Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair advised that Paragraph 39 of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972 states that any decision taken at a local authority meeting (including committees and sub committees) shall be decided by a majority of those present and voting. Whilst the law permits other members to join the meeting virtually, they cannot vote.

No apologies for absence were received for the meeting.

No declarations of interests were made.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 May 2021 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.

[To report on the Council’s revenue outturn position for 2020-2021 compared with approved budgets and targets][report to follow]

1.     That the write-off of; three non-domestic rates totalling £40,561.68 and three sundry debts totalling £24,289.91 as detailed in Appendices 4 and 5 respectively to the report be approved.

2.     That six virements totalling £39.3 million, for transfer within directorates, as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report be approved.

3.     That it be noted that the Council has once again managed its money well and delivered within budget - despite hugely challenging circumstances.  Overall, the revenue outturn position for 2020-2021 is a net contribution to the General Fund balance of £651,000, after meeting the net cost of redundancy and pension strain and contributions to essential earmarked reserves. 

4.     That it be noted that the Housing Revenue Account revenue outturn position for the year was a surplus before allocations of £11.9 million, compared to a budgeted surplus of £10.8 million.

5.     That it be noted that the capital programme has achieved an outturn position of £72.7 million for the General Fund and £46.8 million for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  A summary of the outturn is detailed in section 10 of the report.  A full detailed report on the Capital Outturn 2020-2021 including Quarter One Capital Monitoring 2021-2022 would be reported to Cabinet on 7 July 2021.

6.     That it be noted that 28 non-domestic rates accounts totalling £172,842.85 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

7.     That it be noted that 807 council tax accounts totalling £166,958.14 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

8.     That it be noted that 48 sundry debt accounts totalling £28,170.43 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

9.     That it be noted that 15 housing benefit debt accounts totalling £5,769.48 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on the Council’s outturn position for 2020-2021 compared with approved budgets and targets. He reported that from a budget of £248.2 million, at the end of the year there was a small budget surplus of 0.26%. That would help the Council going forward with any budget issues.

Cabinet placed on record its sincerest thanks to the previous Cabinet Member for Resources, former Councillor Louise Miles who along with the Controlling Group, Directors and officers of the Council, was instrumental in delivering the balanced budget.  She was also thanked for everything she has done for the City and the Council.

Cabinet also noted that while the Government had funded council’s to address the Covid emergency, the funds merely replaced lost income from many service areas including car parks, leisure centres that were not open, and rental income from the markets that were also unable to open during the pandemic. The balance budget was a testament to all the hard work of the Council.

Resolved:

1.    That the write-off of; three non-domestic rates totalling £40,561.68 and three sundry debts totalling £24,289.91 as detailed in Appendices 4 and 5 respectively to the report be approved.

2.    That six virements totalling £39.3 million, for transfer within directorates, as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report be approved.

3.    That it be noted that the Council has once again managed its money well and delivered within budget - despite hugely challenging circumstances.  Overall, the revenue outturn position for 2020-2021 is a net contribution to the General Fund balance of £651,000, after meeting the net cost of redundancy and pension strain and contributions to essential earmarked reserves. 

4.    That it be noted that the Housing Revenue Account revenue outturn position for the year was a surplus before allocations of £11.9 million, compared to a budgeted surplus of £10.8 million.

5.    That it be noted that the capital programme has achieved an outturn position of £72.7 million for the General Fund and £46.8 million for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  A summary of the outturn is detailed in section 10 of the report.  A full detailed report on the Capital Outturn 2020-2021 including Quarter One Capital Monitoring 2021-2022 would be reported to Cabinet on 7 July 2021.

6.    That it be noted that 28 non-domestic rates accounts totalling £172,842.85 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

7.    That it be noted that 807 council tax accounts totalling £166,958.14 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

8.    That it be noted that 48 sundry debt accounts totalling £28,170.43 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

9.    That it be noted that 15 housing benefit debt accounts totalling £5,769.48 have been approved for write off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

[To report on the Council’s resources currently held as earmarked reserves, provisions and general balances as at 31 March 2021, taking account of the outturn position for 2020-2021][report to follow]

1.     That the transfers (to)/from earmarked reserves, provisions and general balances as detailed in tables 2, 3 and 4 of the report be approved.

2.     That expenditure from provisions for their purposes as set out in Appendix 3 and 4 to the report, up to the value held in each provision as at 31 March 2021 be approved.

3.     That the delegation of authority to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to allocate funds from the Budget Contingency Reserve, the Recovery Reserve, the Regeneration Reserve, the Efficiency Reserve, the Transformation Reserve, the Development Reserve, the Regional Work Reserve, the Enterprise Zone Business Rates Reserve, the Business Rates Equalisation Reserve, the Treasury Management Equalisation Reserve, the Pension Deficit Recovery Reserve, the Budget Strategy Reserve, the Highways Management Reserve and Community Initiatives and Crowdfund Wolves Reserve be approved.

4.     That the delegation of authority to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Directors of Children’s and Adult Services and Finance, to allocate funds from the Adults Reserve be approved.

5.     That the level of the Council’s earmarked reserves, provisions and general balances as at 31 March 2021 and the purposes for which they are being held, as detailed in Appendix 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the report be noted.

6.     That it be noted that relevance and adequacy of earmarked reserves and general balances would be reviewed as required by the Constitution during the 2022-2023 budget setting process.

7.     That it be noted that allocation of funding from all earmarked reserves would be reported to Cabinet (Resources) Panel in the scheduled quarterly budget monitoring reports.  

8.     That it be noted that Our Council Scrutiny Panel would scrutinise the use of reserves as part of the budget setting process as in previous years.

9.     That it be noted that the Director of Finance considers that the overall level of all reserves, provisions and balances is sufficient to meet the likely level of obligations to be met from reserves, provisions and general balances in the short term.

10.  That it be noted that whilst the positive General Fund outturn position during 2020-2021, and the resulting adjustments to reserves, would help to support the Council’s short term financial position, it does not address the challenging financial position that the Council finds itself in over the medium term; namely identifying further projected budget reductions which were estimated at £25.4 million in 2022-2023, rising to £29.6 million over the medium term to 2023-2024 when reported to Full Council in March 2021.  

11.  That it be noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly distorted the Council’s financial position and medium-term financial strategy (MTFS). Whilst the Government has made good on its commitment to fund councils to “to do whatever it takes” to address the emergency the economy and social effects of the pandemic will be felt for years to come.  We have no information from Government as to how they will fund councils to  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on the Council's resources currently held as marked reserves, provisions and general balances as at 31st of March 2021 taking account of the outturn position for 2020-2021.

Resolved:

1.    That the transfers (to)/from earmarked reserves, provisions and general balances as detailed in tables 2, 3 and 4 of the report be approved.

2.    That expenditure from provisions for their purposes as set out in Appendix 3 and 4 to the report, up to the value held in each provision as at 31 March 2021 be approved.

3.    That the delegation of authority to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to allocate funds from the Budget Contingency Reserve, the Recovery Reserve, the Regeneration Reserve, the Efficiency Reserve, the Transformation Reserve, the Development Reserve, the Regional Work Reserve, the Enterprise Zone Business Rates Reserve, the Business Rates Equalisation Reserve, the Treasury Management Equalisation Reserve, the Pension Deficit Recovery Reserve, the Budget Strategy Reserve, the Highways Management Reserve and Community Initiatives and Crowdfund Wolves Reserve be approved.

4.    That the delegation of authority to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Directors of Children’s and Adult Services and Finance, to allocate funds from the Adults Reserve be approved.

5.    That the level of the Council’s earmarked reserves, provisions and general balances as at 31 March 2021 and the purposes for which they are being held, as detailed in Appendix 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the report be noted.

6.    That it be noted that relevance and adequacy of earmarked reserves and general balances would be reviewed as required by the Constitution during the 2022-2023 budget setting process.

7.    That it be noted that allocation of funding from all earmarked reserves would be reported to Cabinet (Resources) Panel in the scheduled quarterly budget monitoring reports. 

8.    That it be noted that Our Council Scrutiny Panel would scrutinise the use of reserves as part of the budget setting process as in previous years.

9.    That it be noted that the Director of Finance considers that the overall level of all reserves, provisions and balances is sufficient to meet the likely level of obligations to be met from reserves, provisions and general balances in the short term.

10. That it be noted that whilst the positive General Fund outturn position during 2020-2021, and the resulting adjustments to reserves, would help to support the Council’s short term financial position, it does not address the challenging financial position that the Council finds itself in over the medium term; namely identifying further projected budget reductions which were estimated at £25.4 million in 2022-2023, rising to £29.6 million over the medium term to 2023-2024 when reported to Full Council in March 2021. 

11. That it be noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly distorted the Council’s financial position and medium-term financial strategy (MTFS). Whilst the Government has made good on its commitment to fund councils to “to do whatever it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

[To approve the Single Persons Accommodation Project for delivery]

1.     That the Single Persons Accommodation Project be approved.

2.     That the Director of City Housing and Environment, as the Senior Responsible Officer, be authorised to take all necessary steps to implement the Single Persons Accommodation Project.

3.     That a virement of £2.5 million to increase the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme budget Bond House Conversion to Residential to £4.5 million to implement the Single Persons Accommodation Project be approved, subject to the approval of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme funding bid.

4.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment, to enter into a contract with the preferred contractor in line with Council Constitution and The Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on the proposal to implement the Single Persons Accommodation Project in Wolverhampton. The model, based on learning from the Covid-19 pandemic, would ensure better outcomes for rough sleepers and vulnerable single people who have experienced homelessness in the city. The project would convert an existing Council-owned property (Bond House) into an Assessment Centre and 24 units of accommodation. The development was scheduled for completion by summer 2022 with partial units being completed by March 2022.

Councillor Ian Brookfield added that he was extremely proud of the proposal, which was a real commitment to end the scourge of rough sleeping in the city.

Resolved:

1.    That the Single Persons Accommodation Project be approved.

2.    That the Director of City Housing and Environment, as the Senior Responsible Officer, be authorised to take all necessary steps to implement the Single Persons Accommodation Project.

3.    That a virement of £2.5 million to increase the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme budget Bond House Conversion to Residential to £4.5 million to implement the Single Persons Accommodation Project be approved, subject to the approval of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme funding bid.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment, to enter into a contract with the preferred contractor in line with Council Constitution and The Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015.

[To approve the continuation of the Section 75 Agreement (Pooled Budget) with the NHS Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022]

1.     That the Section 75 Agreement (Pooled Budget) with the NHS Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCG) continue for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

2.     That the Council enter into the Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement along with any necessary ancillary agreements arising from the main agreement.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for Adults, Public Health and Well Being and the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Director of Children’s and Adult Services and Director of Finance to agree any amendments to the Section 75 Agreement (Pooled Budget) for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

Councillor Linda Leach presented the report on a proposal to continue the existing Section 75 Agreement (Pooled Budget) with NHS Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. The Agreement provided for the transfer of health monies to social care in order for pooled funds to be spent on the Better Care Fund workstreams of Adult Community Services, Dementia, Mental Health, Children’s adolescence mental health services (CAMHS) and Care Act.

The recommendations contained in the report were moved by Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre and seconded by Councillor Ian Brookfield.

Resolved:

1.    That the Section 75 Agreement (Pooled Budget) with the NHS Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCG) continue for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

2.    That the Council enter into the Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement along with any necessary ancillary agreements arising from the main agreement.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for Adults, Public Health and Well Being and the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Director of Children’s and Adult Services and Director of Finance to agree any amendments to the Section 75 Agreement (Pooled Budget) for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

[To approve the Capital Transportation Programme for the financial year 2021 – 2022]

1.      That the list of projects for development and implementation as part of the Transportation Capital Programme 2021-2022 and future years, as set out in Appendices 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the report be approved.

2.      That the Head of City Transport be authorised to proceed with development work for each project detailed in Appendices 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the report, including surveying, site investigation, options appraisal, feasibility analysis, traffic modelling, detailed design, statutory advertising and public consultation, as appropriate.

3.      That the creation of supplementary budgets for 2021-2022 for the projects marked ‘Approve’ in the ‘Decision’ column of Appendices 3 and 4 to the report be approved for implementation, subject to the availability of funding.

4.      That the virement of existing approved budgets for 2021-2022 totalling £1.07 million within the Transport Capital programme to other projects as shown in Table 3.4 of the report be approved.

5.      That the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment be authorised to approve, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice (IEDN), implementation of the projects on the list marked ‘IEDN’ in the ‘Decision’ column of Appendices 3 and 4 to the report, subject to the satisfactory outcome of public consultation, availability of funding and any other relevant considerations.

6.      That the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment be authorised to approve, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice, the bringing forward of projects from Appendix 5 to Appendix 3 or 4 of the report and thereafter to approve them for implementation during 2021-2022 subject to the satisfactory outcome of public consultation, availability of funding and any other relevant considerations.

7.      That the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, and the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment and the Director of Finance be authorised to approve, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice, appropriate virements between existing approved budgets within the transport capital programme maximising use of resources.

8.      That the Chief Legal Officer be authorised to serve all necessary notices in respect of the projects listed in Appendices 3 and 4 to the report and, subject to there being no unresolved objections, make traffic regulation orders as required.

9.      Authorise the Head of City Transport to make applications and bids for additional external funding noting that agreement ahead of submission will be obtained from the Director of Finance and appropriate governance will be followed to amend budgets on receipt of such funding.

10.   Authorise the Director of Finance to approve the Council entering into funding agreements with the various funding bodies to receive grant funding in respect of the projects included in the report.

11.   That the expenditure and progress made in delivering £40.3 million worth of projects in the Transportation Capital Programme during 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 as set out in Appendix 2 top  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

Councillor Steve Evans reported on the salient points of the report on a programme of capital projects to develop and maintain the transportation network for the financial year 2021-2022 and future years, subject to available resources and annual review. He particularly highlighted the expenditure and progress made over the last four years in delivering £40.3 million worth of projects, and the continued success of the highways officers in managing to continue to successfully bid for additional funding and deliver new projects. He also reported on examples of what had been delivered in the last 12 months during the pandemic and placed on record his thanks to the officers for their hard work during that difficult period.

Councillor Steve Evans also informed Cabinet that the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey carried out independently looked at the state and condition of the roads.  It stated that in England and Wales there was a backlog of about £10.2 billion in terms of making the roads reasonable or ‘steady state’. That equated to an average of around £77.2 million for every local authority.  That was in contrast with the average £10 million per year the Council had spent over the last four years.

Cabinet members added their congratulations to the Highways team for what they had been able to deliver within limited resources. It was suggested that expenditure on transportation would need to increase going forward. It was therefore important the City’s three MPs are made aware of the issue raised on transportation funding.

Resolved:

1.    That the list of projects for development and implementation as part of the Transportation Capital Programme 2021-2022 and future years, as set out in Appendices 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the report be approved.

2.    That the Head of City Transport be authorised to proceed with development work for each project detailed in Appendices 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the report, including surveying, site investigation, options appraisal, feasibility analysis, traffic modelling, detailed design, statutory advertising and public consultation, as appropriate.

3.    That the creation of supplementary budgets for 2021-2022 for the projects marked ‘Approve’ in the ‘Decision’ column of Appendices 3 and 4 to the report be approved for implementation, subject to the availability of funding.

4.    That the virement of existing approved budgets for 2021-2022 totalling £1.07 million within the Transport Capital programme to other projects as shown in Table 3.4 of the report be approved.

5.    That the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment be authorised to approve, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice (IEDN), implementation of the projects on the list marked ‘IEDN’ in the ‘Decision’ column of Appendices 3 and 4 to the report, subject to the satisfactory outcome of public consultation, availability of funding and any other relevant considerations.

6.    That the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment be authorised to approve, through an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

[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]

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).

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).

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.

[To report on the current condition of structurally defective properties within the housing stock and seek approval to develop a programme to address the issues]

1.      That the proposals for the non-traditional properties identified as being suitable for continued long-term investment as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report be approved, subject to a further detailed report.

2.      That the phased regeneration approach for the non-traditional properties where investment is no longer viable as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report be approved.

3.      That the commencement of consultation with those residents within phase one of the regeneration programme as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report be agreed.

4.      That it be agreed to cease letting properties within the phase one of the regeneration programme.

5.   That the rehousing of tenants within phase one following a consultation period and housing needs assessment be approved.

6.   That Home Loss payments and Disturbance allowances to be paid to tenants affected by phase one of the regeneration programme be approved.

7.   That the Right to Buy for properties within phase one initially be suspended, in conjunction with the serving of an ‘initial demolition notice’. 

8.   That it be agreed to purchase any former Council Tarran non-traditional properties, within the designated regeneration area, if available to purchase, to assist with the regeneration programme.

9.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment to agree expenditure on individual property purchases within phase one areas.

10. That the £2.0 million project budget for phase one of the regeneration programme be approved with further reports to be presented prior to the commencement of each phase.

11.   That the different archetypes and numbers of non-traditional properties owned by the Council throughout the City be noted.

12. That the results of the impressionistic (visual) survey on all non-traditional properties owned by the Council to assess their superficial condition and the results of the explorative (intrusive) survey carried out to a sample of each archetype be noted.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on a proposal to implement a phased citywide investment and regeneration programme for non-traditional properties owned by the Council and identified as no longer viable.

Resolved:

1.    That the proposals for the non-traditional properties identified as being suitable for continued long-term investment as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report be approved, subject to a further detailed report.

2.    That the phased regeneration approach for the non-traditional properties where investment is no longer viable as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report be approved.

3.    That the commencement of consultation with those residents within phase one of the regeneration programme as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report be agreed.

4.    That it be agreed to cease letting properties within the phase one of the regeneration programme.

5.    That the rehousing of tenants within phase one following a consultation period and housing needs assessment be approved.

6.    That Home Loss payments and Disturbance allowances to be paid to tenants affected by phase one of the regeneration programme be approved.

7.    That the Right to Buy for properties within phase one initially be suspended, in conjunction with the serving of an ‘initial demolition notice’. 

8.    That it be agreed to purchase any former Council Tarran non-traditional properties, within the designated regeneration area, if available to purchase, to assist with the regeneration programme.

9.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment to agree expenditure on individual property purchases within phase one areas.

10.That the £2.0 million project budget for phase one of the regeneration programme be approved with further reports to be presented prior to the commencement of each phase.

11.That the different archetypes and numbers of non-traditional properties owned by the Council throughout the City be noted.

12.That the results of the impressionistic (visual) survey on all non-traditional properties owned by the Council to assess their superficial condition and the results of the explorative (intrusive) survey carried out to a sample of each archetype be noted.