Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Peter Bilson.

No declarations of interests were made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 January 2020 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 consider the responses to the consultation process undertaken to support the 2020-2021 budget setting process. Allowing for Councillors consideration of the responses to the consultation]

1.     That the responses to the 2020-2021 Budget Consultation as detailed in the report be considered.

2.     That the responses from the Scrutiny Board in relation to the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 be considered.

3.     That it be noted that the budget consultation and scrutiny process forms part of the continuous dialogue throughout the year with key stakeholders around the budget.

Councillor Louise Miles highlighted the salient points from the report on the budget consultation that had been undertaken to support the 2020-2021 budget setting process, and the Scrutiny Board’s feedback on the draft budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 and how it aligned to the Council’s priorities.  The report would enable the Cabinet’s consideration of the responses. The completed set of responses to the consultation would be considered in the final budget that Cabinet recommends to Full Council on 4 March 2020.

Referring to the responses to budget the consultation, Cabinet commended Wolverhampton Youth Parliament and young people within the city for their responses to the consultation and for their sense of civic pride in the city.

Resolved

1.    That the responses to the 2020-2021 Budget Consultation as detailed in the report be considered.

2.    That the responses from the Scrutiny Board in relation to the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 be considered.

3.    That it be noted that the budget consultation and scrutiny process forms part of the continuous dialogue throughout the year with key stakeholders around the budget.

[To approve amendments to the Council Tax and Business Rates Discretionary Relief Policies to incorporate 2020-2021 and any new schemes as introduced by the government]

1.     That an amendment to the council tax discretionary discount policy, ‘to allow a discount to offset the reclaim of an overpayment of council tax support in certain circumstances’ be approved.

2.     That the following extensions to the local business rates discretionary relief policy be approved:

a.      In respect of revaluation support for one year from 1 April 2020.

b.      In respect of charitable and voluntary organisations for one year from 1 April 2020.

c.      In respect of local newspaper discount, for one year from 1 April 2020, subject to confirmation that the cost of relief will be fully reimbursed by Government.

d.      In respect of retail discount, for one year from 1 April 2020 at the increased rate of 50%, subject to confirmation that the additional cost of relief will be fully reimbursed by Government.

e.      In respect of relief for pubs, for one year from 1 April 2020, subject to confirmation that the cost of relief will be fully reimbursed by Government.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to finalise the policy detail in respect of categories d. and e. above on receipt of detailed guidance from Government.

4.     That authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to award relief in individual cases, in respect of new category e. above.

Councillor Louise Miles presented the report on proposed amendments to the Council’s local council tax discretionary relief policy to allow a discount in certain circumstances to offset a reclaim of Council tax.  It was also proposed to extend the Council’s local scheme for business rates discretionary relief with effect from 1 April 2020.

The amendment to the council tax discretionary relief policy was to follow guidance issued by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman you the mark you and protects the council tax payer from repaying an overpayment of council tax support when they could not reasonably have known that the Council had made an error. This brought the practice in line with Housing Benefit regulations and recovery of rent benefit overpayments. The extension of the scheme for revaluation support is in line with the Government’s aim of assisting businesses hardest hit by the revaluation and aligned with the principles of other schemes across the region. Extending the scheme for charitable and voluntary organisations continues to support a range of organisations providing support to vulnerable groups allowing the Council to foster good relations and enhance equal opportunities.

Resolved

1.    That an amendment to the council tax discretionary discount policy, ‘to allow a discount to offset the reclaim of an overpayment of council tax support in certain circumstances’ be approved.

2.    That the following extensions to the local business rates discretionary relief policy be approved:

a.      In respect of revaluation support for one year from 1 April 2020.

b.      In respect of charitable and voluntary organisations for one year from 1 April 2020.

c.      In respect of local newspaper discount, for one year from 1 April 2020, subject to confirmation that the cost of relief will be fully reimbursed by Government.

d.      In respect of retail discount, for one year from 1 April 2020 at the increased rate of 50%, subject to confirmation that the additional cost of relief will be fully reimbursed by Government.

e.      In respect of relief for pubs, for one year from 1 April 2020, subject to confirmation that the cost of relief will be fully reimbursed by Government.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to finalise the policy detail in respect of categories d. and e. above on receipt of detailed guidance from Government.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to award relief in individual cases, in respect of new category e. above.

[To approve the creation of a capital budget relating to the acceptance of grant from the Black Country Local Growth Fund]

1.     That the creation of a capital budget of £130,000 following receipt of grant funding from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) Local Growth Fund to finance development of the strategy and implementation plan to support the Black Country Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) programme be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Director for City Environment, and Director of Finance, to approve a grant agreement and any ancillary agreementsthrough Individual Executive Decision Notice (IEDN), with all supporting evidence and documentation.

3.     That it be noted that as per the grant conditions, evidence of delivery of a capital project is required by 31 March 2021 otherwise a claw back may occur.

4.     That it be noted that agreement of the four Black Country authorities - Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, and the City of Wolverhampton Council, equally underwrite the clawback risk together with any associated costs.  Approval of this risk sharing was granted by the Black Country Heads of Regeneration at their meeting on the 23 January 2020. 

5.     That it be noted that City of Wolverhampton Council is still awaiting evidence from the Heads of Regeneration minutes of 23 January 2019, and for a signed copy of the amended Collaboration agreement between the Black Country Local Authorities which is due to be signed in February 2020, before the grant agreement can be signed. Upon receipt of these documents, they would be submitted with the IEDN required to sign the grant agreement and any ancillary agreements.

Councillor Steve Evans presented the report that detailed ongoing work around the Black Country Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) Programme and the need for development funding to deliver it.  Cabinet approval was requested to delegate authority to accept grant funding offered to City of Wolverhampton Council by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to develop a strategy and implementation plan to support the Black Country ULEV programme.

Resolved:

1.    That the creation of a capital budget of £130,000 following receipt of grant funding from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) Local Growth Fund to finance development of the strategy and implementation plan to support the Black Country Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) programme be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Director for City Environment, and Director of Finance, to approve a grant agreement and any ancillary agreementsthrough Individual Executive Decision Notice (IEDN), with all supporting evidence and documentation.

3.    That it be noted that as per the grant conditions, evidence of delivery of a capital project is required by 31 March 2021 otherwise a claw back may occur.

4.    That it be noted that agreement of the four Black Country authorities - Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, and the City of Wolverhampton Council, equally underwrite the clawback risk together with any associated costs.  Approval of this risk sharing was granted by the Black Country Heads of Regeneration at their meeting on the 23 January 2020. 

5.    That it be noted that City of Wolverhampton Council is still awaiting evidence from the Heads of Regeneration minutes of 23 January 2019, and for a signed copy of the amended Collaboration agreement between the Black Country Local Authorities which is due to be signed in February 2020, before the grant agreement can be signed. Upon receipt of these documents, they would be submitted with the IEDN required to sign the grant agreement and any ancillary agreements. 

[To approve the establishment of a supplementary revenue budget]

That the establishment of a supplementary revenue expenditure budget of a minimum of £173,000 within the 2019-2020 approved budget, with any unspent grant being applied in 2020-2021 be approved. This expenditure is fully funded by the Town Deal Fund Capacity Grant from the Ministry of Homes, Communities and Local Government and would therefore have no effect on the Council’s net revenue budget.

Councillor Louise Miles sought approval to establish a supplementary revenue expenditure budget of a minimum of £173,000 for Town Deal capacity funding within the 2019-2020 approved budget, with any unspent grant being applied in 2021-2022. The funding would allow for the establishment of a Town Deal Board and Town Investment plan and the development of a full business case to access funding for specific interventions to deliver on the vision outlined in the investment plan.

Resolved:

That the establishment of a supplementary revenue expenditure budget of a minimum of £173,000 within the 2019-2020 approved budget, with any unspent grant being applied in 2020-2021 be approved. This expenditure is fully funded by the Town Deal Fund Capacity Grant from the Ministry of Homes, Communities and Local Government and would therefore have no effect on the Council’s net revenue budget.

[To note the summary of open and exempt executive decisions approved by cabinet members in consultation with employees]

That the summary of open and exempt individual executive decisions approved by the appropriate Cabinet Members following consultation with the relevant employees be noted.

Resolved:
That the summary of open and exempt individual executive decisions approved by the appropriate Cabinet Members following consultation with the relevant employees 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 the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

[To approve the award of contracts]

1.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Director for City Environment, to approve the award of a contract for a Fleet Management System when the evaluation process is complete.

2.     That the contract for Very Sheltered Housing Schemes be awarded to Advance Health Care UK Limited of Electrium Point, Forge Rd, Willenhall WV12 4HD for a duration of two years from 28 March 2020 for a total estimated contract value of £3.2 million.

3.     That an exemption from Compliance with Procedure Rules for a payment of £175,000 to the Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group who are leading on the interim commissioning of the Emotional and Wellbeing service to allow a full-service review to be finalised and a procurement exercise to be conducted be approved. 

4.     That authority be delegated to the Chief Legal Officer and Solicitor to the Council to execute contracts in respect of the above as required.

5.     That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 31 December 2019 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

Councillor Louise Miles presented for approval the report on the award of contracts for works, goods or services.

Resolved:

1.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Director for City Environment, to approve the award of a contract for a Fleet Management System when the evaluation process is complete.

2.    That the contract for Very Sheltered Housing Schemes be awarded to Advance Health Care UK Limited of Electrium Point, Forge Rd, Willenhall WV12 4HD for a duration of two years from 28 March 2020 for a total estimated contract value of £3.2 million.

3.    That an exemption from Compliance with Procedure Rules for a payment of £175,000 to the Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group who are leading on the interim commissioning of the Emotional and Wellbeing service to allow a full-service review to be finalised and a procurement exercise to be conducted be approved.  

4.    That authority be delegated to the Chief Legal Officer and Solicitor to the Council to execute contracts in respect of the above as required.

5.    That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 31 December 2019 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

[To approve new arrangements for the management of the Showell Road Gypsy and Traveller Site]

That the Council enter into a three year lease with Huey Quinn, Site Manager to manage and maintain the Showell Road caravan site as per the terms of lease set out at appendix 1 to the report.

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on a proposal for the Council to enter into a new three-year lease with Huey Quinn, Site Manager to manage the caravan site at Showell Lane, which is reserved for the use of Gypsy and Travellers.

Resolved:

That the Council enter into a three-year lease with Huey Quinn, Site Manager to manage and maintain the Showell Road caravan site as per the terms of lease set out at appendix 1 to the report.

[To approve the appropriation of the former Old Heath Area Office from the Housing Revenue Account fund to the General Fund]

That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the appropriation of the former Old Heath Area Office from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Fund.

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on a proposal to appropriate the site known as former Old Heath Area Office from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Fund and for the site to be managed by Corporate Landlord for use by Children’s Services.

Resolved:

That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the appropriation of the former Old Heath Area Office from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Fund.