Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Qaiser Azeem Councillor Paul Appleby, Councillor Ian Brookfield, Councillor Paula Brookfield, Councillor Jas Dehar,  Councillor Udey Singh and Councillor Olivia Birch for lateness

Councillor Philip Bateman declared a non-pecuniary interest in matters related to Ashmore Park Nursery School and in relation to Birmingham International Airport.

Councillor Mary Bateman declared a non-pecuniary interest in matters related to Ashmore Park Nursery School.

Councillor Wendy Dalton declared she had just been appointed to Uplands Junior School, Board of School Governors.

The Monitoring Officer, David Pattison advised that he was not aware of any councillor having a pecuniary or other registrable interest which prevented councillors from speaking or voting on an item at this meeting.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 January 2023]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 25 January 2023, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1.         LGBT History Month

The Mayor announced that she had been pleased to support a number of events that had taken place to celebrate LGBT History Month. She thanked the Deputy Mayor for attending the LGBT Rainbow flag raising on Wednesday 1 February. 

2.         Ukraine - One Year On

The Mayor reported that it had been a year since Russia had launched its attack on Ukraine and that the city of Wolverhampton continued to stand firm with the Ukrainian people. She reported that the Deputy Mayor had represented the Council and the people of Wolverhampton at a ceremony where the flag of Ukraine had been raised on Friday 24 February.

3.         Peter Bilson House

The Mayor was pleased to announce that a new facility for supported accommodation would open on Bond Street and would be named after the former Deputy Leader of the Council, Peter Bilson. She announced that she would attend an opening ceremony with Peter’s family and that it would serve as a lasting legacy to the man himself, who had played a key role in tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in Wolverhampton.

4.         International Women’s Day

The Mayor announced that International Women’s Day would take place on Wednesday 8 March. She was pleased to announce that she had been invited to open the Council’s ‘Everywoman – Embracing Equity’ event in the City Suite on the day and invited everyone to attend to hear stories, experiences and wisdom from inspiring women.

5.         Mayors Charity Quiz Night          

The Mayor announced that the Charity Quiz Night would now take place in the City Suite on Thursday 9 March at 7pm and that the Mayoral Office could be contacted for further details.

6.         Commonwealth Day

The Mayor announced that Monday 13 March would mark the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter by Queen Elizabeth II. She reported that the Commonwealth Peace Flag would be raised on the day, with a reception in the City Suite afterwards, and invited members to attend to commemorate the event.

7.         Ramadan 2023

The Mayor announced that the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan would begin on the evening of Wednesday 22 March and wished all members of the faith Ramadan Mubarak.

8.         Mayors RockFest 2023

The Mayor was pleased to announce that The Mayors Charity Rockfest 2023 would take place over the weekend of 7 to 9 April and provided details of the event. She publicly thanked the organiser Doddy White and his team at Rockers Through The Ages for their sterling efforts to set up the event.

9.         King Charles’ III Coronation Poetry Competition

The Mayor announced that a poetry competition for children and adults would be launched to mark the King’s Coronation, in partnership with the City’s library service, and that details of how to enter could be found on social media.

10. Death of Betty Boothroyd

The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of Baroness Betty Boothroyd, who had served as the first female Speaker of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[To approve a refreshed Our City: Our Plan for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year]

1.    That the Our City: Our Plan refresh, 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.

Deputy Leader of Inclusive City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, presented the report on Our City: Our Plan Refresh 2023/2024 for approval. The refreshed council plan, Our City: Our Plan was detailed in appendix 1 to the report. 

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 report also provided an update on the Council performance framework and how the Council would continue to monitor our progress towards delivering our city priorities.

Deputy Leader of Inclusive City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, proposed the recommendations and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, Councillor Obaida Ahmed seconded the recommendations.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Stephen Simkins replied to the debate.

Resolved:

1. That the Our City: Our Plan refresh, 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.

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

·       Capital Programme 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 quarter three review and 2023- 2024 to 2027-2028 budget strategy

·       Treasury Management Strategy 2023-2024 

·       Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2023-2024 to 2025-2026

·       Council Tax Formal Resolutions.]

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, Councillor Obaida Ahmed presented the report on Final Budget Report 2023-2024 for approval.

The Capital Programme 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 Quarter Three Review and 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 Budget Strategy provided Council with an update on the 2022-2023 financial performance of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programmes, whilst also providing a revised forecast for 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 as at quarter three 2022-2023. The report also recommend revisions to the current approved capital programme covering the period 2022-2023 to 2027-2028.

The Treasury Management Strategy 2023-2024 sets out the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2023-2024 for approval by Full Council. The report incorporates six elements, which are detailed in separate documents, appended to this report.

The 2023-2024 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023-2024 to 2025-2026 presented a balanced budget for 2023-2024 aligned to the Our City: Our Plan and an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2023- 2024 to 2025-2026, for recommendation to Council. The Council had a balanced budget for 2023-2024, without the need to use general fund reserves. There was still a high level of uncertainty going forward and a significant financial challenge over the medium term with a projected deficit for 2024-2025 of £16.4 million, rising to £23.1 million by 2025-2026.

The Council Tax Base and Business Rates (NDR) Net Rate Yield 2023-2024 set the estimates for Wolverhampton Collection Fund 2023-2024, which the Council manages on behalf of local precepting bodies and central government. The report also sought approval to extend the Council’s local scheme for Business Rates Discretionary Relief with effect from 1 April 2023.

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

Councillor Ellis Turrell 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 Wendy Thompson 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:

The amended motion was LOST by 37 votes.

The substantive report was debated by Council.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed replied to the debate.

The substantive motion on 2023-2024 Final Budget Report was put before Council.

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

The substantive motion was CARRIED by 37 votes.

Resolved:

1.    That the updated City of Wolverhampton Capital Strategy be approved.

2.    That the revised, medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £351.5 million, an increase of £11.1 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

3.    That the authorised borrowing limit for 2023-2024 to support the capital strategy as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

[To approve the Capital Programme 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 Quarter Three Review and 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 Budget Strategy]

[To approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2023-2024]

[To present a balanced budget for 2023-2024 aligned to the Council Plan priorities and an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023-2024 to 2025-2026]

[To set the estimates for Wolverhampton Collection Fund 2023-2024, which the Council manages on behalf of local precepting bodies and central government]

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