Agenda, decisions and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

Mark Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive and Alison Shannon, Chief Accountant both declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 (WV Living Business Plan 2022-2027), insofar as they are directors of WV Living.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 March 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[Review of housing owned assets and future use/ownership]

1.      That the commencement of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) asset review for citywide non-residential assets and a small number of residential assets to determine the future management of these assets be approved.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing and the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment and the Director of Finance to approve the appropriation of HRA assets to a more appropriate Service Area, following the completion of the asset review and relevant consultation process.

3.      That further reports on the progress of the review of HRA assets be submitted to Cabinet.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report that provided an overview of citywide non-residential assets and a small number of residential assets, some located outside the Wolverhampton boundary, owned by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and residential properties owned by other Directorates, managed by Wolverhampton Homes.  It was proposed to undertake a review of the assets to assess and determine their future use/management, including opportunities where sites could be brought forward for housing development or where it may be more appropriate for the site to be managed by another service area, subject to internal and external consultation.

Resolved:

1.    That the commencement of the Housing Revenue Account asset review for citywide non-residential assets and a small number of residential assets to determine the future management of these assets be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing and the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment and the Director of Finance to approve the appropriation of HRA assets to a more appropriate Service Area, following the completion of the asset review and relevant consultation process.

3.    That further reports on the progress of the review of HRA assets be submitted to Cabinet.

[To receive the Housing Performance Quarter Three report]

That the performance of the Housing Management Agents for quarter three 2021-2022 be noted.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on the performance of the Council’s Housing Management Agents, Bushbury Hill Estates Management Board, Dovecotes Tenant Management Organisation, New Park Village Tenant Management Committee and Wolverhampton Homes Arms Length Management Organisation in managing and maintaining council owned dwellings during quarter three (October to December 2021).  The performance for each of the managing agents was against the key areas of rents management; repairs management; and voids and allocations.  Councillor Gakhal also read out a statement from Shaun Aldis, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes (WH) on the organisation’s performance and areas where it was prioritising key activities to customers.

Cabinet extended its thanks and gratitude to Wolverhampton Homes and the other Housing Management Agents for going above and beyond their normal housing operations to support their tenants and the City’s residents over the last two years during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks were also expressed to WH for their support in the delivery of the Council’s Our City: Our Plan priorities.

Resolved:

That the performance of the Housing Management Agents for quarter three 2021-2022 be noted.

[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 approve the WV Living Business Plan for 2022-2027 and related decisions]

1.      That the updated business plan for WV Living 2022-2027 be approved.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing and the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance to approve detailed loan agreements, amendments to any loan agreements and the execution of any loan agreements or other financial instruments between the Council and WV Living.

3.      That the Council would continue to act as guarantor for contracts entered into by WV Living where appropriate and that authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Chief Operating Officer to authorise any such guarantees.

4.      That in the light of the new Business Plan the Council confirms that it has confidence that WV Living is a going concern for at least the next 12 months.

5.      That it be noted that updated business plans for WV Living would be brought to Cabinet for approval on an annual basis.

6.      That it be noted that the Company would commence recruitment to the approved staffing structure to support the sustainable business plan.

Having previoulsy declared an interest in this item, Mark Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive and Alison Shannon, Chief Accountant left the meeting whilst Cabinet considered the report WV Living Business Plan 2022-2027.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented for approval the annual refresh of the WV Living Business Plan. WV Living had been established as a vehicle to meet Council priorities for housing in the City. The financial implications for the Company and for the Council were considered in the report and recommendations were made for the Council’s continued financial support as both a shareholder and lender to WV Living.

Resolved:

1.    That the updated business plan for WV Living 2022-2027 be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing and the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance to approve detailed loan agreements, amendments to any loan agreements and the execution of any loan agreements or other financial instruments between the Council and WV Living.

3.    That the Council would continue to act as guarantor for contracts entered into by WV Living where appropriate and that authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Chief Operating Officer to authorise any such guarantees.

4.    That in the light of the new Business Plan the Council confirms that it has confidence that WV Living is a going concern for at least the next 12 months.

5.    That it be noted that updated business plans for WV Living would be brought to Cabinet for approval on an annual basis.

6.    That it be noted that the Company would commence recruitment to the approved staffing structure to support the sustainable business plan.

The Chair reported that this would be Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre’s last Cabinet meeting before he commenced his year as the City’s Deputy Mayor. He thanked Councillor Dr Hardacre for his valued contributions and humour during his time as a Cabinet Member and wished him well for the year ahead.