Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

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

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes.]

There were no matters arising.

[To review treasury management activity for the year to date.]

Cllr Johnson introduced the report which outlined the savings made for the General Fund and Housing Revenue account in 2014/15 due to changes in the Council’s minimum revenue provision.

Resolved:

To note the savings of £4.5 million for the General Fund and £6.0 million for the Housing Revenue Account from treasury management activities in 2014/15.

[To consider changes to the Council’s discretionary rate relief scheme.]

Cllr Johnson introduced the report which outlined the changes to business rates and rate relief. Cllr Johnson indicated that the first two proposals related to discounted rate relief as a result of the Autumn Statement and that the third proposal is an extension of the current programme of rate relief.

Resolved:

(1)  To approve an addition to the local scheme for business rates discretionary relief to replace statutory transitional relief in line with government proposals.

(2)  To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance to finalise the policy detail on discretionary (transitional) relief after review of government guidance.

(3)  To delegate authority to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to award relief in respect of this addition to the scheme, noting that updates on the numbers and value of such awards will be reported to Cabinet (Resources) Panel for information on a quarterly basis.

(4)  To approve a revision to the local scheme in relation to discretionary (retail discount) relief in line with government proposals.

(5)  To approve the extension of the scheme for discretionary rate relief for charitable and voluntary organisations for 2015/16.

[To agree action in relation to an empty house under the Empty Property Strategy.]

Cllr Bilson introduced the report which outlined the Councils intention to enter into negotiations to acquire the property at 14a Park Avenue under the empty property strategy. Christopher Hale, Head of Housing informed the Panel that this property was within Park electoral ward and not St Peter’s as outlined on the front page of the report.

Resolved:

(1)  To include Corner House, 14a Park Avenue under the empty property strategy 2010-2015.

(2)  To authorise employees to enter into formal negotiations to acquire the property by agreement.

(3)  To approve in principle, the use of compulsory purchase action if required.

[To note the summary of open and exempt individual executive decisions approved by the appropriate Cabinet Members following consultation with the relevant employees.]

Resolved:

To note the summary of open and exempt individual executive decisions approved by the appropriate Cabinet Members following consultation with the relevant employees.

[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.]

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 falling within the paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Act set out below:

[To approve a revised funding strategy for the 2015 Primary School Expansion Programme.]

Cllr Page introduced the report which sought approval of additional funds required for the 2015 primary expansion programme through existing unallocated revenue streams.

Resolved:

(1)  To approve a revised funding strategy for the 2015 Primary School Expansion Programme in order to support the Programme’s enlargement.

(2)  To approve a virement of £200,000 from the 2014 Primary School Expansion Programme and a virement of £653,000 from unallocated funding in the schools capital programme into the 2015 Primary School Expansion Programme and use of the contingency within the 2015 Programme of £847,000 to meet the additional costs for programme enlargement.

(3)  To delegate authority to Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning in consultation with the Director of Education and Director of Finance, to accept tenders within the agreed funding for schemes within the 2015 Primary School Expansion Programme.

[To consider an application for a discretionary grant.]

Cllr Steve Evans introduced the report which sought approval for a discretionary disabled facilities grant.

Resolved:

(1)  To approve the request of Mr and Mrs B for a discretionary disabled facilities grant to top up expenditure in excess of the maximum mandatory grant of £30,000, in order to provide suitable facilities for their daughter to remain safe in the family home.

(2)  That the full amount of any discretionary grant paid become repayable to the Council if the property is sold within ten years of the completion of the work.

[To consider future arrangements for the delivery of private sector housing assistance.]

Cllr Bilson introduced the report proposing to support residents living in private sector housing, through the Wolverhampton Homes Improvement Service.

Resolved:

(1)  To continue the arrangements to deliver the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy through the Wolverhampton Home Improvement Service (WHIS) and Wolverhampton Homes through a Teckal agreement.

(2)  To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, in consultation with the Strategic Director – Place, to appoint contractors to deliver some of the works elements currently exempted by waiver agreement following a procurement framework process.

(3)  To maintain existing delivery arrangements if necessary should the tendering process extend beyond 31 March 2015.

[To agree the award of a contract for lift maintenance and servicing.]

Cllr Johnson introduced the report proposing the letting of a contract.

Resolved:

(1)  To award a contract to Concept Elevators (Midlands) Ltd of Cannock, Staffordshire, for Lift Maintenance and Servicing.

(2)  To delegate authority to the Director of Governance to execute contracts in respect of the above as required.