Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3, Third Floor - Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1SH

Contact: Dereck Francis  Tel: 01902 555835 or Email: dereck.francis@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Chairs Announcements

Minutes:

The Chair (Councillor Ian Brookfield) welcomed everyone to the meeting. He reported that in light of the current situation the quorum of the meeting would be met by the Councillors present in the room and Councillors Jasbir Jaspal, Linda Leach and John Reynolds would be joining the meeting remotely. He also advised that Paragraph 39 of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972 states that any decision taken at a local authority meeting, (including committees and sub committees) shall be decided by a majority of those present and voting.  Whilst the law permits other members to join the meeting virtually, they cannot vote.

 

The Chair also announced that the report referred to at item - Bilston Road Financial Assistance Package was withdrawn.

2.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

No apologies for absence were received for the meeting.

3.

Declaration of interests

Minutes:

Councillors Ian Brookfield and Linda Leach declared a disclosable non percuniary interest in agenda item 7 (Wolverhampton Homes Business Plan Action Plan 2020-2021) in so far as they are leaseholders of Wolverhampton Homes property.

4.

Minutes of the previous meeting - 19 February 2020 pdf icon PDF 343 KB

[For approval]

Minutes:

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 February 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

5.

Matters arising

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

Minutes:

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

6.

Council Plan Refresh 2020 - 2021 pdf icon PDF 153 KB

[To recommend that Full Council approves a refresh of the Council Plan for the 2020-2021 Municipal Year]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That Full Council be recommended to approve the Council Plan for the 2020-2021 Municipal Year.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Ian Brookfield presented a refreshed Council Plan 20220-20201 for approval and recommendation to Full Council. Since the last iteration of the plan significant progress had been made against several key priorities, and a number of new policy areas had emerged locally, regionally and nationally which would have an impact on the way the Council delivered services moving forward. These include climate change, inclusive economic growth, place based working and co-production.

 

Resolved:

That Full Council be recommended to approve the Council Plan for the 2020-2021 Municipal Year.

7.

Senior Pay Policy Statement 2020-2021 pdf icon PDF 313 KB

[To recommend that Full Council approves a Senior Pay Policy Statement for 2020-2021]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That Full Council be recommended to:

1.    Approve the Senior Pay Policy Statement for 2020-2021.

 

2.    Approve the publication of the Senior Pay Policy Statement in line with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

 

3.    Note that the Pay Policy incorporates a new Grade 13 into the Senior Management Pay Structure, in order to provide a more flexible, adaptable structure to support future reviews and rationalisation of senior managers.

 

4.    Note that the Pay Policy has been revised to ensure that it is explicit, that an Individual Executive Decision Notice, reportable to Cabinet (Resources) Panel in the usual manner, is required, if the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Head of Paid Service, makes additional payments below £100,000, on cessation of employment, for reasons other than redundancy.


Minutes:

Councillor Louise Miles presented, as part of the Council’s ongoing review of its senior management structure, the Council’s new Senior Pay Policy Statement for recommendation to Full Council for approval and publication.

The Statement set out the grades that have been applied during 2019-2020 and included the incorporation of a new grade 13 to the Senior Manager Pay Structure for 2020-2021.

 

Resolved:

That Full Council be recommended to:

1.    Approve the Senior Pay Policy Statement for 2020-2021.

 

2.    Approve the publication of the Senior Pay Policy Statement in line with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

 

3.    Note that the Pay Policy incorporates a new Grade 13 into the Senior Management Pay Structure, in order to provide a more flexible, adaptable structure to support future reviews and rationalisation of senior managers.

 

4.    Note that the Pay Policy has been revised to ensure that it is explicit, that an Individual Executive Decision Notice, reportable to Cabinet (Resources) Panel in the usual manner, is required, if the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Head of Paid Service, makes additional payments below £100,000, on cessation of employment, for reasons other than redundancy.

8.

Wolverhampton Homes Business Plan Action Plan 2020 - 2021 pdf icon PDF 164 KB

[To recommend that Full Council approves the Wolverhampton Homes Business Plan Action Plan for 2020 – 2021]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That Full Council be recommended to:

1.    Approve the Wolverhampton Homes Business Plan Action Plan 2020-2021.

 

2.    Approve new arrangements for monitoring the delivery of the Wolverhampton Homes Business Plan Action Plan to Council scrutiny.

Minutes:

Councillor Louise Milles presented the Wolverhampton Homes Business Plan Action Plan 2020-2021 and its monitoring arrangements for recommendation to Full Council for approval. The contents of the action plan had been negotiated between Wolverhampton Homes and Council employees led by the Housing Strategy Team. It supported the Council Plan priority of ‘Better Homes for All’ and in so doing aimed to contribute to improving housing across the City by offering better quality housing choices and safe and secure housing for all.

 

Resolved:

That Full Council be recommended to:

1.    Approve the Wolverhampton Homes Business Plan Action Plan 2020-2021.

 

2.    Approve new arrangements for monitoring the delivery of the Wolverhampton Homes Business Plan Action Plan to Council scrutiny.

9.

Our Climate Commitment pdf icon PDF 185 KB

[To recommend that Full Council approves the Our Climate Commitment document]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That Full Council be recommended to approve the Our Climate Commitment document.

 

2.      That progress to date in reducing the carbon footprint of the City of Wolverhampton Council from 28,500 tCO2 in 2012-2013 to 16,000 tCO2 on 2018-2019, a reduction of 45% be noted.

 

3.      That the change in how the City of Wolverhampton Council procures its energy would remove a further 50% from its carbon footprint in 2020-2021 be noted.

 

4.      That it be noted that consultation has taken place on the Our Climate Commitment document including holding a Citizens Assembly, engaging with #OneGreenGov and Sustainability West Midlands which has helped shape and develop our final document.

 

5.      That it be noted that the Cabinet would receive a further report in the new municipal year highlighting the actions required to meet the aspirations detailed in Our Climate Commitment.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Steve Evans presented the Climate Commitment document for recommendation to Full Council for approval. Councillor Evans also reported on progress made around Climate Change since the Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in July 2019 and provided an update on the consultation on Our Climate Commitment, including the Citizens Assembly.

 

Resolved:

1.    That Full Council be recommended to approve the Our Climate Commitment document.

 

2.    That progress to date in reducing the carbon footprint of the City of Wolverhampton Council from 28,500 tCO2 in 2012-2013 to 16,000 tCO2 on 2018-2019, a reduction of 45% be noted.

 

3.    That the change in how the City of Wolverhampton Council procures its energy would remove a further 50% from its carbon footprint in 2020-2021 be noted.

 

4.    That it be noted that consultation has taken place on the Our Climate Commitment document including holding a Citizens Assembly, engaging with #OneGreenGov and Sustainability West Midlands which has helped shape and develop our final document.

 

5.    That it be noted that the Cabinet would receive a further report in the new municipal year highlighting the actions required to meet the aspirations detailed in Our Climate Commitment.

10.

Development and Delivery of City Events pdf icon PDF 140 KB

[To recommend that Full Council approves appropriate budgets to enable the development and delivery of city events in a timely manner in order to be able to respond to market demands]

Decision:

1.     That Full Council be recommended to approve the establishment of supplementary income and expenditure budgets for the development and delivery of city events.

 

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy in consultation with Director of City Environment to approve the individual business cases for City Events.

 

3.     That authority be delegated to Cabinet Member for City Economy in consultation with Director of City Environment to approve the Council entering into contracts and agreements with or for performers for City Events.

 

4.     That a virement of £100,000 from the Corporate Accounts revenue budget to the City Events revenue budget to facilitate the delivery of sporting events be approved.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Harman Banger presented the report on a proposal recommend to Council that it approves the establishment of a supplementary income and expenditure budgets to enable the development and delivery of city events in a timely manner. The budget would allow the City Events team to respond quickly when opportunities arise for events.

 

Resolved:

1.    That Full Council be recommended to approve the establishment of supplementary income and expenditure budgets for the development and delivery of city events.

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Economy in consultation with Director of City Environment to approve the individual business cases for City Events.

 

3.    That authority be delegated to Cabinet Member for City Economy in consultation with Director of City Environment to approve the Council entering into contracts and agreements with or for performers for City Events.

 

4.    That a virement of £100,000 from the Corporate Accounts revenue budget to the City Events revenue budget to facilitate the delivery of sporting events be approved.

11.

All Age Travel Assistance Policy pdf icon PDF 189 KB

[To approve the All Age Travel Assistance Policy based on the outcome of formal consultation]

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.     That the All Age Travel Assistance Policy be approved.

 

2.     That the phased implementation of the All Age Travel Assistance Policy over 18 months be approved.

 

Minutes:

Dr Michael Hardacre presented for approval an All Age Travel Assistance Policy. The policy is intended to improve the travel assistance offer to better support the needs of people of Wolverhampton and to promote independence.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the All Age Travel Assistance Policy be approved.

 

2.    That the phased implementation of the All Age Travel Assistance Policy over 18 months be approved.

12.

Mileage Rate to be Utilised to Reimburse Foster Carers for Transport Eligible Children in Care to School pdf icon PDF 171 KB

[To approve a new proposed rate of mileage to be paid to foster carers for costs associated with transporting eligible children in care to and from school]

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the new proposed rate of mileage to be paid to foster carers to reimburse the costs associated with transporting eligible children to and from school be approved.

Minutes:

Councillor John Reynolds presented the report on a proposal to increase the rate of mileage paid to foster carers to reimburse the cost of transporting eligible children to and from school to 45 pence per mile.

 

Resolved:

That the new proposed rate of mileage to be paid to foster carers to reimburse the costs associated with transporting eligible children to and from school be approved.

13.

The House Project for Care Leavers pdf icon PDF 178 KB

[To approve the use of up to ten units of council housing to Children’s Services for the House Project, supplemented where possible by properties provided by partner Housing Associations]

 

Decision:

1.      That the allocation of up to ten studio flats or one-bedroom properties to young people leaving care under the House Project be approved.

 

2.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of City Environment, to approve any additional properties required for subsequent phases of the House Project.

 

3.      That it be noted that a person shall be identified to act as a trustee for all properties provided via the House Project and all other 16/17-year-old tenancies delivered in partnership with Children’s Services.

Minutes:

Councillor Louise Miles presented the report on a proposal to allocate up to ten studio flats or one bedroomed properties to young people leaving care under the House Project. This would, where possible, be supplemented by properties made available by Registered Housing Providers in the City who are able to contribute suitable and affordable properties. The proposal would ensure that the accommodation provided to the young people would be affordable and offer a secure form of tenure following the successful completion of their House Project ‘tenancy’.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the allocation of up to ten studio flats or one-bedroom properties to young people leaving care under the House Project be approved.

 

2.    That authority be delegate to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of City Environment, to approve any additional properties required for subsequent phases of the House Project.

 

3.    That it be noted that a person shall be identified to act as a trustee for all properties provided via the House Project and all other 16/17-year-old tenancies delivered in partnership with Children’s Services.

14.

Exclusion of press and public

[To pass the following resolution:

 

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below]

Minutes:

This item was no longer necessary following the withdrawal of agenda item - Bilston Road Financial Assistance Package.

 

15.

Bilston Road Financial Assistance Package

[To approve financial assistance to local traders along Bilston Road] [Report to follow]

Decision:

The item was withdrawn.

Minutes:

The item was withdrawn.