Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Barbara McGarrity QN.

Councillor Phillip Bateman declared an interest as a Board Member of Birmingham International Airport. 

[To receive minutes of the previous meetings held on 13 September 2023 and 20 September 2023 (Extraordinary and Ordinary Meeting]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 13 September 2023 and 20 September 2023, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1. The Ongoing Situation in Israel and Gaza

The Mayor was saddened by the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza and strongly condemned the horrific acts of brutal violence against innocent civilians.

The Council stood in silence  to reflect on the ongoing conflicts.

2. Sargeant Paul Frear

The Mayor was saddened to hear of the death of long-serving West Midlands Police Sergeant Paul Frear, who was tragically hit by a car on his way into work. 

The Mayor placed on record his thanks to Sergeant Frear and the wider Police community, for their tireless work to ensure we are able to live in a free and stable democracy.

3. Mayoral Engagements

The Mayor reported  he would be attending three memorial events over the course of Remembrance Weekend.

On Saturday 11^th November from 10:45am there would be a service to mark Armistice Day at the Cenotaph, St Peters Square. This would be followed by the annual visit to Wolverhampton by representatives of the Princess Irene Brigade from the Netherlands to commemorate their fallen comrades interred in Jeffcock Road Cemetery at 1:30pm.

On Sunday 12 November, there would be the annual Remembrance Parade, Drumhead Service and wreath laying in St Peters Square, and then the Civic Service of Remembrance in St Peters Church.

The Mayor encouraged all to attend the Remembrance events.

Since the last council meeting in September, the Mayoress and Mayor had completed 58 engagements.

4. War Graves Cleaning

The Mayor reported he joined the Mayoral team and Councillor’s Sweetman, Brackenridge and Dalton, to assist the Commonwealth War Graves Commission staff to clean some of the many War Graves headstones in Jeffcock Road Cemetery.

The Mayor placed on record thanks to all who participated.

5. Youth Awards Evenings

The Mayoress and Mayor attended the YMCA Open Door Youth Awards at their Head Quarters in the City Centre.

The Mayoress and Mayor hosted another event in the City Suite, presenting certificates to Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children to reward their progress in settling in the UK.

6. Wolverhampton Sporting Hall of Fame

The Mayor reported three new local sportsmen were inducted into our Sporting Hall of Fame, at Aldersley Leisure Village:

·         David Lloyd Nelson, Team GB hurdler, Commonwealth Games medallist and national AAA Champion.

·         Don Howe, a posthumous award was received by his son Steven, for his contribution to world of top-flight football over many decades.

·         Springvale Cricket Club received the accolade in their centenary year.

·         St Peters Collegiate Academy who have produced 4 sportspersons named in the Hall of Fame. The Mayor shall be presenting the Academy with their certificate on Friday 10^th November.

7. Community Events

The Mayor attended the Diwali celebrations in Phoenix Park, the Deputy Mayor attended the Fireworks at the Racecourse.

The Mayor would  be attending the Christmas Lights Switch-Ons on the following dates:

·         Saturday 18^th November in the City Centre

·         Thursday 23^rd November in Wednesfield

·         Friday 24^th November in Tettenhall

·         Sunday 26^th November in Bantock Park. 

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

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, provided Council with an update following a meeting with the Metro Mayor, Andy Street to discuss key priorities for the Council.

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

Councillor Stephen Simkins replied to the response.

[The Chief Operating Officer to present a return of the Councillor elected on 28 September]

The Chief Operating Officer, David Pattison, reported that Councillor Paul Ian Brookfield, for the Labour Party, was elected to office on 28^th September 2023 to the Bushbury South and Low Hill Ward.

Resolved:

That the return of the Councillor elected on 28 September by-election be noted.

[To endorse Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2022-2023]

That the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report for 2022-2023 be endorsed.

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Councillor Jaspreet Jaspal presented the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2022-2023 for approval.

The report summarised the main areas of work undertaken by the Audit and Risk Committee during 2022-2023. The report detailed the Audit and Risk Committee provided independent assurance on the adequacy of the risk management framework and the internal control environment. Providing an independent review of the governance, risk management and control frameworks and oversees the financial reporting and annual governance processes. Overseeing the internal audit and external audit, helping to ensure efficient and effective assurance arrangements are in place.

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Councillor Jaspreet Jaspal placed on record her thanks to the former Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee Councillor Craig Collingswood.

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Councillor Jaspreet Jaspal thanked members of the committee including the Independent Members for their contributions and all internal and external auditors and officers for their hard work. 

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Councillor Jaspreet Jaspal proposed the recommendation and the Vice Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Councillor Mary Bateman seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

That the Audit and Risk Committee 2022-2023 Annual Report be endorsed.

[To endorse the Annual Scrutiny Report May 2022 - May 2023]

That the Scrutiny Annual Report, May 2022 – May 2023 be endorsed.

The Chair of Scrutiny Board, Councillor Phillip Bateman, presented the report on Scrutiny Annual Report May 2022 - May 2023 for approval.

The Annual Report highlighted some of the key achievements of the Scrutiny function over the 2022-2023 municipal year including details of the progress and outcomes from a selection of Panel meetings.

The report detailed Scrutiny was a vital component of good governance, and the work carried out by Councillors through scrutiny had been invaluable in influencing policy and ensuring the executive was held to account.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Board, Councillor Phillip Bateman placed on record his thanks to the former Chair of Scrutiny Board, Councillor Paul Sweet and the Scrutiny Team.

The Councillor Phillip Bateman proposed the recommendation and Vice-Chair of Scrutiny Board, Councillor Ellis Turrell seconded the recommendation.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Phillip Bateman replied to the debate.

Resolved:

That the Scrutiny Annual Report May 2022 - May 2023 report be endorsed.  

[To receive an update on the Families First for Children Pathfinder programme]

1.    That the creation of a Deputy Director for Families First post with immediate effect to strategically lead the implementation and delivery of the Families First Programme be approved.

2.    That it be noted, the post would be fully funded by a grant from the Department for Education.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Chris Burden, presented a report on Families First for Children Pathfinder for approval.

The report detailed the progress made with the Council’s participation of Children’s Services in the Stable Homes, Built on Love, Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme (FFCP).

The report sought approval for the creation of a Deputy Director for Families First post within Children’s Services to develop and implement the Programme.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Chris Burden proposed the recommendation and Councillor Stephanie Haynes seconded the recommendation.

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

Resolved:

1.    That the creation of a Deputy Director for Families First post with immediate effect to strategically lead the implementation and delivery of the Families First Programme.

2.    That it noted, the post would be fully funded by grant from the Department for Education be approved.

[To consider the amendments to the Constitution]

1.    That the amendments to the Constitution be approved.

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

The Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities, Councillor Paula Brookfield, presented the report Changes to the Constitution for approval. The changes would ensure the amendments to the Constitution and authorise the Monitoring Officer to implement the changes.

Councillor Paula Brookfield outlined the amendments to be made to the Constitution and the rationale for making these changes.

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

Resolved:

1. That the amendment to the Constitution be approved.
2. That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement changes.

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

1.    That the removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the Planning Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

2.    That the appointment of Councillor Paul Brookfield to the Planning Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

3.    That the appointment of Councillor Paul Brookfield to the Governance and Ethics Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

4.    That the removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the Equalities Advisory Group for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

5.      That the appointment of Councillor Paul Brookfield to the Equalities Advisory Group for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

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

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

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

Resolved:

1. That the removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the Planning Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.
2. That the appointment of Councillor Paul Brookfield to the Planning Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.
3. That the appointment of Councillor Paul Brookfield to the Governance and Ethics Committee for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.
4. The removal of Councillor Jacqui Coogan from the Equalities Advisory Group for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.
5. That the appointment of Councillor Paul Brookfield to the Equalities Advisory Group for the remainder of the Municipal year 2023/2024 be approved.

[That the relevant Executive Members respond to questions received]

That responses to written questions be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, responded to a question put to him by Councillor Rashpal Kaur on Five Year Events City. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same matter.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins responded to a question put to him by Councillor Sally Green on Business Week. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same matter.

The Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Craig Collingswood responded to a question put to him by Councillor Mary Bateman on Transport Plans . He also responded to a supplementary question on the same matter.

The Cabinet Member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal responded to a question put to him by Councillor Paul Singh on Kabaddi World Cup. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same matter.

The Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Craig Collingswood responded to a question put to him by Councillor Wendy Thompson on Water Quality. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same matter.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins responded to a question put to him by Councillor Andrew McNeil on Green and Open Space Consultation. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same matter.

The Cabinet Member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal responded to a question put to him by Councillor Jonathan Crofts on Victoria Street. He also responded to a supplementary question on the same matter.

Resolved:

That responses to written questions be noted.