Agenda, decisions and minutes

No apologies for absence were received for the meeting.

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 17 March 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes.]

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

[To take action to resolve the on-going issues surrounding a long-term empty property which has remained empty since 2012]

1.      That the Director of City Environment be authorised to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property 4 Moathouse Lane East, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 3BN and, in default of that acquisition, give authority for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to be made under Part II Section 17 Housing Act 1985 in respect of the property.

2.      That expenditure for the potential acquisition of the property, with subsequent capital receipts being recycled within the Empty Property Strategy programme be approved.

3.      That in the event that the property is improved and re-occupied to the satisfaction of the Director of City Environment, authorise withdrawal of the property from the CPO be approved.

4.      That following any acquisition, the Director of City Environment be authorised to dispose of the property on the open market on condition that the property is refurbished and re-occupied with in six or 12 months (as appropriate to the scale of the works).

5.      That the Director of Governance be authorised to:

a.      Take all reasonable steps as soon as it is reasonably practical to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO including the publication and service of all Notices and the presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry.

b.      Approve agreements with the owners of the property setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, and/or making arrangements for re-housing or relocation of any occupiers.

c.      Approve the making of a General Vesting Declaration (the property is brought into Council ownership via this process).

d.      Approve the disposal of the whole and/ or parts of the property by auction, tender or private treaty. 

Councillor Jacqueline Sweetman presented the report on a proposal for the Council to acquire through negotiation or compulsory purchase, 4 Moathouse Lane East, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. The property, a detached bungalow had been empty since September 2012 and interactions with the owner had failed to resolve the situation. The owner had also failed to comply with a notice to remedy the detrimental effect of the external appearance of the property and the land.  The proposal was in support of the Council’s Empty Property Strategy which aimed to bring long term empty properties back into use.

Resolved:

1.    That the Director of City Environment be authorised to negotiate terms for the acquisition of the property 4 Moathouse Lane East, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 3BN and, in default of that acquisition, give authority for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to be made under Part II Section 17 Housing Act 1985 in respect of the property.

2.    That expenditure for the potential acquisition of the property, with subsequent capital receipts being recycled within the Empty Property Strategy programme be approved.

3.    That in the event that the property is improved and re-occupied to the satisfaction of the Director of City Environment, authorise withdrawal of the property from the CPO be approved.

4.    That following any acquisition, the Director of City Environment be authorised to dispose of the property on the open market on condition that the property is refurbished and re-occupied with in six or 12 months (as appropriate to the scale of the works).

5.    That the Director of Governance be authorised to:

a.      Take all reasonable steps as soon as it is reasonably practical to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO including the publication and service of all Notices and the presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry.

b.      Approve agreements with the owners of the property setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, and/or making arrangements for re-housing or relocation of any occupiers.

c.      Approve the making of a General Vesting Declaration (the property is brought into Council ownership via this process).

d.      Approve the disposal of the whole and/ or parts of the property by auction, tender or private treaty. 

[To approve a Community Asset Transfer of Burdett House]

1.      That the Community Asset Transfer of Burdett House, 29-30 Cleveland Street, WV1 3HT to Access to Business for a term of 35 years subject to terms be approved.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the terms of the Community Asset Transfer and lease.

Councillor Jacqueline Sweetman presented the report on a proposed Community Asset Transfer of Burdette House, a three storey end terrace property to Access to Business on a 35 year lease. The asset had previously been vacated and earmarked for demolition with an estimated capital investment of £250,000 to £300,000 required to bring it into a lettable condition. Access to Business had approached the Council to take over the building to develop Burdette House into a social enterprise centre supporting the development of new social enterprises in the city to help to increase business growth and reduce unemployment and provide training and work experience for unemployed people.

Resolved:

1.    That the Community Asset Transfer of Burdett House, 29-30 Cleveland Street, WV1 3HT to Access to Business for a term of 35 years subject to terms be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the terms of the Community Asset Transfer and lease.

[To approve a Community Asset Transfer of Low Hill Youth Resource Centre]

1.      That the Community Asset Transfer of Low Hill Youth Resource Centre, Fifth Avenue, WV10 9TB to Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board for a term of 35 years subject to terms be approved.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the terms of the Community Asset Transfer and lease.

Councillor Jacqueline Sweetman presented the report on a proposed Community Asset Transfer of Low Hill Youth Resource Centre, a single storey detached property to Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board (BHEMB) on a 35 year lease.  BHEMB aim to transform it into a thriving, self-sustaining community innovation hub, bringing much needed services into the area and creating opportunities for local people, raising skills, confidence and employability across the area, resulting in an overall improvement in their quality of life.

Resolved:

1.    That the Community Asset Transfer of Low Hill Youth Resource Centre, Fifth Avenue, WV10 9TB to Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board for a term of 35 years subject to terms be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the terms of the Community Asset Transfer and lease.

[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 Cabinet Members following consultation with relevant employees be noted.

Resolved:

That the summary of open and exempt individual executive decisions approved by Cabinet Members following consultation with 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).

The Chair reported that as stated previously the meeting was in confidential session as the information included in the reports could, if released into the public domain, prejudice the financial position of the Council or its partners. As such all present are under a legal duty of confidentiality and must not disclose any confidential information - to do so would not only be a breach of the Council's codes (for councillors and employees) but also a breach of the legal duty of confidentiality.

[To approve the award of contracts for works, goods and services]

1.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to approve the award of a framework agreement for Adult Education Learning Services when the evaluation process is complete.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Director of Children’s and Adult Services, to approve the award of a contract for Supported Employmentwhen the evaluation process is complete.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for Hardware Devices when the evaluation process is complete.

4.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for the Corporate Storage Area Network (SAN) when the evaluation process is complete.

5.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, to approve the award of a contract for Fire Risk Assessment Consultancy when the evaluation process is complete.

6.      That a budget virement of £100,000 from the Corporate Contingency to Buildings Compliance to facilitate the undertaking of statutory Fire Risk Assessments whilst ensuring the legal compliance and safe operation of the corporate estate be approved.

7.      That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 28 February 2021 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

Councillor Louise Miles presented the report on the award of contracts for works, goods and services. She drew to the Panel's attention exemptions to Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and the Director of Finance for the period 1 to 28 February 2021.

Resolved:

1.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to approve the award of a framework agreement for Adult Education Learning Services when the evaluation process is complete.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Director of Children’s and Adult Services, to approve the award of a contract for Supported Employmentwhen the evaluation process is complete.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for Hardware Devices when the evaluation process is complete.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for the Corporate Storage Area Network (SAN) when the evaluation process is complete.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, to approve the award of a contract for Fire Risk Assessment Consultancy when the evaluation process is complete.

6.    That a budget virement of £100,000 from the Corporate Contingency to Buildings Compliance to facilitate the undertaking of statutory Fire Risk Assessments whilst ensuring the legal compliance and safe operation of the corporate estate be approved.

7.    That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 28 February 2021 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

[To approve the Schools Capital Programme 2021-2022]

1.      That the detailed projects for schools’ condition allocation capital funding in 2021-2022 as listed in section 4.6 of the report be approved.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Children’s and Adult Services, to initiate works in relation to emergency works preventing a school closure.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Children’s and Adult Services, to initiate works in relation to asbestos removal preventing a school closure.

4.      That the provisional resources available for implementing the 2021-2022 schools ‘capital maintenance programme is £1.3 million against a condition backlog of £3 million for priority 1 items be noted.

5.      That it be noted that the resources available for basic need have been fully committed toward the expansion of the primary and secondary school estate, to support the provision of additional pupil places given a continued increase in demand.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre presented the report on the priorities for the schools’ capital programme 2021-2022.  Department for Education (DfE) grant funding of £1.3 million had been made available for capital investment into the city’s schools for urgent works to prevent school closures or health and safety breaches. Councillor Dr Hardacre highlighted that the condition survey on which the DfE grant was made included a backlog of urgent items totalling circa £3 million.

Resolved:

1.    That the detailed projects for schools’ condition allocation capital funding in 2021-2022 as listed in section 4.6 of the report be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Children’s and Adult Services, to initiate works in relation to emergency works preventing a school closure.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Children’s and Adult Services, to initiate works in relation to asbestos removal preventing a school closure.

4.    That the provisional resources available for implementing the 2021-2022 schools ‘capital maintenance programme is £1.3 million against a condition backlog of £3 million for priority 1 items be noted.

5.     That it be noted that the resources available for basic need have been fully committed toward the expansion of the primary and secondary school estate, to support the provision of additional pupil places given a continued increase in demand.

[To approve additional investment in the partnership with the NHS]

1.      That additional, three-year investment of £1,729,611 into the Council’s successful partnership with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) to strengthen our support for city children, young people and their families, reduce health inequalities and support those who need us most be approved. 

2.      That the previous approval from Cabinet (Resources) Panel on 23 July 2019 to enter into a partnership with Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to secure the delivery of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme and Sexual Health services for a period of up to ten years from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2029 at a total maximum contract value of £77,488,750 be noted.  

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal presented the report on a proposal to approve additional investment into the Council’s partnership with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The funding would be directed at tackling health inequalities within the city and supporting those families that need the Council most by recruiting more clinical staff to support increased reach to children, young people and families and would also enable more support to this frontline workforce. The investment supports the Council’s ‘Relighting Our City’ recovery plan and the priority of supporting people who need us most.  The initiative also supports the Wolverhampton Pound and the circular economy, as more than 40% of the workforce live in and around Wolverhampton.

Resolved:

1.    That additional, three-year investment of £1,729,611 into the Council’s successful partnership with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) to strengthen our support for city children, young people and their families, reduce health inequalities and support those who need us most be approved. 

2.    That the previous approval from Cabinet (Resources) Panel on 23 July 2019 to enter into a partnership with Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to secure the delivery of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme and Sexual Health services for a period of up to ten years from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2029 at a total maximum contract value of £77,488,750 be noted.