Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence submitted.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To receive minutes of the previous meeting held on 31 March 2021.]

The retiring Mayor proposed, the retiring Deputy Mayor seconded, and it was resolved:

          That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 31 March 2021, be agreed as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Mayor.  

[To elect a Mayor for the municipal year.]

That Councillor Greg Brackenridge be elected as Mayor for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year.

It was proposed by Councillor Philip Bateman, seconded by Councillor Obaida Ahmed that Councillor Greg Brackenridge be elected as Mayor of the Council for the ensuing year.

Resolved:

That Councillor Greg Brackenridge be elected as Mayor for the 2021 - 2022 municipal year, having made the declaration of office prescribed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having been invested with the Mayor's Chain of Office and Robe.

[To appoint a Deputy Mayor for the municipal year.]

That Councillor Sandra Marcella Samuels OBE be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year.

It was proposed by Councillor Celia Hibbert, seconded by Councillor Zee Russell that Councillor Sandra Marcella Samuels OBE be appointed as Deputy Mayor of the Council for the ensuing year.

Resolved: 

That Councillor Sandra Marcella Samuels OBE be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2021 – 2022 municipal year, having made the declaration of office prescribed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having been invested with the Deputy Mayor's Chain of Office and Robe.

[The Council to express to the retiring Mayor and Consort appreciation of the service they have rendered to the Council during their term of office.]

That the Council expresses to Councillor Claire Darke and Dr Paul Darke its appreciation of the service they have rendered to the Council during their term of office.

A vote of thanks for the retiring Mayor, Councillor Claire Darke and retiring Consort, Dr Paul Darke, was moved by Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE and seconded by Councillor Simon Bennett.

The Mayor presented Councillor Claire Darke and Dr Paul Darke with their medallions of office and Resolution of Thanks. Councillor Claire Darke responded to the vote of thanks.

Resolved:

That the Council expresses to Councillor Claire Darke and Dr Paul Darke its grateful appreciation of the service they have rendered to the Council during their term of office.

[The Director of Governance to present a return of the Councillors elected on 6 May 2021.]

That the return of Councillors on 6 May 2021 be noted.

The Monitoring Officer, David Pattison, reported the names of the Councillors elected to office on the 6 May 2021 as follows:

Resolved:

That the return of Councillors on 6 May 2021 be noted.

[The Mayor to welcome new Councillors and to move the vote of thanks to formerCouncillors.]

That the Council place on record its appreciation of the valuable service rendered to the City by former Councillors Alan Bolshaw, Payal Bedi-Chadha, Jacqui Coogan, Roger Lawrence, Hazel Malcolm, Louise Miles, John Rowley, Caroline Siarkiewicz, Jane Stevenson and Martin Waite.

The Mayor welcomed new Councillors to the Council and expressed the Council’s appreciation of the service provided by former Councillors.

Resolved:

That the Council place on record its appreciation of the valuable service rendered to the City by former Councillors Alan Bolshaw, Payal Bedi-Chadha, Jacqui Coogan, Roger Lawrence, Hazel Malcolm, Louise Miles, John Rowley, Caroline Siarkiewicz, Jane Stevenson and Martin Waite.

[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]

That the Mayor’s Communications be noted.

1.    The Death of the Duke of Edinburgh

The Mayor was saddened to report the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on 9th April. The Council opened an online book of condolence which was signed by many people, and Former Mayor, Councillor Claire Darke, sent a message of condolence to Her Majesty the Queen on behalf of the Council and citizens of Wolverhampton.

2.    Death of a Former Councillor

The Mayor was saddened to announce the death of Mr Eric Preece, a Councillor for the former borough of Wednesfield. 

The Mayor expressed his condolences to his partner Terry, his family and his friends.

3.    Covid-19 Update

The Mayor announced that just over 75,000 people had now been given both doses of the vaccination, while over 135,000 residents had received at least one jab – with a total of over 210,000 vaccines now delivered in the city.

The Mayor encouraged all citizens eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccination to protect themselves and the community.

4.    Appointment of a City Council Officer as a Deputy Lieutenant for Shropshire

The Mayor was delighted to announce that Mr Martin Stevens, a Scrutiny Officer with the Council, had been appointed to the Lord Lieutenants Office for the County of Shropshire as a Deputy Lieutenant, Former Mayor Councillor Claire Darke had written to congratulate him on this prestigious new role.

5.    Fair Trade City Status

The Mayor was delighted to announce that Wolverhampton had successfully renewed its Fair Trade City status for another two years.  This was achieved even though many of the Fair Trade team’s plans were abandoned last year.

6.    Armed Forces Day 2021

The Mayor reported planning for an event to mark Armed Forces Week were in progress and if Covid restrictions continue to be lifted as planned, the week would begin with a short Flag Raising Ceremony at the Flagpole at 11am on 21 June and a Celebration event on Saturday 26 June in West Park.

7.    IDAHOT 2021- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

The Mayor reported that the City Council marked International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Monday 17 May by raising the rainbow flag.

The Mayor added the City Council also launched the Rainbow City Consultation.  The Rainbow City Project was looking at ensuring that the City was a safe, equal, diverse and inclusive place.  It looks at key themes such as LGBT+ health and support services, community and economy and our reputation.  The consultation had been launched to gain feedback and opinions from residents, services and business to help shape the strategy going forward.  This will be for a period of 8 weeks.

8.     Queens Award for Voluntary Service 2022

The Mayor requested residents on behalf of the City Council to nominate city voluntary organisation groups now for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2022.

The Mayor added the nominations process was now open, until 15 September 2021 and encouraged anyone who knows of or works with a voluntary organisation worthy of recognition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

[To approve changes to the Constitution.]

1.       That the amendments to the Constitution as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

2.       That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement the changes.

Councillor Paula Brookfield, presented a report on Changes to the Constitution for approval. The Constitution had been reviewed in totality to ensure the constitution was clear and concise and that the decision-making processes can be followed by all.

Councillor Paula Brookfield, outlined the substantive amendments to be made to the constitution and the rationale for making these changes. She added this was the first in a series of reports and that additional reports would be provided at future meetings to review the other parts of the constitution. 

Councillor Paula Brookfield, proposed the recommendations and Councillor Wendy Thompson seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1. That the amendments to the Constitution as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

2.    That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement the changes

[To consider the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel.]

1.       That the following recommendations made by the Independent Remuneration Panel be approved:

Recommendation 1: That, should the changes to the Constitution proceed, then the Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee be remunerated at £10,000.

Recommendation 2: That, should the changes to the Constitution proceed, then the Vice Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee be remunerated at £2,500.

2.       That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Scheme of Councillor Allowances according to the decisions taken by Council for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for approval. Following a review of the Constitution, a minor amendment was sought to the current scheme as a result of the introduction of the Governance Ethics Committee. The reason for the special urgency was to ensure any changes to scheme were approved due to constitutional changes.

Councillor Ian Brookfield, proposed the recommendations and Councillor Stephen Simkins seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1. That the following recommendations made by the Independent Remuneration Panel be approved:

Recommendation 1: That, should the changes to the Constitution proceed, then the Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee be remunerated at £10,000.

Recommendation 2: That, should the changes to the Constitution proceed, then the Vice Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee be remunerated at £2,500.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Scheme of Councillor Allowances according to the decisions taken by Council for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.

[To approve appointment of the Cabinet and Cabinet Panels, the Scrutiny Board and Scrutiny Panels, Regulatory and other Committees, and representation on Joint Authorities/Committees and outside bodies. Appendices 1 -6 To be tabled]

1.       That the political composition of the Council, and how this is applied to appointments to Council bodies, in accordance with the political balance model set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

2.       That the appointment, by the Leader of the Council, of Councillors to the Cabinet, the specified lead Cabinet Member roles and Cabinet Panels set out in Appendix 2 be noted.

3.       That the appointment of Councillors to the Scrutiny Board, and Scrutiny Panels, including Chairs and Vice-chairs, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report be approved.

4.       That the appointment of Councillors to Regulatory, Oversight and other Committees and advisory groups, including Chairs and Vice-Chairs, and the appointment of Councillor Champions, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report be approved.

5.       That the appointments to Joint Authorities/Committees and Outside Bodies, as set out in Appendices 5 and 6 to the report, including lead, substitute lead and voting Councillors be approved.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented a report (appendices one to six were tabled) on the appointment of the Cabinet and Cabinet Panels, the Scrutiny Board and Scrutiny Panels, Regulatory and other Committees, and representation on Joint Authorities/Committees and outside bodies.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield proposed the recommendations and Councillor Stephen Simkins seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1. That the political composition of the Council, and how this is applied to appointments to Council bodies, in accordance with the political balance model set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.
2. That the appointment, by the Leader of the Council, of Councillors to the Cabinet, the specified lead Cabinet Member roles and Cabinet Panels set out in Appendix 2 be noted.
3. That the appointment of Councillors to the Scrutiny Board, and Scrutiny Panels, including Chairs and Vice-chairs, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report be approved.
4. That the appointment of Councillors to Regulatory, Oversight and other Committees and advisory groups, including Chairs and Vice-Chairs, and the appointment of Councillor Champions, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report be approved.
5. That the appointments to Joint Authorities/Committees and Outside Bodies, as set out in Appendices 5 and 6 to the report, including lead, substitute lead and voting Councillors be approved.

[To receive a report on urgent decisions taken by the Council.]

That the decision made under the Council’s Urgent Action Powers be noted.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield presented the report: Decisions Made Under Urgent Action Powers for noting. The report detailed the decision taken under Urgent Action Powers.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield proposed the recommendation and Councillor Stephen Simkins seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

That the decision made under the Council’s Urgent Action Powers be noted.