Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Councillor Mary Bateman, Councillor Louise Miles and Councillor Paul Singh.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1.  Mayoral Engagements

The Mayor attended three memorial services recently, for our Korean War veterans on 27^th July, Victory in Japan Day on 15^th August and the Battle of Britain anniversary last Sunday. It was most important that we continued to remember our fallen servicemen and women in the hope that their memory would help to prevent further conflict.

Since the last council meeting in July, the Mayoress and Mayor had completed 40 engagements and attended four British Citizenship Ceremonies. The Mayor also attended two flag raising ceremonies.

2.  Young Citizen of the Year

The Mayor hosted the annual Young Citizen of the Year Awards, run by the City’s Rotary Clubs, on Thursday 7th September in the City Suite.

The Mayor reported there were joint winners in the 13 – 18 age group. They were Imane Sbihi and Eva Abley. Imane, originally from Morocco, had settled in Wolverhampton and had immersed herself in voluntary work. Eva, who has cerebral palsy, came fifth in Britain’s Got Talent  
last year and uses comedy to inspire others to cope with disability.    

The Mayor reported the winner of the 18 – 25 year old category was Alethea Parsons, who was nominated by a teacher from the Wolverhampton Music School for her outstanding contribution to music and the arts in           the city. 

3.  Shimla Disaster

The Mayor was saddened to hear of the natural disaster that befell the Shimla area on 14^th August, when heavy rains caused landslides leading to huge loss of life and property.

The Mayor has written to Mr Surinder Chohan, Mayor of Shimla, on behalf of Wolverhampton to express our sorrow for what had happened.

Mayor Chohan had written back to thank the citizens of Wolverhampton for their support.

4.  Visit of the President and First Lady of Shri Lanka

The Mayor reported the University of Wolverhampton was holding a ceremony to award the First Lady of Shri Lanka, Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe, with an Honorary Professorship, in recognition of her contributions to academia.

Also in attendance will be the President of Shri Lanka, Mr Ranil Wickramsinghe, the High Commissioner of Shri Lanka to the UK, Her Excellency Mrs Saroja Sirisena and other representatives.

The Mayor placed on record thanks to the University for organising the event and inviting the Mayor to attend.

5.  Mayor’s Charity Fundraising

The Mayor placed on record, his thanks to Dr Paul Hampton and the University of Wolverhampton for holding a charity golf day on 1^st September. This event raised £3,000 for the Mayor’s charities. Pin badges featuring the city crest were also available to purchase for a minimum donation of £3 to the mayoral charitable fund.

6.  British Empire Medal Presentation Ceremony

The Mayor shall be travelling to Birmingham Council House on Thursday 28^th September to witness the investiture ceremony for recipients of the British Empire Medal. This prestigious event was to be hosted by His Majesty’s representative for the West Midlands, the Lord Lieutenant Sir John Crabtree.

7.    Dutch War  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

[To approve the Education, Skills and Employment Strategy]

1.     That the Education, Skills and Employment Strategy to deliver a whole life approach to learning and work which support children, young people and adults to thrive be approved.

2.     That the budget from the remaining uncommitted balance of £1.2 million, from the original £3 million programme reserve budget approved by Cabinet on 20 October 2021 for the Wolves at Work 18-24 programme to deliver Wolves at Work Transformation programme be approved.

3.     That authority be delegated to the relevant Director to approve targeted interventions and the allocation of the associated budget (from the £1.2 million available).

In the absence of Councillor Louise Miles, the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education,  Councillor Chris Burden presented the report on Education, Skills and Employment Strategy for approval.

The report detailed the new Education, Skills and Employment (ESE) Strategy which sets out the Council’s approach to supporting local people into good quality careers and work.

The report detailed the strategy would focus on five overarching priorities; Children have the best start in life, High quality education which prepares young people for work, Post 16 provision which meets the needs of city employers, Lifelong learning and employment pathways to good quality work.

The report detailed the strategy had been developed through regular, continued engagement with key stakeholders and communities. Formal consultation had also been undertaken between 27 June and 18 August 2023. This included focus groups with young people, city partners, equality groups education and training providers.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Chris Burden proposed the recommendations and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins seconded the recommendations.

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

Resolved:

1.    That the Education, Skills and Employment Strategy to deliver a whole life approach to learning and work which support children, young people and adults to thrive be approved.

2.    That the budget from the remaining uncommitted balance of £1.2 million, from the original £3 million programme reserve budget approved by Cabinet on 20 October 2021 for the Wolves at Work 18-24 programme to deliver Wolves at Work Transformation programme be approved.

3.    That authority be delegated to the relevant Director to approve targeted interventions and the allocation of the associated budget (from the £1.2 million available).

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

1.     That the appointment, by the Leader of the Council, of Councillors to the Cabinet, the specified lead Cabinet Member roles and Cabinet Panels set out in Appendix 1 be noted.

2.     That the removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the Scrutiny Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

3.     That the appointment of Councillor Jas Dehar to the Scrutiny Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

4.     The removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the Governance and Ethics Committee as member and Vice Chair for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

5.     That the appointment of Councillor Rohit Mistry as Vice Chair to the Governance and Ethics Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

6.     That the removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the West Midlands Combined Authority – Overview and Scrutiny Committee as a substitute for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

7.     That the appointment of Councillor Rita Potter to the West Midlands Combined Authority – Overview and Scrutiny Committee as a substitute for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

8.     That the removal of the Leader from the West Midlands Rail Ltd as Principal Director for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved. 

9.     That the appointment of the Deputy Leader as Principal Director to the West Midlands Rail Ltd for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved. 

10.That the appointment of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change as substitute director to the West Midlands Rail Ltd for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved. 

11.That the removal of Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education from the Wolverhampton Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

12.That the appointment of Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education to the Wolverhampton Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

The 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 Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins proposed the recommendations. Councillor Milkinder Jaspal seconded the recommendations.

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

Resolved:

1.    That the appointment, by the Leader of the Council, of Councillors to the Cabinet, the specified lead Cabinet Member roles and Cabinet Panels set out in Appendix 1 be noted.

2.    That the removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the Scrutiny Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

3.    That the appointment of Councillor Jas Dehar to the Scrutiny Board for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

4.    The removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the Governance and Ethics Committee as member and Vice Chair for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

5.    That the appointment of Councillor Rohit Mistry as Vice Chair to the Governance and Ethics Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

6.    That the removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the West Midlands Combined Authority – Overview and Scrutiny Committee as a substitute for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

7.    That the appointment of Councillor Rita Potter to the West Midlands Combined Authority – Overview and Scrutiny Committee as a substitute for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

8.    That the removal of the Leader from the West Midlands Rail Ltd as Principal Director for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved. 

9.    That the appointment of the Deputy Leader as Principal Director to the West Midlands Rail Ltd for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved. 

10.That the appointment of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change as substitute director to the West Midlands Rail Ltd for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved. 

11.That the removal of Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education from the Wolverhampton Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

12.That the appointment of Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Education to the Wolverhampton Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

[That the Cabinet Members respond to questions received]

That the responses to written questions be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal responded to a question put to him by Councillor Jacqueline Sweetman on The Halls. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Chris Burden responded to questions put to him by Councillor Jacqui Coogan on Cost of Living Crisis and Councillor Barbara McGarrity QN on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). He also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

The Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, Councillor Jasbir Jaspal responded to questions put to her by Councillor Christopher Haynes on Local Police Stations and Councillor Stephanie Haynes on Life Expectancy. She also responded to supplementary questions on the same subject matter.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins responded to a question put to him by Councillor Wendy Thompson on Beatties. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same subject matter.

Resolved:

That the responses to written questions be noted.

[That Council consider the motions received]

1.     That the motion on Care Leavers Protected Characteristic Motion be agreed.

2.     That the amended motion on Leisure Membership Concessions be agreed.

3.     That the amended substantive motion on JCB Pothole Pro Vehicle Purchase be agreed.

4.     That the motion on Business Relationships be lost.

Councillor Chris Burden, moved the motion on Care Leavers Protected Characteristic Motion:

“Every Councillor, employee of this Council and our partner agencies is a Corporate Parent to the children in our care and our care experienced young people. We are all responsible for providing the best possible care, safeguarding and educational outcomes for the children and young people who are and have been in the care of the City of Wolverhampton Council. Our young people in care and our care experienced young people have the right to expect everything from a good corporate parent that would be expected from a responsible and good parent. This includes how families continue their support, care, and ambition for their children long after they leave home and gain independence. The City of Wolverhampton Council in partnership with the Care Leavers Independent Collective Forum and our partner agencies are proud that together we have been able to achieve, :-

• Wolverhampton Care Leavers being exempt from all Council Tax charges up to the age of 25.

• Wolverhampton Care Leavers up to the age of 25 having free access to leisure facilities at WV Active sites.

• Care Leavers bidding for Wolverhampton Homes properties are entitled to Band 1 Housing allocation.

• Care Leavers living in a Wolverhampton Homes property will never be made intentionally homeless.

• Care Leavers up to 25 years have access to free prescriptions.

• Wolverhampton Care Leavers have access to a variety of apprenticeships within the City of Wolverhampton Council and are able to apply for positions as the two-week internal application stage.

• Care Leavers have dedicated advice and support from an Education, Employment and Training Advisor to help them make their next steps into work or education.

However, as fantastic as these achievements are, we know as a good corporate parent that we can always do more. We are determined that every decision made by this Council and every policy set here considers the impact on our care experienced young people.

This motion proposes including “care experienced”, regardless of age, as a protected characteristic in all our Equality Impact Assessments. This will give these people formal recognition and make sure that all decisions that are made and policies that are set consider their specific needs and the impact on them.

The Government commissioned independent review into children’s social care highlighted the recommendation that care experience should be made a protected characteristic as part of the Equalities Act 2010. As yet, the Government have not progressed this recommendation.

Therefore, we propose to take steps here in Wolverhampton to be the best corporate parents we can be and to recognise care experience, regardless of a person’s age, be defined as a protected characteristic till such a time as it may be introduced by legislation.

The City of Wolverhampton Council, by recognising care experience as a protected characteristic would resolve:

a. That when making any decisions in relation to its policies or formulating its Council plan that it recognises that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.