Transcript

I need to advise you, today's meeting will be broadcast live via the council's internet site and that members of the press and public may record or take photographs except where there are confidential items. We should move on to a general item 1 and your apologies for absence. No apologies for seeing your chair. Thank you, Derek. General item 2, declarations of interest. Are there any councillors who wish to declare a discloseable procuring interest or a discloseable non procuring interest in relation to any item on today's agenda? No? We move on to agenda item 3, minutes of the previous meeting. I move that the minutes be a true record of the minutes held on the 20th of March to be approved. Is that seconded? Seconded chair. Is that carried? That's carried. Agenda item 4, we shall move swiftly on to Canalside, south land transaction, Wolverhamton New Cross Hospital Wendsfield Sustainable Transport. I move that the canalside, south land transaction and Wolverhamton New Cross Hospital Wendsfield Sustainable Transport Solution on your pack. Is that seconded? I second laid off and reserve the right to speak. That's good. As this is my agenda item, I shall speak on this. As you can see, the canal side scheme is one of the largest central residential developments that's taking place within the Midlands as we speak. It is being brought about by a strong collaboration with working with partners with the Canal and River Trust enabling an attractive land assembly which brings old disused industrial sites back into use, a brand film, if you will. In December, we were delighted to announce that Waven's mere homes were a preferred developer for the strategic Bremfield site under an exclusivity agreement. They have all the credentials to deliver the scheme of this scale. We are now proposing to enter into the land side agreement paving the way for Waven's mere to bring a planning application for well over 500 sustainable new homes, a letable commercial space and over four acres of public open space which will be supporting housing and climate challenge goals. It's really important that that's a key part of this project. It will create a vibrant new community on the eastern fringe of the city centre. This will allow football to be driven up and spending power into the local economy. This we perceive will generate a plethora of new jobs in and around the city centre. We are ensuring that the key development areas and the existing neighbourhoods are well connected. It is key to making our city work. So it is important that we find the best sustainable transport solution when it comes to the priority. A4124 to Waven's Field Rail Corridor. This is essential to links the city centre with not just new cross but Heath Town and the wider Wensfield. The report recognises that this work is of an importance and is supporting our Brownfield first approach and fulfilling our aspirations to bring more disused sites back into use. Especially when we go in a tractive investment that comes to our city, hopefully this will bring further investment into our city not too far away from this proposed development site across it's and georges. As you will see that again is strategically planned for us to develop in the future moving forward. I think it's important that we recognise the work that's been done with the Canal and River Trust. They are a key partner and that also the canal is one of the oldest transport routes and links this country has seen. I always think that the canal network is really underutilised especially within the West Midlands as it's always said we've got more canals than they have all across the world and it's really important that we do bring that back in. What's sad for me is that the government in its wisdom chose to turn it into a charity and stopped funding it direct for the transport budget and this is why working with the Canal and River Trust but more importantly working with Waven's Mayor we need to bring these sites back in and as you will see that there is no green belt that'll be utilised within this development and not as long as we can within the laws of planning where we ever put propels that moving forward. So there's the proposal for you. It's been seconded I think. Yes if I may add Chair that you're absolutely right you know it's come before this particular panel before in terms of the project and Waven's Mayor Holmes over 500 properties which you know is a variation of one, two bedroom, three bedroom properties and apartments and without doubt these modular properties will be extremely popular. You know not only will it regenerate a previously run down area part of the city. I think this will bring into life that area and as you say right on the outskirts of the city without doubt it will create some unique opportunities as well for businesses you know whether they be your normal general shops or even restaurants and crafts without doubt there's going to be a benefit for this city. I do think there'll be a lot of younger professional people will be interested because of the commuter routes that are nearby but let's not forget over 20% of those properties are going to be affordable and that's really important because we do want mixed tenure as I've outlined but we want mixed opportunity. We all know how difficult it is to get on the property ladder and to live right on the outskirts or on the boundary of the city centre itself in an affordable property. It's incredibly important and you're right the transport networks are vital. You know there is a key road down to no cross hospitals you've outlined and I'm really pleased with the partnership working with the Canal and River Trust but of course with Waven's Mayor and of course with Transport for West Midlands you know we've got to ensure that that corridor is a good sustainable transport network you know there's no use people living right at the edge of the city centre and then others can't commute in or out or they can't get to the hospital. You know this is an extra potentially 6, 7, 800 residents that are going to be right on the doorstep of the city centre and in that part of Wolverhampton that really does connect a town to the city centre. So it is important but again you know we said it earlier these projects down happen by chance you know it's about planning it's about the hard work it's about good negotiation and about excellent partnership and I think that's what we're seeing on a regular basis within this council and it's no wonder that we get quite a few national contractors now who are looking at Wolverhampton who do want to work with us for development opportunities and that means opportunities for businesses and opportunities for local residents to earn a property. So I fully support the paper chair. Councillor Bern you indicated. Yeah and I think what's really important is actually what you said there and this shows what intervention from the council can do when we work not just with the private sector but also the charity sector as well and actually bringing those partners in the room and making some things actually revolutionary for Wolverhampton because I use the Braille infrastructure I use the canal infrastructure there and lead us quite right when you come in from the train and you think is this the first impression I want people of Wolverhampton to be? No. Is this development exactly what I think people think Wolverhampton isn't absolutely 100 so it is. We're the gateway to the West Midlands this is where everyone travelling from the north. This is the first bit of the West Midlands they see and we're going to blow them away. It's because you say well over 500 homes, new parkland, four and a half acres of parkland built to the highest standards. This is as putting our money where our mouth is as well. We're saying Wolverhampton should be the best place for the environment. We're going to do it in the developments that we're bringing forward with the private sector as well. People here don't have to be dependent on public transport because they can walk straight into town. They don't have to be dependent on their own cars because they can walk straight to the railway station. We are giving people opportunities to change how they live while still enjoying a really really high standard of life and we're building a new community here and this community within the railway arch is walking straight up to the railway. Local schools have been built in the area. I don't know about you. I go around that area and it's been transformed in the last few years ago. New Thomas Telford school right there on site, high quality education putting through hundreds of students. They've expanded already because there was so much demand. That is how good transformational change has happened in that tiny part. You know very well as a Heathtown Councillor how much that area has changed and I think really is the best bit of it all is the Brownfield Institute right in the middle of there and we're sending out that right message of the Brownfield Institute is right there and look what we do with our Brownfield landing more vroomptered. You promised us lead will be Brownfield first and Brownfield only and this is one of the best Brownfield sites that's coming forward in this whole country. Councillor Gackle. Thank you, Leader. I wasn't really going to say anything that we're going to be honest with you but I can't help myself. I mean in these austere times in these Dickensian times that we were in sadly thanks to central government. I mean it's doom and gloom interest rates are rising people are struggling to fight in the you know the fighting to think well I'm at eating I'm a heating kids going to go on a school trip there's so much bad news out there yet you know something year on year on year despite the budget cuts this authority always comes forward and delivers delivers for the people of Wolverhampton. I mean can I say more than that but I will do because I know you are like the sound of my voice but look at the budget cuts we've had we've still delivered we've delivered year on year. This is a fantastic paper which I wholeheartedly support and I want to place on record my thanks to everybody the officers the leadership teams I mean wow this paper is unbelievable I mean this paper is going to deliver more homes in the city centre and again you know where this is going it's going to bring in more football into the city centre increasing this city economy linking of the wards with a city centre better transport connections quality regeneration we all remember that area what it was like just now let's put us thinking caps on and look into the future because I can see a vision now of what that is going to look like with all these fantastic houses being built and it's also giving ordinary people the chance to live in the city centre not many authorities can do that but we are thank you Leader. Councillor Collingsworth. Thank you Leader Chair. Yeah just listening to my colleagues then Labor Council delivering for the people of Wolverhampton not just delivering but exceeding expectations and exceeding on delivery I quite agree with what the leader and deputy leader said in their presentation and not proceeding with the sale would result in a missed opportunity wouldn't it to deliver a significant number of new homes for the city and make use of interest from the developer market to build and invest in Wolverhampton so in that sense it's an old brainer but I also note from the report of the intention of our authority and transport for West Midlands to undertake further development work as the leader stated in the important corridor Wensfield Road corridor the A4124 so I look forward to the interest to reading about that in the future going forward. Thank you Leader. Thank you. As you like I said it's a really key important policy for us moving forward it's a key important development. This puts people on the edge of our town centre that's a boost to our economy that's a boost to jobs you know far too often we've been criticised for the jobs figures within this city and while this is demonstrates how we're tackling that on and it's important to where it's sighted because it's a new community and an existing community that's already been upgraded through Wolverhampton Arms developments so we're marrying up people with new properties with brand new refer properties in part of these town that's really important because we've all mentioned it's a gateway into the city and it's important that people recognise the work that we've done. What's important as well is it's in and around the educational institutions we talked earlier about the city learning quarter we talked about the Brownfield Institute and again hopefully this will encourage developers to come and businesses to talk to us about the green innovation corridors as we can move the economy in so many different ways. Transport is a key economic driver and we need as much transport links within the city to get people in and out. We also need further connectivity up into the northern city along the Stafford Road, one to service the wolves which is a massive booster hour economy every time there's a home game but more importantly we needed to service the oil industries that we've got along the Stafford Road, you've got everything in the aeronautical industries and also you've got the I-54 development that then should open up that northern gateway into service staffs, Staffordshire and Starken beyond so we'd really do need to make sure that this helps bring those developments and talking to our friends in the combined authority however we get a second tram line in Wolverhamton, it's really key for us to connect the north but we want opportunities for all in this city and we'll try an endeavour no matter what happens at national government to get the best for our people in this city and leave no one behind. So the paper's been there before you, it's been proposed and seconded, all those in favour say aye. All those against that's carried, agenda item 5, emergency planning, business continuity and your update, a call on Councillor Paula Brookfield to move the report. Thank you Chair and this is the first in what will be an annual update to assure members that Wolverhamton Council is meeting its statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act of 2004. As a category one call responder, the Council is obliged to assess risks of emergencies, happening and plan accordingly, coordinating and collaborating with our partners in health and emergency services, businesses and voluntary organisations to ensure the critical services are maintained and delivered regardless of any disruption. Since the team relocated into the governance directors they have built upon their strengths and weaknesses and achievements rather sorry, raising the team's visibility and increasing training and upskilling opportunities to embed resilience across the Council and within our partnerships. The paper also highlights the opportunity that similar training to local and community groups would build up similar resistance within our local communities and move the Chair and happy to answer any questions. Is that seconded? That's seconded and can I just add that Councillor Brookfield's move there that this is a really critical function as she's outlined. You know sometimes it's not one that's often spoken about but emergency planning is key isn't it? Things happen, things go wrong, sometimes on the weekend or the middle of the night and you know most services operate every day time. So I'm really pleased again with this annual report and it just shows that never sit back on your laurels, things change and there's always some lessons learned but it's critical that as a city we are able to have continuity. We are able to communicate and work with partners and to keep the public in our innermost thoughts to make sure they can go about their daily duties. They may not even notice sometimes and just think somebody's put something in place but we have seen issues where there's been a building that could be unsafe, where there's been a private business that's had to the best of mine. Not least of the last 12 months, these are by the way. You know tyres on fire. These are all things that you can't plan for because there are emergencies. The only thing you can do and do it well and I think we have done by the way and it's credit to the officers and yourself is that you put everything in place to mitigate and to rise to the challenge of any emergency that takes place and I think we've demonstrated that we've done that again and no doubt we'll be able to do it again in the future. Any questions, members? Can I just say that I had the pleasure and the privilege to be at scrutiny board when this was discussed there first and I think it was Chelsea's first time into that scrutiny function. She performed excellently. She was really, really good, concise, very knowledgeable at the subject. She was also working collaboratively with Timmy who do an absolutely fantastic job for this city, protecting people. This is another case of where we're improving the due diligence of the authority to protect as many people as we can but in our city and if God forbid there is a tragedy, we've got mechanisms in place that will keep everybody as safe as possible and that's I think any authority, any local government or national government, its first duty is to protect its citizens and I think this demonstrates that. It's really important that we do do this annual checks every year but it was great. In fact we had a conversation where people thought they were threatened with RAC. It turned out to be a red herring at the end of the day to be perfectly honest but without these checks and balances put in place in the due diligence, we want to add that process so it's really important that we do as much as we can to protect the residents because we can't look into the future with our crystal ball, perhaps the other politicians might have talked away but we want to make sure that we demonstrate that we protect as many people as we can at a certain time and it was a pleasure to do so look forward to the next annual report. I did an LGA, you know, emergency planning course which I think was fascinating, really really good and I know that David's going to do something with the new elected members and the longer in the tooth members to refresh them as well so thank you very much for the way that you performed at scrutiny board and this is a great paper and thank the cabinet member Paula for bringing it to us, it's really important, some people might think it's doable but I think it's really important for us to do that for what I've said before. So it's been proposed and seconded, all those in favour say aye. All those again say no. That's carried, if we should move on to agenda item 6. I move that to the accordance section 100A4 of the local government act of 1972 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remainder item of business as it involves the local disclosure of exempt information on the grounds indicated on the agenda. Is that seconded? That's seconded chair. Is that agreed? Can I then say that that is carried? And I thank everybody for their attendance throughout the year, not just today. I also want to thank Craig Collinswood, particularly for his work on the cabinet, who's moving on to bigger and better things, being the deputy mayor, a very, very important role for us and I also want to thank each and every member of the cabinet for the amount of work that we've got through, delivering for the city, it has been a pleasure to deliver for the city and I think if you look back through it the year you can see where we're clearly demonstrated that. And that wouldn't have happened if we haven't got good financial stewardship, I'll pay tribute to Councillor Louise Miles. We're working diligent with the communities, Councillor Bader, Councillor Gackoff did a fantastic job with entertainment, I think there's a job for him there. Protecting our people with the gods to health and well-being Councillor Jasper Jasper, that's been a fantastic year. Chris Burden has been inspirational with children and the way that he's carried that children to brief off and the way that work that we've done with the half money and the household support for feeding children throughout the summarologies and it's been a real pleasure to be aware of here. Councillor Coogan again with schools done a fantastic job making sure that we're all in on time and now spelling mistakes, joking apart, doing a fantastic year to be fair. Craig has tried his best to keep us out of the potholes, in fact he's got a good track record, we have actually done a record number of potholes this year, thank you very much and last but no means are they still to thank the officers because then we couldn't deliver so much within the city, so without that I'll declare that this part of the meeting is closed. [BLANK_AUDIO]