Agenda, decisions and minutes

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Contact: Dereck Francis, Democratic Services  01902 555835 or Email: dereck.francis@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Obaida Ahmed.

2.

Declarations of interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No declarations of interests were made.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 344 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 January 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

4.

Procurement Award of Contracts for Works, Goods and Services pdf icon PDF 419 KB

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

Additional documents:

Decision:

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 the Audio-Visual project 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 the GIS Mapping project when the evaluation process is complete.

 

3.      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 the Student Management System when the evaluation process is complete.

 

4.      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 Procurement and Contract Management Solution 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 Communications and External Relations, to approve the award of a contract for Bars & VIP Area Provision at Creation Day Festival when the evaluation process is complete.

 

6.      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 Provision of Electrical Repairs and Maintenance when the open tender evaluation process is complete.

 

7.      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 Provision of Mechanical Repairs and Maintenance when the open tender evaluation process is complete.

 

8.      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 a contract for Key Workers for the Power2 team when the evaluation process is complete.

 

9.      That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Director of Finance and Chief Operating Officer to award contracts up to £1 million to be utilised by Public Health relating to the Council Covid-19 response.

Minutes:

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 the respective contracts has been completed.

 

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 the Audio-Visual project 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 the GIS Mapping project when the evaluation process is complete.

 

3.    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 the Student Management System when the evaluation process is complete.

 

4.    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 Procurement and Contract Management Solution 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 Communications and External Relations, to approve the award of a contract for Bars & VIP Area Provision at Creation Day Festival when the evaluation process is complete.

 

6.    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 Provision of Electrical Repairs and Maintenance when the open tender evaluation process is complete.

 

7.    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 Provision of Mechanical Repairs and Maintenance when the open tender evaluation process is complete.

 

8.    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 a contract for Key Workers for the Power2 team when the evaluation process is complete.

 

9.    That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Director of Finance and Chief Operating Officer to award contracts up to £1 million to be utilised by Public Health relating to the Council Covid-19 response.

5.

Homes England Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026 Grant Agreement pdf icon PDF 158 KB

[To approve entering into a Homes England Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26 Grant Agreement]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the Council enter into the standard form Homes England Grant Agreement (local Authority) in relation to the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026 for Continuous Market Engagement. 

 

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment to approve any grant funding applications and claims made under the Affordable Homes Programme as part of the Continuous Market Engagement process.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report seeking approval for the Council to enter into the standard form Homes England Grant Agreement in relation to the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026 for Continuous Market Engagement. This would enable the Council to maintain its ability to submit funding applications and draw down funds from the new Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026 supporting the delivery of affordable housing in the city.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the Council enter into the standard form Homes England Grant Agreement (local Authority) in relation to the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026 for Continuous Market Engagement. 

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment to approve any grant funding applications and claims made under the Affordable Homes Programme as part of the Continuous Market Engagement process.

 

6.

Children's Residential Provision Review pdf icon PDF 362 KB

[To present an options appraisal and recommended option for Children's Residential Provision in Wolverhampton as part of the Council's overall Sufficiency Strategy]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the recommended option to progress the development of a full feasibility business case to create a new restorative practice, multi-agency Children’s Home(s) within the city be approved.

 

2.      That the allocation of £35,000 from the Transformation reserve for further development of the project’s overall business case to be presented to Cabinet (Resources) Panel in June 2022 be approved.

 

3.      That a strategic change in commissioning of spot purchasing local placements over out of city or national, in order to build successful stronger working relationships with our Wolverhampton providers and to ensure quality oversight improvements be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor Stephen Simkins moved the recommendations contained in the report Children’s Residential Provision Review.

 

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi reported on the proposal setting out the case for change in regard to options to meet the Council’s statutory duties for sufficiency of residential provision and the wider needs of the city’s children and young people in care. The preferred option was to create a new restorative practice, multi-agency Children’s Home(s) within the city.  Approval was requested to progress the development of a full feasibility business case for this option, and to the allocation of funding to develop that business case.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the recommended option to progress the development of a full feasibility business case to create a new restorative practice, multi-agency Children’s Home(s) within the city be approved.

 

2.    That the allocation of £35,000 from the Transformation reserve for further development of the project’s overall business case to be presented to Cabinet (Resources) Panel in June 2022 be approved.

 

3.    That a strategic change in commissioning of spot purchasing local placements over out of city or national, in order to build successful stronger working relationships with our Wolverhampton providers and to ensure quality oversight improvements be noted.

7.

Care and Support Provider Fee Review 2022/2023 pdf icon PDF 457 KB

[To present the annual review of fees for adult social care and support providers with recommendations for approval of fee uplift]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the proposed increase in fee levels for 2022-2023 as recommended in the report to meet the additional costs (employee and employer) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage (NLW) and where applicable increases to sustain the care market be approved.

 

2.      That any increase in fees be with effect from 4 April 2022. (This date is aligned to charging processes and the capability of the current payment system and that due to current IT payment systems – rates for care homes need to be divisible by 7 and for hourly rates by 4).

 

Type of provision

Recommendation

% Increase

Current £

Proposed £

Home Care

 

Increase fee levels to meet the additional costs (employee and employer) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage and other costs *

6.3%

15.84

(Hourly rate)

 

16.84*

Home Care – rapid response /reablement

That the rate remains at the level funded in the mid-year increase. This rate is higher than the standard home care rate to incentivise providers to move people from hospital settings quickly.

3.2%

17.44

(Hourly rate)

18.00

Home

Based Respite

Home base respite is aligned to the supported living rate. *

6.3%

15.12

(Hourly rate)

16.08

Direct Payments Agency rate

Direct payment agency rate is aligned to the supported living

6.3%

15.12

 (Hourly rate)

16.08

Direct Payments for Personal Assistants – Employed

Direct payment PA employed rate to receive the % increase that Home Care and Supported Living receives with the note that each PA’s costs are individually calculated to ensure the payment covers employment costs and the proposed rate is the maximum amount.

6.3%

10.76 (Hourly rate)

11.44

Direct Payments of Personal Assistants – Self-Employed

This is a new rate to be introduced in 2022 to enable self-employed personal assistants to support people

N/A

N/A

14.03

Residential Care for Older People

Increase to meet NLW increases, on costs and to maintain market sufficiency.

5%

468.65

(Weekly rate)

492.10

Residential Care for Older People with Dementia Support

Increase to meet NLW increases, on costs and to maintain market sufficiency.

5%

503.86

(Weekly rate)

529.06

Nursing Care for Older People

Increase to meet NLW increases, on costs and to maintain market sufficiency.

10%

468.65

(Weekly rate)

515.55

Nursing Care for Older People with Dementia

Increase to meet NLW increases, on costs and to maintain market sufficiency.

10%

503.86

(Weekly rate)

554.26

Extra Care

Increase each contract to reflect inflationary rise

3%

Increase to all contracts

N/A block amount

Supported Living

Increase fee levels to meet the additional costs (employee and employer cost) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage. *

6.3%

15.12

(Hourly rate)

16.08

Nursing and Residential Care for people under 65 years old

Increase fees of placements to reflect inflationary rise

3%

Increase to all contract totals

 

 

Community Activities for Older People

Increase fees to enable sufficiency, with intention to review the provision in 2022

10%

27.90

sessional rate

30.69

Community Opportunities for Adults with Complex Needs

Ensure that the rate is consistent  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

Minutes:

Councillor Linda Leach presented the report on a proposed increase in fee levels for care and support service areas and direct payment cost rates to meet additional costs resulting from increases to the National Living Wage and to sustain the care market in Wolverhampton.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the proposed increase in fee levels for 2022-2023 as recommended in the report to meet the additional costs (employee and employer) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage (NLW) and where applicable increases to sustain the care market be approved.

 

2.    That any increase in fees be with effect from 4 April 2022. (This date is aligned to charging processes and the capability of the current payment system and that due to current IT payment systems – rates for care homes need to be divisible by 7 and for hourly rates by 4).

 

3.    That it be noted that engagement had been undertaken with current care and support providers as part of the fee review to listen to feedback and inform the recommendations in the report, however due to current financial restraints the recommendations are not solely based on provider requests.

 

4.    That it be noted that during 2022 the activity to implement the requirements of the Health and Social Care Bill and the Government policy paper; Market Sustainability and Fair Cost of Care Fund: purpose and conditions 2022 to 2023; is undertaken and would inform the fee review for 2023-2024. Further details are in Appendix 1 to the report ‘Legislation and Government Policy which impacts on the 2023 - 2024 Fee Review’.

 

5.    That it be noted that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had changed the usual demand and take up of care services. The long-term impact of COVID-19 cannot be predicted, and the Adults Commissioning Team would continuously review sufficiency within the market.

 

6.    That it be noted that the Adults Commissioning Team continuously works with providers in developing the social care market to ensure a shared approach between the Council and social care providers to meet resident’s needs.

 

7.    That it be noted that this report was presented to Adults and Safer City Scrutiny Panel on 15 February 2022.  The Panel supported the details and recommendations within the report and agreed to receive an update at a future meeting.

8.

Community Asset Transfer - Former Tettenhall Railway Goods Depot pdf icon PDF 167 KB

[To approve a Community Asset Transfer of the Former Tettenhall Railway Goods Depot]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the Community Asset Transfer of the Former Tettenhall Railway Goods Depot, WV6 8NZ to Tettenhall Transport Heritage Centre for a term of 35 years subject to terms be approved.

 

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Director Assets to approve the terms of the Community Asset Transfer and execution of the lease.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on a proposed Community Asset Transfer of the former Tettenhall Railway Goods Depot to Tettenhall Transport Heritage Centre (TTHC) on a 35 year lease.  The depot was a two storey detached property located at the former Tettenhall Railway Station and was currently occupied and utilised by TTHC as a transport heritage museum. TTHC are proposing to continue developing the museum through building on its current success with it being the only industry museum located within the city.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the Community Asset Transfer of the Former Tettenhall Railway Goods Depot, WV6 8NZ to Tettenhall Transport Heritage Centre for a term of 35 years subject to terms be approved.

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Director Assets to approve the terms of the Community Asset Transfer and execution of the lease.

9.

Exclusion of press and public

[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 item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below]

Additional documents:

Decision:

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 item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Minutes:

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 item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Part 2 - exempt items, closed to press and public

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.

Additional documents:

10.

Procurement Award of Contracts for Works, Goods and Services

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

Decision:

1.      That the award of the contract for Website Development Partner to Big Blue Door of Crown & Sceptre House, 60 Queen Elizabeth Street, London, SE1 2PZ for a duration of four years from 1 April 2022 to 1 April 2026 for a total contract value of £770,000 be approved.

 

2.      That the award of the contract for Energy Efficiency Improvements to Broad Oak Properties Ltd of Broad Oak Estate, Broad Oak Lane, Green Head, Kingsley Moor, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST10 2EL, for a duration of one year four months from 1 March 2022 to 30 June 2023 for a total contract value of £625,000 be approved.

 

3.      That the award of the contract for Project Management Resource for Interchange Project to Matrix SCM (Limited) of Partis House, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK58HJ for a duration of 10 months from 1 March 2022 to 30 December 2022 for a total contract value of £100,000 be approved.

 

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

 

Minutes:

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented for approval the report on the award of contracts for works, goods and services.  The report also included for information, exemptions to Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director Finance between 1 to 31 December 2021.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the award of the contract for Website Development Partner to Big Blue Door of Crown & Sceptre House, 60 Queen Elizabeth Street, London, SE1 2PZ for a duration of four years from 1 April 2022 to 1 April 2026 for a total contract value of £770,000 be approved.

 

2.    That the award of the contract for Energy Efficiency Improvements to Broad Oak Properties Ltd of Broad Oak Estate, Broad Oak Lane, Green Head, Kingsley Moor, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST10 2EL, for a duration of one year four months from 1 March 2022 to 30 June 2023 for a total contract value of £625,000 be approved.

 

3.    That the award of the contract for Project Management Resource for Interchange Project to Matrix SCM (Limited) of Partis House, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK58HJ for a duration of 10 months from 1 March 2022 to 30 December 2022 for a total contract value of £100,000 be approved.

 

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