Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Claire Darke and Councillor Val Gibson.

No declarations of interest were made.

[For approval]

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 November 2016 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chair.

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

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

[To consider the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan]

That Council be recommended to:

1.     Implement the 1% reduction in social housing rents in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from 3 April 2017.

2.     Adopt the business plan set out at appendix A as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

a)    The revenue budget for 2017/18 at Appendix A3;

b)    The capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 at Appendix A4 including the increased new build programme.

3.     Agree the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in appendices B1-B3 and formally notify tenants.

1.     That it be noted, that all Council dwelling rents will reduce by 1% in line with the proposals contained in the Welfare Reform and Work Act.

2.     That it be noted, that consultation responses are outlined within Appendix C of the report.

3.     That proposals to meet the requirements of the Heat Network Regulations 2014 for the district heating schemes at Heath Town be noted.

4.     That the potential impact of the further implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 on the HRA business Plan be noted.

5.     That additional £15 million programmed in 2020/21 for further infill council housing development be noted.

Councillor Peter Bilson presents an updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan for recommendation to Full Council. It was noted that an amendment was required at appendix A1 all three tables needed to be updated to amend the figures in the second column to thousands.

The report also provided, as an integral part of that business plan, a proposed HRA budget for 2017/18, including proposed rents and service charges to take effect from 3 April 2017, and a proposed HRA capital programme for the period 2017/18 to 2020/21 for recommendation to full Council.

An additional recommendation was proposed to Cabinet, that from April 2017 all new tenancies could start on any day of the week to reduce void times, increase rental income and protect properties from potential anti-social behaviour.

That Council be recommended to:

1.     Implement the 1% reduction in social housing rents in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from 3 April 2017.

2.     Adopt the business plan set out at appendix A (all three tables at A1 to be updated to amend the figures in the second column to thousands) as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

a)    The revenue budget for 2017/18 at Appendix A3;

b)    The capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 at Appendix A4 including the increased new build programme.

3.     Agree the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in appendices B1-B3 and formally notify tenants.

4.     Agree that from April 2017 all new tenancies can start on any day of the week to reduce void times, increase rental income and protect properties from potential anti-social behaviour.

5.     That it be noted, that all Council dwelling rents would be reduced by 1% in line with the proposals contained in the Welfare Reform and Work Act.

6.     That it be noted, that the consultation responses were outlined within Appendix C of the report.

7.     That it noted, proposals to meet the requirements of the Heat Network Regulations 2014 for the district heating schemes at Heath Town be noted.

8.     That the potential impact of the further implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 on the HRA business Plan be noted.

9.     That an additional £15 million be programmed in 2020/21 for further infill council housing development be noted.

[To receive an update on the 2017/18 provisional local government finance settlement]

1.     The adoption of a minimum funding level for Adult Social Care as outlined in the report be approved.

1.     The outcome of the 2017/18 provisional local government finance settlement be noted.

2.     That it be noted, the final budget report to Cabinet on 22 February 2017 will reflect the outcome of the budget consultation, for which the closing date is 14 January 2017. This report will also reflect the outcome of the scrutiny process as well as the detailed budget work for 2017/18, including a review of all savings and the risks associated with their delivery.

Councillor Andrew Johnson presented an update on the 2017/18 provisional local government finance settlement, which the Government announced on 15 December 2016.

Resolved:

1.     That the adoption of a minimum funding level for Adult Social Care as outlined in the report be approved.

2.     That the outcome of the 2017/18 provisional local government finance settlement be noted.

3.     That it be noted, the final budget report to Cabinet on 22 February 2017 will reflect the outcome of the budget consultation, for which the closing date is 14 January 2017. This report will also reflect the outcome of the scrutiny process as well as the detailed budget work for 2017/18, including a review of all savings and the risks associated with their delivery.

[To consider Scrutiny Board’s feedback on the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18 - 2019/20]

1.     That the comments from the Scrutiny Board were considered in relation to the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18 to 2019/20.

Councillor Andrew Johnson presented Scrutiny Board’s feedback on the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18 - 2019/20 following its meeting on 13 December 2016.

Resolved:

1.     That the comments from the Scrutiny Board were considered in relation to the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18 to 2019/20.

[To receive an update on the Budget Consultation 2017/18]

1.     That authority be delegated to Cabinet (Resources) Panel to consider and review the final responses to the 2017/18 budget consultation on 7 February 2017, and to take the responses into account for the Final Budget 2017/18 to be reported to Cabinet on 22 February 2017.

Councillor Andrew Johnson presented an update on the Budget Consultation 2017/18 being undertaken to support the 2017/18 budget setting process. The report to be presented to Cabinet (Resources) Panel on the 7 February 2017 would reflect the outcome of budget consultation, which was due to finish on 14 January 2017, and would enable the Panel to take the responses into account for the Final Budget 2017/18 to be reported to Cabinet on 22 February 2017.

Resolved:

1.     That authority be delegated to Cabinet (Resources) Panel to consider and review the final responses to the 2017/18 budget consultation on 7 February 2017, and to take the responses into account for the Final Budget 2017/18 to be reported to Cabinet on 22 February 2017.

[To consider the estimated outturn for Council Tax and Business Rates]

1.     That payments to the precepting authorities be approved of their share of the Council Tax surplus in equal instalments.

The estimated outturn in 2016/17 is a cumulative surplus of £1.5 million. Based on their proportion of the 2016/17 council tax bill, as approved by Council in March 2016 the amounts were as follows:

• City of Wolverhampton Council £1.35 million

• West Midlands Police £106,000

• West Midlands Fire Service £53,000

2.     That payments to central government and the precepting authority of their share of the Business Rates, also referred to as Non-Domestic Rates (NDR), deficit in equal instalments be approved.

The estimated outturn in 2016/17 is a cumulative deficit of £8.6 million. As prescribed by legislation the amounts are as follows:

• City of Wolverhampton Council £4.2 million

• Central Government £4.3 million

• West Midlands Fire Service £86,000

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to confirm any final changes to the forecast outturn reflecting any further information received ahead of the statutory deadline of 31 January 2017.

Councillor Andrew Johnson informed Cabinet of the estimated outturn for Council Tax and Business Rates, also referred to as Non-Domestic Rates (NDR), transactions on the Collection Fund in 2016/17.

Resolved:

1.     That payments to the precepting authorities be approved of their share of the Council Tax surplus in equal instalments.

The estimated outturn in 2016/17 is a cumulative surplus of £1.5 million. Based on their proportion of the 2016/17 council tax bill, as approved by Council in March 2016 the amounts were as follows:

• City of Wolverhampton Council £1.35 million

• West Midlands Police £106,000

• West Midlands Fire Service £53,000

2.     That payments to central government and the precepting authority of their share of the Business Rates, also referred to as Non-Domestic Rates (NDR), deficit in equal instalments be approved.

The estimated outturn in 2016/17 is a cumulative deficit of £8.6 million. As prescribed by legislation the amounts are as follows:

• City of Wolverhampton Council £4.2 million

• Central Government £4.3 million

• West Midlands Fire Service £86,000

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to confirm any final changes to the forecast outturn reflecting any further information received ahead of the statutory deadline of 31 January 2017.

[To set the estimates for the Wolverhampton Collection Fund for 2017/18]

1.     That the Collection Fund Council Tax Base for 2017/18 be set at 61,397.45 Band D equivalents.

2.     That the Collection Fund Business Rates, also referred to as Non-Domestic Rates (NDR), Net Rate Yield for 2017/18 be set at £71.7 million.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance to approve amendments to:

a) the final Business Rates net rate yield as required as a result of changes to the NNDR1 form (National Non-Domestic Rates return) by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) or data revisions and changes in projections;

b) the Council Tax Base as a result of any data revisions and changes in projections.

Councillor Andrew Johnson presented the estimates for the Wolverhampton Collection Fund for 2017/18, which the Council manages on behalf of local precepting bodies and central government.

Resolved:

1.     That the Collection Fund Council Tax Base for 2017/18 be set at 61,397.45 Band D equivalents.

2.     That the Collection Fund Business Rates, also referred to as Non-Domestic Rates (NDR), Net Rate Yield for 2017/18 be set at £71.7 million.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance to approve amendments to:

a) the final Business Rates net rate yield as required as a result of changes to the NNDR1 form (National Non-Domestic Rates return) by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) or data revisions and changes in projections;

b) the Council Tax Base as a result of any data revisions and changes in projections.

[To approve a change to the appointment of substitute Director to the board of West Midlands Rail Ltd]

1.     That the appointment by the Council of the Leader of the Council as a principal director on the Board of WMR Ltd and the Deputy Leader of the Council as substitute director on that Board and the Council agrees to indemnify its appointees to the Board other than for wilful misconduct be approved.

1.     That it be noted, the governance arrangements for the development and oversight of West Midlands Rail Ltd, as approved by Cabinet on 11 Nov 2015, have not changed.

Councillor Steve Evans sought approval to change the appointment of substitute Director to the board of West Midlands Rail Ltd. Previously agreed as the Cabinet Member, City Assets, It was proposed to change this designation to Deputy Leader of the Council to be appointed as substitute Director. All other agreed governance arrangements remained the same.

Resolved:

1.     That the appointment by the Council of the Leader of the Council as a principal director on the Board of WMR Ltd and the Deputy Leader of the Council as substitute director on that Board and the Council agrees to indemnify its appointees to the Board other than for wilful misconduct be approved.

1.     That it be noted, the governance arrangements for the development and oversight of West Midlands Rail Ltd, as approved by Cabinet on 11 Nov 2015, have not changed.

[To endorse the publication and adoption of ‘Towards an Active City – a physical activity framework’]

1.     That the publication and adoption of ‘Towards an Active City – a physical activity framework’ and supporting documentation be endorsed.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Strategic Director for People for external funding applications to support the delivery of the actions identified within the framework.

3.     That the intention to develop an action plan through an independent ‘Active City Board’ be noted.

Councillor Paul Sweet sought endorsement for the publication and adoption by the City of Wolverhampton Council of ‘Towards an Active City – a physical activity framework’ which had been developed to encourage the population to be active every day.  In addition to this, give delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing and the Strategic Director for People to approve external funding applications to support the delivery of the actions identified within the framework.

The Public Health Outcomes Framework for Wolverhampton illustrated that 35.2% of the local population were inactive and only 49.9% were taking part in 150 minutes of physically activity in line with the Chief Medical Officers (CMO) guidelines for physical activity.  The remaining 14.9% do some activity but do not achieve 150 minutes per week therefore, 64.8% of residents were undertaking a minimum of 1 x 30 minutes’ activity per week.

The intention of the framework was to root physical activity into the city’s plans and priorities, which have a profound impact on the planning of health and physical activity including the perceptions of the people, the place, and its business competitiveness.

The framework concentrates on those who are currently inactive and offers approaches that can be taken to make physical activity a normal part of everyday life.

The framework recommends that an independent Active City Board, with an independent chair should be established to bring together health, physical activity, and economic stakeholders to deliver and implement the framework and ensure physical activity is considered as part of the major plans and policies across the city.

Resolved:

1.     That the publication and adoption of ‘Towards an Active City – a physical activity framework’ and supporting documentation be endorsed.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Strategic Director for People for external funding applications to support the delivery of the actions identified within the framework.

3.     That the intention to develop an action plan through an independent ‘Active City Board’ be noted.

[To receive an overview of the Post-16 education and skills landscape and consider a strategic plan to deliver Post-16 priorities]

1.     That the Post-16 priorities for City of Wolverhampton summarised in section 3.1 of the report be approved.

2.     That the additional work being undertaken to meet future employment and skills needs of Post-16 learners in the City be endorsed.

In the absence of Councillor Claire Darke, Councillor Andrew Johnson presented an overview of the Post-16 education and skills landscape and a strategic plan to deliver Post-16 priorities. There were five priority areas which were supported by an implementation plan, endorsed by The Young People Skills and Employment Group, and Wolverhampton Education Board.

As a result of the Black Country Area review has Colleges in the Black Country were working together with partners on apprenticeships, High Need SEND provision, Learners with no qualifications, Level 4 provision, English and Maths.

Resolved:

1.     That the Post-16 priorities for City of Wolverhampton summarised in section 3.1 of the report be approved.

2.     That the additional work being undertaken to meet future employment and skills needs of Post-16 learners in the City be endorsed.

3.     That the citywide commitment to support Post-16 learners in accessing education, training and employment opportunities 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.]

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 relating to any individual, information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual and/or information relating to the 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 items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to any individual, information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual and/or information relating to the business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)]

[To receive an update on the development of Westside]

1.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Economy and Resources, in consultation with the Strategic Director for Place and Director of Finance, to enter into Agreement with Urban & Civic (Wolverhampton) Limited on the terms outlined in section 7 of the report for the delivery of the regeneration at Westside.

2.     That the strategy to relocate the retail market to the Snow Hill site at Southside be approved.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Service Director for Place to approve tenders for this work to ensure that the relocation meets the deadlines for achieving Vacant Possession of Westside aligned to the developers programme.

4.     That a budget of £2.5 million for the relocation of the retail market be agreed.

5.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Head of Corporate Landlord  and Director of Finance to accept that the base sale price for the Property meets the Council’s statutory duty to ensure that it is obtaining the best consideration reasonably obtainable.

6.     That the proposed scheme for the Westside development be noted.

7.     That it be noted, the Capital budget quarter three monitoring 2016/17 report to Council would seek approval to a budget of £2.5 million for the market relocation, in the event that Cabinet approve the strategy to relocate the retail market to the Snow Hill site at Southside.

Councillor John Reynolds  advised that Urban&Civic PLC (U&C) were selected from a list of eleven national developers to enter into an exclusivity agreement with the Council to collaboratively refine proposals for the Westside development. An update was provided on the progress made throughout the exclusivity period, the terms of the Agreement with the developer and the implications in achieving Vacant Possession (VP) of the site to enable development.

Resolved:

1.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Members for City Economy and Resources, in consultation with the Strategic Director for Place and Director of Finance, to enter into Agreement with Urban & Civic (Wolverhampton) Limited on the terms outlined in section 7 of the report for the delivery of the regeneration at Westside.

2.     That the strategy to relocate the retail market to the Snow Hill site at Southside be approved.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Service Director for Place to approve tenders for this work to ensure that the relocation meets the deadlines for achieving Vacant Possession of Westside aligned to the developers programme.

4.     That a budget of £2.5 million for the relocation of the retail market be agreed.

5.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy, in consultation with the Head of Corporate Landlord  and Director of Finance to accept that the base sale price for the Property meets the Council’s statutory duty to ensure that it is obtaining the best consideration reasonably obtainable.

6.     That the proposed scheme for the Westside development be noted.

7.     That it be noted, the Capital budget quarter three monitoring 2016/17 report to Council would seek approval to a budget of £2.5 million for the market relocation, in the event that Cabinet approve the strategy to relocate the retail market to the Snow Hill site at Southside.