Agenda and minutes

[To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutions]. 

An apology for absence was received from Cllr John Reynolds.

Cllr Sally Green was substituting for Cllr John Reynolds.

The Leader of the Council, whilst not a Member of the Board, sent his apologies to the meeting.    

[To receive any declarations of interest]. 

Cllr Rita Potter declared an interest in relation to item 4 - Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 - Landlord Services Review, as a Wolverhampton Homes Board Member. 

Cllr Susan Roberts MBE declared an interest in relation to item 4, Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 - Landlord Services Review, as the Chair of the Wolverhampton Homes Board.

Cllr Val Evans stated she would leave the meeting for item 4, Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 - Landlord Services Review, as she was married to the Portfolio Holder.  This was in accordance with the Statutory Scrutiny Guidance, which stated that you should not scrutinise your close relatives. 

Cllr Phil Bateman MBE declared a non-pecuniary interest on the Devolution Deal item, as he was a Member of the Board for Birmingham International Airport

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

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider the report on the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 – Landlord Service Review. This is a Pre-Decision Scrutiny item, the draft Cabinet report intended to be received on 18 October 2023 is attached]. 

The Cabinet Member for City Housing made it clear that the item was before the Scrutiny Board as a Pre-Decision item.

The Director of Resident Services stated that the report was scheduled to be received by Cabinet in early October.  The purpose of the report was to provide an overview of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and the impact of its implementation upon the regulatory landscape for provision of Council housing.  The second purpose was to provide an update on the actions taken by City Housing in preparation for the new regulatory requirements for the delivery of Council Housing.  The report provided recommendations and options for the future management of Council housing that ensured compliance with the Act and readiness for inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing. 

The Director of Resident Services commented that City of Wolverhampton Council owned approximately 21,600 Council Homes.  Wolverhampton Homes was an arm’s length management company.  There were also there other managing agents, Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board, Dovecotes Tenant Management Organisation and New Park Village Tenant Management Co-operative.  The tragedy at Grenfell Tower, had reported concerns about building and fire safety.  It was felt that at Grenfell there had been a one-way leadership culture from the landlord that did not welcome, listen to, or fully understand tenant’s views and concerns.  The Social Housing Green Paper (2018) followed by The Charter for Social Housing Residents: Social Housing White Paper (2020) sought to set out the issues facing social housing tenants and the actions that could be taken so they were safe, protected, listened to and able to influence how their homes were managed. 

The Director of Resident Services stated that the Act strengthened the role of the Regulator of Social Housing moving from a reactive to a proactive consumer regulatory regime.  The Act placed the regulatory responsibility solely with the Council.  The Council would be subject to 4 yearly inspections by the Regulator.  The Council would be required to evidence their compliance with the Regulator’s 5 Consumer Standards.  The Council would be required to publish the results of Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) annually from Summer 2024.  The Council would need to strengthen their oversight, governance and assurance to be regulation and inspection ready.

The Director of Resident Services stated that they had commissioned Savills to assess the Council’s compliance against the Consumer Standards.  These findings had been reported to the Council in July 2021.  Savills concluded that, “For most areas CWC / WH has an adequate policy framework in place to ensure compliance against the RSH Consumer Standards, however, there are discrete areas that require material improvement primary Repairs (Part of the Home Standard) and Tenant Involvement and Empowerment.”

The Director of Resident Services commented that an Internal Audit Review of Wolverhampton Homes progress against Savills recommendations had taken place.  Wolverhampton Homes acknowledged 37 workstreams where areas for improvement had been identified followed by an action plan and project group to monitor the improvements identified to fully meet compliance.   In July 2022 the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[The Cabinet Report of 26 July 2023 is attached, which provides an integrated finance and performance update against the Our City: Our Plan priorities, and the Medium Term Financial Strategy; and to provide the draft budget strategy for 2024-2025, with reference to current information about the in-year budget monitoring]. 

The Cabinet Member for Resources introduced the Performance and Budget Monitoring 2023-2024 and Budget Update 2023 -2024 report. The report provided an overview and update on the Budget and Performance.  It also outlined the Office for Local Government new initiative on data analysis. 

The Chief Accountant stated that it was the first report of the new financial year on finance, performance and the Strategic Risk Register.  It highlighted where the cost pressures were, which included Adults and Children’s social care, temporary accommodation and SEND Passenger transport.

A Member asked about the problems at Birmingham City Council given the Council’s relationship with them and partnership arrangements.  She asked what risks were emerging as a consequence of the financial problems faced by Birmingham City Council.  The Cabinet Member for Resources responded that as a result of the problems faced by Birmingham City Council, the Council’s Auditors had asked the Council to explore in depth whether the same issues faced by Birmingham, in particular on equal pay and single status, would be relevant to the Council.  The Council had responded to the Auditors to explain that they did not face the same difficulties.  The Council were continuing to monitor their own budget, given the situation faced by many Councils across the UK. 

A Member asked if the Council taxes which had been written off, whether that was a permanent position or if the Council would try and pursue the debt at a future stage.  The Chief Accountant responded that Cabinet had written off the debts indefinitely. 

A Member queried why there was only a single line regarding the Communications and Events Budget, when other areas had a much more detailed explanation of the budget position.  This caused him some concern. 

The Cabinet Member for Resources responded that she would ensure there was more detail in future reports.  The Director of Communications and Visit Experience offered to provide more information on the Communications and Events Budget if Members requested.    

The Vice-Chair asked what the total Communications and Events Budget was for the financial year.  The Chief Accountant responded it was £2.4 million for the Directorate. 

Resolved: That the points raised in the Performance and Budget Monitoring 2023-2024 and Budget Update 2023-2024 be noted.

[To discuss the West Midlands Combined Authority Trailblazer Deeper Devolution Deal.  The Cabinet report of 6 September 2023 is attached]. 

The Head of Policy and Strategy opened the presentation by commenting that the West Midlands had been at the forefront of Devolution since 2015.  The first Devolution deal saw the establishment of a directly elected Mayor for the region and also introduced a number of powers in relation to skills, transport and productivity.  In 2017 Devolution was deepened with a particular focus on transport and infrastructure.  In the Spring statement earlier in the year, the Government had announced a new Trailblazer Deeper Devolution Deal.  It had been, The Levelling Up White Paper, published on the 2 February 2022 which announced a Trailblazer Devolution deal for the West Midlands.  Over the last 12 months the WMCA and local authorities had worked alongside Government to develop the best deal for the region. 

The Head of Policy and Strategy remarked that the Deeper Devolution Deal was agreed in principle by the Mayor and Portfolio Leaders on 10 March 2023 and announced in the Chancellor’s Budget on 15 March 2023.  Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet considered the deal on 26 September 2023.  The WMCA would seek to formerly ratify the deal on 13 October 2023.    Some of the key highlights which would have the biggest impact on the region included:-

·       Fiscal Devolution: Extension of the 10 year business rates retention pilot for the region.

·       Levelling up Zones: Priority areas identified jointly by the WMCA and its partner authorities that would attract 25 years business rate retention, to accelerate growth, development and regeneration. 

·       Housing and Regeneration: Local leadership of the Affordable Homes Programme for the first time outside of London, which was worth at least £200 million to the West Midlands, possible rising to £400 million.  There was also devolution of £100 million Brownfield land funding.

·       Adult Skills and Employment: Greater responsibility and oversight of post 16 and post 19 education and skills and over careers advice, and the establishment of a unique partnership with Department for Work and Pensions to target employment support.

·       Business and Productivity: A stronger role in supporting business productivity, trade and investment and innovation through a new strategic partnership.

·       Retrofit: Commitment to devolving retrofit funding (from 2025).

•        The Head of Policy and Strategy commented that one of the key points of the deal was a single department style settlement for the WMCA area from 2025.  This would be set at the next spending review and set against thematic functions covering five pillars:

•        Local growth and place

•        Transport

•        Housing and Regeneration

•        Adult Skills

•        Net Zero

It would be supported by new accountability arrangements and an outcomes framework.  It was a significant opportunity to move away from ‘one off’ funding pots and streams to move towards a more holistic approach which supported medium and long term planning.

The Head of Policy and Strategy stated that the majority of the deal was made up of provisions which related to existing functions held by the WMCA.  There was only one provision which required further statutory processes, this was the devolution  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

[To consider the draft Scrutiny Task and Finish Proposals.  Attached for comment is a draft Task and Finish Group Protocol, and two outline proposals for a Flooding Scrutiny Task and Finish Group, and a Night-time Economy Scrutiny Task and Finish Group].

The Electoral Services and Scrutiny Manager spoke on the proposed Scrutiny Task and Finish Group protocol.  The Scrutiny Team Leader detailed the draft terms of reference for the Flooding Scrutiny Review Group, and the Night-time Economy.

A Member asked for Wolverhampton Wanders to be included as a stakeholder in the Night-time Economy Scrutiny Review Group.  The Chair confirmed that the draft terms of reference stated local businesses would be included as part of the work of the group. 

The Vice-Chair gave his full support for the Scrutiny Review Group on the Night-time Economy.  He hoped it would conclude with a solid set of recommendations for Cabinet.  The WMCA Night-time economy advisor he was particularly looking forward to hearing evidence from. 

The Chair gave his full support for both Scrutiny Review Groups and spoke about the previous work of a Night-time Economy Scrutiny Group which had taken place in the past. 

No comments or amendments were suggested to the Scrutiny Task and Finish Group protocol. 

[To consider the Scrutiny Work Programme]. 

The Vice-Chair encouraged Members to consider additional items to be added to the Scrutiny Work Programme. 

[To consider the Forward Plan of Key Decisions]. 

The Vice-Chair referred to the Wolverhampton Local Plan on the Forward Plan of Key Decisions which was listed as coming before Cabinet in October 2023.  He asked if this item could be considered by the Scrutiny Board.

It was agreed that the Wolverhampton Local Plan be added to the Work Programme for Scrutiny Board. 

The meeting closed at 8:35pm.