Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor, Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the Leader of the Councillor, Councillor Ian Brookfield, Councillor Paula Brookfield, Councillor Olivia Birch and Councillor Mak Singh.

The following interests had been made:

Agenda Item 6 - Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2023-2024 including Rents and Service Charges:

The Monitoring Officer, David Pattison advised the Wolverhampton Homes Board Members to leave the Council Chamber for the duration of item 6.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 December 2022]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 7 December 2022, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor subject to the minutes being amended at item 10 – Motions on Notice – Photo ID to state Members of the Conservative Group withdrew from the meeting.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1. Death of Former Mayor - Honorary Alderman Trudy Bowen

The Deputy Mayor was saddened to announce the death of former Mayor and Honorary Alderman Trudy Bowen.  Trudy, had served as Mayor in 2007-2008 and was a Councillor for the Bilston North ward. 

The Deputy Mayor passed on condolences to her family and friends.

The Council stood in silent tribute to the late Trudy Bowen.

2. Memorial Service for John and Noreen Davis

The Deputy Mayor announced that a service to remember former Mayor and Mayoress John and Noreen Davis would be held at St Michael and All Angels Church in Tettenhall at 3pm on 6 February. John had served as a City Councillor for over 30 years, was Mayor in 2006-2007 and was also an Honorary Alderman. 

The Deputy Mayor announced that he would be honoured to represent the Mayor at the service and expressed hope that Councillors would be well represented on the day to honour his memory.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

3. Holocaust Memorial Day  

  The Deputy Mayor reported that Holocaust Memorial Day would take place on 27 January to remember all victims of genocide across the ages and around the world today. The Deputy Mayor would be attending a service at the Cenotaph on the day.

4. Mayors Charity Quiz Night 

The Deputy Mayor announced that the Mayor would be hosting a charity quiz night in the City Suite at 7pm on 3 March and that the Mayoral Office could be contacted for further details.

5. Thank You to Members and Staff

The Deputy Mayor reported that the Mayor would like to thank everyone who donated to the Christmas Jumper collection at the previous Full Council meeting, where £198 was raised. He added that the Mayor would also like to thank those who participated in her charity eBay auction, where £480 was raised for ACCI, Compton Hospice and Sickle Cell Care.

6. iAwards 2023

The Deputy Mayor reported that he and the Deputy Mayoress would represent the Mayor at this year’s iAwards Ceremony. The ceremony would celebrate the achievements of the city’s looked-after children and would take place on 27 January at Grand Station, Sun Street.

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

Deputy Leader of Inclusive City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, provided Council with an update on the Wolverhampton Local Plan and the Council’s pledge to protect  Green Belt Land.

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

Councillor Stephen Simkins replied to the response.

[To approve the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2023-2024 including rent and service charges]

1.    That the Business Plan as set out at Appendix 1(as amended) to the Council report be adopted as the approved Housing Revenue Account Business Plan including:

a. The revenue budget for 2023-2024 at Appendix 1 to the report.

b. The Capital Programme for 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 at Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report that includes the following among the proposed investment plans:

• £105 million for new homes

• £67 million provision for estate remodelling

• £39 million to complete the refurbishment of the Heath Town estate

• £43 million remediation works to non-traditional properties including energy efficiency improvements £114 million for programmes to high rise estates to include building safety improvements, infrastructure replacement, and external works to include energy efficiency.

2.    That the implementation of an increase of 7% to social housing rents in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent increase from 1 April 2023 be approved.

3.    That the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in Appendix 3 to the cabinet report be approved and tenants be formally notified.  

4.    That an increase to Shared Ownership rents of 7% be approved.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Assets and Housing and Resources and Digital City in consultation with the Director of Finance and Director of City Housing and Environment to approve the final Management Allowances for Managing Agents in 2023-2024 to include a virement from the debt management repayment budget if required to enable a full review of cost pressures.

6.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Assets and Housing and Resources and Digital City in consultation with Director of Finance and Director of City Housing and Environment to agree a financial assistance scheme for tenants experiencing financial hardship to be in place by 1 April 2023.

7.    That the HRA Financial Management and Investment Strategy, at Appendix 6 to the Business Plan be approved.

Having declared a other registrable interest, Councillor Jonathan Crofts,

Councillor Asha Mattu, Councillor Rita Potter, Councillor Zee Russell and Councillor Paul Singh left the Council Chamber for the consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, presented the report on Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2023-2024 including Rent and Service Charges for approval.

The report presented an updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2023-2024 which was intended to balance the provision of new homes for rent, whilst continuing to invest in better and safer homes programmes to the existing stock and improving and redeveloping housing estates.

The report also provided, as an integral part of that Business Plan, a proposed HRA budget for 2023-2024, including proposed rents and service charges to take effect from 1 April 2023, and a proposed HRA Capital Programme for the period 2023-2024 to 2027- 2028 recommended for approval.

The Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, proposed the recommendations and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, Councillor Obaida Ahmed seconded the recommendations.

Councillor Adam Collinge moved the report Conservative Group Amendment - Housing Revenue Account 2023/2024 and outlined the rationale to the amendment to the Housing Revenue Account 2023/2024. Councillor Ellis Turrell seconded the amendment to the Housing Revenue Account 2023/2024 and outlined the rationale for supporting the amendment.

The Conservative Group Amendment - Housing Revenue Account 2023/2024 was debated by Council.

Upon being put to the meeting, and a division having been demanded and taken voting thereon was as follows:

The amended motion was LOST by 34 votes.

The substantive report was debated by Council.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal replied to the debate.

Upon being put to the meeting, and a division having been demanded and taken voting thereon was as follows:

The substantive motion was CARRIED by 34 votes.

Resolved:

1. That the Business Plan as set out at Appendix 1(as amended) to the Council report be adopted as the approved Housing Revenue Account Business Plan including:

a. The revenue budget for 2023-2024 at Appendix 1 to the report.

b. The Capital Programme for 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 at Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report that includes the following among the proposed investment plans:

• £105 million for new homes

• £67 million provision for estate remodelling

• £39 million to complete the refurbishment of the Heath Town estate • £43 million remediation works to non-traditional properties including energy efficiency improvements £114 million for programmes to high rise estates to include building safety improvements, infrastructure replacement, and external works to include energy efficiency.

2. That the implementation of an increase of 7% to social housing rents in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent increase from 1 April 2023 be approved.
3. That the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in Appendix 3 to the cabinet report be approved and tenants be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

[To consider the alternative Housing Revenue Account 2023/2024]

[To receive the auditor’s annual report]

That the Annual Report from the Council’s external auditors, Grant Thornton be noted.

The Chair of Audit and Risk Committee, Councillor Craig Collingswood, presented the report on Auditor's Annual Report on City of Wolverhampton Council for approval.

The report provided members with an update on the Auditor’s Annual Report, on City of Wolverhampton Council for 2021-2022.

The report by the auditor’s considered whether the Council had put in place proper arrangements to secure economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in its use of resources. The auditor’s report went in more detail on the Council’s overall arrangements, as well as key recommendations on any significant weaknesses in arrangements identified during the audit. Overall, no statutory or key recommendations were reported by Grant Thornton.

The Chair of Audit and Risk Committee, Councillor Craig Collingswood, proposed the recommendation and the Vice Chair of Audit and Risk Committee, Councillor Paul Appleby seconded the recommendation.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Craig Collingswood replied to the debate.

Resolved:

That the Annual Report from the Council’s external auditors, Grant Thornton be noted.

[That the Executive Members respond to questions received]

That responses to written questions be noted.

The Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Steve Evans responded to a question put to him by Councillor Simon Bennett on Victoria Street. 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 Westside. He also responded to supplementary questions on the same subject matters.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jasbir Jaspal responded to a question put to her by Councillor Jonathan Crofts on PACT Meetings. She also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

The Cabinet Member for Adults, Councillor Linda Leach responded to a question put to her by Councillor Paul Singh on Care Packages. She agreed to provide a written response to the supplementary question on the same subject matter.

The Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Steve Evans responded to a question put to him by Councillor Andrew Randle on Road Resurfacing. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jasbir Jaspal responded to a question put to her by Councillor Stephanie Haynes on PACT Meetings. She also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

Resolved:

That responses to written questions be noted.