Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Beverley Momenabadi.

Councillor Stephen Simkins declared a disclosable non-pecuniary interest in item 7 (Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy) insofar as he is a Board Member on Bilston Town Community Football Club.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 19 and 26 October 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To approve the capital programme 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 quarter two review]

That Council be recommended to approve:

1.    The revised, medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £338.8 million, an increase of £27.9 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources.

That Cabinet approves:

1.  The virements for the General Revenue Account capital programme detailed at Appendix 4 to the report for:

     i.    existing projects totalling £2.8 million.

     ii.   new projects totalling £899,000.

2.  The virements for the Housing Revenue Account capital programme detailed at Appendix 4 to the report for:

     i.    existing projects totalling £15.3 million.

That Cabinet notes:

1.    That there are two separate reports also on today’s agenda, titled as follows:

·        Secondary School Expansion Programme 2023

·        Stow Heath Primary School Proposed Resource Base

These reports are not currently seeking budget approval, however, they are seeking approval to delegate authority to allocate budgets once further detail is known.  Any approvals would be built into future reports to councillors.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed presented the report on an update on the 2022-2023 financial performance of the capital programmes as at quarter two for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account, including a revised forecast for 2022-2023 to 2026-2027. The report also set out revisions to the current approved capital programmes covering the period 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 for recommendation to Full Council.  Councillor Ahmed informed Cabinet that the Council continued to use the capital programme wisely to invest in the Council’s priorities for the city in regeneration, school buildings, the road networks, ICT and the housing estate. The capital programme includes significant investment programmes that endeavoured to create an environment where new and existing businesses could thrive, people could develop skills they needed to secure jobs, and create neighbourhoods in which people are proud to live. 

Resolved:

That Council be recommended to approve:

1.    The revised, medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £338.8 million, an increase of £27.9 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources.

That Cabinet approves:

1.  The virements for the General Revenue Account capital programme detailed at Appendix 4 to the report for:

     i.    existing projects totalling £2.8 million.

     ii.   new projects totalling £899,000.

2.  The virements for the Housing Revenue Account capital programme detailed at Appendix 4 to the report for:

     i.    existing projects totalling £15.3 million.

That Cabinet notes:

1.    That there are two separate reports also on today’s agenda, titled as follows:

·        Secondary School Expansion Programme 2023

·        Stow Heath Primary School Proposed Resource Base

These reports are not currently seeking budget approval, however, they are seeking approval to delegate authority to allocate budgets once further detail is known.  Any approvals would be built into future reports to councillors.

[To approve the Treasury Management Activity Monitoring - Mid Year Review 2022-2023]

That Council be asked to note:

1.    That a mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement has been undertaken and the Council has operated within the limits and requirements approved in March 2022.

2.    That a revenue underspend of £3.4 million for the General Fund and a revenue overspend of £996,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) are forecast from treasury management activities in 2022-2023.

That Cabinet notes:

1.    That the outcome of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) consultation on proposals to update the CIPFA Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting for infrastructure assets is still to be finalised.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed presented the Treasury Management report for recommendation to Full Council for approval.  The report set out the results of treasury management activities for both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) carried out in the second quarter of 2022- 2023, together with performance against the Prudential Indicators previously proved by Council. The Council continued to operate within its overall approved Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators during 2022-2023.  The Council had built up a strong track record of managing its finances well and in order to reduce interest payment costs its strategy was to only undertake external borrowing when cash flows required it.  The Council had not had to undertake any new external borrowing so far in 2022-2023 and the last time the Council carried out external borrowing was March 2019.  The Council’s external borrowing remained at £720.4 million. From current forecasts an underspend was projected on treasury management activities on the General Fund of £3.4 million and an overspend of £996,000 for the HRA.

Resolved:

That Council be asked to note:

1.    That a mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement has been undertaken and the Council has operated within the limits and requirements approved in March 2022.

2.    That a revenue underspend of £3.4 million for the General Fund and a revenue overspend of £996,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) are forecast from treasury management activities in 2022-2023.

That Cabinet notes:

1.    That the outcome of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) consultation on proposals to update the CIPFA Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting for infrastructure assets is still to be finalised.

[To provide an integrated finance and performance update against the Relighting Our City priorities]

That Cabinet approves:

1.    The establishment of supplementary expenditure budgets for 2022-2023 as detailed in section 7.0 of the report.

2.    The use of £380,000 from the Budget Contingency Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.4 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

3.    The use of £80,800 from the Regeneration Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.5 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

4.    The use of £95,000 from the Digital Inclusion Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.6 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

5.    The contribution of £285,800 to the Licencing Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.7 of the report.

6.    The use of £116,000 from the Our Technology Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.8 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

7.    The use of £64,000 from the Private Sector Housing - Civil Penalties Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.9 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

8.    The use of £2.0 million from the Public Health Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.10 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

9.    The write-off of one sundry debt totalling £13,160.87 as detailed in Appendix 8 to the report.

10.The write-off of two Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) debts totalling £19,511.33 as detailed in Appendix 9 to the report.

11.The 31 virements totalling £154.6 million, for transfers within directorates, as detailed in Appendix 10 to the report.

12.The Strategic Risk Register which is shown at Appendix 3 to the report.

13.That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, in consultation  with the Director of City Housing and Environment and the Director of Finance to negotiate and finalise any changes required to the 2022-2023 management fee payable to Wolverhampton Homes and approve any necessary virements.

14.That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City in consultation with the Director of Finance to approve any necessary virements required to support the pay award and allocation of the Efficiency target and Vacancy factor held corporately.

That Cabinet notes:

1.    That the General Fund projected outturn for 2022-2023 is currently forecast to be an overspend of £1.5 million due to the forecast impact of the proposed pay award for 2022-2023 as detailed in section 4 of the report.

2.    The forecast outturn position for the year for the HRA shows a pressure against the approved budget of £3.2 million, as shown at Table 2 and in detail at Appendix 5 to the report.

3.    That 393 Council Tax accounts totalling £256,204.26, as detailed in Appendix 7 to the report, have been approved for write-off by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

4.    That 18 Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) debts totalling £148,382.50, as detailed in Appendix 7 to the report, have been approved for write-off by the Director  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed presented the report on an integrated finance and performance update against the Our City: Our Plan priorities. Amongst the salient points highlighted were, the Council had strengthened the links between performance, budget and risk to ensure that it was robustly monitoring delivery of the Council’s priorities underpinned by its resources. Of the current 56 key performance indicators (KPIs) in the Our City: Our Plan performance framework, 33 had shown improvement or seen similar performance, six had seen a decrease in performance and 17 were yet to be updated. On the financial performance against the budget, the projected out turn for the General Fund was forecasting an overspend of £1.5 million, mainly due to the forecast in year cost implications of the recently announced pay award. The Housing Revenue Account was showing a forecast cost pressure against the approved budget of £3.2 million because Wolverhampton Homes in particular having a substantial workforce and increasing costs due to repair demands.  In addition there was an increase in the forecast interest payable linked to the capital programme

Resolved:

That Cabinet approves:

1.    The establishment of supplementary expenditure budgets for 2022-2023 as detailed in section 7.0 of the report.

2.    The use of £380,000 from the Budget Contingency Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.4 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

3.    The use of £80,800 from the Regeneration Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.5 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

4.    The use of £95,000 from the Digital Inclusion Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.6 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

5.    The contribution of £285,800 to the Licencing Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.7 of the report.

6.    The use of £116,000 from the Our Technology Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.8 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

7.    The use of £64,000 from the Private Sector Housing - Civil Penalties Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.9 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

8.    The use of £2.0 million from the Public Health Reserve as detailed in paragraph 8.10 of the report and the establishment of associated supplementary budgets.

9.    The write-off of one sundry debt totalling £13,160.87 as detailed in Appendix 8 to the report.

10.The write-off of two Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) debts totalling £19,511.33 as detailed in Appendix 9 to the report.

11.The 31 virements totalling £154.6 million, for transfers within directorates, as detailed in Appendix 10 to the report.

12.The Strategic Risk Register which is shown at Appendix 3 to the report.

13.That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, in consultation  with the Director of City Housing and Environment and the Director of Finance to negotiate and finalise any changes required to the 2022-2023 management fee payable to Wolverhampton Homes and approve any necessary virements.

14.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

[To approve the updated Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy]

1.      That the City of Wolverhampton Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy (PPOSS) and Action Plan (2022) be adopted.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Deputy Leader: Inclusive City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to agree the final version of the Overarching Strategic Framework for the Black Country (2022).

3.      That the supporting Wolverhampton Playing Pitch Assessment Report (2022) be noted.

Councillor Stephen Simkins presented the report on an up to date City of Wolverhampton Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy (PPOSS).  The Strategy would direct investment and planning decisions on playing pitches and outdoor sports across the city in future years; help the Council to secure external funding, including developer contributions; and release surplus assets to maximise local community and regeneration benefits.

Linked to the strategy, Councillor Ian Brookfield reported that last week it was announced that the West Midlands and Wolverhampton had been given the honour of hosting the first Kabaddi World Cup tournament outside of Asia in February 2025. During the announcement Councillor Brookfield was presented with as trophy that he agreed to present to Cabinet. Winning the right to host the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup built on the successful launch of the British Kabaddi League in Wolverhampton last spring together with partners England Kabaddi and Scotland Kabaddi.

Resolved:

1.    That the City of Wolverhampton Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy (PPOSS) and Action Plan (2022) be adopted.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Deputy Leader: Inclusive City Economy, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to agree the final version of the Overarching Strategic Framework for the Black Country (2022).

3.    That the supporting Wolverhampton Playing Pitch Assessment Report (2022) be noted.

[To approve consultations on changes at Stow Heath Primary School]

1.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to approve the allocation from the High Needs Capital Fund to the Stow Heath capital project in order that it may be progressed in a timely manner.

2.      That the commencement of a period of Initial Consultation required under statutory processes on the proposed establishment of a Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School be approved.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to consider the outcome of Initial Consultation on the proposed establishment of a SEND Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School and to determine whether to proceed to Formal Consultation (Representation).

4.      That the Council be authorised to enter into all legal agreements in relation to this scheme.

5.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work in consultation with the Executive Director of Families to approve the details of all agreements authorised under recommendation 4 of the report.

6.      That it be noted that the outcomes of both Initial and Formal Consultation on the establishment of Resource Provision at Stow Heath Primary School would be presented at a future Cabinet meeting for a final decision.

Councillor Chris Burden presented the report on the proposal to establish a special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) resource based at Stow Heath Primary School. The proposal would enhance the local educational offer for children and young people with SEND.

Cabinet members welcomed the proposal, and the opportunities it would provide for people in the area and that part of the city, receiving specialist support where they need it.  Families would no longer have to travel long distances across the city to access that specialist support, and children would be attending a mainstream school with the specialist support they need with their siblings and friends and near their family.

Resolved:

1.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to approve the allocation from the High Needs Capital Fund to the Stow Heath capital project in order that it may be progressed in a timely manner.

2.    That the commencement of a period of Initial Consultation required under statutory processes on the proposed establishment of a Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School be approved.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to consider the outcome of Initial Consultation on the proposed establishment of a SEND Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School and to determine whether to proceed to Formal Consultation (Representation).

4.    That the Council be authorised to enter into all legal agreements in relation to this scheme.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work in consultation with the Executive Director of Families to approve the details of all agreements authorised under recommendation 4 of the report.

6.    That it be noted that the outcomes of both Initial and Formal Consultation on the establishment of Resource Provision at Stow Heath Primary School would be presented at a future Cabinet meeting for a final decision.

[Detailing schools within the programme and capital scheme]

1.      That the formal proposal for schools to be included in the Secondary School Expansion Programme 2023 be approved.

2.      That the Secondary School Expansion Programme 2023 to provide temporary solutions to meet short term demand to ensure that an oversupply of school places is not created be approved.

3.      That it be noted that the budget for the expansion scheme at Colton Hills Community School would be approved via existing approved delegation, once the required budget is finalised.

4.      That it be noted that in light of the scale of recent secondary expansion programmes practical opportunities to continue to expand the existing estate are constrained.

5.      That it be noted that the Council is not in full control of all the factors relating to the effective and timely supply of school places.

Councillor Chris Burden presented the report on the proposed Secondary School Expansion Programme 2023 comprising, Colton Hills Community School, St. Mattias School and Ormiston SWB Academy (two maintained schools and an academy).  The programme would expand the city’s available number of year seven spaces within the settings and deliver an extra 89 spaces across the city allowing for capacity to stand 2.3% excess of places. The three schools were judged by Ofsted as ‘continued to be good’.

Resolved:

1.    That the formal proposal for schools to be included in the Secondary School Expansion Programme 2023 be approved.

2.    That the Secondary School Expansion Programme 2023 to provide temporary solutions to meet short term demand to ensure that an oversupply of school places is not created be approved.

3.    That it be noted that the budget for the expansion scheme at Colton Hills Community School would be approved via existing approved delegation, once the required budget is finalised.

4.    That it be noted that in light of the scale of recent secondary expansion programmes practical opportunities to continue to expand the existing estate are constrained.

5.    That it be noted that the Council is not in full control of all the factors relating to the effective and timely supply of school places.

[To provide an update on the phased investment and regeneration programme for the Council's non-traditional housing stock across the City]

1.      That a budget of £25.0 million for the redevelopment of the Tarran Bungalow estates as Phase One of the Non-Traditional Property Re-development project be approved.

2.      That the procurement to appoint a contactor to deliver the proposals for Phase One of the Non-Traditional Property Re-development Project be approved.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with Director of City Housing and Environment to appoint the most appropriate contractor for Phase One of the Non-Traditional Property Re-development Project following the completion of the procurement exercise.

4.      That further reports on the future phase of the regeneration proposals for non-traditional properties be received.

5.   That holding any new non-traditional void properties which are included in the investment programme to allow investigation surveys to be undertaken to support the design options for decarbonisation be approved.

6.   That further reports on the progress made on the future phases within the investment programme to deliver improvements to the remaining non-traditional properties be received.

7.      That the progress made on delivering the re-development proposals for the Tarran bungalow (prefabs) estates (Phase One) be noted.

8.      That the progress made regarding customer engagement for the Tarran bungalow estates (Phase One) across the city be noted.

9.      That the progress made on delivering the phased investment programme to improve the condition of non-traditional properties owned by the Council throughout the city be noted.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on an update on progress being made with phase one of redevelopment proposals for three estates with Tarran bungalows (prefabs) across the city. Approval was requested for a budget for the redevelopment of the Tarran Bungalow estates as phase one of the Non-Traditional Property Re-development.

Cabinet praised the way council officers had conducted the consultations with residents of the Tarran bungalows within Wednesfield and Portobello and how the decanting of families would be managed during the project. 

Resolved:

1.    That a budget of £25.0 million for the redevelopment of the Tarran Bungalow estates as Phase One of the Non-Traditional Property Re-development project be approved.

2.    That the procurement to appoint a contactor to deliver the proposals for Phase One of the Non-Traditional Property Re-development Project be approved.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with Director of City Housing and Environment to appoint the most appropriate contractor for Phase One of the Non-Traditional Property Re-development Project following the completion of the procurement exercise.

4.    That further reports on the future phase of the regeneration proposals for non-traditional properties be received.

5.    That holding any new non-traditional void properties which are included in the investment programme to allow investigation surveys to be undertaken to support the design options for decarbonisation be approved.

6.    That further reports on the progress made on the future phases within the investment programme to deliver improvements to the remaining non-traditional properties be received.

7.    That the progress made on delivering the re-development proposals for the Tarran bungalow (prefabs) estates (Phase One) be noted.

8.    That the progress made regarding customer engagement for the Tarran bungalow estates (Phase One) across the city be noted.

9.    That the progress made on delivering the phased investment programme to improve the condition of non-traditional properties owned by the Council throughout the city be noted.