Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ian Brookfield, Alan Butt, Keith Inston, Jasbir Jaspal, Arun Photay, John Rowley, Sandra Samuels, Stephen Simkins, Claire Simm and Paul Singh.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To receive minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary Council meetings held on 7 November 2018.]

The Mayor proposed, the Deputy Mayor seconded, and it was resolved:

That the minutes of the previous Extraordinary and Ordinary meetings, held on 7 November 2018, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements.]

1.    Carols in the City - The Victorian Christmas Market

The Mayor reminded Councillors that the three-day Victorian Christmas Market would return to Wolverhampton for the second year running. The Christmas Market would have over 200 stalls selling a range of items including; international street food, local produce and gifts. There would be entertainment, an original Victorian carousel and funfair rides.

The Mayor would formally open the Victorian Market on Friday 14 December at 4pm. Carols in the City would then take place at 5pm. The Mayor hoped that Councillors would attend to support the events.

2. Holocaust Memorial Day

The Mayor invited Councillors to a service of remembrance, led by Interfaith Wolverhampton, which was to be held at 11 am on Holocaust Memorial Day, Friday 25 January at the Cenotaph. 

3. Christmas wishes

The Mayor wished all Councillors a happy Christmas and hoped they enjoyed the festive break.

[To consider an update on the treasury management activity for the second quarter of 2018-2019 as part of the mid-year review.]

1.    That it be noted, that a mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement had been undertaken and the Council had operated within the limits and requirements approved in March 2018.

2.    That it be noted, a revenue net overspend of £2.2 million for the General Fund and an underspend of £12,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were forecast from treasury management activities in 2018-2019.

3.    That it noted, the detailed guidance notes for the Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the Prudential Code had recently been published by CIPFA and were under review by the Director of Finance. Therefore, the Treasury Management Statements for 2018-2019 were still based on the Council’s interpretation of these Codes.

4.    That it noted, the updated position on the revised guidance on Local Government Investments and Minimum Revenue Provision as detailed in paragraphs 2.6 and 2.7 of the Cabinet report, 21 November 2018.

5.    That it be noted, the position regarding the Money Market Fund reform which was effective from 21 January 2019 and would require an update to the Annual Investment Strategy for 2018-2019 as detailed in paragraph 5.11 of the Cabinet report, 21 November 2018.

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Treasury Management Activity Monitoring - Mid Year Review 2018-2019 report for approval. She confirmed that all activity had taken place in accordance with the code of practice that governed this area and that new national provisions were due to come into place. The situation was being monitored closely and an update would be provided at a future Council meeting.

Councillor Louise Miles proposed the recommendations and Councillor Peter Bilson seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.     That it be noted, that a mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement had been undertaken and the Council had operated within the limits and requirements approved in March 2018.

2.     That it be noted, a revenue net overspend of £2.2 million for the General Fund and an underspend of £12,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were forecast from treasury management activities in 2018-2019.

3.     That it noted, the detailed guidance notes for the Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the Prudential Code had recently been published by CIPFA and were under review by the Director of Finance. Therefore, the Treasury Management Statements for 2018-2019 were still based on the Council’s interpretation of these Codes.

4.     That it noted, the updated position on the revised guidance on Local Government Investments and Minimum Revenue Provision as detailed in paragraphs 2.6 and 2.7 of the Cabinet report, 21 November 2018.

5.     That it be noted, the position regarding the Money Market Fund reform which was effective from 21 January 2019 and would require an update to the Annual Investment Strategy for 2018-2019 as detailed in paragraph 5.11 of the Cabinet report, 21 November 2018.

[To consider an update on the 2018-2019 financial performance of the General Fund and HRA capital programmes and the revised forecast for 2018-2019  to 2022 – 2023 as at quarter two.]

1.    That the revised medium-term General Fund capital programme of £338.9 million be approved, an increase of £17.9 million from the previously approved programme.

2.    That the net additional General Fund resources of £17.9 million be approved for;

i. New projects totalling £20.1 million (as detailed in section 4 of the Cabinet report);

ii. Existing projects net reduction totalling £2.2 million (as detailed in section 3 of the Cabinet report, 21 November 2018).

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Capital programme 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 quarter two review for approval. She outlined the changes to the capital programme and advised that the capital was committed to future capital programmes which would deliver the future vision for the City with partners.

Councillor Louise Miles proposed the recommendations and Councillor Peter Bilson seconded the recommendations.

The report was debated by Council.

Resolved:

1.    That the revised medium-term General Fund capital programme of £338.9 million be approved, an increase of £17.9 million from the previously approved programme.

2.    That the net additional General Fund resources of £17.9 million be approved for;

i. New projects totalling £20.1 million (as detailed in section 4 of the Cabinet report, 21 November 2018);

ii. Existing projects net reduction totalling £2.2 million (as detailed in section    3 of the Cabinet report, 21 November 2018).

[To approve changes to polling stations.]

1.    That it be agreed that polling stations for the 2019 local election should be unchanged from thoseused at the 2018 local election with the exception that three stations would have a slightlocation change but would still remain in the polling district.

2.    That authority be delegated to theReturning Officer, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Memberfor Governance and the Leader of the Opposition Group on the Council to make any operational changes to polling stations.

3.    That it noted, that the statutory polling place review would commence in May 2019, shortly after thelocal election, in readiness for changes to be implemented by 2020.

Councillor John Reynolds presented the Situation of Polling Stations for the 2019 Local Elections report for approval. He advised that three minor changes had been made however, the stations would remain within the polling districts and that no objections had been received.

Councillor John Reynolds proposed the recommendations and Councillor Val Gibson seconded the recommendations.

The report was debated by Council.

Resolved:

1.     That it be agreed that polling stations for the 2019 local election should be unchanged from those used at the 2018 local election with the exception that three stations would have a slight location change but would still remain in the polling district.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Returning Officer, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Governance and the Leader of the Opposition Group on the Council to make any operational changes to polling stations.

3.     That it noted, that the statutory polling place review would commence in May 2019, shortly after the local election, in readiness for changes to be implemented by 2020.

[To approve the Calendar of Meetings for 2019-2020.]

That the City of Wolverhampton Council Calendar of Meetings for 2019-2020

attached at appendix 1 to this report be approved subject to the date for Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panel being changed to the 25 September 2020.

Councillor John Reynolds presented the Calendar of Meetings 2019 – 2020 report for approval subject to Children, Family and Young People Scrutiny Panel  meeting set for 18 September 2019 be changed to the 25 September 2019.

Councillor John Reynolds paid tribute to the work undertaken by Democratic Services and this was also echoed by Councillor Wendy Thompson.

Councillor John Reynolds proposed the recommendation and Councillor Val Gibson seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

That the City of Wolverhampton Council Calendar of Meetings for 2019-2020 attached at appendix 1 to this report be approved subject to the date for Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panel being changed to the 25 September 2020.

[For Cabinet Members to answer any questions.]

That the Executive Business be noted.

The Council received a summary of Executive Business relating to the Roadworks Permitting and Establishing the Regional Adoption Agency (Adoption@Heart) as a hosted model in City of Wolverhampton Council.

In response to Councillor Simon Bennett’s question regarding the Establishing the Regional Adoption Agency, Councillor Paul Sweet welcomed the commitment of funds from the DfE and thanked the Director of Children’s Services for progressing this work which led to this Council being the host authority.

Resolved:

That the Executive Business be noted.

[That the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members for City Environment, City Economy and Education and Skills  respond to questions received.]

That the responses to the written questions be noted.

a.    Garden Waste Collection Service

Councillor Udey Singh asked the Cabinet Member for City Environment:

Can the Cabinet Member for City Environment tell the Council how many households have signed up for the new garden waste collection service so far?

The Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Steve Evans responded that 7147 households had signed up for the new garden waste collection service.

Councillor Udey Singh asked the Cabinet Member for City Environment the following supplementary question:

The residents who want to sign up for this service cannot pay by BACS, cheques or cash, the Council’s website requests payment by debit/credit card or advised that a family member or friend can pay on their behalf, does the Cabinet Member agree that this was financially discriminating against those who do not hold a credit or debit card and that third-party involvement could lead to increased fraud.

The Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Steve Evans responded no.

b.    Westside Link

Councillor Simon Bennett asked the Cabinet Member for City Economy:

Can the Cabinet Member for City Economy explain how much the Council has spent to date on the controversial Westside Link project?

The Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, responded that design stages 1 to 3 of the project had been funded from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) Access to Growth fund for 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 totalling £205,000. To date £181,000 of that fund had been spent over the 2 financial years on design, survey and project management.

He added it was proposed that the full project costs for the delivery of Phases 1 and 2, would be secured through the BCLEP and West Midlands Combined Authority. Discussions were currently ongoing and an application for grant funding would be submitted in due course should the scheme continue in it’s present or amended form.

Councillor Simon Bennett asked the Cabinet Member for City Economy the following supplementary question:

To go ahead with the current plans which were set out in the public consultation was both dangerous and very short-sighted which were the words of Councillor Phil Bateman, the Cabinet Member for City Economy  did not have the support of own party and needed to grasp his portfolio, more than a 1000 traders were against the pedestrianisation plans and St Peter’s church, what will it take for Labour to stop destroying the City Centre ?

The Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, responded that he would be interested in the addressees of 1000  traders who had objected to the westside scheme and added that a significant number of strategic partners were in support of the scheme.

c.    Non-disclosure Agreements

Councillor Sohail Khan asked the Leader of the Council:

Can the Leader of the Council please disclose how many non-disclosure agreements were signed by the Council between September 2014 and July 2018?

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence responded the Council like any large commercial organisationwould enter into non-disclosure agreements with partners, stakeholders and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.