Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bedi, Gibson, Gwinnett, Haynes, Inston and Patten.

Councillors Bolshaw, Claymore, Dr Hardacre, Koussoukama and O’Neill declared a non-pecuniary interest in item five, Capital Programme 2015/16 – 2019/20 Quarter Two Review.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of 4 November 2015.

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4 November, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

To receive the Mayor’s announcements.

Presentation of Resolution of Thanks

The Mayor presented former Councillor Mike Heap with the Council’s Resolution of Thanks as a memento of his year as Mayor in 2014 -2015. Mr Heap expressed his appreciation and stated how much he had enjoyed his year as Mayor.

Wolverhampton Adult Education Services

The Mayor congratulated Wolverhampton Adult Education Service, which had been recognised as an outstanding service provider in the Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2014/15.

Holocaust Memorial Day

The Mayor informed Councillors of the arrangements for the Service of Remembrance, which would be taking place on Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January at the Cenotaph.

To provide an update on the financial performance of the General Fund and HRA capital programmes for 2015/16 and the revised forecast for 2015/16 to 2019/20 as at quarter two of 2015/16.

The Council received a report on the Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2019/20 Quarter Two Review.  The purpose of the report was to provide Council with an update on the financial performance of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programmes for 2015/16 and the revised forecast for 2015/16 to 2019/20 as at quarter two of 2015/16.  Further, to recommend revised General Fund and HRA capital programmes for the period 2015/16 to 2019/20.

Councillor Johnson outlined the content of the report and explained further work had been undertaken in relation to a number of specific capital projects which had increased the requirement of the General Fund Capital programme by £1.1 million and HRA capital programme by £2.9 million.

The report was moved by Councillor Johnson and seconded by Councillor Lawrence.

Resolved:

1.     The revised medium term General Fund capital programme of £214.7 million, an increase of £6.7 million from the previously approved programme, reflecting the latest projected expenditure for the medium term be approved.

2.     The revised medium term Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme of £210.9 million, a decrease of £4.0 million from the previously approved programme be approved.

3.     The additional resources for six new and twenty six existing General Fund projects totalling £6.7 million be approved.

To provide a monitoring and progress report on treasury management activity for the second quarter of 2015/16 as part of the mid-year review, in line with the Prudential Indicators approved by Council in March 2015.

Council received a progress and monitoring report on treasury management activity for the second quarter of 2015/16 as part of the mid-year review, in line with the Prudential Indicators approved by Council in March 2015.

Councillor Johnson outlined the content of the report and drew Councillors’ attention to savings in the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

It was moved by Councillor Johnson and seconded by Councillor Lawrence.

Resolved:

1.     It be noted that a mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement had been undertaken and the Council had operated within the limits and requirements as approved in March 2015.

2.  It be noted that savings of £1.9 million for the General Fund and £2.9 million for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) had been forecast from treasury management activities in 2015/16.

To consider the recommendation from Cabinet on the approval of a Corporate Parenting Strategy 2015 -2017 for Looked After Children and Care Leavers.

Council received report on the Corporate Parenting Strategy for 2015 – 2017 for Looked after Children and Care Leavers and its use across the Council and its partners.

It was moved by Councillor Lawrence and seconded by Councillor Darke.

Resolved: 

The Corporate Parenting Strategy 2015-2017 for Looked After Children and Care Leavers and its use across the Council and its partners in order to prioritise the needs of this vulnerable group of children and young people be approved.

To consider recommendations from the Special Advisory Group to change the Contract Procedure Rules and the naming of the Audit Committee.

The Council received a report on changes to the constitution.  The purpose of the report was to advise Council of the proposed changes to the Contract Procedure Rules and on renaming the Audit Committee to Audit and Risk Committee.

Councillor Johnson moved the report and Councillor Thompson seconded.

Resolved:

1.     The Contract Procedure Rules as attached at Appendix 1 of the report to Council for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution be approved.

2.     The renaming of the Audit Committee to the Audit and Risk Committee be approved.

Daily Mile

Councillor P Singh to move.

That this Council recommends to all schools in Wolverhampton the introduction of a ‘Daily Mile” of walking or running for all pupils as an element in the authority’s efforts to combat childhood obesity.

Councillor P Singh moved the following motion;

‘That this Council recommends to all schools in Wolverhampton that introduction of the daily mile of walking or running for all pupils as an element in the authority’s efforts to combat childhood obesity.’

This was seconded by Councillor Thompson.

Councillor Singh explained the rationale for the motion drawing Council’s attention to the rise in levels of obesity in children.

Councillor Samuels moved the following amendment to the motion:

‘That this Council refers the motion for consideration by a specially convened joint meeting of the Health and Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panels to which representatives from schools, the PASS Team and other interested stakeholders are invited.’

This was seconded by Councillor Darke.

Councillor Samuels outlined the rationale for the amendment;

Councillors’ debated the amendment to the motion and upon a vote the amendment was carried.

Resolved:  A joint meeting of the Health and Young People’s Scrutiny Panels be convened to which representatives from schools, the PASS Team and other interested stakeholders be invited.

Bus Lanes

Councillor Thompson to ask the Cabinet Member for City Environment (Councillor Evans):-

Could the Cabinet Member advise Council on what consultation with businesses has been conducted in connection with the proposal to introduce traffic regulation enforcement on more bus lanes in or near to the city centre?

Councillor Thompson asked the following question:

Could the Cabinet Member advise Council on what consultation with businesses has been conducted in connection with the proposal to introduce traffic regulation enforcement on more bus lanes in or near to the city centre?

Councillor Evans advised that phase one of the bus lane enforcement scheme commenced on 1 June 2015, with a two week notice period, and with PCN’s issued from 15 June 2015.   Further, that phase two of the scheme commenced on 30 November 2015 with warning notices being issued throughout the Christmas and New Year period, with PCN’s being issued from 4 January 2016 onwards.  Members were advised that 1676 meters of highway was enforced in phase one and 217 meters in phase 2.  

Councillor Thompson thanked Councillor Evans for his response and asked what benefits had resulted from the city centre enforcement and what businesses had been consulted.

Councillor Evans responded by explaining that the Council gained ‘Decriminalised Parking powers’ which removed enforcement of parking restrictions from West Midlands Police to the Council in 2007.  Moreover, whilst the enforcement of moving traffic offences such as bus lanes remained with the police, due to changing policing policies it had not been seen as a priority and as a consequence effective enforcement ceased.  As an approved authority under the 2006 Bus Lanes Contravention Order, the Council introduced enforcement in 2015.  Members were advised that approximately 1900 buses per day travelled into the city centre, 177 hackney carriages and 770 private hire vehicles licenced by the City Council, moreoever, Wolverhampton City Centre had the biggest footfall outside Birmingham.  Statutory consultation had been undertaken, and there was support from the business community with over 300 annual permits being purchased. 

Members were asked to consider an urgent item; a recommendation from the Special Appointments Committee.  It was moved by Councillor Reynolds and seconded by Councillor Evans.

Resolved:  That the recommendation of the Special Appointments Committee to appoint Ross Cook as Service Director – City Environment be approved.