Agenda and minutes

The Chair opened the meeting with a minute’s silence to mark the sad passing of Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the Council and it was noted that he would be greatly missed. 

Apologies were received from Ray Flynn Associate Director (Place), University of Wolverhampton; Pat McFadden MP Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton South East; Jane Stevenson MP Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton North East; Josie Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, Access 2 Business; Cathy Francis, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; Adam Daniels, Regional Operations Director, Countryside Properties; James Holland, General Manager, Collins Aerospace; Stuart McLachlan, President, Moog Industrial Group and Lead of Wolverhampton Business Champions; Cherry Shine, Director, Wolverhampton BID and John Roseblade Director of Resident Services, CWC.

Elliott Chang attended from the office of Jane Stevenson MP representing the same and Anton Draper attended for Cathy Francis from Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

There were no declarations of interest made however Board members were advised that Declaration of Interest forms had been circulated as part of the agenda pack. Members were requested to complete and return these at the earliest opportunity.

Resolved:

That City Investment Board Members complete and return their Declaration of Interest forms at the earliest opportunity.

[To approve the minutes of the meeting of 21 April 2023 as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of 21 April 2023 be approved as a correct record.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting of 21 April 2023.]

Other than those covered in the Towns Fund Action Tracker at item 6, there were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

[To note the outcomes of actions identified at previous meetings.]

Darowen Jones, Programme Manager, City of Wolverhampton Council (CWC) presented the Towns Fund Action Tracker which outlined the outcomes of actions agreed at the last meeting.

Board members were requested to submit any expressions of interest or nominations for Vice Chair as none had been received yet.

It was queried whether any feedback had been received from Government as yet in respect of the Arts Park project adjustment proposal. It was confirmed the proposals had been approved by Government and was awaiting internal due diligence before progression.

In terms of a query raised around whether elected ward members were aware of the status of the Wednesfield intervention project, it was noted that the project manager would be consulted and an update provided to ward Councillors. It was noted that many of the interventions were on track for 2023 – 2024 however the majority of the programme would be delivered 2024 – 2025. A discussion followed around the communications strategy and the importance of keeping residents and stakeholders informed of progress to avoid the spread of misinformation or frustrations arising from seemingly no action. It was deliberated whether the website could be used to host a live online document showing key dates and progress for all projects. It was agreed to hold discussions with the internal Communications team to explore ideas. Kevin Rogers, Executive Director, Paycare; Tim Johnson, Chief Executive, CWC; Youth Council Representatives and the Chair, Ninder Johal, all volunteered to contribute as well.

It was reported that the Evaluation and Monitoring Return had been completed in consultation with Claire Nye in her capacity as the Council’s s.151 Officer and had been submitted within deadline.

Resolved:

1. That nominations or expressions of interest for Vice Chair be submitted via the City Investment Board mailbox.

2.    That the Communications team be consulted on the Communications strategy with Board members.

[To receive a verbal update.]

Richard Lawrence, Director of Regeneration, CWC provided a verbal update on the Deeper Devolution Deal which provided a recap of what the Deal entailed. This included devolving funding decisions down to specific areas at place level, the introduction of growth zones, an affordable homes programme and 100% business rates retention.

Work was set to go underway over the summer with a view to be ratified internally at full Council in September and then at WMCA Board in October 2023.

Resolved:

That the Deeper Devolution Deal update be received with a further update at the City Investment Board meeting in September 2023.

[To receive a presentation overview.]

Ballal Raza, Programme Manager, CWC and Maz Zaman, Project Manager Asset Transformation, CWC delivered the presentation which outlined proposals for the Health and Regeneration Programme (HaRP) in Bilston as part of One Public Estate. A short video was also presented which depicted a visualisation for the final outcome. The presentation outlined plans for key milestones and benefits.

The presentation was commended as communicating a clear representation of plans and expected milestones. It was noted that the team had liaised with CWC Communications Manager, Oliver Bhurrut for support with pulling together communications for this project.

In terms of stakeholder engagement, a request was made to invite Simon Archer, Director, Bilston BID to the next Bilston stakeholder event.

In response to a query around local procurement, it was noted that work had been undertaken in consultation with Isobel Woods, Head of Enterprise, CWC and Wolves @ Work and, in addition to this, clauses had been built into building contracts stipulating local people must be employed.

Resolved:

That the Bilston Health and Regeneration Programme (HaRP) Project presentation be received.

Darowen Jones, Programme Manager, CWC drew attention to the attached guidance from Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities which provided advice on the standardisation of marketing and branding materials. It was highlighted that this would be shared with all Project Leads to be incorporated at project level. 

Resolved:

That the attached DLUHC Marketing Guidance Document be noted for information.

Darowen Jones, Programme Manager, CWC provided a verbal update on the Invest website outlining a refresh of information and branding on the website.

Resolved:

That the Invest Website Updates be noted.

[To receive a presentation on the status of Towns Fund Projects.]

Darowen Jones, Programme Manager, CWC drew attention to the Project Update Dashboard which had been circulated as part of the pack, most notably the Arts Park update which had been approved for the project adjustment.

Resolved:

That the Project Updates Dashboard be noted.

Darowen Jones, Programme Manager, CWC provided a verbal update on the risk register which had been circulated as part of the agenda pack. It was highlighted that the most significant risk was inflation however Board members were assured that a 10% inflation margin had been built into all projects from the very beginning.

Resolved:

That the Programme Level Risk Register be noted.

Darowen Jones, Programme Manager, CWC reiterated that this had been submitted to central Government as required. Kevin Rogers, Paycare Representative volunteered to support with future submissions.

Resolved:

That Kevin Rogers, Paycare Representative support with the submission of future Monitoring and Evaluation Returns.

[To receive project updates].

Darowen Jones, Programme Manager, CWC drew attention to the update on the Bell Street Box Space which had been included as part of the agenda pack on page 56.

Resolved:

That the Future High Streets Fund update be noted.

[To receive the DLUHC Governance Pathfinder Pilot for approval.]

Darowen Jones, Programme Manager, CWC delivered the presentation which outlined proposals for Wolverhampton to participate in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Governance Pathfinder Pilot.

It was reported that Wolverhampton had been approached as one of 12 areas nationwide to take part and that the aim of the pilot was to standardise and consolidate reporting elements, effectively streamlining monitoring and evaluation processes.

In response to concerns raised around disadvantages, it was noted it was more an exercise in simplifying processes rather than generating additional work. It was deliberated that this could be a positive step and may potentially yield access to further funding opportunities.

City Investment Board members present agreed to the proposal to participate.

Resolved:

That the City Investment Board approve proposals to participate in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Governance Pathfinder Pilot.

There was no other business raised.