Decisions

1.    Approved the award of the contract for the improvement of Wolverhampton Art Gallery to E. Manton of 2440 Regents Court, The Crescent, Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham, B37 7YE, for a duration of 6 months, for a total contract value of £755,594.07

2.    That the Cabinet member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance approved the additional £132,000 to be allocated from the Corporate Contingency to the Art Gallery Improvement Scheme, taking the approved budget to £1.4 million.

Approved payments totalling £30,000, as detailed at section 5.3.

Approved the completion of the transactions listed below:

Deed of Easement for underground electricity lines at:

1.         Former Merry Hill House

2.         Former Warstones Resource Centre

3.         Former Woden Resource Centre

1) Approved the undertaking of required initiation processes to support the proposed establishment of resource base provision at St Michael’s CE Primary School.

2) Approved the undertaking of required initiation processes to support the proposed establishment of resource base provision at St Martin’s CE Primary School.

3) Approved the undertaking of required initiation processes to support the proposed alterations to the existing resource base at Aldersley High School.

4) Approved the undertaking of required initiation processes to support the proposed establishment of resource base provision at Northwood Park Primary School.

5) Approved the allocation of resources from the approved Special Provision Capital Fund budget (as detailed within paragraph 5.5) to a new capital project at St Michael’s CE Primary.

6) Approved the allocation of resources from the approved Special Provision Capital Fund budget (as detailed within paragraph 6.5) to a new capital project at St Martin’s CE Primary.

Approved and accepted the grant agreement of £130,000 and all ancillary agreements from the Black Country Local Growth Funding to support development of the Black Country Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Strategy and Implementation plan, and associated works of the wider Black Country Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Programme.

Approved the appointment of Councillor Simon Bennett to the Governance Committee for the remainder of the 2019-2020 Municipal Year.

1.    Approved the terms of the loan to WV Living, including a return on investment chargeable quarterly.

2.    Approved the issue of the loan to WV Living in February 2020.

To approve grant and the set up of an accountable body.

1.     That the acceptance of the NHS Digital Social Care Pathfinder grant and the establishment of supplementary budgets totalling £344,000 to be funded by the grant be approved.

2.     That City of Wolverhampton Council becomes the Accountable Body for ensuring the grant and grant agreement are delivered.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services in consultation with the Director of Adult Services to agree actual expenditure of the grant monies in line with the broad allocation set out in section 2.4 of the report.

4.     That the Council enter into such agreements as are necessary to receive grant funding for the NHS Digital Social Care project including any variations to current agreements for the release of further funds.

5.     That the Council enter into any necessary agreements for the provision of funds by the Council to other organisations in respect of the NHS Digital Care Project.

6.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults in consultation with the Director of Adult Services to approve the terms of any agreements referred to in Recommendation 4 and 5 above

7.     That the Council’s successful engagement with the NHS Social Care Programme be noted.

To outline the proposed Enhanced Bus Partnership for the West Midlands Combined Authority and seek authorisation for City of Wolverhampton Council to commit to the Partnership.

1.     That the development of an Enhanced Bus Partnership for bus services in the West Midlands in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands, other local authorities and local bus operators be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Director for City Environment, to “make” the Enhanced Partnership Plan, subject to complying with the statutory preparation, notice and consultation on the Enhanced Partnership.

3.     That authority be delegated to Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Director for City Environment to approve the details of any contracts or agreements necessary for implementation of an Enhanced Bus Partnership.

4.     That it be noted that participation in the development of the Enhanced Partnership and making of the Enhanced Partnership Plan cannot commit the Council to future Enhanced Partnership Schemes without their agreement. 

To review the draft High Needs Provision annex to the Vision for School Organisation and determine whether or not to proceed to consultation.

1.     That the commencement of consultation on the draft High Needs Provision Framework be approved.

2.     That it be noted that the draft High Needs Provision Framework has previously benefited from widespread early pre-consultation as outlined in Section 3 of the report.

To determine the future direction for the operation of the Towers Outdoor Education Facility.

1.     That the preferred option 1 for the future of Towers Outdoor Education (close Towers immediately, with users signposted to alternative provision, and the Council’s Asset Management Board to determine the disposal process) be approved.

2.     That further work being undertaken with users of Towers to identify alternative options for outdoor education be supported.

3.     That under the #YES, engage with parents, young people and schools’ longer term to ensure a range of activities and opportunities are accessible for all children and young people.

To approve the 2020-2021 Budget and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period to 2023-2024.

That Council be recommended to approve:

1.    The net budget requirement for 2020-2021 of £248.2 million for General Fund services (paragraph 19.1).

2.    The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 as detailed in Table 7 and the budget preparation parameters underpinning the MTFS as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

3.    A Council Tax for Council services in 2020-2021 of £1,681.58 for a Band D property, being an increase of 3.99% on 2019-2020 levels, which incorporates the 2% increase in relation to Adult Social Care (paragraph 9.6).

4.    That work starts on developing budget reductions and income generation proposals for 2021-2022 onwards in line with the Five Year Financial Strategy (paragraph 19.5).

5.    Revisions to the local council tax support scheme to introduce a disregard of any compensatory payments that are similarly disregarded in the prescribed scheme, and any transitional payments made to compensate for the loss of the severe disability premium in Universal Credit (paragraph 10.5).

That Cabinet is recommended to approve:

1.    The changes to the 2020-2021 draft budget for General Fund services, since the draft budget was last reported to Cabinet on 16 October 2019, as detailed in sections 6 to 18.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to approve the calculation and allocation of growth in the central share of business rates for 2020-2021 and future years to be passported to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) (paragraph 11.6).

3.    That approval be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to respond to any consultation papers on the Business Rates Retention Scheme, Comprehensive Spending Review, Fair Funding Review and any other related consultation papers (paragraph 14.4).

4.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources and the responsible Cabinet Member of the relevant service area in question, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the relevant Director to allocate budgets from the Corporate Contingency for Budget Growth once business cases have been completed (paragraph 5.8).

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet Member for Education, in consultation with Director of Finance and Director of Children’s Services, to approve changes to the local funding formula for Schools including method, principles and rules adopted (paragraph 18.4). 

6.    That authority continues to be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance to consider further opportunities to accelerate pension contribution payments to secure additional budget reductions (paragraph 6.7).

7.    That £750,000 be transferred from the Efficiency Reserve to a new specific Climate Change Reserve (paragraph 7.6).

8.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment and the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of City Environment and the Director of Finance to allocate funds from the Climate Change Reserve (paragraph 7.6).

That Cabinet is asked to note:

1.    That the budget for 2020-2021 is in balance without the use of general reserves (paragraph 19.1).

2.    That, in the opinion of the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer), the 2020-2021 budget estimates are robust (paragraph 19.1).

3.    That, in the opinion of the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer), the proposed levels of reserves, provisions and balances is adequate in respect of the forthcoming financial year (paragraph 20.6).

4.    That a further £15.5 million needs to be identified for 2021-2022 rising to £20 million over the medium term to 2023-2024 in order to address the projected budget deficit (paragraph 19.5).

5.    That, due to external factors, budget assumptions remain subject to significant change, which could, therefore, result in alterations to the financial position facing the Council (paragraph 5.6).

6.    That, there continues to be a considerable amount of uncertainty with regards to future funding streams for local authorities over the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review period.  At the point that further information is known it will be incorporated into future reports to Councillors.  Any reduction in the Government’s allocation of funding to the Council would have a significant detrimental impact and further increase the budget deficit forecast over the medium term (paragraph 5.5).

7.    That, the overall level of risk associated with the 2020-2021 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2021 to 2023-2024 is assessed as Red (paragraph 21.1).

8.    That Councillors must have due regard to the public sector equality duty (Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010) when making budget decisions (paragraph 26.7).

To approve the schemes for co-ordinated school admission arrangements for secondary, primary, community and voluntary controlled schools for 2021-2022.

1.     That the Co-ordinated Admission Schemes for secondary and primary school admissions at the normal year of entry for 2021-2022 and that the Secretary of State be notified by 28 February 2020 be approved.

2.     That the proposed admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for 2021-2022 be approved.

To approve the Capital Programme 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 Quarter Three Review and 2020-2021 to 2024-2025 Budget Strategy.

1.     That Council be recommended to approve the revised medium term General Revenue Account capital programme of £368.4 million, an increase of £41.3 million from the previously approved programme, and the change in associated resources.

2.    That the virements for the General Revenue Account capital programme detailed at Appendix 5 to the report be approved for:

i.   Existing projects totalling £8.4 million;

ii. New projects totalling £10.4 million.

3.     That both delegations to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance, be continue to approve the allocation of:

i.    The Corporate Contingency to individual projects in order that corporate priorities may    be addressed in an agile and timely manner;

ii.   The Transformation Development Efficiency Strategy to individual transformation projects in order to benefit from the capital receipts flexibility announced in the Autumn Statement 2015 and in line with the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

4.     That authority be delegated to the Black Country Joint Committee to make decisions on behalf of the Council in relation to the approval of all Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) funding applications, together with submissions for all external funding on behalf of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Collaboration Agreement partners.

To approve amendments to the Allocations Policy for Council housing to ensure it remains fit for purpose, making best use of stock and addressing housing need within the City.

1.     That the implementation, from 1 April 2020, of the aspects of the revised Allocation Policy that are not dependant on the development of the IT system as detailed in paragraph 6.4 of the report be approved.  The remainder of the policy, that is dependant on the development of the IT system to be implemented from February 2021.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director for City Assets and Housing to approve any minor changes to the final policy, where any structural constraints to the IT system are identified which are not able to support implementation of minor aspects of the recommended changes.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Director for City Assets and Housing, to make minor editorial changes to the Allocations Policy when necessary.

4.     That the recommendations from the Vibrant and Sustainable City Scrutiny Panel referred to in the pre-decision scrutiny at appendix 1 to the report be noted.

5.     That it be noted that the Allocations Policy continues to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, in consultation with the Director for City Assets and Housing, to approve local lettings plans which are time limited variations to the Allocations Policy to achieve specific objectives pertaining to a local area or addressing a specific issue.

To approve the recommendations for sustaining part or all of HeadStart Phase 3 following an evaluation process and sustainability consultation with stakeholders.

1.     That the learning from Headstart into future planning of wellbeing services for children and young people be endorsed.

2.     That it be noted that this item was considered as pre-decision scrutiny on 15 October 2019 by Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panel and would therefore not be available to call in once a decision is made by Cabinet.

1.    Approved the recommended action to modify existing traffic calming measures to parts of Woden Avenue after the public advertising of the revised traffic calming scheme as shown on plan T3/1198 appended to this report.

2.    Approved the recommended action to implement waiting restrictions to parts of Woden Avenue in response to comments received during public consultation and as shown on plan T4/4280B appended to this report.

3.    Authorised the Director of Governance to implement the relevant traffic regulation orders.

1.    Retrospective approval for underlease from City of Wolverhampton Council to Local Government Pension Service Central Limited at Floors 4 & 5 – Mander House.

That the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Director of City Environment:

1.     Approved the recommended action to overrule objections and implement a 20 mph Speed Limit and associated system of Traffic Calming (road humps and speed table) on Goodyear Avenue, Wingfoot Avenue and Low Hill Crescent, as shown on Plan T4/4274/01.

Approved the award of discretionary rate relief to the following organisation:

-       The Haven Wolverhampton

1.    Approved the recommended action, to make a permanent No Stopping and Prohibition of Vehicle Traffic Regulation Order on various roads surrounding the Molineux Stadium, as shown on plans T4/4193 and T4/4194 appended to this report.

2.    Authorised the Director of Governance to implement the relevant traffic regulation order.