Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harman Banger.

Charlotte Johns, Head of Strategy, declared a pecuniary interest in item 5 – Senior Management Review – October 2019 as she was directly affected by the recommendations.

Mark Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive, Ross Cook, Director of City Environment, Kate Martin, Director of City Assets and Housing, declared non-pecuniary interests in item 10 – WV Living Business Plan as Directors of WV Living.

[For approval]

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 September 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 that the Head of Strategy post be redesignated and regraded to Director of Strategy.

2. Approve that the current Head of Strategy be assimilated into the role of Director of Strategy.

Cabinet resolved:

1. That it be noted that the Managing Director was redesignated Chief Executive with effect from 1 September 2019.

2. That it be noted that the Deputy Managing Director was redesignated Deputy Chief Executive with effect from 1 September 2019.

3. That it be noted that a review is to be undertaken regarding the future strategy and positioning of services under the management of the current Director of Education, when the postholder leaves on 30 October 2019.

4. That it be noted that, on a temporary basis, the Director of Children’s Services has assumed responsibility for the following areas:

a. Traded Services for Schools

b. School Improvement

c. School Organisation

d. Special Educational Needs & Disability Commissioning.

5. That it be noted that, on a temporary basis, the Director of Public Health has assumed responsibility for the Public Health Strategy for Learners, Education Partnerships & Commercial Services and the Voluntary Sector relationships.

6. That it be noted that, on a temporary basis, the Director of Regeneration has assumed responsibility for the following areas:

a. Adult Education

b. City Skills & Employability

c. Wolves at Work

d. Apprenticeships

e. Black Country Impact.

7. That it be noted that the Director of Adults Services has assumed responsibility for the Director Ward Champion role (Penn, Merry Hill, Tettenhall Regis and Tettenhall Wightwick areas).

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the Senior Management Review – October 2019 for recommendation to Council. The report requested approval for the redesignation and regrading of the Head of Strategy post to Director of Strategy. The report also detailed the temporary arrangements that were to be made regarding the line management of services within the Education and Skills Portfolio, following the resignation of the current Director of Education.

The proposed in-depth review of the responsibility for Education Services in the Council’s Senior Management Structure was welcomed and the Cabinet recorded their thanks to the outgoing Director of Education, Meredith Teasdale.

Resolved:

Council is recommended to:

1. Approve that the Head of Strategy post be redesignated and regraded to Director of Strategy.

2. Approve that the current Head of Strategy be assimilated into the role of Director of Strategy.

Cabinet resolved:

1. That it be noted that the Managing Director was redesignated Chief Executive with effect from 1 September 2019.

2. That it be noted that the Deputy Managing Director was redesignated Deputy Chief Executive with effect from 1 September 2019.

3. That it be noted that a review is to be undertaken regarding the future strategy and positioning of services under the management of the current Director of Education, when the postholder leaves on 30 October 2019.

4. That it be noted that, on a temporary basis, the Director of Children’s Services has assumed responsibility for the following areas:

a. Traded Services for Schools

b. School Improvement

c. School Organisation

d. Special Educational Needs & Disability Commissioning.

5. That it be noted that, on a temporary basis, the Director of Public Health has assumed responsibility for the Public Health Strategy for Learners, Education Partnerships & Commercial Services and the Voluntary Sector relationships.

6. That it be noted that, on a temporary basis, the Director of Regeneration has assumed responsibility for the following areas:

a. Adult Education

b. City Skills & Employability

c. Wolves at Work

d. Apprenticeships

e. Black Country Impact.

7. That it be noted that the Director of Adults Services has assumed responsibility for the Director Ward Champion role (Penn, Merry Hill, Tettenhall Regis and Tettenhall Wightwick areas).

1. That the updated draft budget strategy linked to the Five Year Financial Strategy, including the budget reduction and income generation proposals and one-off funding opportunities, be approved.

2. That it be approved that further options are explored between October 2019 and January 2020 to address the updated projected budget deficit of £3.9 million for 2020-2021 and the medium term, based on the Council’s Five Year Financial Strategy.

3. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to approve the final budget consultation arrangements.

4. That it be noted that, a number of assumptions have been made with regards to the level of resources that will be available to the Council as detailed in section 5 of this report. It is important to note that there continues to be a considerable amount of uncertainty with regards to future income streams for local authorities over the forthcoming multi-year Spending Review period. At the point that further information is known it will be incorporated into future reports to Councillors. Any reduction in the Government’s allocation of funding to the Council would have a significant detrimental impact and further increase the budget deficit forecast over the medium term.

5. That it be noted that, due to external factors, budget assumptions remain subject to significant change, which could, therefore, result in alterations to the financial position facing the Council.

6. That it be noted that the projected remaining budget deficit for 2020-2021 will be in the region of £3.9 million, rising to £20 million over the medium term period to 2023-2024.

7. That it be noted that it is anticipated that the additional adult and children’s social care grant will be sufficient to meet the projected remaining budget deficit in 2020-2021 and therefore enable the Council to set a balanced budget in that year.

8. That it be noted that due to the uncertainty over the medium term, the overall level of risk associated with the 2020-2021 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 is assessed as Red.

9. That it be noted that an element of the high-level strategy for 2020-2021 relate to one-off opportunities that can be achieved in 2020-2021.

10. That it be noted that the updated projected deficit assumes the achievement of previously approved budget reduction and income generation proposals amounting to £9.6 million over period 2019-2020 to 2023-2024.

11. That it be noted that the 2020-2021 budget timetable will, as in previous years, include an update on all budget assumptions and the Provisional Local Government Settlement which will be presented to Cabinet in January 2020, with the final budget report due to be approved by Full Council in March 2020.

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 for approval. The report provided an update on progress towards identifying additional budget reduction proposals in order to address the projected budget deficit of £4.9 million in 2020-2021 and budget challenge over the medium term to 2023- 2024. It was noted that the consultation process for the budget had involved wider engagement with the public and scrutiny process. The Cabinet recorded their thanks to the officers involved for their work.

Resolved:

1. That the updated draft budget strategy linked to the Five Year Financial Strategy, including the budget reduction and income generation proposals and one-off funding opportunities, be approved.

2. That it be approved that further options are explored between October 2019 and January 2020 to address the updated projected budget deficit of £3.9 million for 2020-2021 and the medium term, based on the Council’s Five Year Financial Strategy.

3. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to approve the final budget consultation arrangements.

4. That it be noted that, a number of assumptions have been made with regards to the level of resources that will be available to the Council as detailed in section 5 of this report. It is important to note that there continues to be a considerable amount of uncertainty with regards to future income streams for local authorities over the forthcoming multi-year Spending Review period. At the point that further information is known it will be incorporated into future reports to Councillors. Any reduction in the Government’s allocation of funding to the Council would have a significant detrimental impact and further increase the budget deficit forecast over the medium term.

5. That it be noted that, due to external factors, budget assumptions remain subject to significant change, which could, therefore, result in alterations to the financial position facing the Council.

6. That it be noted that the projected remaining budget deficit for 2020-2021 will be in the region of £3.9 million, rising to £20 million over the medium term period to 2023-2024.

7. That it be noted that it is anticipated that the additional adult and children’s social care grant will be sufficient to meet the projected remaining budget deficit in 2020-2021 and therefore enable the Council to set a balanced budget in that year.

8. That it be noted that due to the uncertainty over the medium term, the overall level of risk associated with the 2020-2021 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 is assessed as Red.

9. That it be noted that an element of the high-level strategy for 2020-2021 relate to one-off opportunities that can be achieved in 2020-2021.

10. That it be noted that the updated projected deficit assumes the achievement of previously approved budget reduction and income generation proposals amounting to £9.6 million over period 2019-2020 to 2023-2024.

11. That it be noted that the 2020-2021 budget timetable will, as in previous  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

That the City Housing Strategy 2019 – 2024 be approved, as attached at Appendix 1 to this report.

Councillor Peter Bilson presented the City Housing Strategy 2019 – 2024 for approval. The Strategy had been developed to reflect on emerging national and local priorities as well as to align the priorities for the delivery of housing and housing services for the next five years to the new Council Plan. The report set out the requirement for a City Housing Strategy, the process that has been involved in developing the strategy and summarised the key priorities that would develop and drive the housing agenda going forward. It was noted that housing was a key contributor to overall health and wellbeing, which was one of the Council’s key priorities. The Cabinet welcomed initiatives that would hold poor landlords to account and provide greater enforcement powers.

Resolved:

That the City Housing Strategy 2019 – 2024 be approved, as attached at Appendix 1 to this report.

[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).

1. That option three be approved: that following a robust commercial appraisal of the possible operating models to run the Civic Halls, an external operator under an operating lease agreement be progressed as the preferred option, the procurement process would include a request for a profit share agreement.

2. That the commencement of a competitive dialogue process be approved to progress the preferred option.

3. That the appointment of external advisors to work with City of Wolverhampton Council be approved to progress the preferred option.

4. That it be agreed to receive a further report with a full business case, when details of the procurement outcomes are known.

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the Future Operating Model for Civic Halls on behalf of Councillor Harman Banger, 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 option three be approved: that following a robust commercial appraisal of the possible operating models to run the Civic Halls, an external operator under an operating lease agreement be progressed as the preferred option, the procurement process would include a request for a profit share agreement.

2. That the commencement of a competitive dialogue process be approved to progress the preferred option.

3. That the appointment of external advisors to work with City of Wolverhampton Council be approved to progress the preferred option.

4. That it be agreed to receive a further report with a full business case, when details of the procurement outcomes are known.

1. That the inclusion of the following sites in the WV Living Business Plan be approved: Former site of Daisy Bank Community Centre and adjacent school, Ash Street, Bilston.

2. That it be approved that the WV Living Phase 1 Loans budget within the approved General Fund Capital Programme can be allocated to any sites with Cabinet approval for development by WV Living, up to the remaining budget allocation.

Councillor Peter Bilson presented the WV Living Business Plan 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 inclusion of the following sites in the WV Living Business Plan be approved: Former site of Daisy Bank Community Centre and adjacent school, Ash Street, Bilston.

2. That it be approved that the WV Living Phase 1 Loans budget within the approved General Fund Capital Programme can be allocated to any sites with Cabinet approval for development by WV Living, up to the remaining budget allocation.

1. That the options for Citywide leaseholders on high rise-estates, as shown at Appendix 1 and set out at section 3 of this report, be approved.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member of City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing, to agree the buy-back of individual properties that meet the criteria as set out at section 3 of this report.

3. That it be noted that there is an existing capital budget as approved at Cabinet in January 2019, for the purchase of additional social housing units using Right to Buy receipts to fund 30% of the costs. This budget will be used to purchase these Citywide leasehold properties that meet the criteria as detailed in this report.

Councillor Peter Bilson presented the Citywide Housing Revenue Account Investment Programme - Leaseholder Options 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 options for Citywide leaseholders on high rise-estates, as shown at Appendix 1 and set out at section 3 of this report, be approved.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member of City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing, to agree the buy-back of individual properties that meet the criteria as set out at section 3 of this report.

3. That it be noted that there is an existing capital budget as approved at Cabinet in January 2019, for the purchase of additional social housing units using Right to Buy receipts to fund 30% of the costs. This budget will be used to purchase these Citywide leasehold properties that meet the criteria as detailed in this report.

1. That the preferred option for future waste service delivery arrangements be approved as detailed at Section 4 of the report.

2. That the revised waste services restructure required to deliver the preferred option to deliver these changes be approved.

3. That it be noted that the growth required for the preferred option has been recognised in the draft budget strategy as presented to Cabinet at this meeting in the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 report for which approval is sought in that report.

Councillor Steve Evans presented the Waste Transformation Programme - Future Service Delivery Arrangements 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 Cabinet recorded their thanks to Councillor Steve Evans and the officers involved for the work undertaken.

Resolved:

1. That the preferred option for future waste service delivery arrangements be approved as detailed at Section 4 of the report.

2. That the revised waste services restructure required to deliver the preferred option to deliver these changes be approved.

3. That it be noted that the growth required for the preferred option has been recognised in the draft budget strategy as presented to Cabinet at this meeting in the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 report for which approval is sought in that report.