management Reserve and to support Highways and Transportation projects and programmes as detailed in paragraph 5.8 of the report be approved.

 

6.    That the use of £135,000 from the Efficiency Reserve to fund Business Support Programme as detailed at paragraph 5.9 of the report be approved.

 

7.    That the use of £19,000 from the Transformation Reserve to fund library transformation programme for Finchfield and Central Libraries as detailed in paragraph 5.10 of the report be approved.

 

8.    That the contribution of £147,000 from ICTS to the Transformation Reserve to accommodate one off revenue costs of the OLM project going live in 2020-2021 as detailed in paragraph 5.11 of the report be approved.

 

9.    That the use of £122,000 from the Budget Contingency Reserve to fund academy conversion deficit as detailed in paragraph 5.12 of the report be approved.

 

10.That 21 virements totalling £9.5 million, for transfers within directorates, as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report be approved.

 

11.That a virement totalling £4.1 million, for transfers within the Housing Revenue Account, as detailed in paragraph 9.6 of the report be approved.

 

12.That the establishment of supplementary expenditure budgets within the 2019-2020 approved budgets as detailed in paragraph 4.0 of the report for grant funded expenditure be approved.

 

13.That a grant payment to The Way Youth Zone in 2019-2020 as detailed in paragraph 4.3 of the report be approved.

 

14.That the write off of nine Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) debts totalling £85,990.09 as detailed in Appendix 5 to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

New Park Village Redevelopment Programme pdf icon PDF 185 KB

[To approve proposal for the redevelopment of New Park Village]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.       That the proposal for the redevelopment of New Park Village, Ellerton Walk, to include targeted demolition and rebuild be approved.

 

2.       That it be agreed to cease letting of properties within the area of Ellerton Walk proposed for redevelopment, shown on the map at Appendix 1 to the report, and the use of these for temporary accommodation as appropriate until demolition plans progress.

 

3.       That subject to the approval of recommendation 1 above, the Right to Buy of Council rented properties within the area of Ellerton Walk proposed for redevelopment, shown on the map at Appendix 1 to the report be suspended.

 

4.       That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing to approve the detailed development of the proposed redevelopment programme and enter into any legal agreements or funding arrangements required for the delivery of this scheme.

 

5.       That the principle of buying former council properties either leasehold or freehold on the estate to assist with the redevelopment proposals, and the funding of these purchases from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) funds identified for the Ellerton Walk redevelopment be approved.

 

6.       That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing to approve individual property purchases by the HRA in support of the redevelopment proposals.

 

7.       That the making of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) under Part II, Section 17, Housing Act 1985 if acquisition is not successful through voluntary negotiations with individual home owners be approved.

 

8.       That the payment of Home loss and disturbance allowance payments for residents displaced by planned demolition, as identified during the redevelopment programme, in accordance with the Land Compensation Act 1973 be approved.

 

9.       That further reports on the redevelopment proposals for the Ellerton Walk area, including those seeking approval of the final extent of the scheme, its cost, and the appointment of master planning architects and contractors be submitted to the Panel.

 

10.   That the progress made to date on the consultation with New Park Village, Ellerton Walk Residents and the Board of the New Park Village Tenant Management Cooperative be noted.

 

11.   That it be noted that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital programme includes approved budgetary provision to fund the proposed redevelopment scheme.

Minutes:

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on proposals for the redevelopment of council housing in New Park Village, Ellerton Walk.    

 

Resolved:

1.     That the proposal for the redevelopment of New Park Village, Ellerton Walk, to include targeted demolition and rebuild be approved.

 

2.     That it be agreed to cease letting of properties within the area of Ellerton Walk proposed for redevelopment, shown on the map at Appendix 1 to the report, and the use of these for temporary accommodation as appropriate until demolition plans progress.

 

3.     That subject to the approval of recommendation 1 above, the Right to Buy of Council rented properties within the area of Ellerton Walk proposed for redevelopment, shown on the map at Appendix 1 to the report be suspended.

 

4.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing to approve the detailed development of the proposed redevelopment programme and enter into any legal agreements or funding arrangements required for the delivery of this scheme.

 

5.     That the principle of buying former council properties either leasehold or freehold on the estate to assist with the redevelopment proposals, and the funding of these purchases from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) funds identified for the Ellerton Walk redevelopment be approved.

 

6.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing to approve individual property purchases by the HRA in support of the redevelopment proposals.

 

7.     That the making of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) under Part II, Section 17, Housing Act 1985 if acquisition is not successful through voluntary negotiations with individual home owners be approved.

 

8.     That the payment of Home loss and disturbance allowance payments for residents displaced by planned demolition, as identified during the redevelopment programme, in accordance with the Land Compensation Act 1973 be approved.

 

9.     That further reports on the redevelopment proposals for the Ellerton Walk area, including those seeking approval of the final extent of the scheme, its cost, and the appointment of master planning architects and contractors be submitted to the Panel.

 

10. That the progress made to date on the consultation with New Park Village, Ellerton Walk Residents and the Board of the New Park Village Tenant Management Cooperative be noted.

 

11.That it be noted that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital programme includes approved budgetary provision to fund the proposed redevelopment scheme. 

7.

Appointeeship Charging pdf icon PDF 280 KB

[To approve the implementation of a charge to customers for whom Adult Social Care Act as Corporate Appointee for the Department of Work and Pensions benefit claiming purposes]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.       That the implementation of a charge to individuals for whom Adult Social Care is the Corporate Appointee for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits claiming be approved.

 

2.       That the following Appointeeship charge for individuals who have a balance of more than £1,000 in their account following the deduction of their usual monthly expenditure be approved:

 

·         £5.00 per week for individuals living in the community

·         £3.00 per week for individuals residing in a care home

 

3.       That a review be undertaken of the charge in 12 months after implementation to assess its impact on the level of demand.

 

4.       That the comments of the Adult and Safer City Scrutiny Panel on the proposed changes be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor Louise Miles presented the report on a proposal to implement a charge for the Corporate Appointeeship Service delivered by the Customer Finance Team to vulnerable Adult Social Care customers in receipt of Social Security benefits who lacked capacity to manage their financial affairs.  The provision of an Appointeeship Service was not a statutory duty for local authorities, but the Care Act 2014 does state that Local Authorities should provide ‘information and advice on the Court of Protection, Power of Attorney and becoming a Deputy’. The proposal aimed to ensure the delivery of support for individuals in need at a reasonable cost and enabling a sustainable Appointeeship Service which was working towards self-funding.

 

Resolved:

1.     That the implementation of a charge to individuals for whom Adult Social Care is the Corporate Appointee for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits claiming be approved.

 

2.     That the following Appointeeship charge for individuals who have a balance of more than £1,000 in their account following the deduction of their usual monthly expenditure be approved:

 

·         £5.00 per week for individuals living in the community

·         £3.00 per week for individuals residing in a care home

 

3.     That a review be undertaken of the charge in 12 months after implementation to assess its impact on the level of demand.

 

4.     That the comments of the Adult and Safer City Scrutiny Panel on the proposed changes be noted.

8.

Schedule of Individual Executive Decision Notices pdf icon PDF 244 KB

[To note the summary of open and exempt individual executive decision notices approved by cabinet members following consultation with relevant employees]

Decision:

That the summary of open and exempt individual executive decisions approved by the appropriate Cabinet Members following consultation with the relevant employees be noted.

Minutes:

Resolved:

That the summary of open and exempt individual executive decisions approved by the appropriate Cabinet Members following consultation with the relevant employees be noted.

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]

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 falling within the paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Part 2 - exempt items, closed to press and public

10.

Procurement - Award of Contracts for Works, Goods and Services

[To approve the award of contracts for works, goods and services]

Decision:

 

1.       That the variation of the contracts with Turner and Townsend Limited of Low Hall, Calverley Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4GH for Provision of Programme Management for the City Learning Quarter until to 31 December 2019 with a variation value of £400,000 be approved.    

 

2.       That the extension of the contract with Biffa Waste Services Limited of Coronation Road Cressex High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP12 3TZ for the use of a residual disposal point (landfill) for a duration of seven months from 1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020with an estimated extension value of £254,000 be approved.

 

3.       That the extension of the contract with S & B Waste Management and Recycling Limited of 39 High Street, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton for waste disposal (bulky, rubble, plasterboard) for a duration of seven months from 1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020 with an estimated extension value of £205,000 be approved.

 

4.       That the extension of the contract with UPM-Kymmene (UK) Limited, Shotton Paper Weighbridge Road, Shotton, Flintshire, CH5 2LL for the use of a Material Recycling Facility (MRF) and selling of associated recycled materials for a duration of seven months from 1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020with an estimated extension value of £544,000 be approved.

 

5.       That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Director of City Environment, to approve the award of a contract for works to infill the Craddock Street Subway when the evaluation process is complete.

 

6.       That the variation of the contract with Idox plc of 2nd floor, 1310 Waterside, Arlington Business Park, Theale, RG7 4SA for Taxi Licencing development and configuration from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2025 with a variation value of £560,500 be approved.

 

7.       That the partnership allocation with Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to secure the delivery of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme and Sexual Health services for a period of up to ten years from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2029 be increased by £535,000 taking the total maximum contract value to £77,488,750. An annual review of the partnership arrangement would  consider where efficiencies can be made with a view to reducing costs over the lifetime of the partnership.

 

8.       That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing in consultation with the Director of Public Health, to approve the details of the partnering agreement to include the additional funding of £535,000 and the additional relevant ancillary services in the partnering arrangement.

 

9.       That the extension of the contract with Cipfa C. Co. Limited of The Quadrant Mercury Court, Chester West Employment Park, Chester, CH1 4QR for Digital Transformation Project Management Support, for a duration of up to six months with a maximum value of £100,000 be approved.

 

10.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services to approve the award of a contract for the provision of key workers for the Young Persons  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

Minutes:

The Panel considered proposals for the award of contracts for works, good and services.  Paragraph 6.13 of the report was corrected by the substitution of the work ‘Leisure’ for the word ‘Licensing’.

 

Resolved:

1.     That the variation of the contracts with Turner and Townsend Limited of Low Hall, Calverley Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4GH for Provision of Programme Management for the City Learning Quarter until to 31 December 2019 with a variation value of £400,000 be approved.   

 

2.   That the extension of the contract with Biffa Waste Services Limited of Coronation Road Cressex High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP12 3TZ for the use of a residual disposal point (landfill) for a duration of seven months from 1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020 with an estimated extension value of £254,000 be approved.

 

3.   That the extension of the contract with S & B Waste Management and Recycling Limited of 39 High Street, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton for waste disposal (bulky, rubble, plasterboard) for a duration of seven months from 1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020 with an estimated extension value of £205,000 be approved.

 

4.   That the extension of the contract with UPM-Kymmene (UK) Limited, Shotton Paper Weighbridge Road, Shotton, Flintshire, CH5 2LL for the use of a Material Recycling Facility (MRF) and selling of associated recycled materials for a duration of seven months from 1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020 with an estimated extension value of £544,000 be approved.

 

5.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Director of City Environment, to approve the award of a contract for works to infill the Craddock Street Subway when the evaluation process is complete.

 

6.   That the variation of the contract with Idox plc of 2nd floor, 1310 Waterside, Arlington Business Park, Theale, RG7 4SA for Taxi Licencing development and configuration from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2025 with a variation value of £560,500 be approved.

 

7.   That the partnership allocation with Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to secure the delivery of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme and Sexual Health services for a period of up to ten years from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2029 be increased by £535,000 taking the total maximum contract value to £77,488,750. An annual review of the partnership arrangement would consider where efficiencies can be made with a view to reducing costs over the lifetime of the partnership.

 

8.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing in consultation with the Director of Public Health, to approve the details of the partnering agreement to include the additional funding of £535,000 and the additional relevant ancillary services in the partnering arrangement.

 

9.   That the extension of the contract with Cipfa C. Co. Limited of The Quadrant Mercury Court, Chester West Employment Park, Chester, CH1 4QR for Digital Transformation Project Management Support, for a duration of up to six months with a maximum value of £100,000 be approved.

 

10. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Valuations for Property Purchases from WV Living

[To approve the process by which the valuations for the sale of properties from WV Living to the Council (Housing Revenue Account) are negotiated]

Decision:

1.       That the purchase of S106 affordable homes from WV Living on the Prouds Lane site and the Sweet Briar Road site by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for use as council housing for Affordable Rent be approved.

 

2.       That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services, to agree the purchase price of the S.106 homes, based upon an assessment of value provided by a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) valuer.

 

3.       That the purchase of Shared Ownership properties from WV Living on the Prouds Lane site and the Sweet Briary site by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for leasehold sale by the Council for Shared Ownership, at the market value prices as given at Appendix 2 to the report be approved. The Council received grant funding from Homes England for the Shared Ownership units and the RICS valuations which determine the purchase price have been carried out in line with the methodology required by Homes England. 

 

4.       That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services, for any minor variations to the Shared Ownership scheme required from time to time.

 

5.       That it be noted that further reports would be provided in relation to further HRA property purchases on WV Living sites.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on the planned delivery of new s106 affordable homes and shared ownership properties on the Peascroft site at Prouds Lane, Bilston and on the Sweet Briary and Sweet Briar Road sites at Ettingshall. The purchase the s106 affordable units at the sites, would fulfil the Council’s requirements of the s106 agreement by ensuring that the homes are let for affordable rent. It had the added benefit of replacing some of the affordable council homes sold through the Right-to-Buy legislation, as part of a planned programme of expenditure with 30 percent funding from Right-to-Buy Receipts.

 

Resolved:

1.   That the purchase of s106 affordable homes from WV Living on the Prouds Lane site and the Sweet Briar Road site by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for use as council housing for Affordable Rent be approved.

 

2.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services, to agree the purchase price of the s106 homes, based upon an assessment of value provided by a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) valuer.

 

3.   That the purchase of Shared Ownership properties from WV Living on the Prouds Lane site and the Sweet Briary site by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for leasehold sale by the Council for Shared Ownership, at the market value prices as given at Appendix 2 to the report be approved. The Council received grant funding from Homes England for the Shared Ownership units and the RICS valuations which determine the purchase price have been carried out in line with the methodology required by Homes England. 

 

4.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services, for any minor variations to the Shared Ownership scheme required from time to time.

 

5.    That it be noted that further reports would be provided in relation to further HRA property purchases on WV Living sites.

12.

Purchase of Additional Affordable Housing Units - Former Tower and Fort Development site, Graiseley.

[To approve the purchase of additional affordable housing units]

Decision:

1.     That the purchase of four additional affordable housing units for a total purchase price up to £580,000 from Galliford Try on the Former Tower and Fort Development site, Graiseley be approved.

 

2.     That an increase of £580,000 to the Housing Revenue Account capital programme budget for the Tower and Fort Works new build development for the purchase of these properties, to be funded from affordable housing funding received by the Council be approved.

 

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets in consultation with the Director of City Housing to approve any minor variations to the purchase of these additional affordable housing units.

Minutes:

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on a proposal to purchase of an additional four housing units, currently being developed by Galliford Try, on the Former Tower and Fort development site.  The properties would be managed by Wolverhampton Homes and would assist with the demands of the Council’s waiting lists.

 

Resolved:

1.   That the purchase of four additional affordable housing units for a total purchase price up to £580,000 from Galliford Try on the Former Tower and Fort Development site, Graiseley be approved.

 

2.   That an increase of £580,000 to the Housing Revenue Account capital programme budget for the Tower and Fort Works new build development for the purchase of these properties, to be funded from affordable housing funding received by the Council be approved.

 

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing to approve any minor variations to the purchase of these additional affordable housing units.