Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Constable, Findlay, Gakhal and Tersaim Singh.

Keith Ireland, Strategic Director Delivery, declared a pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 11, Appointment of Temporary Returning Officer.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2014 were approved as a correct record

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

1.         The Late Former Councillor Bob Jones

The Mayor referred to the recent death of Mr Bob Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner and a former councillor.

Councillor Roger Lawrence paid tribute to Bob Jones.

Council stood for a minute’s silence in memory of Bob Jones

2.         The Queen’s Birthday Honours

The Mayor reported that Colonel David James Hill, Branch Chairman for SSAFA West Midlands North, had been awarded an MBE for voluntary service to armed forces veterans and their families. 

3.         Civic Sunday

The Mayor invited Councillors to attend the Civic Sunday service at the Collegiate Church of St Peter this Sunday, 20th July at 11am.

[To consider an update on the strategy, revisions to the 2014/15 budget and additional savings proposals.]

It was moved by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Lawrence and

Resolved

1.      That the revised budget requirement for 2014/15 of £235.9 million for General Fund services, which was a reduction of £1.7 million as a result of the additional savings that have been identified to date, be approved.

2.      That the implementation of the additional savings proposals, amounting to £1.7 million in 2014/15, be approved subject to the outcome of appropriate and satisfactory scrutiny, consultation and equality analyses.

3.      It be noted that in addition to the 2014/15 savings proposals it was anticipated that there would be further savings from other, as yet unquantified, proposals, as well as from the acceleration of some of the existing savings proposals.

4.      It be noted that all additional savings identified and delivered during 2014/15, will further reduce the call on the General Fund balances during 2014/15 and therefore contribute directly towards the aim of holding at least £10 million in the General Fund balance.

[To consider the 2013/14 outturn and performance year-to-date in respect of the capital budget.]

It was moved by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Lawrence and

Resolved

1.    That the revised medium term General Fund (excluding housing revenue account) capital programmeof £312.4 million, a reduction of £3.2 million from the previously approved programme, be approved.

2.    That the additional resources for existing schemes totalling £12.7 million, detailed below, be approved:

a.      £4.493 million for i54 Access and Infrastructure

b.      £2.766 million for Building Schools for the Future

c.      £2.003 million for Bilston Urban Village

d.      £1.098 million for Integrated Transport

e.      £918,000 for Sports Investment Strategy

f.       £479,000 for Wilkinson Primary

g.      £246,000 for Schools Devolved Formula

h.     £226,000 for West Midlands Urban Traffic Control

i.       £190,000 for Capitalised Salaries

j.        £74,000 for Empty Property Strategy

k.      £74,000 for Capital Maintenance and Basic Need – Boiler/Pipework Replacements

l.       £52,000 for KIC Loan

m.    £29,000 for Neighbourhood Employment & Skills

n.     £19,000 for Structural Maintenance

o.      £18,000 for Wolverhampton City Centre Interchange

[To consider creation of a fund to support attracting inward investment to Wolverhampton.]

It was moved by Cllr Bilson and seconded by Cllr Lawrence and

Resolved

1.    That the creation of a fund of up to £350,000, from the Economic Development Reserve, that offers discretionary grants to help secure exceptional inward investment opportunities or provide incentives to retain existing major employers considering relocation, be approved. 

2.    That the Cabinet Members for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity and Resources be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Strategic Director Education and Enterprise, to agree a robust policy for utilising the fund.

3.    That the Cabinet Members for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity and Resources be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Strategic Director Education and Enterprise, to agree any subsequent awards.

[To consider the proposed Crime Reduction, Community Safety and Drugs Strategy.]

It was moved by Cllr Mattu and seconded by Cllr Simkins and

Resolved

            That the Crime Reduction, Community Safety and Drugs Strategy 2014-17 be implemented.

[To consider proposed grants as part of the Black Country Growth Hub.]

It was moved by Cllr Bilson and seconded by Cllr Johnson and

Resolved

1.         That the payment of grants to third party providers for the delivery of products, as part of the Black Country Growth Hub externally funded scheme, as detailed below, be approved:

2.         That the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Strategic Director, Education and Enterprise, to agree business grants from the £1,682,414 Business Grant product and any other grants to third parties to deliver the scheme.

3.         That the Chief Legal Officer be authorised to approve the execution of the contracts.

[To consider the review of Scrutiny for 2013/14.]

It was moved by Cllr O’Neill and seconded by Cllr Potter and

Resolved

              That the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2013-14 be received.

[To consider a proposal to appoint a temporary Returning Officer to cover the by-election for the Police and Crime Commissioner in August 2014.]

Having declared an interest Keith Ireland left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of this item.

It was moved by Cllr Sweet and seconded by Cllr Johnson and

Resolved

              That Keith Ireland (Strategic Director for Delivery) be appointed as temporary Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for Wolverhampton for all elections, referenda and other ballots, until such time as Simon Warren is able to resume his responsibilities or an alternative appointment is made by the Council.

[To agree the inclusion of roles and responsibilities in respect of adult safeguarding in the Constitution.]

It was moved by Cllr Ian Brookfield and seconded by Cllr Wynne and

Resolved

That the draft corporate roles and responsibilities for safeguarding adults at risk be approved and included in the Council’s Constitution.

“This City Council recognises the importance of the Battle of Wodensfield which took place in August 910 within the current City boundaries. The Council wishes to ensure the historic significance of this battle by declaring that the City Council flag will be flown annually over the two day anniversary (5/6 August)  The Council requests officers to investigate and report back to Cabinet ways in which this historic event can be marked to regenerate and develop our local economy.”

It was moved by Cllr Phillip Bateman and seconded by Cllr Paula Brookfield and

Resolved

That this City Council recognises the importance of the Battle of Wodensfield which took place in August 910 within the current City boundaries. The Council wishes to ensure the historic significance of this battle by declaring that the City Council flag will be flown annually over the two day anniversary (5/6 August)  The Council requests officers to investigate and report back to Cabinet ways in which this historic event can be marked to regenerate and develop our local economy.

“This Council deplores the fact that there is a danger of creating a lost generation in Wolverhampton and expresses its urgency to vastly improve the prospects for our young people.”

It was moved by Cllr Mark Evans and seconded by Cllr Shah that:

“This Council deplores the fact that there is a danger of creating a lost generation in Wolverhampton and expresses its urgency to vastly improve the prospects for our young people.”

Cllr Page moved and Councillor Bilson seconded an amendment to the motion so that it would read:

“This Council recognises there is a risk for young people who are out of work or education and training for far too long becoming isolated and disaffected leading to longer term challenges in their ability to obtain employment. We therefore call on our partners, education and training providers, employers and the Government to invest in, and support initiatives in Wolverhampton to create more opportunities and better outcomes for young people and this council deplores the reduction in Government grant that has caused the cuts in the Youth Service”

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared carried

Resolved

This Council recognises there is a risk for young people who are out of work or education and training for far too long becoming isolated and disaffected leading to longer term challenges in their ability to obtain employment. We therefore call on our partners, education and training providers, employers and the Government to invest in, and support initiatives in Wolverhampton to create more opportunities and better outcomes for young people and this council deplores the reduction in Government grant that has caused the cuts in the Youth service.

[The Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members, chairs of committees/panels and nominated councillors for joint authorities/committees to answer any questions received in accordance with the Constitution’s rules of procedure]

1.         Early Retirement And Voluntary Redundancy Payments

Cllr Paul Singh, in accordance with the Constitution’s rules of procedure,  asked the following question of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Andrew Johnson:

“Can the Cabinet Member advise the Council how much money has been paid out by the authority in the last two completed financial years, and this financial year so far, for early retirement and voluntary redundancy?”

Cllr Johnson responded that £8.4 million had been spent.  There would also be additional costs relating to the additional strain on the pension fund over a three year period. The total cost would be £11.5 million. The early retirement and redundancy of employees would generate annual savings of £15.9 million

2          Staff Appraisals

Cllr Thompson, in accordance with the Constitution’s rules of procedure, asked the following question of the Cabinet Member for Governance and Performance, Cllr Paul Sweet:

“Following a report to the recent Cabinet (Performance Management) Panel to the effect that only 25% of the staff appraisals due in this authority had been completed, could the Cabinet Member advise Council as to what plans are in place to improve on this key performance indicator?”

Cllr Sweet responded that he felt that the figures for the numbers of completed appraisals were not good. The number of completed appraisals had increased slightly. A report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Audit Committee.

Cllr Sweet acknowledged that there had been problems with the recording of completed appraisals and that the need to complete appraisals had not been emphasised enough. All managers would be reminded of their responsibilities and, where necessary, training would be provided. Where non-compliance was identified formal intervention would take place. There was awareness that there had been deficiencies in the completion of appraisals and these areas were being addressed.

Cllr Thompson asked a supplementary question about the length of time it had taken to address this issue and the importance of appraisals as part of employee development.

Cllr Sweet agreed that appraisals were important and stated that a very robust approach would be taken to ensuring all employees had annual appraisals.