Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - 4th Floor - Civic Centre. View directions

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 Ian Brookfield.

2.

Declarations of interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No declarations of interests were made.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 316 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 23 February 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 338 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 Governance and Equalities, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for Health & Safety Training when the evaluation process is complete.

 

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities, in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer, to approve the award of a contract for the Provision of Physiotherapy Service when the evaluation process is complete.

 

3.      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 Digital Advertising Signs 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 City Housing and Environment to approve the award of a contract for Waste Disposal of Road Sweepings when the evaluation process is complete.

 

5.      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 Shared Lives for Adults with Disabilities when the evaluation process is complete.

Minutes:

Councillor Stephen Simkins 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 Governance and Equalities, in consultation with the Director of Strategy, to approve the award of a contract for Health & Safety Training when the evaluation process is complete.

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities, in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer, to approve the award of a contract for the Provision of Physiotherapy Service when the evaluation process is complete.

 

3.    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 Digital Advertising Signs 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 City Housing and Environment to approve the award of a contract for Waste Disposal of Road Sweepings when the evaluation process is complete.

 

5.    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 Shared Lives for Adults with Disabilities when the evaluation process is complete.

5.

Treasury Management Activity Monitoring Quarter Three 2021-2022 pdf icon PDF 321 KB

[To approve the Treasury Management Activity Monitoring Quarter Three 2021-2022 report]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That it be noted that the Council is continuing to operate within the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators approved by Council, and also within the requirements set out in the Council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy for 2021-2022.

 

2.      That it be noted that revenue underspends of £904,000 for the General Revenue Account and £720,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) are forecast from treasury management activities in 2021-2022, arising as a result of re-phasing of the capital programme and due to no borrowing being undertaken in 2020-2021 or so far in 2021-2022.

 

3.      That it be noted that mainly due to additional income being received than forecast over the Christmas period, the Council temporarily exceeded the limit of £10.0 million to be held in the Council’s bank account by £487,000 from 31 December 2021 until rectified on 4 January 2022.   

 

4.      That it be noted that there had been no change to the UK’s credit rating and therefore the Director of Finance had not been required to use the delegated authority approved by Council on 17 July 2020 to amend the Annual Investment Strategy.

Minutes:

Councillor Stephen Simkins presented the monitoring and progress report on Treasury Management activity for the third quarter of 2021-2022 and highlights of the revised Prudential Indicators which were approved by Council on 2 March 2022.

 

Resolved:

1.    That it be noted that the Council is continuing to operate within the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators approved by Council, and also within the requirements set out in the Council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy for 2021-2022.

 

2.    That it be noted that revenue underspends of £904,000 for the General Revenue Account and £720,000 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) are forecast from treasury management activities in 2021-2022, arising as a result of re-phasing of the capital programme and due to no borrowing being undertaken in 2020-2021 or so far in 2021-2022.

 

3.    That it be noted that mainly due to additional income being received than forecast over the Christmas period, the Council temporarily exceeded the limit of £10.0 million to be held in the Council’s bank account by £487,000 from 31 December 2021 until rectified on 4 January 2022.   

 

4.    That it be noted that there had been no change to the UK’s credit rating and therefore the Director of Finance had not been required to use the delegated authority approved by Council on 17 July 2020 to amend the Annual Investment Strategy.

6.

Former Parkfields Housing Office - Future Use Options pdf icon PDF 150 KB

[To seek approval to proceed with a recommended option for the future use of the former Parkfields Housing Office]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the former Parkfields Housing Office building be declared surplus to requirements and option six (demolish the building and re-develop the land for Housing Revenue Account affordable housing) be approved.

 

2.      That a further report on the development options for the site, be received once the building is demolished and site cleared as part of a future phase of the Small Sites Housing Development Programme.

Minutes:

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on options for the future use of Parkfields Housing Office. The building was a housing revenue account (HRA) asset and the property was managed by Wolverhampton Homes on behalf of the Council.  Since being vacant in 2019 potential uses of the building had been explored by a number of Council Services with none finding the building suitable for their needs.  It was proposed to pursue option six, to declare the asset surplus to requirements, demolish the building and redevelop the land for affordable housing within the Council Small Sites Housing Development Programme.  This would bring much needed, modern, thermal efficient properties into the Council’s stock for allocation to residents in housing need.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the former Parkfields Housing Office building be declared surplus to requirements and option six (demolish the building and re-develop the land for Housing Revenue Account affordable housing) be approved.

 

2.    That a further report on the development options for the site, be received once the building is demolished and site cleared as part of a future phase of the Small Sites Housing Development Programme.

7.

Civic Centre Lease - Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust pdf icon PDF 172 KB

[To enter into a leasehold agreement with the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for the partial utilisation of the Civic Centre]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the partial utilisation of the Civic Centre by way of lease for third party occupation by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) on commercial 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 Head of Terms (including rental and occupational) for the BCHFT’s occupation of the Civic Centre and enter into a lease.

 

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Director Assets to approve any changes in accommodation design due to the BCHFT’s occupation.

 

4.      That it be noted that the leasing of the Civic Centre to selected third parties would allow business cases to be developed for the investment into the Civic Centre and other Council property assets.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on a proposal for the partial utilisation of the Civic Centre by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) on a leasehold basis for their newly established headquarters. The proposal was being recommended as part of the Council’s delivery of Our Assets workstream within the Council Plan and the exploration of opportunities for improved utilisation of the Civic Centre by third party occupation. There would be no detrimental impact on the delivery of council services, with the Civic Centre still viewed as the Council’s headquarter. It was an opportunity to increase collaborative partnership working across the public sector and to build from the current location co-location that had been created in conjunction with the Clinical Commissioning Group.  

 

Resolved:

1.    That the partial utilisation of the Civic Centre by way of lease for third party occupation by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) on commercial 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 Head of Terms (including rental and occupational) for the BCHFT’s occupation of the Civic Centre and enter into a lease.

 

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Director Assets to approve any changes in accommodation design due to the BCHFT’s occupation.

 

4.    That it be noted that the leasing of the Civic Centre to selected third parties would allow business cases to be developed for the investment into the Civic Centre and other Council property assets.

 

8.

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 items of business as they involve 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 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).

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 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).

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:

9.

Civic Centre Lease - Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

[To enter into a leasehold agreement with the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for the partial utilisation of the Civic Centre]

Decision:

1.      That the partial utilisation of the Civic Centre by way of lease for third party occupation by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) on commercial 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 Head of Terms (including rental and occupational) for the BCHFT’s occupation of the Civic Centre and enter into a lease.

 

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Director Assets to approve any changes in accommodation design due to the BCHFT’s occupation.

 

4.      That it be noted that the leasing of the Civic Centre to selected third parties would allow business cases to be developed for the investment into the Civic Centre and other Council property assets.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the exempt version of the Civic Centre Lease - Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) report as discussed at item 7 above. The report contained more detail on the draft Heads of Terms for BCHFT’s partial utilisation of the Civic Centre on a leasehold basis and other terms and financial aspects of the proposal.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the partial utilisation of the Civic Centre by way of lease for third party occupation by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) on commercial 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 Head of Terms (including rental and occupational) for the BCHFT’s occupation of the Civic Centre and enter into a lease.

 

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Deputy Director Assets to approve any changes in accommodation design due to the BCHFT’s occupation.

 

4.    That it be noted that the leasing of the Civic Centre to selected third parties would allow business cases to be developed for the investment into the Civic Centre and other Council property assets.

 

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 contract for Provision of a Legal Research Digital Platform be awarded to Lexis Nexis (UK) PLC of 3 Gelderd Road, Leeds LS12 6LN for a duration of three years from 31 March 2022 to 30 March 2025 for a contract value of £142,000.

 

2.      That the contract for Strategic Outline Business Case for Black Country Scheme A461 Walk Cycle and Bus Corridor be awarded to Amey Consulting of Chancery Exchange, 10 Furnival Street, London, EC4A 1AB for a duration of 9 months from 1 April 2022 to 31 December 2022 for a total contract value of £350,000.

 

3.      That the contract with The Haven Wolverhampton of 18 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton WV1 4BL for LOT 2: Community Outreach Service for Women and Children who are Victims of Domestic Violence be varied from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2025 with a variation value of £97,984.98.

 

4.      That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 31 January 2022 be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor Stephen Simkins 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 of Finance during January 2022.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the contract for Provision of a Legal Research Digital Platform be awarded to Lexis Nexis (UK) PLC of 3 Gelderd Road, Leeds LS12 6LN for a duration of three years from 31 March 2022 to 30 March 2025 for a contract value of £142,000.

 

2.    That the contract for Strategic Outline Business Case for Black Country Scheme A461 Walk Cycle and Bus Corridor be awarded to Amey Consulting of Chancery Exchange, 10 Furnival Street, London, EC4A 1AB for a duration of 9 months from 1 April 2022 to 31 December 2022 for a total contract value of £350,000.

 

3.    That the contract with The Haven Wolverhampton of 18 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton WV1 4BL for LOT 2: Community Outreach Service for Women and Children who are Victims of Domestic Violence be varied from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2025 with a variation value of £97,984.98.

 

4.    That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 31 January 2022 be noted.

11.

Investment in our School Assets 2022-2023

[To approve the Schools Capital Programme 2022-2023]

 

Decision:

1.      That the detailed projects for schools’ condition allocation capital funding in 2022-2023 as listed in section 4.6 of the report be approved.

 

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to initiate works in relation to emergency works preventing a school closure.

 

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to initiate works in relation to asbestos removal preventing a school closure.

 

4.      That it be noted that the provisional resources available for implementing the 2022-2023 schools ‘capital maintenance programme is £3.131 million against a condition backlog of approximately £11 million for priority 1, 2 and 3 items.

 

5.      That it be noted that the resources available for basic need are being 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.

Minutes:

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre presented the report that set out the priorities for investing in the city’s school assets through the Schools Capital Programme 2022-2023. He reported that it was good news that grant funding on £3.131 million had been made available by the Department for Education (DfE) for capital investment into the city’s schools for urgent works to prevent school closures or health and safety breaches.  However, that was against a condition backlog of urgent items totalling circa £11 million.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the detailed projects for schools’ condition allocation capital funding in 2022-2023 as listed in section 4.6 of the report be approved.

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to initiate works in relation to emergency works preventing a school closure.

 

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work in consultation with the Executive Director of Families, to initiate works in relation to asbestos removal preventing a school closure.

 

4.    That it be noted that the provisional resources available for implementing the 2022-2023 schools ‘capital maintenance programme is £3.131 million against a condition backlog of approximately £11 million for priority 1, 2 and 3 items.

 

5.    That it be noted that the resources available for basic need are being 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.