Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Online

Contact: Dereck Francis  Tel: 01902 555835 or Email: dereck.francis@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Note: Please note this meeting will be conducted in line with the The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre.

2.

Declaration of interests

Minutes:

No declarations of interests were made.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 348 KB

[For approval]

Minutes:

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 November 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

4.

Matters arising

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

Minutes:

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

5.

WV Living Business Plan and Related Decisions

[To approve the WV Living Business Plan and Related Decisions][Report to follow]

Decision:

The report was withdrawn. It would now be considered at a meeting of Cabinet on 16 December 2020 at 5pm.

Minutes:

The Chair announced that the report was withdrawn from the agenda and it would now be considered at a meeting of Cabinet on 16 December 2020 at 5pm.

6.

Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together Partnership - Annual Report pdf icon PDF 516 KB

[To present the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together Partnership Annual Report]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together (WST) Partnership 2019-2020 Annual Report be endorsed.

 

2.      That it be agreed that the Partnership had transitioned to its new arrangements effectively since September 2019.

 

3.      That it be noted that WST would continue with its current partnership arrangements with City of Wolverhampton Council as a statutory partner in line with The Social Work Act 2017 and subsequent Working Together 2018 Guidance and The Care Act 2014.

 

4.      That it be noted that an overview of the Scrutiny and Assurance Coordination Group is due to be included in the final version of the Annual Report as requested at Councillor Briefing on the 16 November 2020.

Minutes:

Councillor Linda Leach presented for endorsement the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together (WST) Partnership 2019-2020 Annual Report for adults and children.  The report covered the transition of Wolverhampton Adults and Children’s Safeguarding Board to streamlined multi-agency partnership arrangements in September 2019.  She reported that Wolverhampton’s safeguarding response was widely recognised as best practise within the region and the Annual Report built on this. Strengthening arrangements for engaging with the wider community through the community would ensure the voice of children, families and vulnerable adults would be at the forefront in the new arrangements. 

 

Councillor John Reynolds added that the new streamlined structure for WST with a Scrutiny and Assurance Co-ordination Group built in was proving to be an effective and efficient way of working.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together (WST) Partnership 2019-2020 Annual Report be endorsed.

 

2.    That it be agreed that the Partnership had transitioned to its new arrangements effectively since September 2019.

 

3.    That it be noted that WST would continue with its current partnership arrangements with City of Wolverhampton Council as a statutory partner in line with The Social Work Act 2017 and subsequent Working Together 2018 Guidance and The Care Act 2014.

 

4.    That it be noted that an overview of the Scrutiny and Assurance Coordination Group is due to be included in the final version of the Annual Report as requested at Councillor Briefing on the 16 November 2020.

7.

Wolverhampton Strategy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 2020 pdf icon PDF 268 KB

[To note the publication of the Wolverhampton Strategy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 2020 and associated action plans]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the implementation of the Wolverhampton Strategy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 2020-2023 attached at Appendix 1 to the report, as approved by Children and Families Together Board be endorsed and supported.

 

2.      That the publication of the easy read version of the Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 2020-23 attached at Appendix 2 to the report be noted.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Ian Brookfield asked Cabinet to endorse the published Wolverhampton Strategy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 2020- 2023 and support its implementation.

 

Emma Bennett, Director of Children’s Services added that the strategy reflected the ambition for Wolverhampton being an inclusive city so that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities could have a good quality ordinary life.  The vision focused on three key areas, children young people and families are empowered and well supported, underpinned by Wolverhampton being an inclusive city and that young people are well prepared for adulthood.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the implementation of the Wolverhampton Strategy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 2020-2023 attached at Appendix 1 to the report, as approved by Children and Families Together Board be endorsed and supported.

 

2.    That the publication of the easy read version of the Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 2020-23 attached at Appendix 2 to the report be noted.

 

8.

Youth Council Annual Report pdf icon PDF 136 KB

[To consider the City of Wolverhampton Youth Council’s Annual Report]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the Annual Report produced by the Youth Council 2019/2020 be endorsed.

 

2.      That the highlights and achievements of the Youth Council throughout 2019 and 2020 be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor John Reynolds introduced Syed Naqvi and Gregary Burnsen-Hicks, Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of Wolverhampton Youth Council. They delivered a presentation on the Youth Council’s Annual Report covering the period April 2019 to March 2020, highlighting some of their achievements during the year and the links they had established regionally and nationally.  They also updated Cabinet on work since March 2020. 

 

Members of Cabinet paid tribute to the Youth Council’s participatory work in the decision making processes in the City and for the way they are representing the city at a local, regional and national level.

 

Councillor John Reynolds asked Cabinet to endorse the Annual Report and led a round of applause to the Youth Council on their successful year.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the Annual Report produced by the Youth Council 2019/2020 be endorsed.

 

2.    That the highlights and achievements of the Youth Council throughout 2019 and 2020 be noted.

9.

The Wolverhampton House Project Annual Report - One Year On pdf icon PDF 295 KB

[To receive the House Project Annual report]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the progress of the Wolverhampton House Project and how it has improved outcomes for children in care and leaving care be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor John Reynolds presented for information the Annual Report on the Wolverhampton House Project, a local House Project to help young people leaving care to create their own home and live independently and gives the additionality of peer support contributing to reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.  Cabinet also viewed a slide show on the Project which gave a flavour of the work of young people accessing the project.

 

Members of Cabinet congratulated the local house project on its successful first year.

 

Resolved:

That the progress of the Wolverhampton House Project and how it has improved outcomes for children in care and leaving care be noted.

10.

Partnership Agreement between City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council pdf icon PDF 249 KB

[To approve the Council entering into a partnership agreement with Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council to continue work on the National Lottery funded Wolverhampton for Everyone]

Decision:

1.      That City of Wolverhampton Council submit a joint funding bid with the Voluntary Sector Council to the National Lottery for a three year programme to develop the work of Wolverhampton for Everyone.

 

2.      That the Director of Governance be authorised to put in place a legally binding agreement between City of Wolverhampton Council and the Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal presented the report seeking approval for the Council to enter into an agreement with the Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council to jointly put forward a bid to the National Lottery for a three year programme to develop the work of Wolverhampton for Everyone. Wolverhampton for Everyone aimed to create a people-powered city, where everyone feels able to participate in creating the city they want to live and work in.  It was a movement comprised of a network of individuals and organisations in the City with the partnership anchored by the Voluntary Sector Council and the City Council.

 

Resolved:

1.    That City of Wolverhampton Council submit a joint funding bid with the Voluntary Sector Council to the National Lottery for a three year programme to develop the work of Wolverhampton for Everyone.

 

2.    That the Director of Governance be authorised to put in place a legally binding agreement between City of Wolverhampton Council and the Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council.

 

11.

Appointments to Outside Bodies - Bilston Relief in Need Charity Bilston Educational Charity pdf icon PDF 135 KB

[To approve the appointment of Council representatives onto the Bilston Relief in Need Charity Bilston Educational Charity]

Decision:

1.      That the reappointment of Councillor Stephen Simkins onto the Bilston Relief in Need Charity Bilston Educational Charity for a further four year term of office expiring in 2024 be approved.

 

2.      That the appointment of Councillor Zee Russell onto the Bilston Relief in Need Charity Bilston Educational Charity for a four year term of office expiring in 2024 be approved.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report seeking approval to appoint Council representatives onto the Bilston Relief in Need Charity Bilston Educational Charity.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the reappointment of Councillor Stephen Simkins onto the Bilston Relief in Need Charity Bilston Educational Charity for a further four year term of office expiring in 2024 be approved.

 

2.    That the appointment of Councillor Zee Russell onto the Bilston Relief in Need Charity Bilston Educational Charity for a four year term of office expiring in 2024 be approved.

 

12.

Exclusion of press and public

[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 item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below.]

Decision:

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 item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Minutes:

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 item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Part 2 - exempt items, closed to press and public

The Chair reported that as stated previously the meeting was in confidential session as the information included in the report could, if released into the public domain, prejudice the financial position of the Council or its partners.  As such all present are under a legal duty of confidentiality and must not disclose any confidential information - to do so would not only be a breach of the Council's codes (for councillors and employees) but also a breach of the legal duty of confidentiality.

13.

Towns Fund Bid Update

[To receive an update on the recent submission to Government for Towns Funding to support the delivery strategic projects covering the centres of Bilston, Wednesfield, and the City Centre; and where required to seek appropriate approvals to accept and defray funding to expedite project delivery]

 

 

Decision:

1.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Economy, City Environment and Resources in consultation with the Directors for Regeneration, City Environment and Finance to approve the full terms and conditions of a resultant Towns Fund grant funding award and to enter into such Funding and Collaboration Grant Agreements and any ancillary agreements in relation to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as may be required.

 

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Economy, City Environment and Resources in consultation with the Directors for Regeneration, City Environment, and Finance to agree to the Council acting as accountable body and entering into any necessary agreements to enable the distribution of grant funding to third parties.  

 

3.      That authority be delegated to the relevant Cabinet Members for City Economy or City Environment and Resources in consultation with the relevant Directors for Regeneration or City Environment, and the Director of Finance to create the capital and revenue budgets up to the value detailed in the report subject to the successful receipt of the Towns Fund grant.

 

4.      That the bid submitted on behalf of the Wolverhampton Towns Fund Board as outlined in appendix 1 to the report including match funding commitments be noted.

 

5.      That it be noted that information set out in the report relates to a bid on behalf of the Towns Fund Board and that this is not a City of Wolverhampton Council (CWC) bid.  Some of the constituent projects are led and managed by CWC and where this is the case they would be subject to normal CWC reporting processes, others are to be led by partner organisations and in this case would subject to the host governance arrangements as detailed in the report.

 

6.      That it be noted that a review is being carried out of the Towns Fund Board Governance and membership arrangements and that a separate discussion would be held on this at the January 2021 Towns Fund Board meeting.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Stephen Simkins presented the report seeking delegated authority to receive funds and progress necessary agreements should the recent submission via the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for Towns Funding for investment in the City Centre, Bilston and Wednesfield areas be successful in whole or part.

 

Members of Cabinet placed on record their thanks to all those involved for their hard and speedy work in putting the Towns Fund bid together, aswell as the ambitious shovel ready schemes in the three towns areas that successfully gained access to a time limited grant offer of £1 million from the MHCLG.

 

Resolved:

1.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Economy, City Environment and Resources in consultation with the Directors of  Regeneration, City Environment and Finance to approve the full terms and conditions of a resultant Towns Fund grant funding award and to enter into such Funding and Collaboration Grant Agreements and any ancillary agreements in relation to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as may be required.

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Economy, City Environment and Resources in consultation with the Directors of  Regeneration, City Environment, and Finance to agree to the Council acting as accountable body and entering into any necessary agreements to enable the distribution of grant funding to third parties. 

 

3.    That authority be delegated to the relevant Cabinet Members for City Economy or City Environment and Resources in consultation with the relevant Directors of Regeneration or City Environment, and the Director of Finance to create the capital and revenue budgets up to the value detailed in the report subject to the successful receipt of the Towns Fund grant.

 

4.    That the bid submitted on behalf of the Wolverhampton Towns Fund Board as outlined in appendix 1 to the report including match funding commitments be noted.

 

5.    That it be noted that information set out in the report relates to a bid on behalf of the Towns Fund Board and that this is not a City of Wolverhampton Council (CWC) bid.  Some of the constituent projects are led and managed by CWC and where this is the case they would be subject to normal CWC reporting processes, others are to be led by partner organisations and in this case would subject to the host governance arrangements as detailed in the report.

 

6.    That it be noted that a review is being carried out of the Towns Fund Board Governance and membership arrangements and that a separate discussion would be held on this at the January 2021 Towns Fund Board meeting.