Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Peter Bilson and Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre.

There were no declarations of interest submitted.

[For approval]

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 31 July 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Council is recommended to:

1. Approve the capital budget for the remaining phases of the i54 Western Extension programme of £22.75 million and the associated funding strategy outlined in the report.

2. Delegate authority to the Cabinet Members for City Economy and Resources, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Director of Finance, to approve any variations to the i54 Western Extension supplementary budgets in the event of any changes to external funding sources.

Cabinet resolved:

1. That it be noted that, in January 2019, Cabinet approved the delivery of Phases 1 – 3 of the i54 Western Extension.

2. That it be noted that this report is a follow up report from the January 2019 Cabinet report from which approval was obtained to progress with the first phases of the i54 Western Extension project with the recommendation that a further report would be presented to Cabinet seeking approval to progress phases 4, 5a, 5b and 5c.

3. That the progress made in delivering the i54 project to date be noted.

4. That the progress made on the i54 Western Extension project including the Access Road contract, progression of design and preparations for the next phases of work and, key outputs and delivery programme, be noted.

5. That the status of the funding strategy, key delivery agreements and governance arrangements including, the Joint Venture Agreement and Business Rate Retention Agreement with Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council, be noted.

6. That it be noted that delegated authority was approved in the previous Cabinet Report of January 2019 to the Cabinet Members for City Economy and Resources, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Director of Finance, to approve a series of key agreements required to progress the works in accordance with the agreed funding and delivery strategy.

7. That it be noted that a key constituent of the funding strategy is that any borrowing costs, including interest are paid back from rates generated by the Western Extension site.

Councillor Harman Banger presented the public version of the i54 / Western Extension - Phases 4 and 5 Budget Approval report. The report sought approval for the capital budget for the remaining phases of the programme of work. The continuation of the work on the i54 / Western Extension was good news for the City as hundreds of jobs and opportunities would be created for local people and the site would bring in large amounts of private investment. In addition to this, once the lending had been returned, the Council would receive a share of the business rates from the site.

The corresponding private report was discussed at Item 7, that contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of the authority.

Resolved:

Council is recommended to:

1. Approve the capital budget for the remaining phases of the i54 Western Extension programme of £22.75 million and the associated funding strategy outlined in the report.

2. Delegate authority to the Cabinet Members for City Economy and Resources, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Director of Finance, to approve any variations to the i54 Western Extension supplementary budgets in the event of any changes to external funding sources.

Cabinet resolved:

1. That it be noted that, in January 2019, Cabinet approved the delivery of Phases 1 – 3 of the i54 Western Extension.

2. That it be noted that this report is a follow up report from the January 2019 Cabinet report from which approval was obtained to progress with the first phases of the i54 Western Extension project with the recommendation that a further report would be presented to Cabinet seeking approval to progress phases 4, 5a, 5b and 5c.

3. That the progress made in delivering the i54 project to date be noted.

4. That the progress made on the i54 Western Extension project including the Access Road contract, progression of design and preparations for the next phases of work and, key outputs and delivery programme, be noted.

5. That the status of the funding strategy, key delivery agreements and governance arrangements including, the Joint Venture Agreement and Business Rate Retention Agreement with Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council, be noted.

6. That it be noted that delegated authority was approved in the previous January 19 Cabinet Report to the Cabinet Members for City Economy and Resources, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Director of Finance, to approve a series of key agreements required to progress the works in accordance with the agreed funding and delivery strategy.

7. That it be noted that a key constituent of the funding strategy is that any borrowing costs, including interest are paid back from rates generated by the Western Extension site.

[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below.]

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

That the recommendations be approved as detailed in the public report at Item 5.

Councillor Harman Banger presented the private version of the i54 / Western Extension - Phases 4 and 5 Budget Approval report that was exempt as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). The corresponding public report was discussed at Item 5.

Resolved:

That the recommendations be approved as detailed in the public report at Item 5.

1. That the Council’s vote be exercised in support of the proposed BID Ballot in respect of the hereditaments in the Council’s ownership within the BID area and authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration to complete and return the voting papers on behalf of the Council.

2. That the Cabinet Member for City Economy be authorised to sit as the Council Board member on the BID Board, should the BID Ballot be successful for another five years.

3. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Finance, to:

a. formally approve the BID Business Plan and associated documents

b. charge the BID company annual administration and software support charges for the collection of the BID levy which is estimated to be in the region of £17,300. In addition, there would also be an implementation (one-off) cost of £5,500 in year one. These costs are for the first year, with the option to review on an annual basis for the duration of the BID (five years) and to cover the Council’s costs associated with collection of the BID levy.

c. Delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with Chief Legal Officer, to negotiate, agree and complete the necessary legal agreements required for the proposed BID renewal and any other agreements to give effect to the recommendations above.

4. That the Wolverhampton Business Improvement District Business Plan and boundary be noted.

5. That it be noted that formal notice for the Ballot has been received therefore the Returning Officer has been instructed to organise the BID ballot in accordance with the Business Improvement District Regulations (2004).

Councillor Harman Banger presented the Wolverhampton City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) report that was exempt as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved:

1. That the Council’s vote be exercised in support of the proposed BID Ballot in respect of the hereditaments in the Council’s ownership within the BID area and authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration to complete and return the voting papers on behalf of the Council.

2. That the Cabinet Member for City Economy be authorised to sit as the Council Board member on the BID Board, should the BID Ballot be successful for another five years.

3. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Finance, to:

a. formally approve the BID Business Plan and associated documents

b. charge the BID company annual administration and software support charges for the collection of the BID levy which is estimated to be in the region of £17,300. In addition, there would also be an implementation (one-off) cost of £5,500 in year one. These costs are for the first year, with the option to review on an annual basis for the duration of the BID (five years) and to cover the Council’s costs associated with collection of the BID levy.

c. Delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with Chief Legal Officer, to negotiate, agree and complete the necessary legal agreements required for the proposed BID renewal and any other agreements to give effect to the recommendations above.

4. That the Wolverhampton Business Improvement District Business Plan and boundary be noted.

5. That it be noted that formal notice for the Ballot has been received therefore the Returning Officer has been instructed to organise the BID ballot in accordance with the Business Improvement District Regulations (2004).