Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1SH

Contact: Jaswinder Kaur  01902 550320 or Email: jaswinder.kaur@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Payal Bedi-Chadha, Claire Darke, Elias Mattu, Anwen Muston, Caroline Siarkiewicz, Daniel Warren, Pat Patten, Arun Photay, Jonathan Yardley and Malcolm Gwinnett.

2.

Declarations of interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following Councillors declared the interests detailed below in respect of agenda item 6 Housing Revenue Account business plan (including 2017/18 budget rents and service charges).

 

Councillor

Interest

Reason

Ian Claymore

Disclosable non-pecuniary

Council tenant

 

Linda Leach

Disclosable non-pecuniary

Leaseholder

 

Peter O’Neil

Disclosable non-pecuniary

Council tenant

 

Rita Potter

Disclosable non-pecuniary

Member of the board of

Wolverhampton Homes

 

Paul Singh

Disclosable non-pecuniary

Member of the board of Wolverhampton Homes

 

Tersaim Singh

Disclosable non-pecuniary

Member of the board of Wolverhampton Homes

 

 

3.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 84 KB

[To receive the minutes of the meeting of 14 December 2016]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

          That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 14 December 2016, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

4.

Communications

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.               The Baroness Heyhoe Flint OBE

 

The Mayor announced that it was with great sadness that we had learned of the death of, Baroness Heyhoe Flint OBE on the 18 January 2017. The Mayor extended the council’s sincere condolences to the family.

 

The Leader and Councillor Wendy Thompson paid tribute to Baroness Heyhoe Flint OBE.

 

2.               Former Mayoress Sandra Griffin

 

The Mayor announced that it was with great sadness that we had learned of the death of, Sandra Griffin 11 January 2017.  The Mayor extended the council’s sincere condolences to the family. The Leader paid tribute to Sandra Griffin.

 

The council stood in silent tribute to Baroness Heyhoe Flint OBE and Sandra Griffin.

 

3.               The Queen’s New Year’s Honours

 

The Mayor congratulated Mrs Davinder Kaur (Chief Executive Officer, SWEDA and Chair, Sandwell Consortium), who was from Fallings Park, Wolverhampton received recognition in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours for services to Women's Enterprise and the community in Sandwell. The Mayor had written to Mrs Kaur expressing the Council’s congratulations on her well-deserved award.      

 

4.           Welcome to Councillor Clyde Loakes

 

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Councillor Clyde Loakes was a member of the peer review team visiting Wolverhampton this week.

 

5.           The Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands

 

The Mayor advised the Prime Minister announced on 3 January that the Queen had asked Mr John Crabtree OBE to become her representative as the Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands.  Mr Crabtree took up the position with immediate effect. The Mayor had written to the Lord-Lieutenant on behalf of the City Council to extend our sincere congratulations.

 

6.               150 Prince Albert, Celebrating Wolverhampton

 

The Mayor advised following the visit of HRH the Duke of Gloucester on 23 November to attend a rededication ceremony to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s visit to Wolverhampton, colleagues from the City Council’s Projects and Works team worked hard to ensure arrangements were made for the commemorative plaque to be installed as soon after the ceremony as possible.  The plaque was fitted on the ‘Man on the ‘Oss’ statue on 10 January 2017.

 

5.

State of the City Address

[To receive the Leader of the Council’s statement regarding the city]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, delivered his state of the city address. He highlighted:

 

·       That over the last 12 months there had been real progress in the pace of transformation and a difference was being made to the people of the city.

·       There would be improved transport links with the extension of the metro line to the railway station and the HS2 connectivity package to the region.

·       The City centre would offer an enhanced retail offer with the refurbishment of the Mander Centre and the markets relocating to southside. The importance and cultural heritage of the Town Centres in Bilston, Wednesfield and Tettenhall was also recognised.

·       The culture offer had also been enhanced due to the refurbishment of the Civic Halls and the Grand Theatre.

·       Further growth opportunities would be presented with the western extension of i54 and development of Westside.

·       Unemployment was falling in the city but more needed to be done to offer jobs to local people, it was anticipated this would be addressed through Wolverhampton workbox, the city learning quarter and wolves at work.

·       The achievement of Children’s Services in relation to safeguarding children through early interventions and reducing the number of LAC by increased focus on early intervention was recognised.

·       In future the demand for adult social care provision would increase and this would need to be managed through restricted funding.

·       There had been significant improvements in the statistical data of public health and further work would be undertaken to improve the statistics further.

·       Housing was critical for the growth of the city and would deliver further jobs in the city. Further work needed to be undertaken on homelessness and a holistic approach was required.

·       The contribution of partners was also recognised.

·       The Council, faced huge challenges but was better placed to deliver on change. The city had become a City on the move, a city on the make, a city to be proud of”

 

Councillor Wendy Thompson commented that progress had been made in the past five years but not historically under the Labour Party. She welcomed the progress made in certain areas however emphasised that more needed to be done to address housing and employment. She highlighted the importance of the pace and rate of change.

 

The Leader did not agree with the historical analysis and added that previous projects had fallen through due to lack of funding etc. going forward the council needed to ensure the same problems were not encountered again.

6.

Housing Revenue Account business plan (including 2017/18 budget rents and service charges) pdf icon PDF 212 KB

[To consider the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.     That the 1% reduction in social housing rents be implemented in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from the 3 April 2017.

 

2.     That the business plan be adopted as set out at appendix A within the report, as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

 

a)    The revenue budget for 2017/18 at Appendix A3 within the report;

b)    The capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 at Appendix A4 within the report, including the increased new build programme.

 

3.     That the rates for garage rents and service charges be agreed as set out in appendices B1-B3 within the report and formally notify tenants.

 

4.     That it be agreed from April 2017 all new tenancies can start on any day of the week to reduce void times, increase rental income and protect properties from potential anti-social behaviour.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Peter Bilson presented a report on the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan. The report also provided, as an integral part of that business plan, a proposed HRA budget for 2017/18, including proposed rents and service charges to take effect from 3 April 2017, and a proposed HRA capital programme for the period 2017/18 to 2020/21.

 

Councillor Peter Bilson proposed and Councillor Andrew Johnson seconded the recommendations.

 

Councillor Wendy Thompson stated the tenants would be grateful for the 1% reduction in social housing and there were no issues with the financial implications. She queried whether the Council was exploring the option of developing other traded companies for instance in education or other areas.

 

Councillor Andrew Johnson responded that the Council was constantly looking at trading venture opportunities which would benefit the residents of Wolverhampton. The Council had already set up a number of traded companies such as WV living, Yoo Recruit, WV Active etc. and was in the process of exploring a energy company and other small initiatives as well as in education.      

 

Resolved:

 

1.     That the 1% reduction in social housing rents be implemented in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from the 3 April 2017.

 

2.     That the business plan be adopted as set out at appendix A within the report, as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

 

a)    The revenue budget for 2017/18 at Appendix A3 within the report;

b)    The capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 at Appendix A4 within the report, including the increased new build programme.

 

3.     That the rates for garage rents and service charges be agreed as set out in appendices B1-B3 within the report and formally notify tenants.

 

4.     That it be agreed from April 2017 all new tenancies can start on any day of the week to reduce void times, increase rental income and protect properties from potential anti-social behaviour.

 

7.

Municipal Calendar of Meetings pdf icon PDF 59 KB

[To receive the Municipal Calendar for 2017 - 2018]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the City of Wolverhampton Council Calendar of Meetings for 2017-2018 be agreed.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the proposed timetable for Council and committee meetings for the next Council Year (2017-2018).

 

Councillor Roger Lawrence proposed and Councillor Andrew Johnson seconded the recommendations.

 

Resolved:

 

That the City of Wolverhampton Council Calendar of Meetings for 2017-2018 be agreed.

 

8.

School Standards - current overview pdf icon PDF 85 KB

[To receive an update on the current standards of schools and education outcomes]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In the absence of Councillor Claire Darke, Councillor John Reynolds presented a report on of the current standards of schools and education outcomes across the City. He went on to provide an overview of headline data.

 

The Council was invited to scrutinise the contents of the report and make any suggestions or recommendations that strengthen the council’s ability to carry out its functions to monitor the performance of schools in its area and ensure that where improvements are necessary, these were carried out effectively and expeditiously.

 

Councillor Paul Singh noted that schools were improving however sought clarification on why schools were still not hitting the mark and how the issue would be addressed.

 

Councillor Wendy Thompson sought clarification of why the figures at 3.21 within the report was a deficit figure. 

 

Councillor Udey Singh commentated that the results were poor for key stage 3 and 4 and asked at what point poverty set in.

 

Councillor Philip Bateman highlighted that Special Schools and Nursery Schools within the city were 100% outstanding/good and that this should not be overlooked.

 

Councillor Peter Bilson responded the Council was third in the region and no one was in the 100% bracket and that the Council should be proud of the schools and teachers. The Council was performing better than Solihull Council.

 

Councillor John Reynolds added the figure at 3.21 was a relative figure with the average being zero. He highlighted that Ofsted noted the support by Wolverhampton as outstanding. He went on to add the poverty levels had increased under the Conservative government.

 

Resolved:

 

That the report on schools standards – current overview be noted.

 

 

 

 

9.

Appointment of Local Returning Officer for the West Midlands Mayoral Election pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.     That the Managing Director be appointed as the Local Returning Officer for the City of Wolverhampton for the West Midlands Combined Authority election on the 4 May 2017.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Local Returning Officer, following consultation with the Leader, Cabinet Member for Resources and Leader of the Opposition to make any operational changes to polling stations.

3.     That it be noted, polling stations for the Mayoral election will be unchanged from those used at the 2016 PCC/city election and EU Referendum with the exception that the St Peter’s station situated at the university would be reinstated at the Register Office (Civic Centre).

4.     That it be noted, the West Midlands Combined Authority had agreed that no Local Returning Officer should pay any election employee less than the voluntary living wage.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Roger Lawrence presented a report to propose the appointment of a Local Returning Officer for the City of Wolverhampton for the West Midlands Combined Authority election on 4 May. It also outlined the arrangements for polling stations for that election.

 

Councillor Roger Lawrence proposed and Councillor Andrew Johnson seconded the recommendations.

 

Resolved:

 

1.     That the Managing Director be appointed as the Local Returning Officer for the City of Wolverhampton for the West Midlands Combined Authority election on the 4 May 2017.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Local Returning Officer, following consultation with the Leader, Cabinet Member for Resources and Leader of the Opposition to make any operational changes to polling stations.

3.     That it be noted, polling stations for the Mayoral election will be unchanged from those used at the 2016 PCC/city election and EU Referendum with the exception that the St Peter’s station situated at the university would be reinstated at the Register Office (Civic Centre).

4.     That it be noted, the West Midlands Combined Authority had agreed that no Local Returning Officer should pay any election employee less than the voluntary living wage.

 

10.

Questions to Cabinet Members pdf icon PDF 56 KB

[That the Cabinet Members for Education, Governance and City Economy respond to questions received]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Udey Singh asked the Cabinet Member for Education the following question:

 

The Progress 8 measure was introduced by the Government to encourage schools to offer a broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stage 4, and is based upon students’ progress across English, Mathematics, and six other subjects from a list which includes the English Baccalaureate range of subjects and other approved disciplines. Can the Cabinet Member advise Council of the number of academies and LEA maintained schools in Wolverhampton which score below or well below the national average scores when using the Progress 8 measure?

 

Councillor John Reynolds responded in the absence of Councillor Claire Darke. A new secondary school accountability system has been implemented in 2016. The headline accountability measures for schools from 2016 are: Attainment 8, Progress 8, Attainment in English and Maths (A*- C), and English Baccalaureate (EBacc) entry and achievement.

 

  • Because of the changes set out above, figures for 2016 are not comparable to those for earlier years

 

  • In addition, only 5 of our 19 secondary schools are maintained by the Local Authority

 

Progress 8 - aims to capture the progress a pupil makes from the end of key stage 2 to the end of key stage 4. It compares pupils’ achievement – their Attainment 8 score – with the average Attainment 8 score of all pupils nationally who had a similar starting point (or ‘prior attainment’), calculated using assessment results from the end of primary school. Progress 8 is a relative measure; therefore, the national average Progress 8 score for mainstream schools is zero.

 

  • Average progress for Wolverhampton pupils between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage was -0.14 Wolverhampton’s national position is 114th out of 152 Local Authorities. We are 7th against our statistical neighbours and 4th in the region.

 

DfE’s definition of floor standards - this year for the first-time floor standards are calculated based on Progress 8 scores.

 

The guidance states that: “In 2016, a school will be below the floor standard if its Progress 8 score is below -0.5, and the upper band of the 95% confidence interval is below zero.”

 

The following five schools are below the government definition for the 2015/2016 academic year:

 

 

 

 

P8

Interval

Upper

Wednesfield High Specialist Engineering Academy

-0.52

-0.34

North East Wolverhampton Academy

-0.6

-0.42

Moreton Community School

-0.62

-0.44

St Matthias School

-0.83

-0.6

The King's Church of England School

-0.91

-0.69

 

Of the five schools listed above:

 

  • 2 schools are academies – the Regional Schools Commissioner is responsible for interventions into these schools and the School Standards Service (led by Alex Jones – Assistant Director of Education) is working closely with the RSC to ensure that appropriate challenge is delivered to the two schools.

 

  • 3 schools are maintained by the LA – These schools are being challenged and supported by the School Improvement Team in line with the interventions outlined in the School Improvement Strategy 2016.

 

Councillor Udey Singh had no supplementary question.

 

Councillor Paul Singh asked the Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.