Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Beverley Momenabadi.

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 7 September 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 Communications and Visitor Experience, to approve the award of a contract for the demolition of 1-7A Cleveland Street when the evaluation process is complete.

2.      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 Bilston markets 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 City Housing and Environment, to approve the award of a contract for professional services for Wednesfield Towns Fund project development when the evaluation process is complete.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed presented the report seeking delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with Directors, to award contracts on the latest procurement activity from the City Environment and Climate Change portfolio. She informed Cabinet that in line with the Council's commitment to the Wolverhampton Pound, and maximising the value of spend to local businesses, the procurement report evidenced that this requirement is considered when any procurement activity takes place.

Cabinet noted that the contracts were of particular significance and interest to the development of the city. The contract for the demolition of 1-7A Cleveland Street would enable the future development of the Bell Place Box Space project, a state of the art food hub for that part of the city centre. The contract for Bilston markets would see the markets transformed with enhancements, raising its profile locally and securing its future. The contract for professional services for Wednesfield Towns Fund project development would provide for high street enhancements.

Cabinet placed on record its thanks to the Towns Fund Board for its support, through the Towns Fund Allocation, for the schemes in Bilston and Wednesfield.

Resolved:

1.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Communications and Visitor Experience, to approve the award of a contract for Demolition of 1-7A Cleveland Street when the evaluation process is complete.

2.    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 Bilston Markets 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 City Housing and Environment, to approve the award of a contract for Professional Services for Wednesfield Towns Fund project development 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 report 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 the contract for Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Extension Full Business Case on behalf of Black Country Transport be awarded to Amey Consulting of Chancery Exchange, 10 Furnival Street, London, United Kingdom, EC4A 1AB for a duration of one year from 31 October 2022 to 30 October 2023 for a total contract value of £670,000. 

2.      That the contract for Provision of Voluntary and Community Services be varied:

·        With Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council of 16 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN for Lot 1 Infrastructure Support from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £50,000. 

·        With Jobchange 2007 of 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HL for Lot 2 Job Brokerage from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £50,000.

·        With Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council of 16 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN for Lot 3 Structured and Supported Volunteering from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £30,000.

·        With Access to Business of The Curve, 81 Tempest Street, Wolverhampton WV2 1AA for Lot 4 Self-employment Advice from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £34,500.

·        With Jobchange 2007 of 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HL for Lot 5 Information Advice and Guidance from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £25,000.

·        With Citizens Advice Bureau Wolverhampton of 26 Snow Hill, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AD for Lot 6 Welfare Support Service from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £132,500.

3.      That the contract for Supply of Four Battery Electric Precinct Compact Sweepers be awarded to Bunce (Ashbury) Limited, Ashbury, Swindon, SN6 8LW for a total contract value of £704,000. 

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

Councillor Obaida Ahmed 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 from 1 to 31 August 2022.

Cabinet welcomed the contract to procure four battery electric precinct compact sweepers, which would further support the Council’s climate change agenda.

Resolved:

1.    That the contract for Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Extension Full Business Case on behalf of Black Country Transport be awarded to Amey Consulting of Chancery Exchange, 10 Furnival Street, London, United Kingdom, EC4A 1AB for a duration of one year from 31 October 2022 to 30 October 2023 for a total contract value of £670,000. 

2.    That the contract for Provision of Voluntary and Community Services be varied:

·           With Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council of 16 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN for Lot 1 Infrastructure Support from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £50,000. 

·           With Jobchange 2007 of 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HL for Lot 2 Job Brokerage from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £50,000.

·           With Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council of 16 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN for Lot 3 Structured and Supported Volunteering from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £30,000.

·           With Access to Business of The Curve, 81 Tempest Street, Wolverhampton WV2 1AA for Lot 4 Self-employment Advice from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £34,500.

·           With Jobchange 2007 of 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HL for Lot 5 Information Advice and Guidance from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £25,000.

·           With Citizens Advice Bureau Wolverhampton of 26 Snow Hill, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AD for Lot 6 Welfare Support Service from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 with a variation value of £132,500.

3.    That the contract for Supply of Four Battery Electric Precinct Compact Sweepers be awarded to Bunce (Ashbury) Limited, Ashbury, Swindon, SN6 8LW for a total contract value of £704,000. 

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

[To approve the proposal for the acquisition and redevelopment of 251-253 Tettenhall Road]

1.      That the proposal to negotiate with the current property owner the surrender of the existing lease in relation to 251-253 Tettenhall Road be approved.

2.      That the virement of funds for the acquisition of the freehold interest of 251-253 Tettenhall Road as detailed in section 1.3 of the report be approved.

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 negotiated terms for the lease surrender and acquisition of 251-253 Tettenhall Road through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

4.      That the future freehold disposal of 251-253 Tettenhall Road via the open market disposal methods of either auction or informal tender upon terms and conditions to be agreed, be approved.

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 terms of a future disposal through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

6.      That the current condition and reasons why continued use of 251-253 Tettenhall Road as temporary accommodation (TA) is not appropriate or desirable be noted.

7.      That the agreement of the current property owner to negotiate the surrender of the lease and the sale of the property to the Council be noted.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on a proposal for the acquisition and redevelopment of 251-253 Tettenhall Road Wolverhampton, a two storey detached dwelling.

Resolved:

1.    That the proposal to negotiate with the current property owner the surrender of the existing lease in relation to 251-253 Tettenhall Road be approved.

2.    That the virement of funds for the acquisition of the freehold interest of 251-253 Tettenhall Road as detailed in section 1.3 of the report be approved.

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 negotiated terms for the lease surrender and acquisition of 251-253 Tettenhall Road through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

4.    That the future freehold disposal of 251-253 Tettenhall Road via the open market disposal methods of either auction or informal tender upon terms and conditions to be agreed, be approved.

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 terms of a future disposal through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

6.    That the current condition and reasons why continued use of 251-253 Tettenhall Road as temporary accommodation (TA) is not appropriate or desirable be noted.

7.    That the agreement of the current property owner to negotiate the surrender of the lease and the sale of the property to the Council be noted.