Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Cllrs Elias Mattu and Paul Sweet.

Cllr Peter Bilson declared a personal interest in item 7 (Black County Growth Deal Capital Programme – Grand Theatre Grant) in so far as he is a Director of the Grand Theatre Board.  Cllr John Reynolds also declared a personal interest in item 6 (Black County Growth Deal Grants to Third Parties) in so far as he is a recent employee of University of Wolverhampton.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the meeting held on 22 July 2015 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 approve the governance and review scheme]

Cllr Roger Lawrence presented the progress report on the proposal to develop a West Midlands Combined Authority (CA).   Approval was sought to the current draft of the proposed “scheme” for the CA, and to delegated arrangements to agree the final scheme for submission to Government for its consideration in October.

Resolved:

1.    That the current draft scheme which is being considered by the Councils that would form the proposed West Midlands Combined Authority be approved.

2.    That the current draft of the Scheme and Governance Review be submitted to Full Council on 23 September 2015, with the recommendation to delegate final approval of the Governance Review and Scheme to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Managing Director, through an Individual Executive Decision Notice (to allow the timescales to be achieved).

3.    That the Council on 23 September receive a paper outlining the Devolution Deal progress to date.

4.    That the current draft Governance Review be noted.

5.    That the work conducted to date on the Combined Authority Programme be noted.

[To recommend to Full Council that it approves grants to third parties to enable the continuation of delivery of the Black Country Growth Hub]

Cllr John Rowley presented the report on proposals to approve grants to third parties to enable the continuation of delivery of the Black Country Growth Hub.  Interim funding of £400,000 had been offered from the Regional Growth Fund to fund the Hub project to March 2016.  The Hub aimed to provide practical advice and assistance to small businesses.

Resolved:

1.    That Full Council be recommended to approve grants of £182,550 to the University of Wolverhampton and £60,428 to the Black Country Consortium to deliver products as part of the Black Country Growth Hub.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy in conjunction with Service Director City Economy to agree the arrangements and allocation of the remaining funding of £157,022 to partners and external bodies as determined by the Black Country Growth Hub Board.

3.    That the Director of Governance be authorised to approve the execution of the contracts.

[To recommend to Full Council that it approves a grant to fund improvements works]

Cllr John Reynolds reported that since the publication of the report Wolverhampton Grand Theatre had contacted the Council to request that the Council, as the owner of the Grand Theatre building, procure the proposed improvement works at the Theatre on their behalf.  It was felt that this approach would be more efficient than the original intention for the Council to issue a grant to the Grand Theatre, who would then procure the works.  The Theatre would provide the match funding required of £400,000 and enter into an agreement with the Council to provide the match and deliver certain outputs as a condition of the Grant.

Resolved:

That the Council procure the improvement works on behalf of the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to be funded through the Black Country Growth Deal.

[To approve consultations on a revision to the Council’s local council tax reduction scheme]

Cllr Andrew Johnson presented a report on a proposal to consult on a revision to the Council’s local council tax reduction scheme in respect of working age claimants.  A change was required as a result of the Government’s decision to reduce the amount of working tax credit people receive which had a knock on effect on entitlement to council tax reduction

Resolved:

1.    That the publication of a draft local council tax reduction scheme in respect of working age claimants be approved for consultation containing the following revision:

·                The additional earnings disregard is removed for claimants in receipt of working tax credit.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Head of Revenues and Benefits, to approve the documents to be issued for consultation.

3.    That it be noted that following the outcome of consultation a further report would be submitted to Cabinet on 9 December 2015 to enable a final scheme to be recommended to Council on 16 December 2015.

4.    That the potential risk of the impact of universal credit on entitlement to council tax reduction be noted.

[To approve a set of principles and values that will promote the prevention agenda across all services commissioned by the People Directorate]

Cllr Sandra Samuels presented a report on a set of principles and values that would promote the prevention agenda across all services commissioned by the People Directorate.

Cllr Val Gibson gave her support to the proposal to bring together commissioning across the whole People Directorate and endorsed the report.

Resolved:

That the proposed People Directorate Prevention Values and Principles listed below be approved:

Overarching Values

            The People Directorate is committed to:

·         commissioning services that promote the prevention agenda, complying with The Care Act 2014 requirements, the Charter for Wolverhampton and relevant National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance

·         working in partnership with key stakeholders and the local community to commission services that address and reduce identified population need, with a focus on prevention

            Overarching Principles

            The services commissioned by the People Directorate will:

·           Promote the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of the individual needing care and their carer, recognising where brief interventions may prevent, reduce or delay the need for health and social care support.

·           Provide services that reduce and delay the demand for health and social care services through targeted early support for individuals and their carers.

·           Specify defined opportunities to offer preventative services, where possible and or/plans to incorporate prevention into service delivery.

·           Deliver quantifiable outcomes that demonstrate a measurable contribution to the prevention agenda

·           Work with individuals,  families and carers to build resilience and enhance social integration to maintain independence and support the development of stronger family units and communities

[To approve the publication of the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2014/15}

Cllr Sandra Samuels presented for endorsement and publication the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report 2014/15 which addressed the prevention of lifestyle risk factors that impact on poor health outcomes and premature death. 

Cllr Roger Lawrence reported that the Council had been working on tackling the issue of the impact of inequality on health outcomes for some time but it takes years for the outcomes to work their way through.  The Council was committed to doing its part to encourage people to make healthier lifestyle choices to reduce the demand on the health and social care services.

Resolved:

1. That Cabinet support the prevention agenda outlined within the Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2014/15

2. That the Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2014/15 be published.

3. That the high rate of preventable conditions within the current population of  Wolverhampton that would escalate if nothing is done to halt poor inter-generational lifestyle choices that impact on health and wellbeing outcomes and create increasing demand for health and social care resources be noted.

[To provide an update and to support the whole systems approach being taken and endorse the draft action plan]

Cllr Sandra Samuels presented progress report on the ‘obesity call to action’. She asked Cabinet to support a whole systems approach being taken to tackle obesity as well as a five year draft action plan containing high level actions required to tackle obesity within the city.

Cllr Val Gibson endorsed the report and indicated that it was pleasing to see within the concise action plan detailed work concerning pre-birth, early years and through to school age. She also thanked the Public Heath Team for their work on this issue. 

Resolved:

That the whole systems approach being taken to tackle obesity be supported and the draft action plan be endorsed.

[To report on the current status of the Care Act Implementation and Personalisation Programme with particular regard to the impact of the recent Government announcement on the funding reforms outline in the Care Act]

Cllr Andrew Johnson presented the report on the current status of the Care Act Implementation and Personalisation Programme in light of the recent Government announcement to delay the funding reforms outline in the Care Act for another four years.

Resolved:

1. That the report on the future of the Care Act Programme be received and noted.

2. That the wider impact of the delay to the funding reforms outline in the Care Act for another four years be noted.

[To approve a formal response to the West Midlands Strategic Transport Plan consultation]

Cllr Peter Bilson presented a report on a proposed formal response to the West Midlands Strategic Transport Plan, to ensure the strategic issues for the City of Wolverhampton Council are appropriately represented as part of this process.  The proposed response would emphasise road safety, links to health and connectivity across the region in all modes of transport.

Resolved:

1.    That the City of Wolverhampton Council’s formal response to the West Midlands Strategic Transport Plan consultation as detailed in Section 4 of the report be approved.

2.    That the intention to combine the City of Wolverhampton Council’s response within a wider Black Country representation which would include input from each of the Black Country Authorities and as far as possible the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership be noted. This would be submitted before the consultation closing date of 16 October 2015.

[To receive an update on progress with developing the City Centre Connecting Spaces project and to approve the development of a strategy and delivery plan for the improvement of the public realm within the city centre]

Cllr John Reynolds presented an update report on progress in developing the city centre connected places project (formally the public realm project). The city centre connected places project was a comprehensive, wide ranging programme of works designed to substantially improve the city centre environment in both aesthetic and functional terms for the benefit of all. Approval was sought to the development of a strategy and delivery plan for the improvement of the public realm within the city centre.

Resolved:

1. That the principles of the Connected Places strategy and the development of the delivery plan be approved.

2. That the development of the early win work streams identified for Molineux and links between Springfield Brewery and Interchange be approved.

3. That the principle of commissioning external support to accelerate the preparation of the strategy, the identification of delivery mechanisms and to use as a lever to secure external funding be approved.

4. That the required budget and a transfer from the Regeneration Reserve to cover £230,000 of this expenditure be approved.

5. That the application to appropriate external bodies e.g. Local Enterprise Partnership and EU to secure external funding be approved.

6. That further updates on delivery progress of this strategy be submitted to Cabinet.

7. That the change of name of Public Realm to Connected Places be noted.

8.      That the progress made to date with a number of work streams which form part of the Connected Places Project be noted.

[To endorsement of the Council’s response and proposed minor modifications to the area action plan to be submitted with the Publication AAP to the Secretary of State following Full Council approval]

Cllr Peter Bilson informed Cabinet that the report would need to be referred to Full Council for approval.  The report summarised the key issues raised during consultation on the Publication City Centre Area Action Plan (AAP).  He asked Cabinet to endorse the proposed Council response and proposed minor modifications to the Publication City Centre AAP and refer it to Full Council for approval and submission to the Secretary of State.

Resolved:

1. That the issues raised by consultation on the Publication City Centre Area Action Plan (AAP) be approved and the Council’s response and proposed minor modifications set out in the appendix to the report be endorsed.

2. That Full Council be recommended to approve the submission of the Publication Wolverhampton City Centre AAP and proposed minor modifications to the Secretary of State.

[To approve a joint Black Country regulatory framework including compliance policy, charter, service standards]

Cllr Steve Evans reported that the Council had been working with neighbouring councils and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership to agree a joint Black Country Regulators Operating Framework in respect to Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing.  Cabinet was requested to approve the joint framework.

Resolved:

1.    That the proposed draft Black Country Regulators Operating Framework comprising Regulators and Business Charter, Enforcement Policy and Service Standards be approved in relation to Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing services.

2.    That the consideration of the principles contained in the Framework by all other City of Wolverhampton Council regulators be endorsed with a view to their adoption of the Framework as appropriate.

3.    That the Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Head of Regulatory Services be authorised to approve the final version of the Framework following any amendments necessary as a result of consultation / comment.

4.    That the Black Country Regulatory Services ‘offer’ be promoted through the Growth Hub website.

[To summarise the principles set out in the draft document and to approve for public consultation on the draft supplementary planning document]

Cllr Peter Bilson presented a report which summarised the principles set out in the draft Black Country Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and which sought approval to undertake public consultation on the draft SPD, in parallel with Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall Councils, and adoption of the SPD if no major objections are received, subject to approval by the Cabinet Member for City Assets in consultation with the Service Director City Assets.

Resolved:

1.    That public consultation commence on the draft Black Country Air Quality SPD and associated Sustainability Appraisal Report and Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets in consultation with the Service Director City Assets to make any minor amendments to the draft SPD which may be required before consultation to ensure consistency across the Black Country.

3.    That subject to no significant objections being submitted, the Cabinet Member for City Assets in consultation with the Service Director City Assets be authorised to approve the Council’s response to representations received on the Draft SPD and any minor amendments, and to adopt the document as SPD.

[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 items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within the paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

[To receive an update on progress in bringing forward the delivery of the Canalside Quarter project and to approve measures to further advance the project]

Cllr John Reynolds presented a report on progress made in laying the basis for a delivery strategy for the Canalside Quarter project.

Resolved

1.    That the delivery strategy for the Canalside Quarter (CSQ) be approved.

2.    That the preparation of a Consultants Brief to commission a strategic regeneration framework for the CSQ be approved.

3.    That the budget of £200,000 to undertake the necessary feasibility work and to engage external support to develop the Strategic Regeneration Framework to bring forward the CSQ be approved.

4.    That the Council enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Canal and River Trust to bring forward the regeneration of the CSQ and promote the opportunity of the canal in the City.

5.    That the development of a programme of short term options to improve the presentation of sites within CSQ be supported.

6.    The progress made in laying the basis for a Delivery Strategy in removing the LPG tanks, undertaking the baseline analysis and the early engagement with partners which would enhance the deliverability of the CSQ be noted.

[To report on the current position and approve a proposed way forward]

Cllr Steve Evans presented a report which set out the current position in respect of the remediation of the former Courtaulds site and which outlined the steps proposed.

Resolved:

1.    That the updates be noted and the proposed way forward be approved.

2.    That the delegated authorities as requested within the current position sections of the report be approved.

3.    That contract procedure rules be waived to enable the engagement of the Council’s external specialist advisors until completion of all remediation work on site.

[To report on the latest legislation impacting on the Waste Collection Service and consider the outcome of a technically, environmentally and economically practicable (TEEP) an assessment undertaken by the Wolverhampton Waste Partnership]

Cllr Steve Evans presented a report on recent changes in legislation impacting on the waste and collection service and the outcome of a technically, environmentally and economically practicable (TEEP) assessment undertaken by the Wolverhampton Waste Partnership.

Resolved:

That the continuation of a fully comingled kerbside collection service based on the outcome of the technically, environmentally and economically practicable (TEEP) assessment, with particular attention paid to the quality of recycling collected until the next triennial review has taken place be approved.

[To approve the proposals]

Cllr Peter Bilson presented a report on a proposal to create additional expert leadership and capacity in the city’s Housing Service to support the Strategic Director Place with the delivery of the regeneration of the city.

Resolved:

1.    That the proposals to generate additional capacity in the City of Wolverhampton’s Housing Team be approved.

2.    That the effective date for the Strategic Director Housing to take up their role would be 1 October 2015.

3.    That the arrangements be reviewed by the Managing Director and Chair of Wolverhampton Homes Board after 12 months of operation.

4.    That a further report be presented to a future Cabinet meeting on the proposed method, governance arrangements and vehicle for the Council and/or Wolverhampton Homes to deliver further homes for sale or rent.

5.    That it be noted that Wolverhampton Homes had been exclusively approached in the first instance to provide expert capacity to the City’s Housing Team.

6.    That it be noted that any housing development vehicle would be overseen by both the Cabinet Member for City Assets and the Cabinet Member for Resources.

7.    That the Wolverhampton Homes Board is recommended to:

a.      Approve the proposals detailed in the report to generate additional capacity in the City of Wolverhampton’s Housing Team.

b.      Approve that the Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes takes up the new role of Strategic Director Housing on 1 October 2015.

c.      Approve that the Chair of Wolverhampton Homes Board and the Managing Director of the City Council review the arrangements after 12 months of operation.

d.      Note that Wolverhampton Homes had been exclusively approached in the first instance to provide expert capacity to the City’s Housing Team.

[To advise Cabinet of the Council’s position with regard to equal pay claims]

Cabinet considered a report on the Council’s position with regard to equal pay claims to which the Council had not yet made a response. Delegated authority was requested to settle or defend these claims in order that the financial risk to the Council arising from the claims can be effectively managed.

Resolved:

That the Managing Director, Director of Finance and Director of Governance be authorised to defend or settle equal pay claims against the council in the categories of ‘second generation claims’ and  ‘claims from unrepresented ex-employees’ in order that the financial risk to the Council arising from these claims can be effectively managed.