No apologies for absence were received.

Councillor Stephen Simkins declared a non-pecuniary interest in items 6 and 8 (Lower Bradley Community Centre - Health and Social Care Spoke Development Proposal), insofar as he is a member of the Lower Bradley Community Centre Tenants and Residents Group.

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

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 November 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

1.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Digital City, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for Mobile Lines and Data when the evaluation process is complete.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Digital City, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Lines when the evaluation process is complete.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to approve the award of a contract for Insurance Services when the evaluation process is complete.

4.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Communications and External Relations, to approve the award of a contract for Roundabout Sponsorship & Advertising when the evaluation process is complete.

5.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment, to approve the award of a contract for the Supply of Tyres and Vehicle Related Services when the evaluation process is complete.

6.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment, to approve the award of a contract for the Supply of Wheelchair Accessible Minibuses when the evaluation process is complete.

7.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to approve the award of a contract for Schools Microsoft Enterprise Licence Agreement when the evaluation process is complete.

8.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Public Health, to approve the award of a contract for Public Health Primary Care Flexible Framework once the evaluation process is complete.

9.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to approve the award of a contract for the provision of care and support at Verona Court when the evaluation process is complete.

10.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to approve the award of contracts for Young Parents Service, and Emergency & Homelessness Prevention Service for Young People when the evaluation process is complete.

11.   That the exemption from Contract Procedure Rules to enable a request for quotation process to be undertaken for an above £75,000 contract for the Ignite fit out due the urgency to support Wolves at Work 18-24 be approved.

12.   That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration, to approve the award of a contract for the Ignite office fit out when the evaluation process is complete.

13.   That the virement of £330,000 from the Capital  ...  view the full decision text for item 4.

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report which sought approval to delegate authority to Cabinet Members to approve the award of contracts once the evaluation process for each contract is completed.  It was noted that an addendum report had been circulated for the contract Ignite Fit Out. An exemption from Contract Procedure Rules was requested to enable a request for quotation process to be undertaken due the urgency to support the Wolves at Work 18-24 programme. A virement from the Capital Corporate Contingency budget to fund the Ignite office refit out costs was also requested.

Resolved:

1.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Digital City, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for Mobile Lines and Data when the evaluation process is complete.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Digital City, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Lines when the evaluation process is complete.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to approve the award of a contract for Insurance Services when the evaluation process is complete.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Communications and External Relations, to approve the award of a contract for Roundabout Sponsorship and Advertising when the evaluation process is complete.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment, to approve the award of a contract for the Supply of Tyres and Vehicle Related Services when the evaluation process is complete.

6.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment, to approve the award of a contract for the Supply of Wheelchair Accessible Minibuses when the evaluation process is complete.

7.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to approve the award of a contract for Schools Microsoft Enterprise Licence Agreement when the evaluation process is complete.

8.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Public Health, to approve the award of a contract for Public Health Primary Care Flexible Framework once the evaluation process is complete.

9.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to approve the award of a contract for the provision of care and support at Verona Court when the evaluation process is complete.

10.That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to approve the award of contracts for Young Parents Service, and Emergency & Homelessness Prevention  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[To consider options that could promote the recruitment and retention of children's social workers within the City of Wolverhampton Council]

1.      That the establishment of a peripatetic social work team in order to reduce dependency on Agency social workers be approved.

2.      That the exploration of an offer that would increase the Council’s ability to retain experienced children’s social workers be approved and authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families and the Director of Finance to agree this mechanism.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre asked the Panel to approve the recommendations contained in the report ‘Children’s Social Work: Recruitment and Retention’.

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi elaborated on the proposals contained in the report for strengthening the resources available to support the recruitment and retention of social workers and social work managers within Children's Social Care.  This included the establishment of a peripatetic social work team to reduce dependency on Agency social workers, and exploring options to increase the offer and ability to retain experienced child care social workers.

Resolved:

1.    That the establishment of a peripatetic social work team in order to reduce dependency on Agency social workers be approved.

2.    That the exploration of an offer that would increase the Council’s ability to retain experienced children’s social workers be approved and authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Executive Director of Families and the Director of Finance to agree this mechanism.

[To declare Lower Bradley Community Centre surplus to Council requirements and agree the redevelopment strategy for the asset as a health and social care spoke facility]

1.      That Lower Bradley Community Centre be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements

2.      That disposal of the asset listed to the current occupying GP surgery upon terms and conditions to be agreed for redevelopment as a health and social care spoke facility with provision for the Council to enter into a leaseback arrangement for the continued operation of the community centre, be approved.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the terms of the disposal and leaseback through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

4.      That it be noted that while there is a financial benefit to the Council as a result of the capital receipt, the ongoing revenue costs associated with the support provided to the Community Association would increase, these costs can however be contained within existing budgets in the event that the further work to explore opportunities to reduce those costs are exhausted without success.

5.      That it be noted that any modest increase in ongoing revenue costs is considered acceptable due to the community benefits that would arise from the revised facility developed on the site.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on a proposal to declare Lower Bradley Community Centre surplus to the Council’s requirements and to agree a development strategy for the asset as a health and social care spoke facility.  The property was currently occupied by a GP surgery and a Community Association.  The GP surgery approached the Council with a proposal to purchase the site in conjunction with the Clinical Commissioning Group and redevelop it as a health and social care spoke facility.  The proposal would also see the lease back of the asset in part to retain the community element of the facility along with offering additional health services on the site.

Resolved:

1.    That Lower Bradley Community Centre be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements

2.    That disposal of the asset listed to the current occupying GP surgery upon terms and conditions to be agreed for redevelopment as a health and social care spoke facility with provision for the Council to enter into a leaseback arrangement for the continued operation of the community centre, be approved.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the terms of the disposal and leaseback through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

4.    That it be noted that while there is a financial benefit to the Council as a result of the capital receipt, the ongoing revenue costs associated with the support provided to the Community Association would increase, these costs can however be contained within existing budgets in the event that the further work to explore opportunities to reduce those costs are exhausted without success.

5.    That it be noted that any modest increase in ongoing revenue costs is considered acceptable due to the community benefits that would arise from the revised facility developed on the site.

[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 remaining 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 declare Lower Bradley Community Centre surplus to Council requirements and agree the redevelopment strategy for the asset as a health and social care spoke facility]

1.      That Lower Bradley Community Centre be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements

2.      That disposal of the asset listed to the current occupying GP surgery upon terms and conditions to be agreed for redevelopment as a health and social care spoke facility with provision for the Council to enter into a leaseback arrangement for the continued operation of the community centre, be approved.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the terms of the disposal and leaseback through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

4.      That it be noted that while there is a financial benefit to the Council as a result of the capital receipt, the ongoing revenue costs associated with the support provided to the Community Association would increase, these costs can however be contained within existing budgets in the event that the further work to explore opportunities to reduce those costs are exhausted without success.

5.      That it be noted that any modest increase in ongoing revenue costs is considered acceptable due to the community benefits that would arise from the revised facility developed on the site.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the exempt version of the report on a proposal to declare Lower Bradley Community Centre surplus to the Council’s requirements and to agree a development strategy for the asset as a health and social care spoke facility.  

Resolved:

1.    That Lower Bradley Community Centre be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.

2.    That disposal of the asset listed to the current occupying GP surgery upon terms and conditions to be agreed for redevelopment as a health and social care spoke facility with provision for the Council to enter into a leaseback arrangement for the continued operation of the community centre, be approved.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the terms of the disposal and leaseback through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

4.    That it be noted that while there is a financial benefit to the Council as a result of the capital receipt, the ongoing revenue costs associated with the support provided to the Community Association would increase, these costs can however be contained within existing budgets in the event that the further work to explore opportunities to reduce those costs are exhausted without success.

5.    That it be noted that any modest increase in ongoing revenue costs is considered acceptable due to the community benefits that would arise from the revised facility developed on the site.

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

1.      That the contract for Building Fabrics Repairs and Maintenance be awarded to William Gough Limited of Tudor House Moseley Road WV14 6JD for a duration of four years from 2 January 2022 to 1 January 2026 for a total contract value of £12.4 million.

2.      That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 31 October 2021 be noted.   

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented for approval the report on the award of a contract for Building Fabrics Repairs and Maintenance.  He also asked Cabinet to note exemptions to Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance during 1 to 31 October 2021.

Resolved:

1.    That the contract for Building Fabrics Repairs and Maintenance be awarded to William Gough Limited of Tudor House Moseley Road WV14 6JD for a duration of four years from 2 January 2022 to 1 January 2026 for a total contract value of £12.4 million.

2.    That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 31 October 2021 be noted.