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 16 November 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To provide an update on the Levelling Up Round 2 bids for Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme and Green Innovation Corridor that were submitted to Government during July 2022]

1.   That authority be delegated to the Deputy Leader: Inclusive City Economy and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City in consultation with the Directors for Regeneration and Finance and the Chief Operating Officer to:

a.      Approve the Council entering into the relevant Memorandum of Understandings, Grant Agreements and any other necessary ancillary agreements as required (subject to confirmation of associated final terms and conditions) in the event of successful bid awards. 

b.      Approve any required revisions to the project scope, outputs and outcomes of each bid and project components (with the input of key stakeholders) in the event of a reduced Grant Award (s) to inform the final Full Business Cases.

c.      Approve that the Council are to Act as Accountable Body for the funding, subject to a successful bid, under the proposed Green Innovation Corridor.

2.      That it be noted that the Council has submitted two Levelling Up Fund Round 2 bids for Wolverhampton North East and Wolverhampton South East constituencies respectively on 27 July 2022 following all necessary consultations and MP endorsement and approval for each bid.

3.      That it be noted that the Wolverhampton South East Levelling Up Fund bid comprises the Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme and the Wolverhampton North East Levelling Up bid comprises the Springfield Innovation Hub that is the first phase of the Green Innovation Corridor.

4.      That it be noted that the Outline Business Cases for the Bilston Markets External Works, Public Realm and Active Travel Corridor projects which form part of the  Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme and Springfield Innovation Hub, Phase 1 are attached at Appendix 1 and 2 respectively to the report.  The Bilston Health and Well Being Hub business case that also forms part of the Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme would be referenced in a separate Cabinet report.

5.      That it be noted that the bids were based on approved bid submissions in accordance with Levelling Up Fund guidelines as detailed in the body of the report.  The projects at Outline Business Case stage would need to progress to the Full Business Case stage which would be presented for final approvals reflecting any and all variations and changes to the delivery of the planned projects.

6.      That it be noted that the date for the notification of the bid outcome has provisionally been referenced as calendar year end (this may be subject to change).

7.      That it be noted that the final Full Business Cases for each project would be presented to Cabinet at a future date outlining all financial, legal and procurement implications in line with Council governance and best practise.

Councillor Stephen Simkins presented the update report on the recent submission of Levelling Up Round 2 bids for Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme (HaRP) and The Springfield Innovation Hub projects. Delegated authority was sought to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement and other legal and contractual arrangements in order to progress the projects in a timely manner if the bids are successful.

The Bilston HaRP bid comprised two distinct but interrelated elements, a new Health and Wellbeing Hub to form an extension to the existing Bert Williams Leisure Centre, and additional works for the Bilston Markets External Works, Public Realm and Active Travel Corridor projects. The Springfield Innovation Hub was an integral first phase of Wolverhampton's ambitious Green Innovation Corridor that would support the growth of new green industries, turbocharging economic prosperity and closing the productivity gap.

Resolved:

1.   That authority be delegated to the Deputy Leader: Inclusive City Economy and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City in consultation with the Directors for Regeneration and Finance and the Chief Operating Officer to:

a.      Approve the Council entering into the relevant Memorandum of Understandings, Grant Agreements and any other necessary ancillary agreements as required (subject to confirmation of associated final terms and conditions) in the event of successful bid awards. 

b.      Approve any required revisions to the project scope, outputs and outcomes of each bid and project components (with the input of key stakeholders) in the event of a reduced Grant Award (s) to inform the final Full Business Cases.

c.      Approve that the Council are to Act as Accountable Body for the funding, subject to a successful bid, under the proposed Green Innovation Corridor.

2.      That it be noted that the Council has submitted two Levelling Up Fund Round 2 bids for Wolverhampton North East and Wolverhampton South East constituencies respectively on 27 July 2022 following all necessary consultations and MP endorsement and approval for each bid.

3.      That it be noted that the Wolverhampton South East Levelling Up Fund bid comprises the Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme and the Wolverhampton North East Levelling Up bid comprises the Springfield Innovation Hub that is the first phase of the Green Innovation Corridor.

4.      That it be noted that the Outline Business Cases for the Bilston Markets External Works, Public Realm and Active Travel Corridor projects which form part of the  Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme and Springfield Innovation Hub, Phase 1 are attached at Appendix 1 and 2 respectively to the report.  The Bilston Health and Well Being Hub business case that also forms part of the Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme would be referenced in a separate Cabinet report.

5.      That it be noted that the bids were based on approved bid submissions in accordance with Levelling Up Fund guidelines as detailed in the body of the report.  The projects at Outline Business Case stage would need to progress to the Full Business Case stage which would be presented for final approvals reflecting any and all variations and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[To provide background regarding the vacant school’s caretaker houses within the city and to declare them surplus prior to disposal where viable]

1.   That the following former school caretaker houses be declared surplus to Council requirements:

·        Claregate Primary, Fallings Park Primary, Perry Hall Primary *(Pending surrender of lease)

2.   That the disposal of the assets listed above via open market disposal method, of either auction or informal tender upon terms and conditions to be agreed 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 terms of the disposal through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

4.    That the investment strategy as outlined in section 3 of the report be noted.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on a proposal to declare former school caretaker houses at Claregate Primary, Fallings Park Primary, Perry Hall Primary surplus to the Council's requirements and to dispose of the assets by either auction or informal tender.  The houses were vacant and had been declared surplus to the Schools requirements. It was noted that the proposals were a valuable contribution to the delivery of the Council's Strategic Asset Plan. The report also set out an investment strategy for caretaker properties located around the city that are also surplus to educational requirements, but due to their position within the school site boundary, render themselves unviable for disposal and would benefit from investment to bring them back into use.

Resolved:

1.   That the following former school caretaker houses be declared surplus to Council requirements:

·        Claregate Primary, Fallings Park Primary, Perry Hall Primary *(Pending surrender of lease)

2.   That the disposal of the assets listed above via open market disposal method, of either auction or informal tender upon terms and conditions to be agreed 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 terms of the disposal through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

4.      That the investment strategy as outlined in section 3 of the report be noted.

[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]

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).

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).

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 Platform for Care  be awarded to OLM System of 10 Station Road, Cairns House, Teddington, TW11 9AA for a duration of seven years from 1 February 2023 to 31 January 2030 for a total contract value of £2,276,031.

2.      That the contract for the Infection Prevention Control Service be awarded to Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust of Wolverhampton Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP for a duration of four years from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2027 for a total contract value of £600,000.

3.      That the contract for the Tuberculosis (TB) Service be awarded to Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust of Wolverhampton Road, Wolverhampton West Midlands WV10 0QP for a duration of two years from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025 for a total contract value of £450,332.

4.      That the exemptions to the Contract Procedure Rules approved by the Head of Procurement and Director of Finance from 1 to 31 October 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 30 October 2022.

Resolved:

1.    That the contract for Platform for Care  be awarded to OLM System of 10 Station Road, Cairns House, Teddington, TW11 9AA for a duration of seven years from 1 February 2023 to 31 January 2030 for a total contract value of £2,276,031.

2.    That the contract for the Infection Prevention Control Service be awarded to Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust of Wolverhampton Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 0QP for a duration of four years from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2027 for a total contract value of £600,000.

3.    That the contract for the Tuberculosis (TB) Service be awarded to Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust of Wolverhampton Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 0QP for a duration of two years from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025 for a total contract value of £450,332.

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