Agenda item

[That the Cabinet Members for City Environment and City Assets and Housing respond to questions received].

Councillor Simon Bennett asked the Cabinet Member for City Environment:

“To ask the Cabinet Member for City Environment, what the Council is doing to support permanent market traders in light of concerns about markets on Dudley Street affecting their sales”.

Councillor Steve Evans responded the new market was a success story for the City. After significant investment the new city centre market had opened in July this year. The permanent traders had been supported during the transition period with a 33% reduction of fees.

He added the Council had a contractual agreement with LSD to run the themed market and that £10,000 from the contractual agreement was spent to support the permanent traders. Occupancy on a Wednesday had increased from 20% to 80%- which was an increase of 20 traders.

He highlighted there was also a variety of traders at the market, the themed markets organised by LSD increased the footfall into the city, for three consecutive years rates had been frozen to support the permanent traders. The market only trades four days a week, and more start up investment was required to attract more people in the city.

He added a chocolate and prosecco event was coming up which again would increase footfall. He was proud market was on the up.

Councillor Simon Bennett asked the following supplementary question:

Permanent traders had contacted him regarding the negative impact the themed markets had would the Cabinet Member agree that the Council had blown the tax payers money on the market.

Councillor Steve Evans responded that he had not been provided with any complaints of negative feedback from the traders, if Councillor Simon Bennett can provide these details he would be more than willing to have a joint meeting with Councillor Simon Bennett and the traders to address their concerns/issues.

He added the Council had invested in the market and by doing so supported the traders. This had led to increased growth of the market. The number of traders was also on the increase.

Councillor Wendy Thompson asked the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing:

What employment support the Council has made available to employees at the Civic Hall during the continuing restoration works.

Councillor Peter Bilson responded that since the restoration works commenced, the salaried staff who were part of the Civic Halls team prior to the establishment of the Visitor Economy team had been working across the service to support the other areas of the service. These include the Art Gallery, Bilston Craft Gallery, Bantock House, The Slade Rooms, Northycote Farm, Archives and large outdoor events like Vaisakhi. 

He added in recent years, the casual front-line staff had been predominantly supplied by Yoo Recruit. Since the start of this year, the level of work had not been available and so, these staff have either gone on to find other work or been deployed elsewhere in the Visitor Economy service when demand requires it. The Council continue to employ local people across the cultural estate in this way whenever demand requires it.

Councillor Wendy Thompson asked the following supplementary:

Can the Cabinet Member confirm how much longer the situation would last before employees were engaged with Civic Halls work?

Councillor Peter Bilson responded that Councillor Wendy Thompson was a member of the Capital Projects Member Reference Group and was aware the refurbishment work was underway and would take two years to complete. Therefore, the Council would continue to support these employees via the cultural estate, however, if employees sought alternate employment the Council was not able to prevent such decisions.

He added the future looked positive for Wolverhampton and the Council had made the right decision to invest in the future of Wolverhampton by investing in Civic Halls and other programmes which would regenerate the city centre economy.

Councillor Wendy Thompson asked the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing:

Why hasn’t the Council undertaken a Compulsory Purchase Order of the former Eye Infirmary site on Compton Road.

Councillor Peter Bilson responded that a compulsory purchase order only normally occurs when a planning application had been approved for a development proposal. To date the Council had not received a planning application since the Eye Infirmary was closed by the Royal Wolverhampton Trust in 2007.

He added given the complexities surrounding the site, the remediation required and limited developer interest in an end use, a CPO and the above requirements had not been pursued to date. It was also usually the case that acquisition by agreement with the owner was first pursued, as had been the case here.

Councillor Wendy Thompson asked the following

Considering the site had been vacant more than 10 years, the Council has had more than enough time to purchase the site considering it had pursued other sites, more effort should have been made to purchase this site.

Councillor Peter Bilson responded that conversations had taken place with the Royal Wolverhampton Trust whom have gross expectations on the value of the land which was unachievable. The Council was working hard to find a solution. 

He added the Leader was hoping there was a solution before the end of the calendar year and he work tirelessly to ensure issue was resolved. The site had potential residential value and he would welcome support from the opposition group to jointly progress further and get a solution at the earliest possible date. 

Councillor Jonathan Yardley to ask:

Given the unacceptable situation at Holme Bank Residential Home, can the Cabinet Member confirm that all residents have now been put into local accommodation that is appropriate for their needs?

Councillor Sandra Samuels responded that all the ward councillors had been briefed, the situation was a difficult one and one which required a degree of sensitivity.

She added at the previous inspection carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Holme Bank had been rated as good. However, since then a number of concerns had been raised which resulted in an unannounced visit by the CQC and an action plan being put in place. This then led to an announced inspection.

She added in consultation with the Care Quality Commission, that had the regulatory responsibility for registered care homes, the difficult decision was made on Monday 10 September that the situation was no longer tenable at Holme Bank.

She added all individuals that were resident or in respite care at Holme Bank, including people that fund their own care and individuals funded by other local authorities, had been supported to move on to suitable alternative accommodation.

She added the people and their families were involved as much as possible in choosing the new placements. Officers would continue to monitor and follow up the moves to ensure that people have settled in their new homes.

Five people were funded by the Council, seven people were self-funded, and three people were funded by other local authorities.

Councillor Jonathan Yardley asked the following supplementary question:

The situation at Holme Bank deteriorated very quickly what mechanism was the Council going to put in place to ensure standards were maintained?

Councillor Sandra Samuels responded that as of the 13September all individuals had been transferred and that the Quality Assurance Team carried out inspections every 12 months. Holme Bank had been judged good back in 2016, however due to change in management and lack of co-ordinated care the situation had deteriorated. The Quality Assurance the team had tried to fully support Holme bank. She added regular inspection was the way forward and hoped the situation did not arise again.