Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Paul Appleby, Councillor Olivia Birch, Councillor Paul Birch, Councillor Adam Collinge, Councillor Carol Hyatt and Councillor Andy Randle.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 12, Motions on Notice; West Midlands Police – Data. 

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 May 2022]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 18 May 2022, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1. Death of Honorary Alderman Paddy Bradley

The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of Honorary Alderman Paddy Bradley, who passed away on  23 June 2022, at the age of 86 years. She had served as a councillor for almost 40 years. She had been Deputy Mayor and was appointed an Honorary Alderman in September 2012.

The Mayor passed on condolences to her family and friends.

The Mayor was also saddened to announce the deaths of:

·       Dame Deborah James who recently died after a long and very well documented battle with cancer.

·       Mary Garner, a stalwart of Blakenhall politics and mentor to the Mayor in the early days.

·       Reverend Eddie Brooks, a former teacher in the city who had taught some of the councillors.

The Council stood in silent tribute to the late Honorary Alderman Paddy Bradley, Dame Deborah James, Mary Garner and the Rev Eddie Brooks.

2. Jubilee Portrait Competition Afternoon Tea With the Mayor

The Mayor had the pleasure of hosting an afternoon tea at the Art Gallery celebrating the winners of the Mayoral Platinum Jubilee Portrait Competition. Hundreds of entries had been received from people of all ages across the City, the competition showcased the incredible talent in Wolverhampton. The Mayor thanked all those that entered and made the afternoon such a great celebration.

3. Crich Pilgrimage

The Mayor reported on the first Sunday in July, the Mayor had the honour of attending the annual pilgrimage to the Mercian Regimental memorial in Crich, Derbyshire. It was a moving service where those servicemen and servicewomen who died in battle were remembered. The Consort and Mayor were honoured to represent the City alongside other Mayors, dignitaries, soldiers and veterans from the Mercian Regiment from across the Midlands and Cheshire at this year’s event.

4. National Windrush Day and Flag Raising Ceremony

The Mayor reported that on Wednesday  22 June,  she was proud as our city’s first ever African Caribbean Mayor, to join members of the community to raise the Windrush Day flag and host a reception in the City Suite. The day was close to the Mayors’ heart, as a child of the Windrush generation. The day celebrated and thanked the Windrush community in the City for their enormous contribution after the Second World War.

5. 60^th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence

The Mayor reported she would be raising the Jamaican flag on 5 August at 11am to celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence and encouraged others to also attend.

6. BITC Work Inclusion

The Mayor reported she attended and spoke at the Business in the Community workplace inclusion event held in the city suite which was organised by the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Team. National business leaders came to share best practice around being inclusive employers.

7. Visit to Wolverhampton- Delegation of African Academics

The Mayor reported she was invited to open and speak at the second Forum for Innovation in African Universities which was hosted by the University of Wolverhampton on Thursday 7 July.  ...  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 provided Council with an update on ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund’.

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

[To approve the capital budget outturn 2021-2022 including quarter one capital monitoring 2022-2023]

That the revised, medium term General Fund capital programme of £367.8 million, a net increase of £152,000 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 a report on Capital Budget Outturn 2021-2022 including Quarter One Capital Budget Monitoring 2022-2023.

The report provided an update on the outturn position for 2021-2022 and update on the 2022-2023 financial performance of the General Fund and HRA capital programmes whilst also providing a revised forecast for 2022-2023 to 2026-2027, as at quarter one of 2022-2023.

The report recommended revisions to the current approved capital programmes covering the period 2022-2023 to 2026-2027. The capital programme underpins the Our City, Our Plan.

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 Fund capital programme of £367.8 million, a net increase of £152,000 from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

[To approve the Treasury Management - Annual Report 2021-2022 and Activity Monitoring Quarter One 2022-2023]

1.    That it be noted, the Council operated within the overall approved Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, and also with the requirements set out in the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement during 2021-2022.

2.    That it be noted, revenue underspends of £1.0 million for the General Fund and £738,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were generated from treasury management activities in 2021-2022.

3.    That it be noted, the General Fund and HRA treasury management activities for 2022-2023 were currently forecast to be within budget. This would continue to be monitored, and updates would be provided in future reports.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, Councillor Obaida Ahmed, presented a report on Treasury Management - Annual Report 2021-2022 and Activity Monitoring Quarter One 2022-2023.

The report sets out the results of treasury management activities carried out in 2021- 2022, together with performance against the Prudential Indicators previously approved by Council. It also provides a monitoring and progress report on treasury management activity for the first quarter of 2022-2023, 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, the Council operated within the overall approved Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, and also with the requirements set out in the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement during 2021-2022.
2. That it be noted, revenue underspends of £1.0 million for the General Fund and £738,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were generated from treasury management activities in 2021-2022.
3. That it be noted, the General Fund and HRA treasury management activities for 2022-2023 were currently forecast to be within budget. This would continue to be monitored, and updates would be provided in future reports.

[To consider the Select Committee Report in relation to The Wolverhampton Pound: Procurement, Contract Management and Commissioning]

That the recommendations in the Wolverhampton Pound Select Committee Action Plan be endorsed.

The Chair of the Select Committee, Councillor Susan Roberts presented the Select Committee - The Wolverhampton Pound - Procurement, Contract Management and Commissioning report.

A trial Select Committee in relation to The Wolverhampton Pound, was commenced in October 2021. The Council sought input from expert witnesses both internal and external to gather feedback and help shape the recommendations. The Select Committee comprised a cross-party group of councillors working together to gather information and evidence in relation to an agreed line of inquiry.

Councillor Susan Roberts was honoured to chair this Select Committee and thanked all of the organisations and groups who gave up their time to provide us with the information contained within this report. The Select Committee heard evidence form CLES, partner organisations, Voluntary and Community sector representatives, local businesses, service providers and internal Council departments.

The report provides a summary of the evidence sessions and a set of recommendations which the Committee consider important for the implementation and success of the Wolverhampton Pound. The action plan would be monitored by the Scrutiny Board.

The Chair of the Select Committee, Councillor Susan Roberts proposed the recommendation and Councillor Zee Russell seconded the recommendation.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Susan Roberts replied to the debate.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the Wolverhampton Pound Select Committee Action Plan be endorsed.

[To present the outcome of the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children's Services and detail actions required for improvement]

That the ‘Good’ overall judgement from the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services be celebrated and our continued excellent position in the West Midlands and the country be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, presented a report on Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services, City of Wolverhampton Council. The report provided an update on the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection of Children’s Services and details actions required for improvement.

The report detailed the outcome of the inspection of Children’s Service, with overall effectiveness being graded as good with outstanding and innovative areas of practice. It provided strong external assurance that children and young people in the city were being safeguarded and cared for.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi placed on record thanks to all the employees who worked in Children’s Services.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi proposed the recommendation and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Councillor Chris Burden seconded the recommendation.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Beverley Momenabadi replied to the debate.

Resolved:

That the ‘Good’ overall judgement from the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services be celebrated and our continued excellent position in the West Midlands and the country be noted.

[To approve changes to the Constitution]

1.    That the amendments to the Constitution as detailed in this report be approved.

2.    That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement the changes.

The Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee, Councillor John Reynolds, presented a report on Constitution Review for approval.

The report recommended that the Full Council Procedure Rules be amended, the purpose of this was to include questions by members of the public and time limits for certain items on the agenda and the report detailed the rationale for making these changes.

The Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee, Councillor John Reynolds, proposed the recommendations and the Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities Councillor Paula Brookfield seconded the recommendations.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor John Reynolds replied to the debate.

Resolved:

1. That the amendments to the Constitution be approved.

2. That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement the changes.

[To approve In Year Appointments for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year]

1.    That the removal of Councillor Paul Appleby from the Statutory Licensing Committee and Regulatory Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2022/2023 be approved.

2.    That the appointment of Councillor Jonathan Crofts to the Statutory Licensing Committee and Regulatory Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2022/2023 be approved.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report In Year Appointments for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year.

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

Resolved:

1. That the removal of Councillor Paul Appleby from the Statutory Licensing Committee and Regulatory Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2022/2023 be approved.
2. That the appointment of Councillor Jonathan Crofts to the Statutory Licensing Committee and Regulatory Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2022/2023 be approved.

[That Council consider the motions received by Councillor Phil Bateman MBE, Councillor Simon Bennett, Councillor Ellis Turrell and Councillor Wendy Thompson]

1.    That the motion on West Midlands Police – Data be agreed.

2.    That the amended motion on Ukraine be agreed.

3.    That the motion on Draft Black Country Plan be lost.

4.    That the motion on Fallow Year be agreed.

Having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the motion on West Midlands Police – Data, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal left the Council Chamber and took no part in the consideration of this item.

Councillor Phillip Bateman moved the following motion on West Midlands Police – Data: 

“This City Council is concerned and dismayed over the poor public information arrangements that West Midlands Police are currently operating. Police UK, which informs the public upon the actions and performances and local crime and the detection, is still deficient and does not carry West Midlands performance rates.

West Midlands Police also do not update their electronic information on the changes in ward cover and the teams performing crime fighting duties in the city’s wards.

Added to that, there are no up to date crime level statistics for wards across the city which the public can read, digest and then support. There are concerns across our city that crime is rising and that is compounded by the fact that there are no detection rates or other important statistics on show to benchmark, prove or measure criminal effects on our communities.

There is no current up to date public information on police strength by city wards that the public can rely upon. Wulfrunians will be growing away from the police if their requirements to know what is happening in their communities are not heeded, or their need for information on crime and its solutions continue to be ignored.

The ‘Thin Blue Line’ still has less police in service in Wolverhampton than it had in 2010, yet our population has soared in that same period. It could appear to some that West Midlands Police are appearing to ignore the public in our city.

This City Council therefore calls on West Midlands Police to greatly improve its communications and create better links between elected members and community leaders in the wards they serve.”

Councillor Phillip Bateman outlined the rationale for the motion. Councillor Greg Brackenridge seconded the motion and outlined the rationale for supporting the motion.

Councillor Philip Bateman outlined the rationale for the motion. Councillor Greg Brackenridge seconded the motion and outlined the rationale for supporting the motion.

The motion was debated by Council.

Resolved: That the motion on West Midlands Police- Data be agreed.

Councillor Simon Bennet moved the motion on Ukraine:

“In support of Ukraine, Council agrees to explore twinning opportunities with a Ukrainian town or city.”

Councillor Simon Bennett outlined the rationale for the motion. Councillor Andrew McNeil seconded the motion and outlined the rationale for supporting the motion.

Councillor Ian Brookfield moved an amendment to the motion as follows:

‘In support of Ukraine, Council agrees to utilise its partners in the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), as a way to contact people with feet on the ground in Ukraine, especially Dnipro, as well as our local Ukrainian community and bodies like the Refugee and Migrant Council (RMC) and University. This would enable us to provide a package of co-ordinated support that will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

[That the Cabinet Members respond to questions received]

That written questions by Councillors be deferred to the next meeting.

Resolved:

That written questions by Councillors be deferred to the next meeting.