Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ian Angus, Asha Mattu, Arun Photay and John Rowley.

Councillor Louise Miles declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda Item 5  Final Budget Report 2019-2020 (Capital Programme 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 quarter three review and 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 budget strategy) as an employee  of the University of Wolverhampton.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on the 30 January 2019.]

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

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 30 January 2019, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1.     Signing of Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

The Mayor was pleased to announce that local employers PLT training, Flat World Works and Vacuum and Atmosphere Services Limited were showing their ongoing commitment to support the Armed Forces community in the Black Country by signing the Armed Forces Covenant last week, demonstrating they have Armed Forces-friendly policies in place.

The Mayor added the local employers were supported by the Council and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce to achieve this as part of a unique partnership arrangement which was recognised as national best practice.

The Mayor added last year the Council became one of only a handful of local councils nationwide to receive the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award – the highest recognition for employer support to the Armed Forces.

2.     CSE Awareness Day

The Mayor reported the Council would once again be raising awareness of child sexual exploitation as the Council approached this year’s CSE Awareness Day on 18 March. The day aims to encourage everyone to think, spot and, most importantly, speak out against abuse. The Mayor encouraged all fellow Councillors to visit the See Me, Hear Me campaign website at www.seeme-hearme.org.uk, which contains a wealth of information about CSE and the warning signs to look out for, as well as signposting people to help and support.

3.     Residents’ Programme 

The Mayor reported that partners had come together to contribute to this year’s Residents Programme, with events running throughout the whole of March 2019. The programme showcases what a ‘great place the City was to live, learn, work and be healthy’ and promotes the support available to residents so they can make the most of the opportunities in the City.

The Mayor requested Councillors to support promotion of the programme by sharing the website address live learn work wolves dot com with your networks and audiences.  

4.     National Association of Civic Officers (NACO) annual conference and awards ceremony.

The Mayor reported the Council would host approximately 100 delegates from across the country this Thursday and Friday when the Council host the National Association of Civic Officers (NACO) annual conference and awards ceremony.

The Mayor added that representatives from far and wide would gather at the Civic Centre for the event which was held at a different location each year. The association was now regarded as the largest and most active organisation for civic staff in the country and was well respected amongst practitioners, government departments and think tanks.

5.     Tersaim Singh

The Mayor reported that former Mayor and Councillor, Tersaim Singh had been in hospital following a by-pass operation.  The Mayor and Mayoress had sent a card on behalf of the Council wishing him a speedy recovery.

[To consider and determine the Council’s budgetary provisions for the forthcomingmunicipal year:

·         Capital Programme 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 quarter three review and 2019-

2020 to 2023-2024budget strategy

·         Treasury Management Strategy 2019-2020

·         Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2019-2020to 2021

·         Council Tax Formal Resolutions.]

1.    That the City of Wolverhampton Council Capital Strategy be approved.

2.    That the revised medium-term General capital programme of £337.8 million, a reduction of £1.3 million from the previously approved programme and the change in associated resources be approved.

3.    That the authorised borrowing limit for 2019-2020 to support the capital strategy as required under Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 be approved to be set at £1,141.5 million (PI3, Appendix 3 of the Cabinet report); the forecast borrowing is below the authorised borrowing limit.

4.    That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2019-2020 be approved as set out in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

5.    That the Annual Investment Strategy 2019-2020 be approved as set out in Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report.

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

7.    That the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2019-2020 be approved as set out in Appendix 4 of the Cabinet report.

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

9.    That authority continue to be delegated to the 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 will be reported to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet (Resources) Panel as appropriate.

10. That the removal of the Local Prudential Indicator LPI 2 – HRA limit on indebtedness from the 2018-2019 Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators approved by Council on 7 March 2018, be approved.

11. That the net budget requirement for 2019-2020 of £234.9 million for General Fund services be approved (as set out at paragraph 18.1 of the Cabinet report).

12. That the Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 as detailed in Table 10 and the budget preparation parameters underpinning the MTFS as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report be approved.

13. A Council Tax for Council services in 2019-2020 of £1,617.06 for a Band D property, being an increase of 4.99% on 2018-2019 levels, which incorporates the 2% increase in relation to Adult Social Care be approved (as set out at paragraph 7.5 of the Cabinet report).

14. That it be approved that work start on developing budget reductions and income generation proposals for 2020-2021 onwards in line with the Five Year Financial Strategy (as set out at paragraph 14.3 of the Cabinet report) and progress be reported to Cabinet in July 2019 (as set out at paragraph 18.8 of the Cabinet report).

15. That the revision to the Council Tax Charges on Empty Properties and Second Homes Policy with effect from 1 April 2019 to introduce additional charges (as set out at paragraph 8.3 of the Cabinet report) be  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence presented the Final Budget Report 2019 – 2020 which encompassed the Capital Programme 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 quarter three review and 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 budget strategy, Treasury Management Strategy 2019-2020, Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 and Council Tax Formal Resolutions for approval.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence outlined the recommendations of the report, drawing Councillors attention to the challenges that the Council faced. He advised the proposed budget was balanced, that the Council was operating under the authorised borrowing limit and that the general reserves had not been drawn upon.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence advised that the budget was facing great financial challenges, there was uncertainty surrounding the allocation of funding, the regeneration of the City was progressing at a pace, a new pay model needed to be adopted and Adults and Children’s Social Care also faced further challenges ahead.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence proposed the recommendations and Councillor Louise Miles seconded the recommendations.

Councillor Wendy Thompson provided the principle speech in response to the budget report.

The report was debated by Council.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 the votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was CARRIED by 46 votes. There were eight against.  

That the City of Wolverhampton Council Capital Strategy be approved.

2.    That the revised medium-term General capital programme of £337.8 million, a reduction of £1.3 million from the previously approved programme and the change in associated resources be approved.

3.    That the authorised borrowing limit for 2019-2020 to support the capital strategy as required under Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 be approved to be set at £1,141.5 million (PI3, Appendix 3 of the Cabinet report); the forecast borrowing was below the authorised borrowing limit.

4.    That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2019-2020 be approved as set out in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

5.    That the Annual Investment Strategy 2019-2020 be approved as set out in Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report.

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

7.    That the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2019-2020 be approved as set out in Appendix 4 of the Cabinet report.

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

9.    That authority continued to be delegated to the 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.

10. That the removal of the Local Prudential Indicator  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.