This week, the Wolverhampton Council held several meetings, each addressing significant topics that will impact the city's future. Here's a summary of the most notable discussions and decisions.

Pensions Committee - Wednesday 19 June 2024

The Pensions Committee meeting was particularly impactful, focusing on the governance and performance of the council's pension fund.

Annual Governance Arrangement Paper

The committee reviewed and reaffirmed the annual governance arrangement paper, which outlines the management policies for the pension fund. This includes statutory policies and best practices adopted by the fund. The committee noted that there have been no changes to these policies this year, pending formal guidance from the Scheme Advisory Board's good governance review.

We are still waiting formal guidance on the outcomes of the SAB review, and we'll update the policies as needed once guidance is forthcoming. - Meeting Transcript

This decision ensures that the pension fund remains compliant with current regulations and best practices, maintaining its integrity and reliability.

Statement of Accounts

The committee approved the draft set of accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024. The accounts report a net asset value of the fund at £21.2 billion. The committee also delegated authority to the chair for the approval of the final set of accounts following the completion of the audit by Grant Thornton, the council's external auditor.

Approval is also sought for the delegation of authority to the chair for the approval of the final set of accounts and annual report following completion of the audit. - Meeting Transcript

This approval is crucial for the financial transparency and accountability of the pension fund.

Attendance and Training

The committee discussed the importance of attendance and training for its members. It was noted that there is a provision within the pensions committee terms of reference that requires attendance and training. The committee emphasized the need for members to attend meetings and training sessions to ensure informed decision-making.

It is important that members attend, but there is a difference between elected members, council members, who are appointed by the relevant authorities, and then the unions are actually invited. - Meeting Transcript

This discussion highlights the committee's commitment to maintaining high standards of governance and member engagement.

Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel - Wednesday 19 June 2024

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

Climate Change, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Panel - Thursday 20 June 2024

This meeting was cancelled.

The decisions made this week reflect the council's ongoing commitment to financial stability, governance, and member engagement. These themes have been recurring in our discussions, highlighting the council's strategic focus on sustainable growth, community well-being, and robust governance.

For those interested in the details of the Pensions Committee meeting, you can access the full transcript here.

This week, the Wolverhampton Council held several meetings, each addressing important issues that will impact the city's future. Here's a summary of the most notable discussions and decisions.

Cabinet Meeting - Wednesday 12 June 2024

The Cabinet meeting was particularly impactful, focusing on the council's financial management and public safety measures.

Reserves and Provisions 2023-2024

The Cabinet approved the final set of transfers from reserves and provisions for the financial year 2023-2024. This decision is crucial for maintaining the council's financial stability. The general fund balance was increased to £17 million, aligning with best practices of maintaining 5% of the council's net budget over the medium term. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) reserve remains at £7.3 million, ring-fenced for housing-related expenditures.

The current 2024-2025 budget has been balanced by the use of earmarked reserves... once reserves have been spent, they are gone. - Meeting Transcript

This highlights the council's reliance on reserves due to national financial pressures, emphasizing the importance of prudent financial management.

Performance Report 2023-2024

The Cabinet noted an overspend of £1.1 million for the financial year 2023-2024, reflecting 0.36% of the overall budget. This overspend was managed through one-off grants and additional use of capital receipts. The report also highlighted the council's proactive approach to improving full fibre broadband coverage, which now stands at 81.9%, well above the national average of 66.1%.

Wolverhampton has continued to improve on full fibre coverage across the city... now at 81.9%. - Meeting Transcript

This achievement underscores the council's commitment to digital infrastructure, which is vital for economic growth and connectivity.

Procurement of IT and Fleet Services

The Cabinet approved several IT-related procurements, including bin sensors and printing efficiencies, as part of the council's Driven by Digital initiative. Additionally, the council decided to lease nine winter maintenance vehicles for a 29-week period, a cost-effective solution for seasonal needs.

This for me is a really good bit of business. Why should we be really going out there and buying vehicles when we're leaving for the one particular part of the season? - Meeting Transcript

These decisions reflect the council's focus on efficiency and value for money.

Updated Covert Investigations Policy

The Cabinet approved updates to the council's covert investigations policy and procedures, ensuring they remain fit for purpose. This policy is crucial for the council's ability to conduct surveillance when necessary to protect public interest.

The council does not use justice of the peace authorized surveillance very often... however, we have to make sure our policy is fit for use. - Meeting Transcript

This update ensures the council is prepared to act when needed, maintaining public safety and compliance with legal standards.

Proposed City Centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

The Cabinet approved a PSPO to address antisocial behavior in the city centre. This order aims to enhance public safety and support the local economy by ensuring the city centre remains a welcoming space for all.

The city centre has seen an increase in calls for service from West Midlands police... this PSPO will help ensure that people remain safe and protected. - Meeting Transcript

The PSPO includes measures such as dispersing groups causing antisocial behavior and regulating the use of face coverings.

Regulatory Committee Meeting - Wednesday 12 June 2024

The Regulatory Committee focused on health and safety, with key discussions on the statutory health and safety plan and sports ground safety.

Health and Safety Statutory Plan 2024-2025

The committee approved the health and safety statutory plan, which outlines the council's responsibilities and priorities for the coming year. Key focus areas include managing asbestos, gas and electrical safety in commercial premises, and preventing workplace violence.

The council is responsible for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of people at work in our city and to safeguard others. - Meeting Transcript

This plan is essential for ensuring safe working environments and compliance with health and safety regulations.

Sports Ground Safety Audit

The committee reviewed the results of an external audit of sports ground safety, which Wolverhampton passed with a 100% score. This audit ensures that local sports venues, including Molineux Stadium, meet safety standards to prevent incidents like the Hillsborough disaster.

Complacency is the enemy of safety... this remains as true today as it was 35 years ago. - Meeting Transcript

This audit underscores the council's commitment to maintaining high safety standards at sports venues.

Other Meetings

• Scrutiny Board - Tuesday 11 June 2024: No video broadcast available.
• Cabinet (Resources) Panel - Wednesday 12 June 2024: No video broadcast available.
• Health Scrutiny Panel - Thursday 13 June 2024: No video broadcast available.
• Statutory Licensing Committee - Wednesday 12 June 2024: The committee reviewed decision-making processes and the scheme of delegation for the upcoming year.
• Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee - Friday 14 June 2024: No video broadcast available.

The decisions made this week reflect the council's ongoing commitment to financial stability, public safety, and efficient service delivery. These themes have been recurring in our discussions, highlighting the council's strategic focus on sustainable growth, community well-being, and robust governance.

This week, the Wolverhampton Council held several meetings, each addressing important issues that will impact the city's future. Here's a summary of the most notable discussions and decisions.

Audit and Risk Committee - Monday 03 June 2024

The Audit and Risk Committee meeting was particularly impactful, focusing on the council's internal audit performance and future compliance with new global standards.

Internal Audit Performance

The committee received a report highlighting the council's internal audit team, which ranks in the top quartile compared to nearly 80 other assessments. This is usually a space reserved for larger teams and some private sector teams. The high ranking is attributed to the established internal audit team and effective communication with clients.

The Wolverhampton team comes in the top quartile... this is usually a space reserved for the larger teams and probably some of the private sector teams. - Meeting Transcript

The report also noted a 92% return rate on a client feedback survey, significantly higher than the typical 60-70% in local government. This indicates a high level of interest and value placed on the internal audit function.

Future Compliance with Global Standards

The committee discussed the upcoming global internal audit standards set to come into force in 2025. These standards will reinforce existing public sector internal audit standards, particularly around stakeholder engagement and management's objectives.

The new global internal audit standards are coming into force in 2025... reinforcing some of the messages that are already in the public sector internal audit standards. - Meeting Transcript

The committee identified five key areas for future focus, including stakeholder expectations, management objectives, and risk management systems. This proactive approach aims to align internal audit practices with the new standards, ensuring continued high performance and compliance.

Economy and Growth Scrutiny Panel - Wednesday 05 June 2024

The Economy and Growth Scrutiny Panel discussed various initiatives aimed at boosting the local economy and fostering growth. Although the transcript is not available, this panel typically focuses on economic development, business support, and strategic growth initiatives.

Governance and Ethics Committee - Thursday 06 June 2024

The Governance and Ethics Committee meeting covered important governance issues, although specific details are not available. This committee usually addresses matters related to ethical governance, transparency, and accountability within the council.

City of Wolverhampton SACRE - Thursday 06 June 2024

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) meeting likely focused on religious education in local schools, promoting understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs. This committee plays a crucial role in shaping the religious education curriculum and supporting schools in delivering high-quality religious education.

Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee - Monday 03 June 2024

The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee meeting addressed licensing issues, ensuring that local businesses comply with licensing regulations. The specifics of this meeting are not detailed, but such meetings typically involve reviewing license applications and addressing non-compliance issues.

Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee - Wednesday 05 June 2024

Another Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee meeting took place, focusing on similar licensing issues as the earlier meeting in the week. These meetings are crucial for maintaining regulatory compliance and ensuring public safety.

The decisions made this week reflect the council's ongoing commitment to high standards in internal audit, economic growth, ethical governance, religious education, and regulatory compliance. These themes have been recurring in our discussions, highlighting the council's strategic focus on sustainable growth, community well-being, and robust governance.

This week, the Wolverhampton Council held several meetings, each addressing significant topics that will impact the city's future. Here's a summary of the most notable discussions and decisions.

Cabinet Meeting - Wednesday 22 May 2024

The Cabinet meeting covered several critical areas, including waste services, local planning, education, agency staff provision, and housing development.

Procurement of Waste Services

Councillor Louise Miles proposed a four-year contract for specialist waste services to maintain the city's waste fleet. This contract aims to ensure that Wolverhampton's waste services remain clean and efficient. Councillor Miles described it as a very good bit of business, and the proposal was approved unanimously.

Staffordshire Local Plan Consultation Response

The council discussed its response to the Staffordshire Local Plan, which initially proposed large housing developments in the Greenbelt at the edge of Wolverhampton. The revised plan no longer includes Greenbelt housing, which was a relief to Wolverhampton. Councillor Burdon emphasized the importance of prioritizing brownfield over greenfield sites. The response was approved unanimously.

Wolverhampton Education Place Planning Strategy

Councillor Jackie Coogan introduced a strategy to secure sufficient high-quality school places across the city. The strategy includes increasing the level of surplus school places from 2% to 5% to accommodate future housing developments. This move aims to ensure that the city's educational infrastructure can support its growing population. The strategy was approved unanimously.

Review of Agency Staff Provision

Councillor Paula Brookfield proposed changes to how the council employs temporary agency staff. The council plans to engage a strategic partner to provide temporary services, extending the current contract with YouRecruit and ADECO for 11 months. This move aims to bring further savings and improve the agency offer for the council. The proposal was approved unanimously.

WV Living Business Plan 2024-2029

WV Living, established in 2016, aims to develop high-quality housing in Wolverhampton. The new business plan outlines the development of nearly 800 additional homes over the next five years, with a commitment to 25% affordable housing. The plan was approved unanimously, emphasizing the council's role in supporting homeownership aspirations.

The meeting concluded with a motion to exclude the public for the remaining items of business, which was approved.

Cabinet (Resources) Panel Meeting - Wednesday 22 May 2024

The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised, but it is worth noting that this panel typically focuses on resource allocation and financial planning, which are crucial for the council's operations.

Corporate Parenting Board Meeting - Thursday 23 May 2024

We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting. The Corporate Parenting Board usually discusses matters related to the welfare of children in care, making it a key component of the council's social services.

Planning Committee Meeting - Tuesday 21 May 2024

This meeting was cancelled. The Planning Committee typically addresses development proposals and planning applications, which are essential for the city's growth and infrastructure.

The decisions made this week reflect the council's ongoing commitment to improving waste management, educational infrastructure, housing development, and efficient use of resources. These themes have been recurring in our discussions, highlighting the council's strategic focus on sustainable growth and community well-being.

This week, the Wolverhampton Council's Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee held two significant meetings, both revolving around the review and regulation of premises licenses due to illegal activities. These meetings highlight ongoing challenges in regulatory compliance and the council's firm stance on upholding licensing standards.

Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee Meeting - European mini-market - Wednesday 08 May 2024

The council convened to review the premises license of a European mini-market following the discovery of illegal cigarettes and vapes. The license holder, Mr. Ishmael, surrendered his license, leading to the termination of the review proceedings. This decision underscores the council's zero-tolerance policy towards non-compliance and illegal activities. The implications of this meeting are twofold: it serves as a deterrent to other businesses considering similar practices and raises questions about the effectiveness of the current licensing oversight mechanisms.

With the license surrendered, there was no longer a basis for continuing the review. - Meeting Summary

This abrupt end to the proceedings due to the license surrender highlights potential vulnerabilities in the licensing process, suggesting a need for more stringent checks and balances.

Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee Meeting - Three Tons News - Thursday 09 May 2024

Another premises, Three Tons News, faced scrutiny for the sale of illicit tobacco products and failure to comply with licensing objectives. The subcommittee decided to revoke the premises license after presentations from Trading Standards, West Midlands Police, the Licensing Authority, and Public Health. This decision reflects the council's commitment to community safety and the prevention of crime, particularly concerning the protection of minors from harmful substances.

The premises license holder demonstrated a lack of understanding of her responsibilities... notably in operating CCTV and adhering to Challenge 25. - Meeting Summary

The revocation of the license will significantly impact the business operations of Three Tons News, particularly in its ability to sell alcohol and tobacco products. This meeting also highlighted issues of preparedness and awareness among license holders, which could prompt the council to consider more robust educational initiatives for business owners about their licensing responsibilities.

Both meetings this week reinforce the theme of rigorous enforcement of licensing laws, a recurring topic in our discussions. They also suggest an emerging pattern where lack of knowledge and inadvertent non-compliance are leading to severe consequences for business owners, pointing to a possible gap in communication and education efforts by the council.

This week, the Wolverhampton Council held several meetings that are crucial for understanding the direction of local governance and development. Here's a summary of the most impactful discussions and decisions.

Cabinet (Resources) Panel Meeting - Wednesday 24 April 2024

The Cabinet (Resources) Panel focused on urban development and educational projects. Key decisions included:

• Procurement Award for Works and Goods: Approval of a contract for personal protective equipment and workwear for the waste services department, emphasizing operational efficiency and safety. The contract is valued at £230,000 over its duration.

• Acquisition of 11 Brown Street: The council plans to acquire this long-vacant property through compulsory purchase, aiming to renovate and reoccupy it to address local housing shortages. This move highlights the council's proactive stance on improving community living standards.

• City Learning Quarter, Phase 2: A significant £61 million investment was approved for enhancing the Central Library and Adult Education facilities. This project is expected to transform local education and boost the economy by attracting students and improving infrastructure.

The meeting displayed a unified approach to city development, with no opposing views, underscoring a strong consensus among council members on the strategic importance of the projects discussed.

Cabinet Meeting - Wednesday 24 April 2024

The Cabinet addressed several key issues:

• Canalside, South Land Transaction and Sustainable Transport Solution: The council agreed to a land side agreement with Waven's mere homes for over 500 sustainable new homes and commercial spaces. This project aims to revitalize disused industrial sites and enhance local economy, aligning with climate goals and urban renewal strategies.

• Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Update: The annual update emphasized the council's readiness in handling emergencies, focusing on training and collaboration with various stakeholders. This is crucial for the council's ability to respond effectively to unforeseen events, thereby safeguarding the community.

The meeting also noted the contributions of a council member who is moving to a new role as deputy mayor, adding a personal touch to the proceedings.

These meetings reflect the council's ongoing commitment to strategic urban development, educational enhancement, and community safety. Each decision made this week has implications for the future of Wolverhampton, aiming to improve living standards, economic growth, and educational opportunities.