Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Bilson, Paula Brookfield, Christopher Haynes, Rupinderjit Kaur, John Rowley and Udey Singh.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To receive minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary Council meetings held on 17 July 2019.]

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

That the minutes of the previous Extraordinary Meeting and Ordinary Meeting, held on 17 July 2019, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1. Councillor Rupinderjit Kaur

The Mayor was delighted to report that Councillor Rupinder Kaur gave birth to a baby boy. The Mayor congratulated Councillor Rupinder Kaur and her family on the birth of their baby son.

2.    Association for Public Service Excellence

The Mayor was delighted to report that the City of Wolverhampton Council had won the Overall Council of the Year in Service Delivery for its outstanding work serving residents across the city.  The Council also won Best Collaborative Working Initiative for its outstanding work with the P3 Charity.

The Mayor added the Council were also finalists in the following areas; Waste and Recycling, Public Protection and WV Living: the council-owned housing company. 

3.       BEM Investiture

The Mayor reported that on Thursday 12 September, she had attended an Investiture at the Council House in Birmingham. Ms Susan E M Allen was awarded the BEM for Voluntary services to the Heath Town Community. 

4.    Wolverhampton City Half Marathon

The Mayor was delighted to report that hundreds of people took part in the Carver Half Marathon that was held on Sunday 1 September. The proceeds of this year’s event would be presented to several local charities, including the Mayor of Wolverhampton’s Charitable Trust, in the City Suite in December.

5.    Remembrance Events

The Mayor informed councillors of forthcoming remembrance events due to take place:

·         Dutch War Graves, Jeffcock Road Cemetery, Saturday 9 November at 09:50am,

·         Remembrance Sunday, City Centre, Sunday 10 November at 10:35am  Armistice Day, at the Cenotaph, Monday 11 November at 11am.

6.    The 2019 Business Programme

The Mayor reported the Business Programme is the city’s annual showcase of business support, celebrating success, highlighting growth and opportunities.  The programme was sponsored and supported by local businesses and partners working together.  Details of these activities can be viewed at www.investwolverhampton.com. Activities run from this day through to Wednesday 2 October

7.     Heart of England in Bloom

The Mayor congratulated the Wednesfield in Bloom team for winning gold and making it through to the National Finals. The Mayor also congratulated Bilston in Bloom for winning a bronze award in the Urban Community at their first attempt.

8.    Former Councillor Les Pugh

The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of former Councillor Les Pugh for Bushbury North ward from 2007 until 2011. He had served as Cabinet Member for Adults from 2008 to 2010. He was also a member of the council’s Performance Management Panel, External Relations Panel, Health Scrutiny Panel, HR Panel, Superannuation Committee and Standards Committee

The Mayor extended the deepest sympathies of the Council to Les Pugh’s family at this very sad time.

The Council stood in silent tribute to the late Les Pugh.

[To approve the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2018 – 2019.]

That the contents of the 2018-2019 Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report be approved.

Councillor Alan Butt presented the Audit and Risk Committee Annual

Report 2018 – 2019 report for approval. He outlined the main areas of work undertaken by the Committee during the year. He added the Audit and Risk Committee had an instrumental role in providing independent and high-level  focus on audit, assurance and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards.

Councillor Alan Butt also placed on record his thanks to the Chair and members of the Audit and Risk Committee in 2018-2019 and the Audit Team for their contributions.

Councillor Alan Butt proposed the recommendation and Councillor Jonathan Yardley seconded the recommendation.

The report was debated by Council.

Resolved:

That the contents of the 2018-2019 Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report be approved.

[To approve budgets and legal agreements to commence Phase 4 and 5 works on

the i54 / Western Extension.]

1.    That the capital budget for the remaining phases of the i54 Western Extension

programme of £22.75 million and the associated funding strategy outlined in the Cabinetreport of 11 September 2019 be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Economy and Resources, inconsultation with the Director of Regeneration and Director of Finance, to approve anyvariations to the i54 Western Extension supplementary budgets in the event of anychanges to external funding sources.

Councillor Harman Banger presented the i54 Western Extension – Phases 4 & 5 Budget Approval report. The report sought funding approval for the next phases of work. The i54 programme was a great news for the City with the creation of thousands of jobs, the site had attracted large firms such as Jaguar Land Rover and MOOG. The i54 Western Extension was a site of 60 acres of land, the investment would ensure the site was fully investment ready which would result in additional jobs for the City in addition to other economic objectives.

Councillor Harman Banger proposed the recommendations and Councillor Louise Miles seconded the recommendations.

The report was debated by Council.

Resolved:

1.  That the capital budget for the remaining phases of the i54 Western Extension programme of £22.75 million and the associated funding strategy outlined in the Cabinet report of 11 September 2019 be approved.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Economy and Resources, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Director of Finance, to approve any variations to the i54 Western Extension supplementary budgets in the event of any changes to external funding sources.