Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Paul Appleby, Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Councillor Simon Bennett, Councillor Paula Brookfield,  Councillor Bob Maddox, Councillor Paul Sweet and Councillor Iqra Tahir.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 May 2023]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 17 May 2023, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To seek approval to invest and enter into a ten year lease with a service office provider for the occupation of i11]

1.    That the creation of a capital budget for the refurbishment and fit out works of i11 be approved.  

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital and Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities in consultation with the Director of Finance and Deputy Director of Assets to finalise the capital fit out works and associated budget.

[To approve the Bilston Health and Wellbeing Facility project and appropriate budgets]

That the Bilston Health and Wellbeing Facility project and appropriate capital budgets funded through grant and prudential borrowing as detailed within the report be approved.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, presented the report on Bilston Asset Transformation Programme - Bilston Health and Wellbeing Facility for approval.

The report detailed the need and provision of a modern integrated health and wellbeing campus in Bilston. The proposal provided a new fit for purpose building to meet future proofed Council services, healthcare and community needs and asset improvements to the existing Bert Williams Leisure Centre and associated public realm. The project forms part of the wider Bilston Asset Transformation Programme and accords with the Council’s Strategic Asset Plan to optimise, rationalise and consolidate council assets to release Brownfield sites for the provision of housing and community facilities.

The report also sought approval for the required budgets for the additional Bilston Market redevelopment project funding and Bilston Public Realm Improvement scheme. These projects were presented to the Cabinet (Resources) Panel on 14 December 2022 in the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 Bids Update report.

A corresponding private report detailing confidential financial matters was also submitted for consideration.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins proposed the recommendation and Councillor Susan Roberts seconded the recommendation.

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

Resolved:

That the Bilston Health and Wellbeing Facility project and appropriate capital budgets funded through grant and prudential borrowing as detailed within the report be approved.

[To approve the capital budget outturn 2022-2023 including quarter one capital monitoring 2023-2024]

1.    That the revised, medium term General Fund capital programme of £405.7 million, an increase of £10.8 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

2.      That the revised, medium term Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme of £601.1 million, a net increase of £1.2 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, presented the report on Capital Budget Outturn 2022-2023 including Quarter One Capital Budget Monitoring 2023-2024 for approval.

The report provided Council with an update on the outturn position for 2022-2023 and update on the 2023-2024 financial performance of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programmes whilst also providing a revised forecast for 2023-2024 to 2027-2028, as at quarter one of 2023-2024.

The report recommended revisions to the current approved capital programmes covering the period 2023-2024 to 2027-2028.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins proposed the recommendations and the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Skills, Councillor Louise Miles seconded the recommendations.

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

debate.

Resolved:

1.    That the revised, medium term General Fund capital programme of £405.7 million, an increase of £10.8 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

2.    That the revised, medium term Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme of £601.1 million, a net increase of £1.2 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

[To approve the Treasury Management Annual Report 2022-2023 and Activity Monitoring Quarter One 2023-2024]

1.    That it be noted, the Council operated within the overall approved Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, and also within the requirements set out in the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement during 2022-2023.

2.    That it be noted, a revenue underspend of £3.6 million for the General Fund and a revenue overspend of £699,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were generated from treasury management activities in 2022-2023.

3.    That it be noted, the General Fund and HRA treasury management activities for 2023-2024 were currently forecast to be within budget. This would continue to be monitored and updates provided in future reports.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, presented the report on Treasury Management - Annual Report 2022-2023 and Activity Monitoring Quarter One 2023-2024 for approval.

The report provided Council with the results of treasury management activities carried out in 2022- 2023, together with performance against the Prudential Indicators previously approved by Council.

The report also provided a monitoring and progress report on treasury management activity for the first quarter of 2023-2024, in line with the Prudential Indicators approved by Council in March 2023.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins proposed the recommendations and the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Skills, Councillor Louise Miles seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.    That it be noted, the Council operated within the overall approved Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, and also within the requirements set out in the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement during 2022-2023.

2.    That it be noted, a revenue underspend of £3.6 million for the General Fund and a revenue overspend of £699,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were generated from treasury management activities in 2022-2023.

3.    That it be noted, the General Fund and HRA treasury management activities for 2023-2024 were currently forecast to be within budget. This would continue to be monitored and updates provided in future reports.

[To present the Wolverhampton Youth Justice Plan 2023-2024 detailing key achievements within the Youth Offending Team during 2022-2023 and the key priorities for 2023-2024]

That the adoption of the Wolverhampton Youth Justice Plan 2023-2024 be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Chris Burden presented a report on Wolverhampton’s Youth Justice Plan 2023-2024 for approval.

The report detailed the plan relating to the work of the Youth Offending Team (YOT) that was overseen by the partnership YOT Management Board (YMB). The work of this plan is regularly reviewed by the YOT Management Board,

which comprises of membership from the City of Wolverhampton Council, West Midlands Police, The Royal Wolverhampton Hospital Trust, Recovery Near You (substance misuse service), National Probation Service, Housing, Public Health, Clinical Commissioning Group, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the Chair of the Black Country Youth Court Bench and the voluntary sector.

The report detailed performance against  three overarching national indicators on which performance is measured; the number of first-time entrants into the youth justice system, the number of young people who reoffend after their first offence and the number of young people who receive a custodial sentence as opposed to a community sentence.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Chris Burden proposed the recommendation and Councillor Mary Bateman seconded the recommendation.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Chris Burden responded to the debate.

Resolved:

That the adoption of the Wolverhampton Youth Justice Plan 2023-2024 be approved.

[To approve In Year Appointments for the 2023-2024 Municipal Year]

1.    That the appointment of Councillor Simon Bennett to the Planning Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

2.    The appointment of Councillor Sally Green to the Statutory Licensing Committee and Regulatory Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

3.    That the appointment of Councillor Barbara McGarrity QN as Vice Chair to Corporate Parenting Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

4.    That the removal of Councillor Linda Leach from the Resources and Equality Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

5.    That the appointment of Councillor Celia Hibbert to the Resources and Equality Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

6.    That the removal of Councillor Sally Green from the Economy & Growth Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

7.    That the appointment of Councillor Qaiser Azeem to the Economy & Growth Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

8.    That the removal of Councillor Anwen Muston from the Climate Change Advisory Group for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

9.    That the appointment of Councillor Linda Leach to the Climate Change Advisory Group for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

10.That the removal of Councillor Celia Hibbert from the Adults Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

11.That the appointment of Councillor Rohit Mistry from the Adults Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

12.That the appointment of Councillor Tersaim Singh and Councillor Harbinder Singh (nominated substitutes) to the West Midlands Combined Authority, Transport Delivery Overview & Scrutiny Committee be approved.

13.That the appointment of Councillor Carol Hyatt to the Wolverhampton Cycle Forum for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

14.That the appointment of Jaipal Uppal from Wolverhampton Youth Council to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

15. That the appointment of Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to the Linked Bodies Shareholder Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, presented the report on In Year Appointments for the 2023-2024 Municipal Year for approval.

The report detailed changes to in year appointments for the 2023- 2024 municipal year.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins proposed the recommendations. Councillor Milkinder Jaspal seconded the recommendations and moved the following amendments:

·         Approve the appointment of Councillor Harbinder Singh (nominated substitute) to the West Midlands Combined Authority, Transport Delivery Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024.

·         Approve the appointment of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to the Linked Bodies Shareholder Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024.

Councillor Rita Potter seconded the amendment to the report.

Resolved:

1.    That the appointment of Councillor Simon Bennett to the Planning Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

2.    The appointment of Councillor Sally Green to the Statutory Licensing Committee and Regulatory Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

3.    That the appointment of Councillor Barbara McGarrity QN as Vice Chair to Corporate Parenting Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

4.    That the removal of Councillor Linda Leach from the Resources and Equality Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

5.    That the appointment of Councillor Celia Hibbert to the Resources and Equality Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

6.    That the removal of Councillor Sally Green from the Economy & Growth Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

7.    That the appointment of Councillor Qaiser Azeem to the Economy & Growth Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

8.    That the removal of Councillor Anwen Muston from the Climate Change Advisory Group for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

9.    That the appointment of Councillor Linda Leach to the Climate Change Advisory Group for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

10.That the removal of Councillor Celia Hibbert from the Adults Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

11.That the appointment of Councillor Rohit Mistry from the Adults Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

12.That the appointment of Councillor Tersaim Singh and Councillor Harbinder Singh (nominated substitutes) to the West Midlands Combined Authority, Transport Delivery Overview & Scrutiny Committee be approved.

13.That the appointment of Councillor Carol Hyatt to the Wolverhampton Cycle Forum for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

14.That the appointment of Jaipal Uppal from Wolverhampton Youth Council to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

15.That the appointment of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to the Linked Bodies Shareholder Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements and Tributes to Leader]

1.    Mayoral Engagements

The Mayor reported that Ian Brookfield was a former Mayor of this city and understood the importance of this role and what a force for good it could be in terms of celebrating our diverse communities and raising money for worthy causes. The example he set in carrying out his Mayoral duties is one that has inspired many of us who have worn the chains of office since.

Since becoming Mayor in May, the Mayoress and Mayor had completed 77 engagements which have been incredibly varied ranging from Wolves Pride to Windrush Day and the opening of new businesses to congratulating the city’s latest cohort of newly qualified teachers.

2.    Armed Forces Day

The Mayor thanked everyone who attended Armed Forces Day in West Park last month and thanked everyone who contributed to the Mayoral charity tombola raising money for The Haven, Wings & Paws and Give us a Break. A total of £408 was raised.

3.    Reverend Wright

The Mayor reported he had had the pleasure earlier this month to host a surprise reception for the Prebendary Rev David Wright, Rector of Wolverhampton, who was leaving his post after 14 years to take up a new role as Superintendent of St Paul’s Cathedral in Valetta, Malta. David had worked extremely closely with the local authority and the Mayor thanked him for all that he has done over the years and wished him well in his new role.

4.    South Asian Heritage Month

The Mayor reported South Asian Heritage Month began on Tuesday 18 July and runs until 17th August and aims to celebrate, commemorate and educate about all aspects of South Asian history and culture. The theme this year is ‘Stories to Tell’. The Mayor was thrilled to be working with the Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Team to host the closing event on 16th August.

5.    Best Foot Forward

The Mayor reported, the Mayoress and Emily, the Mayoral Dog, were honoured to attend and take part in the Rotary Club of the City of Wolverhampton’s Best Foot Forward sponsored walk on 1st July held at WV Active Aldersley. The event this year was to raise money for Wolverhampton Coronary After Care Group, The Haven and the Rotary Foundation. The amount raised will be revealed at a cheque presentation evening on 24th August.

6.    Tributes to the Leader

The Council watched a commemorative video for the late Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors Steve Evans, Bhupinder Gakhal, Louise Miles, Anwen Muston, Qaiser Azeem, Zee Russell, Jacqui Sweetman, Sue Roberts, Chris Burden, Phil Bateman, Alan Butt, Paul Singh, Wendy Thompson and Stephen Simkins paid tributes to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield.

In paying tribute to Councillor Ian Brookfield, members referred to when he was first elected to the Council in 1995 – 2007 and then re-elected in 2012 representing Bushbury South and Low Hill. He had taken on numerous roles whilst a councillor and had also been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below.]

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to

the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

[To seek approval to invest and enter into a ten year lease with a service office provider for the occupation of i11]

1.    That the creation of a capital budget for the refurbishment and fit out works of i11 be approved. 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital and Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities in consultation with the Director of Finance and Deputy Director of Assets to finalise the capital fit out works and associated budget.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, presented the report on i11 - Investing in the City's Workspace Offer for approval. The report was exempt as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins proposed the recommendations and the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Craig Collingswood seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.    That the creation of a capital budget for the refurbishment and fit out works of i11 be approved. 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital and Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities in consultation with the Director of Finance and Deputy Director of Assets to finalise the capital fit out works and associated budget.

[To approve the Bilston Health and Wellbeing Facility project and appropriate budgets]

That the Bilston Health and Wellbeing Facility project and appropriate capital budgets funded through grant and prudential borrowing as detailed within the report be approved.

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, presented the report on Bilston Asset Transformation Programme - Bilston Health and Wellbeing Facility for approval.

The report was exempt as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins proposed the recommendation and Councillor Susan Roberts seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

That the Bilston Health and Wellbeing Facility project and appropriate capital budgets funded through grant and prudential borrowing as detailed within the report be approved.