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 Councillor Val Gibson.

2.

Declarations of interests

Minutes:

No declarations of interests were made.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting - 5 March 2019 pdf icon PDF 336 KB

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

Minutes:

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

4.

Matters arising

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes]

Minutes:

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

5.

Corporate Complaints Procedure pdf icon PDF 154 KB

[To approve amendments to the corporate complaints procedures]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the amendments to the Corporate Complaints Procedures to put in place a 12- month time limit for making a corporate complaint and revisions to the compliment process be approved.

Minutes:

Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the report on a proposed amendment to the Corporate Complaints Procedure to put in place a 12-month time limit for making a complaint and to include a compliment process. The proposal would bring the Council in line with best practice and policy from other local authorities, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and public bodies; provide consistency in approach; and provide effective early information to local people who may wish to raise a complaint.

 

Resolved:

That the amendments to the Corporate Complaints Procedures to put in place a 12- month time limit for making a corporate complaint and revisions to the compliment process be approved.

6.

Appointeeship Charging pdf icon PDF 275 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]

Decision:

That consideration of the report be deferred.

Minutes:

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE withdrew the report to allow further discussion on the proposal.

7.

Acquisition of Privately Owned Empty Property by Agreement or Compulsory Purchase: 45 Springhill Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 3AW pdf icon PDF 151 KB

[To approve the acquisition of the property by agreement or compulsory purchase]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.     That the Service Director of City Housing be authorised to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property 45 Springhill Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 3AW, and, in default of that acquisition, give authority for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to be made under Part II Section 17 Housing Act 1985 in respect of the property.

 

2.     That expenditure for the potential acquisition of the property, with subsequent capital receipts being recycled within the Empty Property Strategy programme be approved.

 

3.     That in the event that the property is improved and re-occupied to the satisfaction of the Service Director of City Housing the property be withdrawn from the CPO.

 

4.     That following any acquisition, the Service Director of City Housing be authorised to dispose of the property on the open market on condition that the property is refurbished and re-occupied with in six or 12 months (as appropriate to the scale of the works).

 

5.     That the Director of Governance be authorised to:

a.      Take all reasonable steps as soon as it is reasonably practical to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO including the publication and service of all Notices and the presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry.

 

b.      Approve agreements with the owners of the property setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, and/or making arrangements for re-housing or relocation of any occupiers.

 

c.      Approve the making of a General Vesting Declaration (the property is brought into Council ownership via this process).

 

d.      Approve the disposal of the whole and/ or parts of the property by auction, tender or private treaty. 

Minutes:

Councillor Peter Bilson presented the report seeking approval to authorise the acquisition of privately owned property 45 Springhill Road, Wednesfield by agreement or through compulsory purchase.

 

The proposal would ensure that the property provides much needed housing by prompting the owner to either act voluntarily or via enforcement through a CPO to bring the property back into use; ensure that the property does not continue to be visually detrimental to the area and does not continue to attract anti-social behaviour/ fly tipping; and ensure that the property has a positive financial impact on the public purse through additional New Homes Bonus funding and removing the on-going expenditure arising from anti-social behaviour.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the Service Director of City Housing be authorised to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property 45 Springhill Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 3AW, and, in default of that acquisition, give authority for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to be made under Part II Section 17 Housing Act 1985 in respect of the property.

 

2.    That expenditure for the potential acquisition of the property, with subsequent capital receipts being recycled within the Empty Property Strategy programme be approved.

 

3.    That in the event that the property is improved and re-occupied to the satisfaction of the Service Director of City Housing the property be withdrawn from the CPO.

 

4.    That following any acquisition, the Service Director of City Housing be authorised to dispose of the property on the open market on condition that the property is refurbished and re-occupied with in six or 12 months (as appropriate to the scale of the works).

 

5.    That the Director of Governance be authorised to:

a.     Take all reasonable steps as soon as it is reasonably practical to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO including the publication and service of all Notices and the presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry.

 

b.     Approve agreements with the owners of the property setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, and/or making arrangements for re-housing or relocation of any occupiers.

 

c.      Approve the making of a General Vesting Declaration (the property is brought into Council ownership via this process).

 

d.     Approve the disposal of the whole and/ or parts of the property by auction, tender or private treaty. 

8.

City East Gateway A454 Phase 1 and 2 Consultation Feedback and Preferred Option pdf icon PDF 200 KB

[To consider the outcomes of the consultation and to approve a preferred option to take the scheme forward]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.     That option D be endorsed as the preferred principles of a scheme for further development following the public consultation.

 

2.     That continued development work to progress the principle of option D to detailed design options and full business case be approved.

      

3.     That the submission of bids for potential funding be approved.

 

4.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and the Director of Finance to approve submission of funding bids and receive funding related to development activity for the major scheme preferred option D.

 

5.     That a further report be submitted in Autumn 2019 to provide detailed design options, enhanced costing information, funding options and provide feedback on on-going discussions with interested parties and potentially affected land owners.

Minutes:

Councillor Steve Evans presented the report on the outcomes from the consultation on options to improve the transport facilities along the City East Gateway – A454 Willenhall Road corridor. The public had been consulted on four options which had been developed to improve travel conditions and support the regeneration objectives for the Willenhall Road.  60 percent of respondents supported the multi-modal option D which included fundamental re-engineering of the available highway to provide a balanced provision for network users of all modes.  Approval of the Panel was sought to a preferred route to progress essential improvement works for the corridor.

 

Resolved:

1.    That option D be endorsed as the preferred principles of a scheme for further development following the public consultation.

 

2.    That continued development work to progress the principle of option D to detailed design options and full business case be approved.

      

3.    That the submission of bids for potential funding be approved.

 

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and the Director of Finance to approve submission of funding bids and receive funding related to development activity for the major scheme preferred option D.

 

5.    That a further report be submitted in Autumn 2019 to provide detailed design options, enhanced costing information, funding options and provide feedback on on-going discussions with interested parties and potentially affected land owners.

9.

Schedule of Individual Executive Decision Notices pdf icon PDF 216 KB

[To note the summary of open and exempt individual executive decisions 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.

10.

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

11.

Sufficiency of Extra Care Housing

[To support the extra care housing strategy to meet future need]

Decision:

1.     That the title of the report be amended to ‘Future Extracare Strategy for City of Wolverhampton’.

 

2.     That the extracare strategy to meet future need be supported.

 

3.     That the Panel receive a future update report setting out the proposed ambition timeline following market engagement including any known financial implications.

Minutes:

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE presented the report on the current provision of extra care housing within the city and on a strategy to meet future need.

She recommended that the title of the report be amended to ‘Future Extracare Strategy for City of Wolverhampton’ and that a further report be submitted to a future meeting setting out the proposed ambition timeline following market engagement including any known financial implications.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the title of the report be amended to ‘Future Extracare Strategy for City of Wolverhampton’.

 

2.    That the extracare strategy to meet future need be supported.

 

3.    That the Panel receive a future update report setting out the proposed ambition timeline following market engagement including any known financial implications.

12.

Schools Capital Programme 2019/2020

[To approve the Schools Capital Programme 2019/2020]

Decision:

1.     That the detailed projects for school’s condition allocation capital funding in 2019-2020 as listed in paragraph 3.7 of the report be approved.

 

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Education, to initiate works in relation to emergency works preventing a school closure, the nature of which would not allow sufficient time to gain normal Council approvals, the works to be confirmed through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

 

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Education, to initiate works in relation to asbestos removal preventing a school closure, the nature of which would not allow sufficient time to gain normal Council approvals, the works to be confirmed through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

 

4.     That it be noted that the resources available for implementing the 2019-2020 school’s capital maintenance programme are provisionally £1.3 million (This figure would be adjusted once grant confirmed) against a condition backlog of £3 million for priority 1 items.

 

5.     That it be noted that the resources available for basic need have been fully committed toward the expansion of the primary and secondary school estate, to support the provision of additional pupil places given a continued increase in demand.

Minutes:

Councillor Lynne Moran presented the report on priorities for the school’s capital programme for 2019-2020 for the school condition allocation (SCA). The report also confirmed funding for devolved formula capital to schools, the locally co-ordinated voluntary aided programme (LCVAP) and basic need until 2019-2020 (including top ups). Approval was sought to detailed projects for the schools condition allocation capital funding.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the detailed projects for school’s condition allocation capital funding in 2019-2020 as listed in paragraph 3.7 of the report be approved.

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Education, to initiate works in relation to emergency works preventing a school closure, the nature of which would not allow sufficient time to gain normal Council approvals, the works to be confirmed through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

 

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Education, to initiate works in relation to asbestos removal preventing a school closure, the nature of which would not allow sufficient time to gain normal Council approvals, the works to be confirmed through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

 

4.    That it be noted that the resources available for implementing the 2019-2020 school’s capital maintenance programme are provisionally £1.3 million (This figure would be adjusted once grant confirmed) against a condition backlog of £3 million for priority 1 items.

 

5.    That it be noted that the resources available for basic need have been fully committed toward the expansion of the primary and secondary school estate, to support the provision of additional pupil places given a continued increase in demand.

13.

2 April 2019 - Procurement - Award of Contracts for Works, Goods and Services

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

Decision:

1.     That the extensions of the following contracts be approved:

a.    Electrical and Mechanical Repairs, Maintenance, and Minor Works with RMC Mechanical Services Ltd of Unit 1, Steelhouse Lane, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV2 2AF; R D Jukes of Walsingham Works, Walsingham Street, Walsall WS1 2JZ and Midwest of 1 Pelham Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0BJ for six months from 01 May 2019 to 31 October 2019with a combined estimated extension value of £1,509,973.

b.    Building Repairs, Maintenance, and Minor Works, with Gough Group Holdings Limited of Tudor House, Moseley Road, Bilston, WV14 6JD for six months from 01 May 2019 to 31 October 2019with an extension value of £737,487.

 

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Director of Environment, to approve the award of a contract for Supply of LED Street Lighting and Accessories when the evaluation process is complete.

 

3.     That an exemption from compliance with Contract Procedure Rules, to allow the transfer of funding up to £794,000 to Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, who would host employment of Public Health staff working within the Prevention and Population Health Unit be approved.

 

4.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Education, to approve the award of a contract for e-Learning when the evaluation process is complete.

 

5.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Deputy Managing Director, to approve the award of a contract for Network Cabling when the evaluation process is complete.

 

6.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, in consultation with the Director of Education, to approve the award of a contract for Managed Client Caseload Information System when the evaluation process is complete.

 

7.     That the contract for the Provision of Programme Management for the City Learning Quarter be awarded to Turner and Townsend Limited of Low Hall, Calverley Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4GH for a duration of 3 months from 4 April 2019 to 3 July 2019 for a total contract value of £200,000

 

8.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to approve the award of a contract for the City Learning Quarter (CLQ) Design associated services when the scope of services is finalised.

 

9.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to approve the award of a contract for the CLQ Demolition of Faces Night Club and other associated buildings when the evaluation process is complete.

 

10.  That the use of the budget currently allocated to Midland Heart for the provision of extra care housing-based care services for the re-tendered services be approved.

 

11.  That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Director for Adult Services, to approve the award of contracts for extra care housing-based care services contracts once the procurement process is  ...  view the full decision text for item 13.

Minutes:

The Panel considered proposals for the award of contracts for works, goods and services.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the extensions of the following contracts be approved:

a.    Electrical and Mechanical Repairs, Maintenance, and Minor Works with RMC Mechanical Services Ltd of Unit 1, Steelhouse Lane, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV2 2AF; R D Jukes of Walsingham Works, Walsingham Street, Walsall WS1 2JZ and Midwest of 1 Pelham Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0BJ for six months from 01 May 2019 to 31 October 2019with a combined estimated extension value of £1,509,973.

b.    Building Repairs, Maintenance, and Minor Works, with Gough Group Holdings Limited of Tudor House, Moseley Road, Bilston, WV14 6JD for six months from 01 May 2019 to 31 October 2019with an extension value of £737,487.

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Director of Environment, to approve the award of a contract for Supply of LED Street Lighting and Accessories when the evaluation process is complete.

 

3.    That an exemption from compliance with Contract Procedure Rules, to allow the transfer of funding up to £794,000 to Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, who would host employment of Public Health staff working within the Prevention and Population Health Unit be approved.

 

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Education, to approve the award of a contract for e-Learning when the evaluation process is complete.

 

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Deputy Managing Director, to approve the award of a contract for Network Cabling when the evaluation process is complete.

 

6.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, in consultation with the Director of Education, to approve the award of a contract for Managed Client Caseload Information System when the evaluation process is complete.

 

7.    That the contract for the Provision of Programme Management for the City Learning Quarter be awarded to Turner and Townsend Limited of Low Hall, Calverley Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4GH for a duration of three months from 4 April to 3 July 2019 for a total contract value of £200,000

 

8.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to approve the award of a contract for the City Learning Quarter (CLQ) Design associated services when the scope of services is finalised.

 

9.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to approve the award of a contract for the CLQ Demolition of Faces Night Club and other associated buildings when the evaluation process is complete.

 

10  That the use of the budget currently allocated to Midland Heart for the provision of extra care housing-based care services for the re-tendered services be approved.

 

11. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Director for Adult Services, to approve the award  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.