Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Obaida Ahmed, John Rowley, Clare Simm and Jane Stevenson.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on the 6 November 2019.]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 6 November 2019, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1.            International Day of the Disabled

 The Mayor reported the 3 December was a date to encourage understanding and increase awareness of the need to be inclusive of people with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The Mayor and Consort had hosted an event in the City Suite to reaffirm the Council’s commitment to work together for a better world that was inclusive, equitable and sustainable for everyone, where the rights of people with disabilities were fully realised.

The Mayor added the program for the afternoon included local organisations and groups sharing their experiences and disability related work.

2.            Parliamentary election 2019

The Mayor commended the Council’s elections team and all officers involved in the very smooth running of last Thursday’s General Election vote and count.

The Mayor congratulated the returning and newly elected MPs, including Councillor Jane Stevenson. The Mayor hoped the MPs would all use their time in parliament to effectively represent, promote and advocate for our city and all of its communities.

3.            City of Wolverhampton Christmas Market 

 The Mayor  reported the Christmas Market had returned to Dudley Street and Queen Square for the Festive Season. The market was open 10-5 pm until Monday 23 December.

4.            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, Monday 27 January at the Cenotaph.

5.            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 2019-2020 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 2019.

2.    That it be noted, a revenue underspends of £253,000 for the General Revenue Account and£124,000 for the Housing Revenue Account were forecast from treasury management activities in 2019-2020.

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Treasury Management Activity Monitoring - Mid Year Review 2019-2020 report for approval. The report provided a monitoring and progress report on treasury management activity for the second quarter of 2019-2020 as part of the mid-year review, in line with the Prudential Indicators approved by Council in March 2019.

She confirmed that all activity had taken place in accordance with the code of practice that governed this area. She advised that due to changes in national rules regarding borrowing there had been an unexpected increase in the cost of borrowing for local authorities and that the Council would consider alternative and wider sources of borrowing.

Councillor Louise Miles proposed the recommendations and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield seconded the recommendations.

The report was debated by Council.

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 2019.

2.    That it be noted, a revenue underspends of £253,000 for the General Revenue Account and £124,000 for the Housing Revenue Account were forecast from treasury management activities in 2019-2020.

[To consider an update on the 2019-2020 financial performance of the General Fund and HRA capital programmes and the revised forecast for 2019-2020  to 2023 – 2024 as at quarter two.]

1.    That the revised medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of

£326.9 million, an increase of £44.8 million from the previously approved programme and the change in associated resources be approved.

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Capital programme 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 Quarter Two Review for approval. The report provided anupdate on the capital programme for the second quarter of 2019-2020.

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. She added that significant investment had been made in Education and Highways.

Councillor Louise Miles proposed the recommendations and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield seconded the recommendations.

The report was debated by Council.

Resolved:

1.    That the revised medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £326.9 million, an increase of £44.8 million from the previously approved programme and the change in associated resources be approved.

[To approve amendments to the Constitution.]

1.    That the amendments to the Constitution as detailed in the Governance

Committee report be approved.

2.    That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement the changes.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the Changes to the Constitution report. The report detailed the amendments to be made to the Constitution. He advised the amendments to be made were minor.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian  Brookfield proposed the recommendations and Councillor Wendy Thompson seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1. That the amendments to the Constitution be approved.

2. That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement the changes.