Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received for the meeting.

No declarations of interests were made.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2016 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 receive the update on performance as at quarter three of 2015/16 and the budget strategy 2016/17 and to recommend to Council a revised General Fund capital programme for 2015/16 to 2020/21]

Cllr Andrew Johnson presented a report on an update on the financial performance of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programmes for 2015/16 and the revised forecast for 2015/16 to 2020/21 as at quarter three of 2015/16. He also presented a revised medium term General Fund capital programme for recommendation to Full Council.

Resolved:

1.     That Full Council be recommended to:

a.       Approve the revised medium term General Fund capital programme of £246.0 million, an increase of £31.3 million from the previously approved programme, reflecting the latest projected expenditure for the medium term.

b.       Approve the additional resources for six new and thirty one existing General Fund projects totalling £31.3 million.

2.     That the thirteen General Fund virements totalling £7.5 million be approved.

3.  That the updated schedules of works for the capital projects under the following  directorates be approved;

i.         Corporate: ICTS and in relation to Education; Primary Expansion programme and Schools Capital Maintenance.

ii.       People: Sports Investment Strategy, Co-location programme, Short Breaks for Disabled Children Programme and Community Hubs.

iii.      Place: Corporate Asset Management, Urban Parks Refurbishment Programme, Disposals Programme, Accessing Growth Fund, Managing Short Trips and Structural Maintenance.

4.     That the revised budgets for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as approved by Council on the 27 January 2016 be noted.

5.     That the expenditure position for quarter three of 2015/16 which stands at 43.5% of the approved general fund capital budget be noted.

6.     That the expenditure position for quarter three of 2015/16 which stands at 49.9% of the approved HRA capital budget be noted.

7.     That it be noted that this report incorporates three budget reduction proposals which are subject to approval by this meeting and Council on 2 March 2016 as part of the Budget 2016/17 setting process, (see report “2016/17 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2016/17 to 2019/20” on the agenda). The inclusion of the three projects in this report is on the assumption that approval would be given and therefore, their progression is dependent on that decision.  The names of the budget reduction proposals/projects are:

·         Street Lighting

·         Highways Management

·         Fleet

If the budget reduction proposals are not approved, the capital programme would be reduced accordingly.

[To recommend approval of the strategy to Full Council]

Cllr Andrew Johnson presented the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2016/17 for recommendation to full Council for approval.  The strategy incorporated six elements, the Treasury Management Strategy, the Annual Investment Strategy, the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement, the Disclosure for Certainty Rate and the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices.

In presenting the report Cllr Johnson paid tribute to the work of the Council’s Treasury Management Team whose treasury management activities have resulted in considerable financial savings to the Council.

Resolved:

1. That Full Council be recommended to approve:

a.     The authorised borrowing limit for 2016/17 as required under Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 be set at £1,008.6 million.

b.     The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2016/17 as set out in appendix A to the report.

c.     The Annual Investment Strategy 2016/17 as set out in appendix B to the report.

d.     The Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators as set out in appendix C to the report.

e.     The Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement setting out the method used to calculate MRP for 2016/17 onwards as set out in appendix D to the report.

f.      The method used to calculate MRP for 2015/16 as set out in the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement approved by Council on 4 March 2015 be amended to the method as set out in appendix D to the report.

g.     The Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices as set out in appendix F to the report.

h.     That authority continues to be delegated to the Director of Finance to amend the Treasury Management Policy and Practices and any corresponding changes required to the Treasury Management Strategy, the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators, the Investment Strategy and the Annual MRP Statement to ensure they remain aligned.  Any amendments would be reported to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet (Resources) Panel as appropriate.

2.     That it be noted that as a result of the changes to the MRP policy approved and implemented during 2014/15, the MRP charge for financial years 2015/16 to 2017/18 would be zero increasing to £12.3 million in 2018/19.

3.     That it be noted that Cabinet (Resources) Panel and Council would receive regular Treasury Management reports during 2016/17 on performance against the key targets and Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators in the Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy as set out in paragraph 2.8 and appendices B and C to the report.

[To recommend a budget to full Council]

Cllr Andrew Johnson reported that an Equalities Analysis (EA) report had been released as a late addition to the Budget report.  It was an important aspect of the Cabinet’s proposals and all Cabinet members had seen the EA report prior to the meeting. He also informed Cabinet that a petition had been received regarding ‘Saving Warstones Centre’.  A report on the matter would be considered by the Petitions Committee on 26 February 2016.  If the outcome had an impact on the budget proposals an appropriate amendment would need to be reported to Full Council.

Cllr Andrew Johnson then went on to present the final report of the financial year on the 2016/17 Budget and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period to 2019/20, which included a budget for recommendation to Full Council.

Resolved:

1.  That Full Council be recommended to approve:

a.   The net budget requirement for 2016/17 of £217.4 million for General Fund services.

b.     The Medium Term Financial Strategy 2016/17 to 2019/20 as detailed in Table 6 and the budget preparation parameters underpinning the MTFS as detailed in Appendix B.

c.     A Council Tax for Council services in 2016/17 of £1,424.29 for a Band D property, being an increase of 3.99% on 2015/16 levels, which incorporates the newly permitted 2% increase in relation to Adult Social Care.

d.     In principle the acceptance of the Government’s offer of a four year settlement by 14 October 2016, noting that the Financial Plan and Efficiency Strategy would be reported to Cabinet and Council ahead of final acceptance of the offer.

e.     The Efficiency Plan Relating to Capital Receipts Flexibility as detailed in Appendix C.

f.      That work starts on developing budget reductions for 2017/18 and progress be reported to Cabinet in July 2016.

2.  That the changes to the 2016/17 draft budget for General Fund services, since the draft budget was last reported to Cabinet on 21 October 2015, as detailed in sections 3 to 12 and summarised in Appendix A be approved.

3.     That the delegation of authority to the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) to agree the composite rate for employer’s contributions with West Midlands Pension Fund be approved.

4.      That the budget for 2016/17 is in balance without the use of general reserves.

5.      That, in the opinion of the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer), the 2016/17 budget estimates are robust.

6.      That, in the opinion of the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer), the proposed levels of reserves, provisions and balances is adequate in respect of the forthcoming financial year.

7.      That a further £54.6 million needs to be identified over the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 in order to address the projected budget deficit.

8.      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.

9.      That, having identified significant budget reductions over the last six financial years, the extent of the financial challenge over the medium term  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

[To recommend the Wolverhampton Homes Annual Delivery Plan 2016/17 to full Council for approval]

Cllr Peter Bilson presented the Wolverhampton Homes (WH) Annual Delivery Plan 2016-17.  The plan had been negotiated between WH and the City Council and endorsed by the Delivery Plan Monitoring Group.   He drew Cabinet’s attention to the priorities for action during 2016/17 set out in the Delivery Plan and recommended the annual delivery plan to Full Council for approval.

Resolved:

That the Wolverhampton Homes Annual Delivery Plan 2016-17 be accepted and recommend to Full Council for approval.

[To discontinue the discretionary scheme under which the council tax discount is granted for the first 21 days that a property is empty]

Cllr Andrew Johnson sought approval to discontinue the discretionary scheme under which a council tax discount was granted for the first 21 days that a property was empty. The proposal had been included in the draft budget proposals and had been the subject to consultation along with other proposals.  The outcomes of the consultation showed that there was support for the proposal as well as support across the region.

Resolved:

That the discretionary scheme which grants 100% council tax discount for 21 days on empty properties, be ended with effect from 1 April 2016.

[To approve the schemes for co-ordinated school admission arrangements for secondary and primary schools and the admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for 2017/18]

Cllr Claire Darke presented for approval the City of Wolverhampton’s schemes for co-ordinated school admission arrangements for secondary and primary schools and the admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for 2017/18.

Resolved:

1.     That the Co-ordinated admission schemes for secondary and primary school admissions at the normal year of entry for 2017/18 be approved and the Secretary of State be notified accordingly by 28 February 2016.

2.     That the proposed admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for 2017/18 be approved.

[To consider updated proposals for the fundamental re-design of front line services that deliver Early Intervention and Prevention also termed “Early Help]

Cllr Val Gibson presented the report on updated proposals for the fundamental re-design of front line services that deliver Early Intervention and Prevention (EIP) also termed “Early Help”. The report summarised the feedback from the three month consultation and set out changes to the proposed model as a result of the feedback. It also provided an overview of the work currently being undertaken to prepare for full implementation.  Cllr Gibson highlighted that positive feedback had been received regarding the parent champion scheme and that number of volunteers had come forward. Based on this positive feedback the scheme would be moved up in the priorities as part of the implementation plans.

Resolved:

1.     That the eight localities strengthening families hub model with outreach, as detailed in the report presented to Cabinet on 11 November 2015 and as further developed following public consultation be approved.

2.     That the outcome of the employee and stakeholder consultation be received and the areas for action arising from consultation feedback as summarised in the report be approved.

3.     That the full implementation of the new Early Intervention and Prevention model, including the structural arrangements be approved.

4.     That the design, workforce development, commissioning, performance management and implementation be approved.

5.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Strategic Director of People, to make any further changes to the employee establishment within the new model as a result of the formal employee consultation which had taken place during January and February 2016 and ceases on 1March 2016.

[To approve arrangements to sign off and submit the phase three funding submission to the Big Lottery]

Cllr Val Gibson reported that Big Lottery was currently inviting phase three bids from the 12 HeadStart Partnerships to roll out the phase two pilot. These would range from £6m - £10m. The final submission deadline for phase three proposals was 26 February 2016. Cllr Gibson requested delegated authority to agree and submit the phase three funding submission to Big Lottery by the deadline.

Cllr Gibson also placed on record her thanks to Kevin Pace, HeadStart Programme Manager and his team and Viv Griffin, Service Director, Disabilities and Mental Health who had worked tirelessly to put together the phase three Big Lottery bid.

Resolved:

That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People in consultation with the Strategic Director People and the Service Director – Disability and Mental Health to agree the phase three funding submission to Big Lottery by 26 February 2016.

[To receive the report on the full joint Inspection of the Wolverhampton Youth Offending Team held in November 2015]

Cllr Val Gibson presented the report from a full Joint Inspection (FJI) of the Wolverhampton Youth Offending Team (YOT) which took place in November 2015.  The set judgement criteria for the FJI comprised six categories with graded outcomes ranging from one star to four stars without an overall judgement. Wolverhampton YOT had received ratings of four 4 stars and two 3 stars, which demonstrated a high performing organisation.

Cllr Gibson also placed on record her thanks to the YOT and partners who took part in the FJI and contributed to the excellent inspection results.

Resolved:

1.     That the inspection be received and the strong level of performance identified in the inspection process be recognised.

2.     That the continuing work to address the inspection recommendations and further improve practice be supported.

[To approve the strategy for implementation over the next five years]

Cllr Val Gibson presented a joint Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Strategy for approval and implementation.

The SEND Strategy outlined the commitment from partners in education, health and social care in the city to making sure that disabled children and young people get the same life chances as children who do not have a disability.  It aimed to highlight the good practice already achieved in co-production with families and young people by the Council, Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group and other partners during the local implementation of the SEND code of practice. It also highlighted the challenges emerging in the city and areas for further development.

Resolved:

That the final joint Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Strategy be approved for implementation over the next five years.

[To approve a three month period of consultation around the draft strategy]

Cllr Elias Mattu presented a draft Joint Autism Strategy which he proposed to use as the basis for consultations with wider stakeholders.

Autism was a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, it was a ‘spectrum’ disorder which meant that individuals experience it differently and are affected in different ways. The draft strategy had been developed by partners in education, health and social care in the city to make sure that children, young people and adults with autism get the same life chances as people who do not have autism.

Cllr Val Gibson welcomed the draft strategy and commented that it was important for people with the autism spectrum that there was an all age strategy.  She also welcomed the proposal to establish an Autism Action Alliance group to monitor delivery of the strategy.  

Resolved:

That a three month period of consultation around the draft Autism Strategy be approved. This would enable all key stakeholders to have active involvement in shaping the final strategy.

[To adopt the updated strategy and action plan]

Cllr Peter Bilson presented, for approval and adoption, an updated version of the City of Wolverhampton Open Space Strategy and Action Plan which would direct investment and planning decisions on open space 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.

Resolved:

That the updated City of Wolverhampton Open Space Strategy and Action Plan be approved and adopted.

[To approve commencement of work on the Black Country Core Strategy review]

Cllr Peter Bilson requested Cabinet approval for the Council to begin work on the Black Country Core Strategy review in early 2016 in partnership with Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall Councils and to incorporate the review timetable into the Council’s Local Development Scheme.

Resolved:

1.     That the timetable for the Black Country Core Strategy review be approved for incorporation in the Council’s Local Development Scheme.

2.     That a further report be submitted to the Committee to approve public consultation on a Scoping / Issues / Options Document in late 2016.

3.     That the financial implications of the review be noted.

[To approve the basis of the Council’s response to the South Staffordshire site allocations Document preferred options consultation]

Cllr Peter Bilson presented a report which summarised the issues arising from the South Staffordshire Site Allocations Document Preferred Options consultation and which set out the basis for a proposed City of Wolverhampton Council response.  The Site Allocations document was important to the City of Wolverhampton in terms of employment and economic impact.

Resolved:

That the following be approved as the basis of the Council’s response to the South Staffordshire Site Allocations Document Preferred Options consultation:

1.     To support the principle of South Staffordshire District Council progressing the Site Allocations Document as a sound platform to support the bringing forward of an appropriate supply of land for new housing and employment development to complement the regeneration of Wolverhampton and the Black Country.

2.     South Staffordshire covers large areas of Green Belt land, but those parts which are of most strategic importance are located around the urban area, as they stop settlements from merging and also support urbanregeneration.  Therefore it is of key importance to maintain the gap between the Black Country urban area and South Staffordshire villages.

3.     In the case of Perton, site 239 is an appropriate allocation for housing up to 2028 and safeguarded land up to 2038, as this site makes a low contribution to Green Belt purposes and will not reduce the gap between Wolverhampton and Perton. 

4.     In the case of Bilbrook, site 443 should not be allocated or safeguarded for housing, as preferable alternative sites are available (sites 213 and 211) which would place less pressure on the Wolverhampton road network.

5.     In the case of Codsall, sites 406 /419 should not be allocated for housing up to 2028 and safeguarded land up to 2038, as preferable alternative sites are available (sites  446, 447, 224, 225 and 220) which make a more limited contribution to Green Belt purposes and would place less pressure on the Wolverhampton road network.

6.     Opportunities should be explored to bring forward safeguarded land for delivery by 2031 to help address the identified housing shortfall in the Greater Birmingham and Black Country Housing Market Area.

7.     For all housing sites allocated in Perton, Bilbrook and Codsall, any detailed proposals should consider the impacts on Wolverhampton in terms of highway and school place implications and the City Council should be consulted on such proposals.

8.     Support the proposed western extension of the i54 employment site and the binging forward of additional high quality employment land at Featherstone.  These sites should be made available for development in the short term.

9.     Employment development at Featherstone should be served by the most direct, viable access, which presents minimum disruption to the surrounding area.  Access options should be properly evaluated and the Council should ensure that any new route does not have a detrimental effect on the Wolverhampton network and take responsibility for remedial actions and other mitigation measures as appropriate for the Wolverhampton area.  Any new infrastructure should cater for other modes of transport (cycling / walking / public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

[To approve the strategy]

Cllr Steve Evans presented the report on the outcomes of consultation on a draft Local Strategy for Flood Risk Management in the Black Country. He sought Cabinet approval to a final version of the Local Strategy on behalf of City of Wolverhampton Council.  

Resolved:

1.     That the Local Strategy for Flood Risk Management in the Black Country be approved on behalf of the City of Wolverhampton Council.

2.     That the outcomes of public consultation on the Local Strategy for Flood Risk Management in the Black Country 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 items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below.]

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(s) of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within the paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

[To consider the outcomes from the wider service review undertaken on the Urban Traffic Control and associated services in conjunction with Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council].

Cllr Steve Evans presented the report on the  outcomes from the wider service review undertaken on the Urban Traffic Control Service and associated services in conjunction with Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council.

Resolved:

1.     That the transfer of incoming staff from Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, in line with the staff transfer of undertakings (protection of employment) regulation (TUPE) arrangements, to formalise the shared service arrangements for the provision of Urban Traffic Control (UTC), development and design services to improve operational performance with an agreed transfer date of 31 March 2016 be approved.

2.     That consideration be given to further Black Country shared service opportunities within transportation and network management with the undertaking of further soft merge pilots for periods of up to 12 months where suitable opportunities are identified.

3.     That the Director of Governance, in consultation with the Service Director, City Environment, be authorised to agree terms and enter into contracts with Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall Metropolitan Borough Councils for the provision of UTC services.