Agenda and minutes

[To receive any apologies for absence]. 

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Jacqueline Sweetman and Cllr Susan Roberts MBE.

Cllr Paul Birch, JP BEM was officialy substituting for Cllr Jacqueline Sweetman.   

Cllr Rashpal Kaur was officially substituting for Cllr Susan Roberts MBE. 

[To receive any declarations of interest]. 

Cllr Zee Russell, Cllr Rita Potter and Cllr Barbara McGarrity all declared an interest under item 3, Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2023-2024 including rent and service charges, as Members of the Wolverhampton Homes Board. 

[To consider the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2023-2024 including rent and service charges.  The report going to Cabinet on 18 January 2023 is attached].   

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City presented the report on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2023-2024 including rent and service charges.  The Council appreciated the difficult times people were living in and the report recognised that fact. The plan enabled the Local Authority to meet their housing requirements and the needs of tenants.   

The Director of Finance remarked that the report set out the HRA budget for next financial year and the longer-term business case.  There had been an error in one of the appendices which was circulated with the original report.  A revised appendix had been issued.  She stated that the financial modelling underpinning the budget proposals was based on a set of key assumptions.  Inflation was one of the key factors.  Increasing inflation had put pressures on the revenue and capital costs.  The report outlined the inflation levels assumed over the medium term.  The assumptions would need to be kept under review in light of the economic climate. 

The Director of Finance commented that the HRA took into account potential right to buy sales and the purchase of new build of properties to offset the reductions.  The Council were forecasting an overall decline of housing numbers over the next five years.  This in turn had an impact on rental income.  The HRA Capital Programme relied on borrowing to fund the investments and therefore interest forecasts were another key element of the financial assumptions.  The report set out the forecast over the medium term but these would have to be kept under review.  Interest rates had increased over the last twelve months.    

The Director of Finance remarked that the expenditure budgets had been formed by advice and information through Housing Strategy colleagues and from Wolverhampton Homes.  The plan sought to ensure that the Council had sufficient resources for revenue, such as repairs and maintenance.  The levels of reserves had been reviewed in light of the risks facing the HRA.  It was her advice that the £7 million in reserves was adequate at the current time.  Having taken into account the business requirements, the proposal was to increase rates by 7%.  The report outlined the background to the cap on the rents and the consultation the Government undertook which led to a rent cap being imposed of 7%.  It was recognised that in light of the increased costs in living that tenants could struggle to pay additional rent.  There was a proposal in the report to set aside a funding pot to provide support during the next financial year, which would be kept under review. 

The Director of Housing and Environment commented that the Council did have an ageing stock of social housing.  The HRA paid for refurbishments, repairs of voids, improvements, de-carbonisation and energy efficiency, the replacement programme for non-traditional housing and new build programmes.  Even with that investment there was still an estimated overall reduction in housing stock. 

The Vice-Chair commented that almost a quarter of all homes in the City were managed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

[To consider the City Centre Public Realm Improvements Programme]. 

[Presentation is marked: To Follow]. 

The Service Lead for Placemaking in City Housing and Environment introduced the presentation on the City Centre Public Realm Improvements Programme, a copy of the presentation is attached to the signed minutes.

She gave information on the background of the programme.  The Service Manager for Transport Strategy displayed a map showing the three phases.  Phase 2 was yet to commence.  An image showing the City Centre Destination Plan was displayed.  An image showing the Public Realm and Transport Links was displayed.   There was a central spine of cycle facilities in all of the Public Realm improvement areas.  There were also new bus stops and upgraded bus stops to enhance the public transport experience.   A slide was displayed showing the significant increase in new taxi bays and taxi ranks.   

The Service Lead for Placemaking in City Housing and Environment described the outputs the Council wished to achieve as follows: -

·       Improve links between the City Centre and new and future developments (Interchange, high street, Civic Halls, box space, City Centre West). 

·       Improve street scene, high quality finishes, green spaces.

·       Provide secure pedestrian areas, reduce traffic, air quality.

·       Connect existing and new cycle links.

·       Support local businesses, create new event spaces.

The original end date for Phase 1, Victoria Street was February 2023.  Phase 1 would be substantially completed by February 2023.  The events area at Bell Street would be completed by March 2023.  The hostile vehicles bollards would be finished by March 2023.  The original end date for Phase 3, The Halls, was October 2022.  The area in front of the Civic Halls and North Street was substantially complete in December 2022.  Red Lion Street, Corporation Street and additional works in Mitre Fold were due to be completed in March 2023.  The hostile vehicle bollards would be finished by March 2023. 

The Service Lead for Placemaking in City Housing and Environment presented a slide on Eurovia: Social Value (2021-2022).  They had provided a dedicated Social Value and Communications Manager.  She presented a CGI picture showing the concept of Phase 2.  £3 million of funding had been secured from the Town’s Fund.  The plan was to submit a £9.5m City Region Sustainable Transport bid business case in March 2023.  Extensive engagement had been undertaken and led by City of Wolverhampton Council.  The first stage engagement had concluded in December.  Over 200 businesses and 150 residences engaged as well as key stakeholders and interest groups.  284 responses had been received with the majority in favour of the proposals.   Phase 2 was likely to be less invasive than phases 1 and 3.   The infrastructure and traffic movement was already in place. 

The Service Lead for Placemaking in City Housing and Environment stated that business support would be integral to the Phase 2 works.  The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order ran out in June 2023.  A detailed design would begin in April 2023.   The Member Reference Group in September had endorsed the engagement plan.  In February, Cabinet would be receiving a report on the outcomes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[To consider the Scrutiny Work Programme]. 

A Panel Member asked for the Communications Plan for the City to be included on an agenda for a future meeting. 

[The date of the next scheduled Scrutiny Board is 7 February 2023 at 6pm].

The date of the next scheduled Scrutiny Board was confirmed as Tuesday, 7 February 2023 at 6pm.