Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Obaida Ahmed, Jasbir Jaspal and 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 18 January 2023 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 Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Deputy Director of Assets, to approve the award of a contract for the Crown Street Recycle Waste Site Refurbishment 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 Lone Worker Device 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 Public Health, to approve the award of a contract for Gym Equipment 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 Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for Taxi Licensing Signage when the evaluation process is complete.

5.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Director of Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for the Extension of the Colton Hills Community School Dining Café 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 Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for the Refurbishment of the Ground Floor of the Civic Centre for Relocation of Black Country HealthPartnership (BCHP) when the evaluation process is complete.

7.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Director of Adult Services, to approve the award of a contract for Adult Service redesign when the evaluation process is complete.

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report on the latest procurement activity across the City Assets and Housing, Governance and Equalities, City Environment and Climate Change, and Adults portfolios. Delegated authority was sought to award seven contracts once the evaluation process is complete. He informed the meeting that in line with the Council's commitment to the Wolverhampton Pound, there was an opportunity in the procurement activity for local businesses. The contract ‘Refurbishment of the Ground Floor of the Civic Centre for Relocation of Black Country HealthPartnership (BCHP) was an example of this. The use of the Civic Centre by the BCHP was also an example of the multi-agency partnership working taking place.

Resolved:

1.    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 the Crown Street Recycle Waste Site Refurbishment 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 Lone Worker Device 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 Public Health, to approve the award of a contract for Gym Equipment 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 Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for Taxi Licensing Signage when the evaluation process is complete.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Director of Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for the Extension of the Colton Hills Community School Dining Café 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 Resident Services, to approve the award of a contract for the Refurbishment of the Ground Floor of the Civic Centre for Relocation of Black Country HealthPartnership when the evaluation process is complete.

7.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, in consultation with the Director of Adult Services, to approve the award of a contract for Adult Service redesign when the evaluation process is complete.

[To present the annual review of fees for adult social care and support providers]

1.     That the proposed increases in care fee levels for 2023/2024 as set out in Table 1 be approved to ensure sufficiency and sustainability across Adult Social Care markets.

2.     That increases be approved with effect from 3 April 2023 to align to corporate payment systems.

Table 1 – Proposed Care Fees for 2023/2024

*This is the current maximum home care rate. Where providers have tendered lower than this rate then the same percentage uplift  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

Councillor Linda Leach presented the report on the proposed increase to adult social care fees for 2023-2024 for externally commissioned care and support services, including direct payments and individual service funds, following the annual review of the rates paid by the Council. The proposed fees equated to a substantial investment of £11.8 million into the care market for 2023-2024.  A 12% increase was proposed for community based care and residential care and a 20% increase was proposed for nursing care. 

Resolved:

1.    That the proposed increases in care fee levels for 2023/2024 as set out in Table 1 be approved to ensure sufficiency and sustainability across Adult Social Care markets.

2.    That increases be approved with effect from 3 April 2023 to align to corporate payment systems.

Table 1– Proposed Care Fees for 2023/2024

[To seek approval to enter into a new lease agreement]

1.      That the Council enter into a lease renewal on Units 4-6 Racecourse Road upon expiry of the existing lease for a term of five years commencing 27 January 2023 with the lease to contain a tenant break option exercisable at the end of year three (on service of 6 months formal notice).

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 rental value and terms of the proposed lease renewal through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal presented the report on a proposal for the Council to enter into a new five year lease renewal on Units 4-6 Racecourse Road, to continue the current occupation by the Council’s Adult Social Care Community Equipment service for storage of adult services equipment and vehicles. No viable alternative premises had been identified for storage of the  equipment and vehicles. The lease renewal would allow the continued delivery of the adult services equipment to support ongoing needs of  Wolverhampton’s residents.

Resolved:

1.    That the Council enter into a lease renewal on Units 4-6 Racecourse Road upon expiry of the existing lease for a term of five years commencing 27 January 2023 with the lease to contain a tenant break option exercisable at the end of year three (on service of 6 months formal notice).

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 rental value and terms of the proposed lease renewal through an Individual Executive Decision Notice.

[To seek approval to receive grants to continue to manage and deliver the Youth Employment Hub in Wolverhampton city centre]

1.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, in consultation with the Director of Finance, Executive Director of Families and the Chief Operating Officer to:

a.      Approve the Council entering into the required grant agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to continue to deliver the Youth Employment Hub in Wolverhampton to support young people aged 16-24 years old into employment and training opportunities.

b.      Approve the creation of the necessary supplementary revenue budgets to deliver the project.

c.      Approve the Council entering into any agreements necessary for it manage the Hub at agreed premises in the city centre.

d.      Approve the continuation of such funding arrangements with DWP at the end of 12 month period should further funding be made available by DWP Flexible Support Fund to support the ongoing delivery of a Youth Employment Hub in Wolverhampton city centre.

2.      That it be noted that European Social Fund (ESF) funded Black Country Impact key workers would be based at the Hub and would provide support to young people at the Hub.  Black Country Impact funding has been approved to be continued for another year until October 2023.

3.      That it be noted that Wolves at Work 18-24 funded recruitment staff would operate from the Hub to support young people to access job opportunities.  This project is currently in place until March 2024.

Councillor Christopher Burden presented the report on progress made so far in delivering the Wolverhampton Youth Employment Hub and seeking approval to accept more funding from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for the continued delivery of the Youth Hub at The Way Zone in the city centre. The grant award would be used to cover the costs of employing a co-ordinator and a customer services officer for another 12 months and to fund activities and expenses such as Jobs Fairs, marketing and branding for projects.  Due to the success of the Youth Hub in year 1, the DWP had requested that the Council increase the number of referrals to the Hub from 300 to 500 people in year 2 and increased the target for young people moved into work from 20% to 30%. It was estimated that the new targets were achievable as they had been exceeded during year 1 of the Hub.

Resolved:

1.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City, in consultation with the Director of Finance, Executive Director of Families and the Chief Operating Officer to:

a.      Approve the Council entering into the required grant agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to continue to deliver the Youth Employment Hub in Wolverhampton to support young people aged 16-24 years old into employment and training opportunities.

b.      Approve the creation of the necessary supplementary revenue budgets to deliver the project.

c.      Approve the Council entering into any agreements necessary for it to manage the Hub at agreed premises in the city centre.

d.      Approve the continuation of such funding arrangements with DWP at the end of 12 month period should further funding be made available by DWP Flexible Support Fund to support the ongoing delivery of a Youth Employment Hub in Wolverhampton city centre.

2.      That it be noted that European Social Fund (ESF) funded Black Country Impact key workers would be based at the Hub and would provide support to young people at the Hub.  Black Country Impact funding had been approved to be continued for another year until October 2023.

3.      That it be noted that Wolves at Work 18-24 funded recruitment staff would operate from the Hub to support young people to access job opportunities.  This project is currently in place until March 2024.

[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).

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

1.      That the contract for Water Elements Testing be awarded to Integrated Water Services Limited of Green Lane, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 7PD for a duration of 18 months from 1 March 2023 to 31 August 2024 with a contract value of £487,750.

2.      That a variation of the contract for Provision of Voluntary and Community Services be approved for a duration of six months from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023:

a.      With Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council of 16 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN for Lot 1 Infrastructure Support with a variation value of £50,000. 

b.      With Jobchange 2007 of 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HL for Lot 2 Job Brokerage with a variation value of £50,000.

c.      With Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council of 16 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN for Lot 3 Structured and Supported Volunteering with a variation value of £30,000.

d.      With Access to Business of The Curve, 81 Tempest St, Wolverhampton WV2 1AA for Lot 4 Self-employment with a variation value of £34,500. 

e.      With Jobchange 2007 of 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HL for Lot 5 Information Advice and Guidance with a variation value of £25,000.

f.        With Citizens Advice Bureau Wolverhampton of 26 Snow Hill, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AD for Lot 6 Welfare Support Service with a variation value of £132,500.

g.      With Good Shepherd Wolverhampton of 65 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QU for Lot 7 with a variation value £26,705.

3.      That the contract for Pre-paid Cards be awarded to EML Payments Limited, trading as Prepaid Financial Services Limited, 4th Floor 35 Great St. Helens, London, England, EC3A 6AP for a duration of four years from 28 February 2023 to 27 February 2027 for a total contract value of £316,800.

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

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 of Finance from 1 to 31 December 2022.

Resolved:

1.    That the contract for Water Elements Testing be awarded to Integrated Water Services Limited of Green Lane, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 7PD for a duration of 18 months from 1 March 2023 to 31 August 2024 with a contract value of £487,750.

2.    That a variation of the contract for Provision of Voluntary and Community Services be approved for a duration of six months from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023:

a.     With Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council of 16 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN for Lot 1 Infrastructure Support with a variation value of £50,000. 

b.     With Jobchange 2007 of 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HL for Lot 2 Job Brokerage with a variation value of £50,000.

c.      With Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council of 16 Temple Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN for Lot 3 Structured and Supported Volunteering with a variation value of £30,000.

d.     With Access to Business of The Curve, 81 Tempest St, Wolverhampton WV2 1AA for Lot 4 Self-employment with a variation value of £34,500. 

e.     With Jobchange 2007 of 10 Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HL for Lot 5 Information Advice and Guidance with a variation value of £25,000.

f.       With Citizens Advice Bureau Wolverhampton of 26 Snow Hill, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AD for Lot 6 Welfare Support Service with a variation value of £132,500.

g.     With Good Shepherd Wolverhampton of 65 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QU for Lot 7 with a variation value £26,705.

3.    That the contract for Pre-paid Cards be awarded to EML Payments Limited, trading as Prepaid Financial Services Limited, 4th Floor 35 Great St. Helens, London, England, EC3A 6AP for a duration of four years from 28 February 2023 to 27 February 2027 for a total contract value of £316,800.

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