Please find below details of current casework CWEF are progressing and the action taken by CWEF to deal with them.

If you would like further details, then please email info@cwef.co.uk quoting the Case Reference Number want to know more about.

​

Case Reference 07-26-05-CWCADVC – Adult Voices and Choices

Adult Voices and Choices (ADVC) is part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s Adult Social Care and was established in October 2023. It’s purpose was to be a collaborative partnership between Residents of Wolverhampton, Service users of adult Social Care and the City of Wolverhampton Council to consider how services can be co-produced. In April 26, CWEF believe that CWC officers/Vice Chair orchestrated changing ADVC Membership rules to exclude members, that challenge officers. There was evidence that most of the 7 members that attended a meeting agreeing to the changes, did not understand the changes being proposed and there was very little mentioned in the Minutes about the changes. There were also a number of governance issues including no Annual General Meeting ever being held, quorum issues, record keeping, removal of social support for members (even though some members were neurodiverse). Members were also misled about ADVC Reps having a Scrutiny role and taking part in recruitment interviews. No Equality impact assessment was undertaken before major membership changes were made and no independent investigation undertaken even though 3 formal complaints were lodged. There were issues around lack of training in equality, diversity, inclusion especially neurodiversity in officers and Vice Chair and two members were asked to leave ADVC meeting in May by CWC staff member and new Chair (not in line with CWC restorative practice).  On 10th August 2026, CWC cancelled a meeting arranged to discuss issues raised and responded to submitted, written questions including:​​

3. Is it a coincidence that ADVC membership changes follow a pattern set by Healthwatch Wolverhampton when the same 3 members of ADVC gave negative feedback about their experience at a Board Review meeting? Rather than address the issues raised Healthwatch disbanded the Board and set up a Panel made up of organisations instead.

Answer: There is no evidence to show ADVC membership changes follow any patterns of any other boards, internal or external to the Local Authority.

 

4. On 24/6/26, at a meeting you held with a current member of ADVC who has also raised a formal complaint, you agreed that ADVC is not fit for purpose and further ADVC meetings have been suspended until you have addressed certain issues, so why weren’t our complaints upheld?

Answer: We acknowledge that ADVC is currently not fit for purpose and leaders are reviewing the group.

​

Case 07-26-06-A2B – Access To Business (A2B)

Date                        Details/Update

14/7/26  - CWEF CIC Director emailed Access to Business to attend AI Workshop scheduled for 20/7/26

16/7/26 - Reply from A2B CEO ‘unfortunately I am not accepting your, or anyone else associated with Citywide Equity Forum, including your Board or Steering Group attendance at our event and as such we will not be invoicing you.

17/7/26 - A2B CEO also sent the email to CWEF CIC Director’s work email address

21/7/26 - Formal complaint made to Access to Business CEO, requesting a copy of the Complaints Policy.

28/7/26 - Email from A2B CEO acknowledging receipt of formal complaint – personal decision, citing ‘charities have a common law duty to prevent foreseeable harm to those they work with. My decision was based on my belief that my decision helps fulfil the duty to protect the safety and purpose of Access to Business. As the now retired CEO this is my final position on the matter and I am unable to enter into any further correspondence.’

29/7/26 - EDI issue complaint sent to: Tim Johnson – Chief Executive, City of Wolverhampton Council, David Pattison – Chief Operating Officer & Monitoring Officer, Charlotte Johns – Executive Director of Economy (Leading on Pride in Place), West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, Section 151 Officer – Deputy Chief Executive Officer – City of Wolverhampton Council Mark Taylor, MP Pat Mcfadden, Bilston Elected Councillors, CWC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team. 

18/8/26 - CWEF sent follow up Complaint email sent to A2B Chair and Trustees

20/8/26 - Email reply received from A2B Business Support: ‘Access to Business acknowledges receipt of your complaint set out below and confirms that it has been forwarded for the attention of our Chair and Board of Trustees’.

​

Case Reference 03-25-07-StMS – St Matthius Secondary School

A parent has asked CWEF for support following raising a complaint against The Head Teacher at St Matthius Secondary School on 17th March 2025. The school changed their Complaints Policy after the parent highlighted it was out of date. The school also appears to have delayed investigating and responding to the complaints in line with the schools Complaints Policy. The parent has still not had an outcome letter following the Panel meeting held with Governors on 13th July 2026.