Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Olivia Birch, Councillor Paul Birch, Councillor Lovinyer Daley, Councillor Christopher Haynes, Councillor Stephanie Haynes,  Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, Councillor Tersaim Singh, Councillor Ellis Turrell and Councillor Paul Appleby for lateness.

Councillor Chris Burden declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 9a – Written Question on Education Arts and Culture as members of the UCU.

Councillor Philip Bateman declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 6 – Capital Programme 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 Quarter Two Review as a member of the Board of Governors for Ashmore Park Nursery School and in relation to Birmingham International Airport.

Councillor Mary Bateman declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 6 – Capital Programme 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 Quarter Two Review as a member of the Board of Governors for Ashmore Park Nursery School.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 November 2022]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 2 November 2022, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1. Death of Former Councillor Sue Constable
   The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of former Bilston North Councillor Sue Constable. Sue had been a member of the Council from 2004-2015 and had been Cabinet Member for Children & Families between 2011 and 2013.

The Mayor passed on condolences to her family and friends.

The Council stood in silent tribute to the late Sue Constable.

2. Remembrance Weekend

The Mayor reported that she had attended several events of Remembrance over the weekend of 11th-14th November. This included a short service at the Cenotaph on the 11th, Armistice Day; a service at Jeffcock Road Cemetery on Saturday 12th November to commemorate the Dutch soldiers interred at the cemetery since WW2; and the annual Remembrance Sunday Services in the City Centre to pay our respects to the fallen of 2 World Wars and many other conflicts since.

She was delighted to have hosted the representatives of the Garderegiment Fusiliers Prinses Irene, Dutch Armed Forces, who were able to return to the city after an enforced 3 year absence to attend the ceremony and pay their respects to their fallen comrades.

The Mayor thanked all those involved including the general public who lined our streets through the city to receive the parade.

3. Most Entrepreneurial City in the UK

The Mayor was proud to report that Wolverhampton had been named the most entrepreneurial city in the UK according to nationwide research published this week. Using data released by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Superscript had ranked Wolverhampton as number one for the highest growth in new small businesses. The Mayor congratulated all involved.

4. Christmas Lights Switch-Ons

The Mayor reported that she had attended the City’s Christmas Light switch-on events in the City Centre, Wednesfield, Bilston, Tettenhall and Bantock Park, where she was able to promote further Christmas events taking place within the city.

5. Molineux Sleep Out

The Mayor reported that on Friday 18^th November she took part in the annual Molineux Sleepout, an event designed to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness and rough sleeping throughout our City along with raising over £40,000 to be shared between the Wolves Foundation and the Good Shepherd Ministry.

4.         Grand Slam of Darts

The Mayor reported that the Grand Slam of Darts was held at Aldersley Leisure Village from12^th to 20^th November. She was invited to attend the final match and honoured to present the trophy to the winner Michael Smith.

5.       Mayors Charity Auction

The Mayor reported that there was a charity auction running on eBay, concluding on Monday 12^th December. There were numerous items in the auction to bid for. She added that all proceeds would go to The Mayors charities and encouraged all to bid generously.

6.         The Good Shepherd Ministry

The Mayor was honoured to have been invited to attend a Service of Thanksgiving at St Peters Church on Thursday 15 December at 2pm, for the work carried out by the Good Shepherd who had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield and Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing provided Council with an update on ‘Housing Repairs’.

The Leader of the Opposition Group, Councillor Wendy Thompson responded to the update.

Councillor Ian Brookfield replied to the response.

[To approve the capital programme 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 quarter two review]

That the revised, medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £338.8 million, an increase of £27.9 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, Councillor Obaida Ahmed, presented the report on Capital Programme 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 Quarter Two Review for approval.

The report provided Council with an update on the 2022-2023 financial performance of the General Fund Account and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programmes whilst also providing a revised forecast for 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 as at quarter two of 2022-2023.

The report recommended revisions to the current approved capital programmes covering the period 2022-2023 to 2026-2027.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, Councillor Obaida Ahmed, proposed the recommendation and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield seconded the recommendation.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Obaida Ahmed replied to the

debate.

Resolved:

That the revised, medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £338.8 million, an increase of £27.9 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

[To approve the Treasury Management Activity Monitoring - Mid Year Review 2022-2023]?

1. That it be noted, 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 2022.
2. That it be noted, that a revenue underspend of £3.4 million for the General Fund and a revenue overspend of £996,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were forecast from treasury management activities in 2022-2023.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, Councillor Obaida Ahmed, presented the report on Treasury Management Activity Monitoring - Mid Year Review 2022-2023for approval.

The report provided Council with a monitoring and progress report on treasury management activity for the second quarter of 2022-2023 as part of the mid-year review, in line with the Prudential Indicators approved by Council in March 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, Councillor Obaida Ahmed, proposed the recommendations and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield seconded the recommendations.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Obaida Ahmed replied to the

debate.

Resolved:

1. That it be noted, 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 2022.
2. That it be noted, that a revenue underspend of £3.4 million for the General Fund and a revenue overspend of £996,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were forecast from treasury management activities in 2022-2023.

[To approve changes to the Constitution]

That the item on Changes to the Constitution - Rules of Debate be withdrawn.

Councillor John Reynolds, Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee moved that the item on Changes to the Constitution - Rules of Debate be withdrawn.

Resolved:

That the item on Changes to the Constitution - Rules of Debate be withdrawn.

[That the Executive Members respond to questions received]

That the responses to written questions be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, Councillor Chris Burden responded to a question put to him by Councillor Clare Simm on Education Arts and Culture. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

The Deputy Leader: Inclusive City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins responded to questions put to him by Councillor Udey Singh on Victoria Street and Councillor Simon Bennett on North Street. He also responded to supplementary questions on the same subject matters.

The Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Steve Evans responded to questions put to him by Councillor Andrew Randle on Parking Ticket Machines and Councillor Jonathan Crofts on Bird Flu. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield responded to a question put to him by Councillor Adam Collinge on Youth Sports Clubs. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

The Deputy Leader: Inclusive City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins responded to a question put to him by Councillor Wendy Thompson on Mander House. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matters.

Resolved:

That the responses to written questions be noted.

[That Council consider the motions received]

1.    That the motion on St John Ambulance be agreed.

2.    That the motion on Photo ID be agreed.

Councillor Linda Leach moved a motion on St John Ambulance:

“Wolverhampton is a city proud of all our volunteers and communities – throughout the recent pandemic this council has been humbled by the dedication and support of our residents who have given their time freely to support other people in this city.

City of Wolverhampton Council wishes to formerly recognise and congratulate St John Ambulance as 2022 marks the centenary of the first St John Cadet Unit in England. Throughout the pandemic the Cadets have supported the NHS Vaccination Programme, continued to deliver training through online sessions and provided invaluable support to our communities. This has supported some of the most vulnerable people in Wolverhampton.

This council also notes the achievement of the Badgers programme this year celebrating its 35-year anniversary, recognising the value young people bring to our communities and encouraging children to understand the importance of learning new skills, staying safe and supporting the communities in which they live.

In celebrating St John Ambulance’s success, this Council will continue to

encourage and support the expansion of the voluntary sector in Wolverhampton for everyone including young people.”

Councillor Linda Leach outlined the rationale for the motion. Councillor Phil Bateman seconded the motion and outlined the rationale for supporting the motion.

The motion was debated by Council.

Resolved: That the motion on St John Ambulance be agreed

Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the Council, moved a motion on Photo ID:

“The Elections Act 2022 was passed by Parliament in April 2022, requiring voters in Great Britain to show photo ID before being issued with a ballot paper at UK elections and local elections in England.

This Council believes that the requirement of the Act for voters to show photo ID before being issued with a ballot paper is unnecessary; it addresses a problem that doesn’t exist.

This Council is committed to encouraging greater participation in elections and believes that the requirement for electors to show photo identification when voting will be a deterrent to voters who don’t possess valid photo ID.

With the city set for ‘all out local elections’ in May 2023, the short timetable and lack of clarity about the implementation of this proposal could cause many Wulfrunian voters to be disenfranchised and exacerbate the burden on already overstretched Council officers.

The Council instructs its Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to urge him not to implement this policy for the local elections in May 2023 and for him to consider scrapping this unnecessary proposal altogether.

Should the Minister refuse to respond positively to the Council’s request, the Chief Executive is urged to launch a comprehensive publicity campaign with regard to promoting the changes and the option for voting by post.”

Councillor Ian Brookfield outlined the rationale for the motion. Councillor Stephen Simkins seconded the motion and outlined the rationale for supporting the motion.

The motion was debated by Council.

The Conservative Group withdrew from the meeting.

Upon  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.