Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Ian Brookfield, Paula Brookfield, Chis Burden, Steve Evans and Jasbir Jaspal.

Councillor Linda Leach declared a non-personal interest in item 7 (HRA development of sites at Ettingshall Road, Showell Circus and Villiers Avenue) in relation to her role as a Ward Councillor.  David Pattison, Chief Operating Officer advised that it was neither a disclosable percuniary or disclosable non-percuniary interest.

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

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 April 2022 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 City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of City Housing and Environment, to approve the award of a contract for Framework for Minor Works to Highways Structures when the evaluation process is complete.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Asbestos Removal when the evaluation process is complete.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Demolition of Void Buildings in Oxley and Hickman Avenue Depot when the evaluation process is complete.

4.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Fordhouse Industrial Estate – Roof replacement 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 Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Former Loxdale School – Conversion of site when the evaluation process is complete.

6.      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 the award of a contract for Heath Town Regeneration Project - Phase 2 when the evaluation process is complete.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed presented the report on the latest procurement activity for approval.  She highlighted that several important procurements were coming forward this month across the portfolios for City Environment and Climate Change, and City Assets and Housing. Also, in line with the Council's commitment to the Wolverhampton Pound and maximising the value of spend with local businesses, evidenced throughout the report were proposals to use procurement methods which would encourage local businesses to submit tenders.  The tender for minor works to highway structures was also a good example of collaborative working with other local authorities to reduce duplication of effort and find economies of scale.

Resolved:

1.    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 Framework for Minor Works to Highways Structures when the evaluation process is complete.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Asbestos Removal when the evaluation process is complete.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Demolition of Void Buildings in Oxley and Hickman Avenue Depot when the evaluation process is complete.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Fordhouse Industrial Estate – Roof replacement 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 Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for Former Loxdale School – Conversion of site when the evaluation process is complete.

6.    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 the award of a contract for Heath Town Regeneration Project - Phase 2 when the evaluation process is complete.

[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]

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

Councillor Obaida Ahmed presented, for information, the report on exemptions to Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance during March 2022.

Resolved:

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

[To approve revised proposals for the HRA development of three sites at Ettingshall Road, Showell Circus and Villiers Avenue]

1.      That the development of the three sites at Ettingshall Road, Showell Circus and Villiers Avenue for affordable housing be approved.

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 the appointment of a main contractor for each of the three sites.

3.      That it be noted that the three sites formerly identified for Passivhaus would now be developed with the aim of achieving the Government’s pending Future Homes Standard.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on a proposal to develop three sites at Ettingshall Road, Showell Circus and Villiers Avenue for affordable housing. The sites would be developed to the Future Homes Standard specification rather than as a Passivhaus development, thereby reducing construction costs and increasing much needed affordable housing in the city.

Resolved:

1.    That the development of the three sites at Ettingshall Road, Showell Circus and Villiers Avenue for affordable housing be approved.

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 the appointment of a main contractor for each of the three sites.

3.    That it be noted that the three sites formerly identified for Passivhaus would now be developed with the aim of achieving the Government’s pending Future Homes Standard.