Agenda and minutes

None received.

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

None received.

To answer any questions, if any asked by any resident of the Borough pursuant to Standing Orders.

None received.

To receive for information only the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 December 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2020 were presented for information only.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2020 be received for information.

Members were provided with an update on the proposed changes to the governance arrangements at West Midlands Rail Limited and invited to approve the identified changes.

The report before Members set out the background to the creation and purpose of West Midlands Rail Limited Board as well as the current governance arrangements. The report detailed the reasons for changing the governance arrangements and the various options which had been considered as detailed in the report (section 4.1).

Members were advised that the preferred option which was being recommended for Cabinet approval, was option 6. Under Option 6, the Mayor of the West Midlands gained direct and formal influence over local rail services and rail strategy. For West Midlands Rail Limited, the non-voting nature of the Mayor's involvement meant that the delicate political and geographical balance was undisturbed. Furthermore, under Option 6, the Mayor's formal role increased the likelihood that West Midlands Rail Limited would be able to successfully lobby the Department for Transport for greater powers and funding. Finally, the power of the Board was increased through the creation of two more powerful Vice Chair roles.

The Cabinet was advised that an extraordinary meeting of the West Midlands Rail Limited Board would be held on 19 January 2021 to confirm the changes to the governance arrangements proposed in the report.

On receiving the report Members noted that West Midlands Rail was established before the West Midlands Mayoral Combined Authority was created and although the Mayor of the West Midlands, has had no formal role, the general public have looked to him to deal with rail issues, which he has done.

RESOLVED:

That the principles be agreed and the Council’s nominated Member of the West Midlands Rail Limited Board be authorised to vote in favour of the proposed changes at an extraordinary meeting of West Midlands Rail Limited Board, to be held on Tuesday 19th January 2021.

The Cabinet was provided with the Infrastructure Funding Statement that the Council was required to publish annually, and invited to approve its publication.

Members were advised that due to changes in law, Local Authorities were required to report on what they had received and spent through CIL and developer contributions and include information for the following year on infrastructure priorities via an Infrastructure Funding Statement.

Members were advised that the Statement set out how funding was collected and spent in 2019/20, as well as noting the next calendar year detailing the infrastructure priorities which would be wholly or partially funded by developer contributions via CIL or Section 106 Agreements.

Members noted that the report set out some of the benefits that can be accrued from development for local communities and the Borough through the Strategic Fund.

Some clarification was sought in relation to how smaller local community groups faired particularly as some bids had been deferred and whether any thought had been given to changing the timing of the allocation of CIL monies from annually. Officers advised that with some of the Neighbourhood bids, further detail had been required and additional time had been given to those sponsoring the bids to provide this, before being presented to the Cabinet Member for consideration. In relation to the timing of allocations this was something which the relevant Scrutiny Board had considered, but could be kept under review.

Members noted that of the land that was available for 40% affordable housing 38% of eligible sites had been developed.

Officers clarified that there were different mechanisms to support areas of the Borough and in relation to those wards were the opportunities for development was limited for example, the Strategic CIL Fund was available to support infrastructure development.

RESOLVED:

That the publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) for 2019/20 as attached as Appendix A to the report be approved.

The purpose of the report is to:-

Ø   inform the Cabinet of the progress of an external funding application on behalf of the Council; and

Ø   agree the acceptance of external funding to support the delivery of the Council’s priorities.

The Cabinet was:

Ø  Informed of the progress of an external funding application on behalf of the Council; and

Ø  Invited to agree the acceptance of external funding to support the delivery of the Council’s priorities.

Members were advised that the Council had an ambitious agenda which could not be entirely funded by the Council’s own resources. Securing the external funding supported the delivery of the Council’s Growth and Development Investment Plan. The report provided details on the individual application as set out in the report.

Officers assured Members that the Council had enough resources, particularly in relation to staff to support this work.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the successful application to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for £2,282,750 to fund a Hub Movement and Connectivity Package be noted; and

(ii)  That it be agreed to delegate authority to the relevant Director to sign any contractual arrangements associated with the application in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet Member as detailed in the report.

The meeting is likely not to be open to the public during discussion of the following items because the reports contain exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That, pursuant to Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business to be transacted, on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information in terms of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the said Act.