Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1SH

Contact: Jaswinder Kaur  01902 550320 or Email: jaswinder.kaur@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Paul Sweet.

 

2.

Declarations of interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Philip Bateman and Councillor Mary Bateman declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 7 – 2022 – 2023 Final Budget Report as members of the Board of Governors for Ashmore Primary School.

3.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 345 KB

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 January 2022 ]

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 26 January 2022, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

 

4.

Communications

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.    Honorary Alderman Patricia Patten

The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of Honorary Alderman Pat Patten, who passed away on 5 February 2022. She served two terms as a Councillor, 1992-1996 representing the Oxley Ward and 2002-2018 representing the Penn Ward and was appointed an Honorary Alderman in 2018.

 

The Mayor passed on condolences to her family and friends.

 

2.    Nick Edwards

           The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of former Service Director Nick Edwards. Nick had joined the Council in          December

           1986 and had left the Council in May 2016.

 

The Mayor passed on condolences to his family and friends.

 

The Council stood in silent tribute to the late Pat Patten and Nick Edwards. 

 

3.    Her Majesty’s Accession to the Throne

The Mayor reported that Sunday 6th February marked 70 years since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, upon the death of her father King George VI. The Mayor had recorded and published a video message to mark the occasion. 

 

4.    British Art Show 9

The Mayor reported the British Art Show 9 (BAS9) a contemporary touring art show was a real coup for the City and would undoubtedly bring visitors to the City centre and the newly refurbished Art Gallery, along with other venues. He encouraged everyone to visit this exhibition to help make it a great success.

 

5.    Literature Festival

The Mayor reported the annual Literature Festival was once again a great success, attracting both star performers and more locally focused contributors. The Mayor was able to attend a lovely event on 3rd February where our existing Poet Laureate for the City of Wolverhampton, Emma Purshouse, handed over the reins to her successor, Kuli Kohli.

 

The Mayor thanked Emma for representing the City so well for the last 3 years and wished Kuli every success as our new Poet Laureate.

 

6.    Krazy Karts Soapbox Races

The Mayor reported he attended the launch event for a new outdoor event for the City in the Mander Centre last week. On Sunday 21st August, Queen Square would be filled with families to watch loads of courageous competitors race down the hilly course in home-made carts.

 

7.    Fair Trade

The Mayor reported that Fair Trade Fortnight was upon us, and he would be hosting a civic reception in the City Suite this Friday to mark the occasion. Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership would also be presenting prizes to local school pupils to winners of the Fairtrade Art Competition.

 

8.    Quiz Night in aid of the Mayoral Charity Trust

The Mayor reported that the Charity Quiz night was scheduled to take place the day after this day.

5.

Urgent Motion on Notice pdf icon PDF 324 KB

[To consider the urgent motion on notice]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the motion on support for Ukraine be agreed.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield moved the following motion:

 

“The City of Wolverhampton Council stands with and expresses its support for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian community in our City following the illegal invasion by the Russian State of the independent democratically elected sovereign Ukrainian nation state.”

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield outlined the rationale for the motion. Leader of the Opposition Group, Councillor Wendy Thompson seconded the motion and outlined the rationale for supporting the motion.

 

Resolved:

 

That the motion on support for Ukraine be agreed.

6.

Report of Leader of the Council

[To receive a report from the Leader of the Council]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield provided Council with an update on Wolves at Work and the cost of living. 

 

The update was debated by Council.

7.

Our City: Our Plan pdf icon PDF 131 KB

[To approve the Our City: Our Plan, the City of Wolverhampton Council Plan]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.    That the Our City: Our Plan, the City of Wolverhampton Council Plan be approved.

2.    That cross party engagement be sought to deliver the priorities set out in Our City: Our Plan the strategic framework to level up our city.

3.    That it be noted, the priorities of Our City: Our Plan have been developed through a continuous conversation with our communities and partners with over 3,000 people engaged building on the Relighting Our City recovery commitment.

4.    That it be noted, a presentation and draft strategy of Our City: Our Plan was received by Scrutiny Board on the 8 February 2022.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on Our City: Our Plan for approval. The refreshed council plan, Our City: Our Plan was detailed in appendix 1 to this report. This report also provided an update on the new council performance framework and how the council would monitor progress towards delivering the councils priorities.

 

The plan sets out an ambition that ‘Wulfrunians will live longer, healthier lives’. Delivery of this ambition would be supported by six overarching priorities: strong families where children grow up well and achieve their full potential; fulfilled lives for all with quality care for those that need it;    healthy, inclusive communities; good homes in well-connected neighbourhoods; more local people into good jobs and training and thriving economy in all parts of the city. Supporting these six overarching priorities were three cross cutting principles: climate conscious; driven by digital and fair and equal.

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield proposed the recommendations and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins seconded the recommendations.

 

The report was debated by Council.

 

Resolved:

 

  1. That the Our City: Our Plan, the City of Wolverhampton Council Plan be approved.
  2. That cross party engagement be sought to deliver the priorities set out in Our City: Our Plan the strategic framework to level up our city.
  3. That it be noted, the priorities of Our City: Our Plan have been developed through a continuous conversation with our communities and partners with over 3,000 people engaged building on the Relighting Our City recovery commitment.

That it be noted, a presentation and draft strategy of Our City: Our Plan was received by Scrutiny Board on the 8 February 2022.

8.

2022-2023 Final Budget Report pdf icon PDF 166 KB

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

 

·       Capital Programme 2021-2022 to 2025-202quarter three review and 2022- 2023 to 2026-202budget strategy

·       Treasury Management Strategy 2022-2023 

·       Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2022-2023 to 2025-2026

·       Council Tax Formal Resolutions.]

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on 2022-2023 Final Budget Report for approval. The report encompassed the Capital Programme 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 quarter three review and 2022- 2023 to 2026-2027 budget strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy 2022-2023, the Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2022-2023 to 2025-2026 and Council Tax Formal Resolutions.

 

The Council were advised that the Final Budget Report was underpinned by the Our City: Our Plan to ensure that resources were aligned with the priorities of the Council.

 

The Capital Programme 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 quarter three review and 2022- 2023 to 2026-2027 budget strategy provided Council with an update on the 2021-2022 financial performance of the General Revenue Account and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programmes, whilst also providing a revised forecast for 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 as at quarter three 2021-2022. The report also recommended revisions to the current approved capital programme covering the period 2021-2022 to 2026-2027.

 

The Treasury Management Strategy 2022-2023 report sets out the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2022-2023 for approval by Council. The report incorporates six elements, which were detailed in separate documents, appended to this report.

 

The Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2022-2023 to 2025-2026 report presented a balanced budget for 2022-2023 aligned to the Council Plan priorities and an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2022-2023 to 2025-2026.

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield proposed the recommendations and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins seconded the recommendations.

 

Councillor Paul Appleby provided the principal speech in response to the budget report and moved the report Conservative Group Alternative Budget and outlined the rationale to the amendment to the budget. Councillor Udey Singh seconded the amendment to the budget and outlined the rationale for supporting the amendment.

 

The Conservative Group Alternative Budget was debated by Council.

 

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

 

Conservative Group Alternative Budget

 

Councillor Greg Brackenridge

Against

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE

Against

Councillor Obaida Ahmed

Against

Councillor Qaiser Azeem

Against

Councillor Mary Bateman

Against

Councillor Philip Bateman MBE

Against

Councillor Simon Bennett

For

Councillor Olivia Birch

Against

Councillor Dr Paul John Birch J.P.

Against

Councillor Ian Brookfield

Against

Councillor Paula Brookfield

Against

Councillor Christopher Burden

Against

Councillor Alan Butt

Against

Councillor Adam Collinge

For

Councillor Craig Collingswood

Against

Councillor Jonathan Crofts

For

Councillor Wendy Dalton

For

Councillor Jasbinder Dehar

Against

Councillor Steve Evans

Against

Councillor Val Evans

Against

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal

Against

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre

Against

Councillor Christopher Haynes

For

Councillor Stephanie Haynes

For

Councillor Celia Hibbert

Against

Councillor Keith Inston

Against

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal

Against

Councillor Rashpal Kaur

Against

Councillor Sohail Khan

For

Councillor Linda Leach

Against

Councillor Asha Mattu

Against

Councillor Barbara McGarrity QN

Against

Councillor Andrew McNeil

For

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi

Against

Councillor Lynne Moran

Against

Councillor Anwen Muston

Against

Councillor Phil Page

Against

Councillor Rita Potter

Against

Councillor John Reynolds

Against

Councillor Susan Roberts MBE  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Conservative Group Alternative Budget pdf icon PDF 446 KB

[To consider the alternative budget proposed by the Conservative Group]

Additional documents:

10.

Pay Policy Statement 2022 -2023 pdf icon PDF 136 KB

[To approve the Pay Policy Statement 2022 -2023]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.    That the Pay Policy Statement for 2022 – 2023 be approved.

2.    That the publication of the Pay Policy Statement in line with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 be approved.

3.    That it be noted, the national pay award for National Joint Council (NJC) and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Chief Officers and Chief Executives had now been agreed and the relevant pay scales would be amended to reflect the pay agreements. 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities, Councillor Paula Brookfield presented the report: Pay Policy Statement 2022-2023 for approval. She advised that the national pay award for National Joint Council (NJC) and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Chief Officers and Chief Executives had now been agreed and relevant pay scales would be amended to reflect the pay agreement. 

 

On Monday (28 February) the NJC pay agreement was confirmed which increased pay point 1 by 2.75% and pay point 2 and above by 1.75%. In early February a pay agreement was reached for Chief Executives and Chief Officers of 1.5%.  

 

As a consequence of the national pay agreements being reached the pay ratio’s detailed within the report had been reduced and should be amended as follows; the pay ratio between the highest and the lowest paid employees was now 9.28:1 (reducing from 9.39:1 within the report) and the pay ratio between the highest and the median pay was 6.19:1 (reducing from 6.20:1 within the report).  

 

The Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities, Councillor Paula Brookfield proposed the recommendations and requested that the third and fourth noting recommendations to be deleted and replaced with ‘The national pay award for National Joint Council (NJC) and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Chief Officers and Chief Executives had now been agreed and the relevant pay scales would be amended to reflect the pay agreements.”   The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins seconded the recommendations.

 

Resolved:

 

  1. That the Pay Policy Statement for 2022 – 2023 be approved.
  2. That the publication of the Pay Policy Statement in line with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 be approved.
  3. That it be noted, the national pay award for National Joint Council (NJC) and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Chief Officers and Chief Executives had now been agreed and the relevant pay scales would be amended to reflect the pay agreements.

11.

Adoption of South Staffordshire District Council's delegated licensing function pdf icon PDF 131 KB

[To approve the adoption of South Staffordshire District Council’s delegated licensing function]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.    That the adoption of the executive licensing functions, as delegated, by South Staffordshire Council be approved subject to the signing of the finalised agreement.

2.    That the adoption of the non-executive licensing functions, as delegated, by South Staffordshire Council be approved subject to the signing of the finalised agreement.

3.    That authority be delegate  to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment for the signing of the final agreement.  

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Steve Evans presented the report Adoption of South Staffordshire District Council's delegated licensing function for approval. The report detailed the progress made transferring the licensing function from South Staffordshire District Council (SSDC) to City of Wolverhampton (CWC) and for the Council to formally accept the delegated licensing functions subject to the signing of the finalised agreement.

 

The Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Steve Evans proposed the recommendations and the Chair of Regulatory Committee, Councillor Phil Page seconded the recommendations.

 

Resolved:

 

  1. That the adoption of the executive licensing functions, as delegated, by South Staffordshire Council be approved subject to the signing of the finalised agreement.
  2. That the adoption of the non-executive licensing functions, as delegated, by South Staffordshire Council be approved subject to the signing of the finalised agreement.
  3. That authority be delegate to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment for the signing of the final agreement.

 

12.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel pdf icon PDF 131 KB

[To consider the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.  That the recommendations made by the Independent Remuneration Panel as detailed in Appendix 1 be approved.

2.  That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Scheme of Councillor Allowances according to the decisions taken by Council for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.

Minutes:

The Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee, Councillor John Reynolds presented the report from the Independent Remuneration Panel which detailed a review of Councillor’s Allowances for approval. The recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel were detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

 

The Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee, Councillor John Reynolds, thanked all members of the Independent Remuneration Panel for undertaking a comprehensive review of councillor allowances.

 

The Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee, Councillor John Reynolds proposed the recommendations and the Leader of the Opposition Group, Councillor Wendy Thompson seconded the recommendations and also placed on record her thanks to the Independent Remuneration Panel.

 

Resolved:

 

  1. That the recommendations made by the Independent Remuneration Panel as detailed in Appendix 1 for the Municipal years 2022- 2023 – 2025-2026 be approved. 

That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Scheme of Councillor Allowances according to the decisions taken by Council for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.