The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming snap general election, updates to the council's Constitution, and the council's forward plan for 2024-2025.

General Election Preparations

David Patterson, Chief Operating Officer and Monitoring Officer, and Laura Gittos, Head of Governance, presented the preparations for the snap general election. Key points included:

• New Parliamentary Boundaries: Wolverhampton's new constituencies (Wolverhampton North East, Wolverhampton South East, Wolverhampton West) do not align with ward boundaries, complicating the counting process.
• Cross-Boundary Voting: Wolverhampton will manage 50,000 voters from Walsall, with a protocol in place to ensure smooth operations.
• Voter ID and Postal Votes: Emphasis on ensuring voters are aware of ID requirements and postal vote handling. Customer services will assist with voter ID applications.
• Staffing and Logistics: 871 staff have been appointed for the election. Postal vote opening will start earlier than usual to manage increased volumes.
• Media Interest: Significant media interest from outlets like BBC News, ITN, Sky News, and GB News.

Constitution Updates

The council discussed updates to the Constitution to make it more user-friendly and ensure it reflects current practices. Key changes included:

• Scheme of Delegation: Updated to be more accessible and understandable, focusing on functions rather than legislative references.
• Director Responsibilities: Clarified the roles and responsibilities of various directors, including a discussion on the overlap between different directorates.
• Minor Changes: Adjustments to the submission deadlines for motions and questions, and the removal of references to the Cabinet Resources Panel.

Forward Plan 2024-2025

David Patterson presented the forward plan, highlighting key reports and meetings scheduled for the upcoming year. Notable points included:

• September Meeting: Will cover the Ombudsman Annual Report, Information Governance Annual Report, and possibly the evaluation of the May and July elections.
• October Meeting: Will include reports on the CEU and councillor support, councillor casework, and the councillor development program.
• January Meeting: Will feature the annual report on linked bodies and progress on the annual canvas.

The meeting concluded with no additional questions or comments from the councillors.