Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Peter Bilson, Claire Darke and Steve Evans.

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 14 April 2015 be approved as a correct record.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes.]

There were no matters arising.

[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, 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 under paragraph 3 relating to the business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

[To approve the development of a specialist housing scheme comprising 14 flats for those with mental health needs; and to advise of a funding bid made to the Homes and Communities Agency to provide grant support for a proposed CASSH scheme for those with mental health issues]

Councillor Mattu introduced the report, which sought approval for the development of a specialist housing scheme for those with mental health issues.

Resolved:

a)    That approval be given to the development of a specialist housing scheme comprising fourteen flats with support for those with mental health needs as part of the wider development of a cleared site for housing at Fifth Avenue, Low Hill (one of three sites collectively known as the Tap Works Development Scheme, comprising sites on Showell Road, Fifth Avenue and Broome Road).

b)    That, subject to a successful bid to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), approval be given to expenditure in the sum of £730,000 from the former Tap Works housing development site allocation in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to provide the balance of funding required for the scheme.

c)    That a further report be presented to approve the final arrangements and delivery partner for the Taps Works scheme, to include the proposed Care and Support Specialist Housing (CASSH) scheme and to receive an update on the outcome of the bid to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for grant funding to support the CASSH scheme.

[To award contracts and approve arrangements for the award and execution of those contracts]

The recommendations for the award of contracts for works, goods and services were introduced by the relevant Cabinet portfolio holders. 

Resolved:

a)    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, in consultation with the Strategic Director for Education, to approve the award of contracts for provision of transport for home to school and swimming when the evaluation process is complete.

b)    That the contract for Debt Refinancing Consultancy for BSF PFI schemes be awarded to Ernst and Young LLP, Birmingham, for a duration of four months from 9 June to 30 September 2015 for a total contract value of £112,000.

c)    That the contract for repair and maintenance of memorial stones be awarded to Memsafe Limited, Gwent, for a duration of five years from 1 August 2015 to 31 July 2020 for a total contract value of £108,625.

d)    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People in consultation with the Strategic Director for People, to approve the award of a contract for Children and Young People Service Transformation Consultancy when the evaluation process is complete.

e)    That authority be delegated to the Leader if the Council, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to approve the award of a contract for phase 2 of client support and economic analysis for the Combined Authority to Metro Dynamics Limited, London, should this be required.

f)     That the contract for Service User Involvement Team (SUIT) with Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council be extended for a period of fourteen months from 1 October 2015 to 30 November 2016 with an extension value of £152,265.

g)    That the contract for Advice Agencies Consortia with Citizens Advice Bureau be extended for a period of fourteen months from 1 October 2015 to 30 November 2016 with an extension value of £86,409.

h)   That the contract for Young People People’s Counselling Services with Base 25 be extended for a period of fourteen months from 1 October 2015 to 30 November 2016 with an extension value of £70,276.

i)     That the contract for the Intuitive Recovery Service with Intuitive Recovery of City View House, Manchester be extended for a period of fourteen months from 1 October 2015 to 30 November 2016 with an extension value of £49,000.

j)      That authority be delegated to the Director of Governance to execute contracts in respect of the above as required.

[To seek authorisation to undertake a debt refinancing for Highfields and Penn Building Schools for the Future Private Finance Initiative schemes in order that significant long term savings to the Council can be secured]

Councillor Johnson introduced the report, which sought authorisation to undertake debt refinancing (the Debt Refinancing) for Highfields and Penn BSF PFI schemes in order to secure long term savings to the Council.

The proposal would also require the Council to undertake further borrowing and make associated payments.  This borrowing would, however, be on more advantageous terms than existing arrangements and completion of the refinancing of the existing debt would result in significant financial benefits for the Council in both the immediate and longer terms.

Resolved:

a)    That employees be authorised to progress Debt Refinancing for Highfields and Penn BSF PFI schemes as detailed in the report submitted.

b)    That the Council be authorised to enter into a Deed of Variation to the PFI Project Agreement relating to Highfields School and Penn Fields Special School, made between (1) Wolverhampton City Council and (2) Inspiredspaces Wolverhampton (Projectco 1) Limited (the Contractor) dated 30 April 2010, in order to carry out the Debt Refinancing.

c)    That the Council be authorised to enter into any other deeds or contracts necessary for the Debt Refinancing to be completed and/or prepare relevant business cases for submission to the Department for Education (DfE) or HM Treasury.

d)    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education and Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Education and Director of Finance, in regard to the final decision on this matter and the final details of the transaction.

e)    That approval be given to costs of up to £1 million being incurred to progress the Debt Refinancing to be met from the efficiency reserve.

f)     That authority be delegated to the Director of Governance to execute all contract documentation.