Agenda and minutes

[To receive any apologies for absence]. 

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Val Evans.

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy sent his apologies due to illness. 

[To receive any declarations of interest]. 

There were no declarations of interest.

[To consider the Wolverhampton Local Development Scheme, the report to be received by Cabinet on Wednesday, 26 October 2022 is attached].

[Please note: Should the decision taken by Cabinet on Wednesday, 26 October 2022 be Called-in, then this item will become a Call-in item and proceeded with as detailed in the Council’s Constitution].   

The Chair explained that the decision on the Wolverhampton Local Development Scheme taken by Cabinet on Wednesday, 26 October 2022 had been called-in by the Vice-Chair of Scrutiny Board, Cllr Ellis Turrell.  This meant the decision by Cabinet could not be implemented until Scrutiny had considered the matter and made any recommendations.  The decision taken by Cabinet had been as follows: -

1.     That the Wolverhampton Local Development Scheme (2022-2025) attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved upon formal confirmation that the Draft Black Country Plan is no longer proceeding. 

2.     That a further report to approve Issues and Preferred Options consultation on a Wolverhampton Local Plan covering the period to 2040, which would??build on work already completed through the Draft Black Country Plan be submitted to a future meeting.

3.     That it be noted that the Black Country Plan preparation process has now ceased following the announcement of the intended withdrawal of Dudley Council.

The Vice-Chair commented that the Scrutiny Board had the following options available on the item: -

a)    note the decision, which can then be implemented immediately;  

b)    ask the Cabinet to reconsider the decision (a decision can only be reconsidered once) 

c)     refer the decision to Full Council’s next meeting to see if it wishes the decision to be reconsidered.

The Vice-Chair gave a statement as to why he had called-in the decision by Cabinet.  He commented that it was a very important matter as it would be the Council’s Housing Development plan up until 2040.  He said that the Cabinet had wanted the decision to be taken under the special urgency powers in the Constitution, which would have meant no scrutiny could have taken place before or after the decision.  This was why he had not consented to the decision being taken under the special urgency provisions.   He was aware there was considerable opposition from residents for building on the green belt.  It was important to consider all options now Wolverhampton were developing their own plan, including possibly reissuing a call for sites.  There were issues about the plan to date in how it met the provisions of the requirements of the NPPF (National planning Policy Framework) particularly around the requirements of open space and the need to replace open space if it was taken away.   He wanted the matter to be considered by Full Council.

The Chief Executive remarked that the Cabinet Decision was very much about the process of moving towards a Wolverhampton Local Development plan.  There was a whole plan, consultation process and approval process to follow in the future, including taking it to Full Council. 

A Member asked for reassurance that there were enough planning staff to undertake the required work on the Wolverhampton Local Development Plan within the appropriate timescales.  The Chief Executive responded that they were looking to utilise on the work already completed on the Black Country Draft Local Plan so they did not lose any unnecessary time and incur additional expense.  The Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

[To receive a presentation on the evening on City Centre Regeneration]. 

A presentation was given on City Centre Regeneration by the Director of Regeneration, and The Head of City Development.  A copy of the presentation is attached to the signed minutes.  The Chair had invited all Members of the Economy and Growth Scrutiny Panel for the item.

There was a comprehensive discussion about hotels, where they should be located and how they should be funded.  The Director of Regeneration commented that it was hoped a report on hotel options would come before Cabinet in the next few months. 

The Vice-Chair stated that he thought the City Centre was in a poor state.  Businesses were still closing and moving out of the City Centre.  There were also considerable empty units in the City Centre.  He was concerned about smashed windows in buildings.  He was particularly concerned about the St. George’s site.  He commented that the Government had strengthened compulsory order purchase powers, but he felt the Council had not used them enough.  He believed that without the help of the Government and the WMCA the position would be even worse in the City.    

The Director of Regeneration stated that the Council had looked to compulsory purchase Shakespeare House, 66- 70 Lichfield Site, but the owner’s assessment of the value did not match the Council’s.  They had changed the usage which made a CPO very difficult. 

The Vice-Chair commented that he was most concerned about derelict buildings in the City Centre, Shakespeare House was now being used as apartments and was not a derelict building.  He asked why the Council were not looking to purchase derelict buildings.  The Director of Regeneration responded that it came down to influence with third parties and trying to encourage them to develop.  If it was part of a key strategic objective the Council would consider a CPO.

A Panel Member praised the work that was taking place near the Canals.  He hoped the local nature reserve could be promoted as part of Wolverhampton’s green space.   He hoped a hotel could soon be developed, he had speeches going back to 2005 when he had raised the need. 

Some Panel Members praised the money, over a billion pounds, which the City had received from Government to help with regeneration projects.

A Panel Member asked if a compensation package would be put in place for businesses on North Street, like was being considered for businesses on Victoria Street due to the Public Realm works.  The Director of Regeneration responded that it was the Council’s intention to provide business support.  Ongoing conversations were taking place on the next steps. 

A Panel Member raised a concern about the building site near the Molineux ground.  The site was not secure and businesses were raising concerns with him due to their buildings being damaged.  He had some photos which he could send to the Director.  The Director responded that he would welcome the photos and could raise a concern with the contractors.  

A Member of the Panel asked if the Council had received assurances  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[To receive a presentation on Visitor Experience: Strategy, Plan and Budget]. 

A presentation on Visitor Experience, Strategy, Plan and budget was given by the Director of Communications and Visitor Experience, and the Visitor Economy Manager.  A copy of the presentation slides are attached to the signed minutes. 

A Member of the Panel asked how many people attended the Speedway and Greyhound Racing at the Racecourse.  These people often went on to buy food and drink within the City at other venues. The Director of Communications and Visitor Experience commented that it was a point well made and more could be detailed on the benefits of the Racecourse in the future.  The Council were keen to build on some of the sporting elements in the City. 

A Panel Member asked if the Council wanted the City to have a unique signature event in 5-10 years’ time.  The Director of Communications and Visitor Experience responded that it was certainly an ambition but one that needed to be carefully considered.  He couldn’t put a timeframe on the ambition, but he certainly wanted to see some UK profile events in the City.  Achieving a unique signature event was a challenge.

There was a discussion about what success would look like in the City.  The Director of Communications and Visitor Experience stressed the importance of performance metrics and indicators to be able to judge success. 

The Vice-Chair referred to the events budget in the previous year having been exceeded by £200,000.   He expressed surprise that the Council had been putting on some events without a pre-established budget.  The Relight Festival did not have a budget but had cost the Council nearly £160,000.  He expressed concern about the budgets and profits for Council run events.  He wasn’t sure how indirect economic benefit was calculated.  He asked about the costs of the external consultants IPW.  He felt analysis of demand was important before events were hosted. 

The Director of Communications and Visitor Experience responded that there did need to be better use of data when looking at demand.  Economic modelling was based on the 2015 Great Britain Day survey.  They would be going to a newer model in the future.  The Relight Festival had been challenging because of the pandemic.  It hadn’t been intended to be a commercial event, it was more about indirect benefits.  The sales window had been hampered by further restrictions.  He reassured Members that the events programme in the future would be data driven. 

A Panel Member stated that it was important not to be in conflict with AEG and the events they would host at the Civic Halls.  They also needed to be mindful of events held at the Molineux and the Racecourse.  He emphasised the importance of the darts tournament returning to the Civic Hall and the economic impact it would bring to the City Centre.  He believed the Council should work with AEG to ensure it happened.

The Director of Communications and Visitor Experience agreed that AEG were critically important to the City.  City governance was critical  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

[To receive a briefing note and associated appendix, reporting on progress on the Wolverhampton Pound Select Committee Action Plan]. 

The Head of Procurement, and the Head of Commercial Services presented and summarised the report on the Wolverhampton Pound Select Committee: Progress on Action Plan. 

The Vice-Chair commented that he was intrigued a post titled “Head of Wolverhampton Pound” was being recruited, under recommendation 7.  He asked who had made the decision and whether it was necessary.  He asked if the post would be funded by the Council or if there was an opportunity for it to be funded by some of the other partners in the anchor network.  

The Head of Procurement responded that the decision regarding the actual post was taken as someone was needed to coordinate work across the anchor network.  It hadn’t been recruited to yet and needed to go to job evaluation.  No final decisions had been made on funding the post and he would speak to the Director of Finance, to see if the post could be funded across the anchor network.  The Head of Commercial added that they had reviewed structures and it was considered that an extra post was needed to resource and co-ordinate the work on the Wolverhampton Pound. 

The Chair complimented Officers on the speed of work in implementing the recommendations from the Wolverhampton Pound Select Committee.

[To consider the Scrutiny Work Programme].

The Vice-Chair asked if an item on graffiti and parking on grass verges could be added to the Scrutiny Board agenda for the meeting on 6 December 2022.

Resolved: That an item on graffiti and grass verges be added to the Scrutiny Board agenda for the meeting scheduled to take place on 6 December 2022.