Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Phil Page.

Cllr Johnson declared a disclosable non-pecuniary interest that he was Chair of Governors at a school discussed in agenda item 11.

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

The minutes of the meeting on 29 July were approved as an accurate record.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes.]

There were no matters arising.  

[To approve the allocation of funds to create a Changing Places toilet in the Mander Centre and the Civic Centre.]

Cllr Johnson moved the report on behalf of Cllr Gibson. She told the panel that the budget had already been agreed in the capital programme and that it was an allocation of funds. Cllr Evans supported the proposal. Cllr Reynolds requested that an appropriate response be composed to Mencap as a result of the additional Changing Places facilities. The response will be written in consultation with Cllr Reynolds. The panel was assured that the development of the Mander Centre would not interrupt the building of the Changing Places facilities.

Resolved:

To approve the allocation of £33,000 from the Short Breaks for Disabled Children capital scheme to create a Changing Places toilet in the Mander Centre and £40,000 to create a Changing Places toilet at the Civic Centre.

[To approve the approach to challenge schools’ balances and to receive further updates.]

Cllr Johnson presented the report in Cllr Page’s absence.

Resolved:

1.    To approve the approach to challenging schools around the level of their balances and their plans for those resources.

2.    To agree to receive further updates on the progress and actions agreed with schools.

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

Resolved:

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

[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:

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 the allocation of Big Lottery funds to HeadStart pilots.]

Cllr Gibson presented the report.

Resolved:

To approve the expenditure and allocation of Big Lottery funds to the Headstart Wolverhampton pilots.

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

Cllr Johnson presented the report.

Resolved:

1.    To authorise the award of a contract for Provision of Family Mediation Service to YMCA Black Country Group; the Chief Legal Officer to authorise the contract.

2.    To waive the contract procedure rules for a period of 24 months to enable Public Health to carry out a full review of current arrangements.

[To recommend that Council approve the funding strategy and new capital budget for the expansion programme.]

Cllr Bilson moved the report in the absence of Cllr Page.

Resolved:
That Cabinet (Resources) Panel approves the following recommendations for consideration by Council:

1.    To approve the proposed funding strategy for the 2015 Primary School Expansion Programme.

2.    To agree to the establishment of a new capital budget to support the proposed funding strategy for the 2015 Primary School Expansion Programme.

3.    To approve the need for the Council to underwrite the costs of prudential borrowing prior to uncommitted Building Schools for the Future capital receipts being realised and basic need allocations being made from central government.

That, subject to approval of the proposed funding strategy and the establishment of a new capital budget by Council, Cabinet (Resources) Panel agrees:

1.    To delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Education and Enterprise to approve the undertaking of any required statutory processes in relation to the enlargement of the 2015 Primary School Expansion Programme.

2.    To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning and the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Strategic Director for Education and Enterprise and Assistant Director (Finance) to approve any use of 2015 Primary School Expansion Programme Contingency Fund.

3.    To support the proposed approach to the establishment of a Growth Fund to support the delivery of education for the additional pupils in expanding schools, including referral to the Secretary of State for determination if local agreement cannot be reached.

4.    To note the potential conversion of The Royal School Wolverhampton to free school status and potential introduction of additional capacity.

5.    To note the ongoing need for contingency plans to ensure the provision of sufficient primary school places.

6.    To note that the current bulge in primary school pupil numbers will impact on the secondary estate in the short to medium term.

[To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, in consultation with the Assistant Director of Schools, Skills and Learning and the Assistant Director, Finance to accept the tender for the Primary School Capital Programme.]

Resolved:
To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, in consultation with the Assistant Director for Schools, Skills and Learning and Assistant Director, Finance, to accept the tender for the Primary School Capital Programme for the relevant schemes.

[To declare surplus the listed properties.]

Resolved:

To declare land and property surplus to requirements and agree their disposal, specifically:

1.    To declare surplus to requirements the sites identified for sale and to then dispose of that land for appropriate alternative uses on the open market by auction, tender or private treaty.

2.    To approve the proposed disposal by competitive tender of those non-strategic sites identified for an appropriate housing use to include elements of affordable housing where appropriate, and to agree to the principle of the potential transfer or disposal of the Dudley Road Schools site to enable a refurbishment or redevelopment scheme to be progressed following expiry of the current Lease term.

3.    To agree to progress the disposal of surplus garage sites by auction.

4.    To approve to progress the re-provision of sports pitches and facilities from the surplus sites to other open space, developing new, enhancing existing and safeguarding sports pitches along with the open space at these locations and subsequently granting leases of pitches and facilities to local sports and community groups.

5.    To approve the terms for the Independent Living Service to enter into a further short term interim lease of warehouse premises known as Titan 1.

6.    To approve the leasing out of sports facilities and playing fields at Goodyear Pavilion to enable the refurbishment of changing rooms in accordance with the section 106 provisions relating to the Akron Gate housing development.

7.    To approve the detail of any agreed terms for the disposal and/or leasing of the assets identified in the recommendations 1- 6 listed above by virtue of an individual executive decision delegated to the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity in consultation with the Strategic Director for Education and Enterprise.

Cllr Johnson introduced an urgent employment issue.

Resolved:

To delegate authority regarding the redundancy request to the Cabinet Members for Resources, and Governance and Performance, in consultation with the Strategic Director Delivery and Assistant Director Finance.