Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Philip Bateman MBE, Councillor Mary Bateman, Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Councillor Claire Darke, Councillor Milkinderpal Jaspal, Councillor Asha Mattu, Councillor Anwen Muston and Councillor Rohit Mistry.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 January 2024]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 24 January 2024, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1.             Death of Royal British Legion President

The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of the President of the Royal British Legion, Wolverhampton Central Branch, Mr. Fred Bunce.

Fred served with the Royal Navy during the Korean War and became a stalwart of the Armed Forces Veterans community in Wolverhampton.

2.            Death of Former Member of Parliament

With regret, the Mayor announced the death of Maureen Hicks, Wolverhampton North-East MP from 1987-1992, who passed away on 13th February 2024 at the age of 75. The Mayor passed on the Council’s condolences to her family and friends.

The Council stood in silent tribute to Fred Bunce and Maureen Hicks.

3.            Mayoral Engagements

The Mayor advised that since the last Full Council meeting, he had attended 28 engagements as Mayor.

He reported he had attended the Holocaust Memorial Day, the closing of a suicide awareness and prevention campaign, and raised the flag to begin LGBT History Month.

The Mayor reported that he and the Mayoress had attended the iAwards, which celebrated the achievements of looked-after children and care leavers, and had the privilege to attend a glittering occasion in Birmingham where local restaurant Cosmo of Wednesfield, became regional champions for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion, and were also in contention for the National “Golden Chopsticks” award in April.

The Mayor reported that The Youth Council had met in the Council Chamber, and that he had seen the Schools’ Orchestra combine with Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra play in the splendid surroundings of the Halls.

He reported that he had met with the Ukrainian community to show the Council’s continuing support for them 2 years on from the start of the dreadful war.

4.            Charity Fundraising

The Mayor reported that the charity quiz night on 15th February raised a magnificent £1,500. He publicly thanked everyone for their generosity, in particular the sponsors who assisted in making the evening so successful: Dicky Dodd, The Halls, Tesco, Cosmo Restaurant, The Grand Theatre, The Island House take-away, and all the generous individuals who donated raffle prizes.

5.            MayorsFest 2024

The Mayor announced that the Mayors Charity Rockfest 2024 would take place over the weekend of the 6th and 7th April and provided details of the event. He reported that it would be a very poignant event as the main stage at KK’s Steel Mill was to be called the “Ian Brookfield Stage” after the late Leader of the Council. Ian had been instrumental in setting up MayorsFest when he was Mayor in 2015-2016, with his Mayoress Paula by his side. It was therefore entirely fitting that his name be marked with this recognition of his foresight in helping to create an annual event that had so far raised over £30,000 for the Mayoral charities.

6.            Fairtrade City

The Mayor was pleased to announce that Wolverhampton had retained its’ Fairtrade City status and although the annual Fairtrade Fortnight had been moved to September, there would be a smaller event held at Wolverhampton University Chaplaincy on Friday 8th  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, provided Council with an update on the budget.

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

Councillor Stephen Simkins replied to the response.

[To approve a refreshed Our City: Our Plan for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year]

1.      That the Our City: Our Plan refresh for 2024-2025, 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.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, presented the report on Our City: Our Plan Refresh 2024-2025 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 four cross cutting principles: climate action; driven by digital, fair and equal and Wolverhampton pound. The Wolverhampton Pound had

been added as a fourth principle in the 2024-2025 refresh.

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.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins, proposed the recommendations and the Deputy Leader: City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans 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 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 quarter three review and 2024- 2025 to 2028-2029 budget strategy

·       Treasury Management Strategy 2024-2025 

·       Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2024-2025 to 2026-2027

·       Council Tax Formal Resolutions.]

1.      That it be agreed, the issue of RAAC in the Council Buildings be referred to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Board and the Leader of the Council was welcomed to attend to explain what he knew and when.   

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

3.      That the revised, medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £373.7 million, an increase of £14.6 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources be approved.

4.      That the authorised borrowing limit for 2024-2025 to support the capital strategy as required under Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 to be set at £1,261.30 million (Reference PI 3, Appendix 3 of the Cabinet report) be approved. The forecast borrowing is below the authorised borrowing limit.

5.      That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2024-2025 as set out in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report be approved.

6.      That the Annual Investment Strategy 2024-2025 as set out in Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report be approved.

7.      That the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators as set out in Appendix 3 of the Cabinet report be approved.

8.      That the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2024-2025 as set out in Appendix 4 of the Cabinet report be approved.

9.      That the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices as set out in Appendix 6 of the Cabinet report be approved.

10.   That authority be continued to be delegated to the Interim Director of Finance to amend the Treasury Management Policy and Practices and any corresponding changes required to the Treasury Management Strategy, the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, the Investment Strategy and the Annual MRP Statement to ensure they remain aligned. Any amendments would be reported to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet (Resources) Panel as appropriate.

11.   That authority be continued to be delegated to the Interim Director of Finance to lower the minimum sovereign rating in the Annual Investment Strategy, in the event of the UK’s credit rating being downgraded by the third credit rating agency, due to the current economic climate.

12.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Interim Director of Finance, to amend the MRP statement should this be required following the outcome of the consultation.

13.   That the net budget requirements for 2024-2025 of £332.0 million for General Fund services be approved.

14.   That the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2024-2025 to 2026-2027 as detailed in Section 9 and the key assumptions underpinning the MTFS as detailed in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the Cabinet report be approved.

15.   That a Council Tax for Council services in 2024-2025 of £2,004.27 (Council element) for a Band D property, being an increase of 4.99% on 2023-2024 levels, which incorporates 2% in relation to Adult Social Care be approved.

16.   That the refreshed Reserves Strategy as detailed in Appendix 8 of the  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Louise Miles presented the report on Final Budget Report 2024-2025 for approval.

The Capital Programme 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 Quarter Three Review and 2024-2025 to 2028-2029 Budget Strategy report provided Council with an 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 three 2023-2024. The report also recommended revisions to the current approved capital programme covering the period 2023-2024 to 2028-2029 and the updated City of Wolverhampton Capital Strategy.

The Treasury Management Strategy 2024-2025 report sets out the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2024-2025. The report also incorporated six elements, which are appended to this report; The Treasury Management Strategy; The Annual Investment Strategy; The Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators; Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement; The Disclosure for Certainty Rate and The Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices.

The 2024-2025 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2024-2025 to 2026-2027 report presented a balanced budget for 2024-2025 aligned to the Our City: Our Plan and an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2024- 2025 to 2026-2027. The Council had a balanced budget for 2024-2025, 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 2025-2026 of £27.1 million, rising to £32.6 million in 2026-2027.

The Council Tax Base and Business Rates (NDR) Net Rate Yield 2024-2025 report set the estimates for Wolverhampton Collection Fund 2024-2025, 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 2024. In addition, the report provided an update on the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement announced on 18 December 2023.

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

Councillor Udey Singh 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 Ellis Turrell 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 Ellis Turrell moved the following motion:

“That the issue of RAAC in the Council Buildings be referred to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Board and that the Leader of the Council was welcomed to attend to explain what he knew and when.”

Councillor Simon Bennet seconded the motion.

Resolved:

1. That it be agreed, the issue of RAAC in the Council Buildings be referred  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

[The approve the Capital Programme 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 Quarter Three Review and 2024-2025 to 2028-2029 Budget Strategy]

[To approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2024-2025]

[To present a balanced budget for 2024-2025 aligned to the Council Plan priorities and an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2024-2025 to 2026-2027]

[To set the estimates for Wolverhampton Collection Fund 2024-2025, which the Council manages on behalf of local precepting bodies and central government and to receive an update on the 2024-2025 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement]

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