Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Payal Bedi-Chadha, Rashpal Kaur, Phil Page, John Rowley, Jane Stevenson and Jonathan Yardley.

There were no declaration of interests made.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 January 2020.]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 29 January 2020, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1.    Councillor Peter Bilson. 

The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of long-serving City of Wolverhampton Councillor Peter Bilson, who sadly passed away at Russells Hall Hospital on Saturday 15 Februaryfollowing a period of illness.

The Mayor added that Peter was first elected in 1982 and had represented the Bushbury South and Low Hill ward. He had a wealth of experience and was involved in various roles in Local Government, the Fire Service and the Voluntary and Community Sector. 

The Mayor added that during Peter’s long career as  Councillor, Peter had chaired the Personnel, Housing, Leisure, Environmental Health and Economic Development functions of the Council and he also served on a number of Regional and National Bodies.

The Mayor advised that Peter was originally employed as a Firefighter, then as a Trade Union Official, he went on to serve as the Chair of the Regional Fire Authority (WMFCDA) before becoming the Millennium Mayor of Wolverhampton for 1999-2000. 

The Mayor informed Council that the funeral would take place on Wednesday 11 March at 1200 at St Peter’s Collegiate Church. 

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

The Council stood in silent tribute to the late Peter Bilson.

2.    Elias Mattu Avenue

The Mayor was honoured to join Councillor Asha Mattu, the widow of former Mayor, Elias Mattu, this Monday for the opening of a new road named after the late and much-missed councillor. Elias Mattu Avenue was in the heart of Graiseley and would be a lasting memorial to a very popular man who did so much for our city. 

3.    Knife Angel

The Mayor informed Council that the Knife Angel – a powerful symbol of hope and cohesion, and a salient warning of the dangers of carrying and using bladed weapons was coming to Wolverhampton. The Knife Angel would go on display in Queen Square in the city centre for 28 days from Monday 30 March as part of a nationwide anti-violence tour.

The Mayor added that whilst the Knife Angel was in Wolverhampton, a knife amnesty would also be taking place. All knives surrendered through this amnesty would be used to create a new sculpture for Wolverhampton as part of the Angel’s legacy, through the joint efforts of partners in Wolverhampton and the British Ironwork Centre.

4.    Dementia Friendly Community Status

The Mayor reported that Wolverhampton had once more been recognised as a dementia friendly city – demonstrating that organisations were working together to make people living with the condition feel better understood, respected and supported. 

The Mayor added that The Alzheimer's Society had granted Wolverhampton Dementia Friendly Community Status for the third year running after recognising the work taking place to improve services for people living with dementia, and their families and carers.

5.    National Exploitation Awareness Day

The Mayor reported that the Council would once again be raising awareness of child and adult sexual exploitation on the 18^th through to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[To receive the Leader of the Council’s statement regarding the City.]

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield, delivered his State of the City address. He introduced the video presentation played titled “Better outcomes for local people”. He highlighted the achievements of the City, actions taken, future significant challenges and opportunities to come. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield announced:

• That a conditional agreement was now in place with Odeon Cinema for Westside,
• That from May 2020 both tips would be open seven days a week on a trial basis,
• That there would be a new city solar farm at Bowman’s Harbour.

Councillor Wendy Thompson provided the principle speech in response to the State of the City Address.

[To consider and determine the Council’s budgetary provisions for the forthcoming municipal year:

·                Capital Programme 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 quarter three review and 2020-  2021 to 2024-2025 budget strategy

·                Treasury Management Strategy 2020-2021 

·                Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024

·                Council Tax Formal Resolutions.]

1.     That the revised medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £368.4 million, an increase of £41.3 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

2.     That the authorised borrowing limit for 2020-2021 to support the capital strategy as required under Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 be set at £1,136.6 million (PI3, Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report); the forecast borrowing is below the authorised borrowing limit.

3.     That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2020-2021 as set out in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report be approved.

4.     That the Annual Investment Strategy 2020-2021 as set out in Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report be approved.

5.     That the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators as set out in Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report be approved.

6.     That the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2020-2021 as set out in Appendix 4 to the Cabinet report be approved.

7.     That the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices as set out in Appendix 6 to the Cabinet report be approved.

8.     That that authority continues to be delegated to the Director of Finance to amend the Treasury Management Policy and Practices and any corresponding changes required to the Treasury Management Strategy, the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, the Investment Strategy and the Annual MRP Statement to ensure they remain aligned. Any amendments would be reported to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet (Resources) Panel as appropriate.

9.     That the net budget requirement for 2020-2021 of £248.2 million for General Fund services as set out in paragraph 19.1 of the Cabinet report be approved.

10.  That the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 as detailed in Table 7 and the budget preparation parameters underpinning the MTFS as detailed in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report be approved.

11.  That a Council Tax for Council services in 2020-2021 of £1,681.58 for a Band D property, being an increase of 3.99% on 2019-2020 levels, which incorporates the 2% increase in relation to Adult Social Care (paragraph 9.6 of the Cabinet report) be approved.

12.  That work starts on developing budget reductions and income generation proposals for 2021-2022 onwards in line with the Five Year Financial Strategy (paragraph 19.5 of the Cabinet report).

13.  That revisions to the local council tax support scheme to introduce a disregard of any compensatory payments that are similarly disregarded in the prescribed scheme, and any transitional payments made to compensate for the loss of the severe disability premium in Universal Credit (paragraph 10.5 of the Cabinet report) be approved.

14.  That it be noted that the Council Tax base for the year 2020-2021 is calculated at 64,726.80 (Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”), as reported to Cabinet on 22  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Final Budget Report 2020 – 2021 which encompassed the Capital Programme 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 quarter three review and 2020-2021 to 2024-2025 budget strategy, Treasury Management Strategy 2020-2021, Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 and Council Tax Formal Resolutions for approval.

Councillor Louise Miles outlined the recommendations of the report, drawing Councillors attention to the challenges that the Council faced. She advised the proposed budget was balanced and that resources were aligned to key policies of the Council.

Councillor Louise Miles advised that the Council was committed to funding fire safety measures, investing in the city for regeneration projects, education, highways, climate change and young people. 

Councillor Louise Miles advised that Council Tax would be increased by 1.99% and adult social care by 2%.  She went on to outline the rationale for increasing these taxes.

Councillor Louise Miles commended the work of the Director of Finance and the Finance Team.

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

Councillor Wendy Thompson provided the principle speech in response to the budget report.

The report was debated by Council.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 the votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was CARRIED by 40 votes. There were eight abstentions.  

Resolved:

1.       That the revised medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £368.4 million, an increase of £41.3 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

2.       That the authorised borrowing limit for 2020-2021 to support the capital strategy as required under Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 be set at £1,136.6 million (PI3, Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report); the forecast borrowing is below the authorised borrowing limit.

3.       That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2020-2021 as set out in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report be approved.

4.       That the Annual Investment Strategy 2020-2021 as set out in Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report be approved.

5.       That the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators as set out in Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report be approved.

6.       That the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2020-2021 as set out in Appendix 4 to the Cabinet report be approved.

7.       That the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices as set out in Appendix 6 to the Cabinet report be approved.

8.       That that authority continues to be delegated to the Director of Finance to amend the Treasury Management Policy and Practices and any corresponding changes required to the Treasury Management Strategy, the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, the Investment Strategy and the Annual MRP Statement to ensure they remain aligned. Any amendments would be reported to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet (Resources) Panel as appropriate.

9.       That the net budget requirement for 2020-2021 of £248.2 million for General Fund services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

[To approve the council size submission and electoral forecasts for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.]

1.     That the draft council size submission and draft electoral forecasts be approved for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Director of Governance to make any minor amendments to the draft council size submission and draft electoral forecasts prior to submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the Electoral Review: Council Size Submission and Electoral Projections for approval. The report detailed the council size submission and electoral projections. The Council was proposing that number of Councillors for Wolverhampton remain at 60. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield added that as part of the next phase a review of ward boundaries would take place.

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

Resolved:

1.     That the draft council size submission and draft electoral forecasts be approved for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Director of Governance to make any minor amendments to the draft council size submission and draft electoral forecasts prior to submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

[To approve the Appointment of Independent Remuneration Panel Members.]

That the appointment of Reverend David Wright, Miceal Barden and Sylvia Parkin to the Independent Remuneration Panel be approved.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the Appointment of Independent Remuneration Panel Members report for approval. The reason for special urgency was to ensure the Independent Remuneration Panel was properly appointed to so that any recommendations made were lawful.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield stated the Independent Remuneration Panel needed to be convened to consider  the proposed governance arrangements.

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

Resolved:

That the appointment of Reverend David Wright, Miceal Barden and Sylvia Parkin to the Independent Remuneration Panel be approved.