Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Cllr Val Evans.

No declarations of interests were made.

[For approval]

Resolved:

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

[To review outcomes of the polling stations consultation process, and the proposals for the 2015 elections arising from it.]

The Advisory Group received a report on the responses to the consultations on the review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations. 

Martyn Sargeant, Head of Democratic Services informed the Advisory Group that following the publication of the agenda and report on the polling station arrangements for next year’s elections, and subsequent to discussions, the proposals had been revised as follows: 

East Park: the southern polling district (KHA) would  be split in two, with the new area (KIA) being served by a joint station with Ettingshall (Memorial Hall), which was just over the ward boundary and would reduce the distance for voters to travel to a station located in the north east of the district.

Ettingshall: following complaints about the suitability of the 44 Club for district LKA, which was outside the ward boundary, provisional agreement had been reached to site a polling station at the Elizabeth Arms, a pub at the entrance to the estate.

Tettenhall Regis: for clarity, the polling station at the Claregate Pavilion (district SCA), which was marked as ‘for deletion’, has been removed as this has not been a station for a number of years.

Tettenhall Wightwick: the removal of Wightwick Manor as a station had been confirmed (district TGA) following complaints about accessibility and lighting, to be replaced by the reinstatement of Wightwick Hall School.

The Advisory Group went through the proposals for the each of the individual wards within the city and made the following comments and observations:

Tettenhall Regis – Cllr Wendy Thompsonexpressed concern that residents living in the east side of the ward would have a long journey to the station that would serve polling district SJA.  She suggested that a temporary polling station be provided as a solution.  Martyn Sargeant reported that he had met Cllr Thompson to discuss these concerns.  There had been difficulties in terms of siting a temporary polling station.  He was not aware of a location where a temporary station could be safely located and that was closer than the proposed location. Data had been collated on voter turnout because of the distance and what it would mean for turnout at an election.  The findings were inconclusive as whilst it showed a dip in voter turnout in that part of the ward, the dip was reflected elsewhere in the ward. Martyn Sargeant was asked to make the data available to Cllr Jonathan Yardley

Cllr Mrs Thompson also reported that the new development in Danescourt and further works along the Tettenhall Road would be an ongoing issue. Martyn Sargeant suggested that these points be picked up in the review for the 2016 election.

Tettenhall Wightwick – Cllr Wendy Thompson welcomed the proposal to revert to using Wightwick Hall School instead of Wightwick Manor in polling district TGA.  She also reported that a huge number of voters use the station at St Columba’s Church, Castlecroft Road and she would like to see that there are sufficient  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

[To explain the powers of health scrutiny held by the Council and to propose how these powers will be discharged and the consequential amendments to the Constitution]

Cllr Roger Lawrence presented the report on the powers of health scrutiny held by the Council and on proposals as to how the powers should be discharged. 

Resolved:

That Standards Committee be recommended to propose to Full Council that:

1.      It discharge its Health Scrutiny powers as follows:

(a)      Health Scrutiny be delegated to the Health Scrutiny Panel

(b)      Responses to consultations by relevant NHS bodies and relevant health service providers on substantial reconfiguration proposals be delegated to the Health Scrutiny Panel

(c)       Referral of NHS substantial reconfiguration proposals to the Secretary of State be retained by Full Council

2.      The composition of the Health Scrutiny Panel be increased to include three co-opted members from Wolverhampton HealthWatch and that they be accorded full voting rights

3.      Should a joint health scrutiny committee with another local authority be required the arrangements for this be constituted by Full Council on a need-by-need basis

4.      The process for Wolverhampton HealthWatch or HealthWatch contractors to refer a matter to the local authority be as follows:

(a)      All referrals should to be sent to the Scrutiny Team

(b)      All referrals to be acknowledged by the Scrutiny Team within 20 working days

(c)       The referral be considered by the next available Health Scrutiny Panel

(d)      A response to the referral be given to HealthWatch or HealthWatch contractors within five working days after consideration by the Health Scrutiny Panel.