Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J E C Harris and C E Lloyd.

In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 26 August 2014.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held on 26 August, 2014, be approved as a correct record.

The Leader of Council advised that an urgent exempt report would be considered in relation to the Elba Estate Gowerton Rent Review. 

None.

None.

None.

K Williams on behalf of Wales Audit Office/PWC presented the Audit of Financial Statements Progress Report 2013-2014.

The report detailed the audit findings and indicated adjustments to the accounts as necessary.

CABINET DECISION

That the Audit of Financial Statements Progress Report 2013-2014 be noted.

R Nelson on behalf of Wales Audit Office/PWC presented the Audit of Financial Statements Report City and County of Swansea Pension Fund 2013-2014.

The report detailed the audit findings and indicated adjustments to the accounts as necessary.

CABINET DECISION

That the Audit of Financial Statements City and County of Swansea Pension Fund 2013-2014 be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Services for Children and Young People presented the report on the operation of the Corporate Complaints Team, highlighting the number, nature and outcome of complaints made against the Authority, together with details of lessons learned and service improvements.

CABINET DECISION

That the report be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy reported the Corporate and Service Performance for the first quarter of 2014/2015.

CABINET DECISION

That performance be reviewed to help inform executive decisions on resource allocation and, where relevant, corrective actions to manage and improve performance and efficiency in delivering national and local priorities.

Policy Framework

‘Standing Up for Swansea’ Corporate Improvement Plan 2013/2017 updated for 2014/2015.

Reason for Decision

To receive and review the performance results for Quarter 1, 2014/2015.

Consultation

Legal, Finance, Access to Services.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy provided information and sought consideration of adoption of two further new temporary relief schemes relating to Business Rates which have been introduced by Welsh Government for the current financial year.  The schemes included the Wales Retail Relief and the Enhanced Local Need Relief.

CABINET DECISION

That:

1.     The details of the two schemes in the report be noted; and

2.     The two rate relief schemes outlined in the report be adopted.

Policy Framework

None.

Reason for Decision

Legislative requirement and Welsh Government grant funding condition.

Consultation

Legal, Finance, Access to Services.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy provided a review of progress made by the Council in meeting the priorities, actions and targets set out in the ‘Standing up for Better Swansea’ the Corporate Improvement Plan for 2013/17 as required by Part 1 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009.

CABINET DECISION

That the Annual Review of Performance 2013/2014 be approved.

Policy Framework

Standing up for a Better Swansea Corporate Improvement Plan 2013/2017.

Reason for Decision

To comply with statutory guidance and to approve and publish the Annual Review of Performance 2013/2014.

Consultation

Legal, Finance, Access to Services and Cabinet Member.

The Section 151 Officer reported the annual review of governance arrangements for 2013/14.

CABINET DECISION

That the Annual Governance Statement 2013/2014 be approved.

Policy Framework

None.

Reason for Decision

To comply with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2013/2014.

Consultation

Executive Board, Legal, Finance, Access to Services.

The Cabinet Member for Education reported the result of consultation and sought approval for the publication of a statutory notice on the proposal to close Brynhyfryd Infant Brynhyfryd Junior Schools and establish a new all through primary school on the existing sites.

CABINET DECISION

That a statutory notice  on the proposal to cease to maintain Brynhyfryd Infant and Brynhyfryd Junior Schools from 31 August  2015 and to establish a new all through Primary School from 1 September, 2015 on the existing Brynhyfryd sites be approved.

Policy Framework

QEd 2020 (strategic programme), Children and Young People Plan (priority 7).

Reason for Decision

Cabinet have previously approved that consultation could take place on this proposal.  The consultation period has now ended and, following consideration of the points raised during consultation, it is recommended to move to the next stage of the statutory process – publication of a statutory notice.  This proposal is consistent with existing Council policy to deliver, wherever possible, all through primary provision for pupils.

Consultation

Legal, Finance, Access to Services.

The Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration presented a report which sought to approve the Scheme and include the budget within the Capital Programme.

That the:

1.     Scheme as described be approved; and

2.     The budget be committed to the Capital Programme for 2014/2015 – 2016/2017.

Policy Framework

City Centre Strategic Framework.

Reason for Decision

To comply with Financial Procedure Rule No 7 (Capital Programming and Appraisals) – to commit and authorise schemes as per the Capital Programme or to include new schemes in the Capital Programme.

Consultation

Legal, Finance, Economic Regeneration and Planning, Housing, Access to Services.

The Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration sought approval for the allocation of the outstanding Waterfront City Convergence Programme Public Realm budget.

CABINET DECISION

That:

1.     The schemes as outlined, together with their financial implications be approved and added to the Capital Programme; and

2.     Submission of any statutory applications (planning etc) necessary to allow scheme delivery be approved.

Policy Framework

City Centre Strategic Framework

Reason for Decision

To comply with Financial Procedure Rule No. 7 (Capital Programming and Appraisals) – to commit and authorise a new capital scheme in the capital programme.

Consultation

Legal, Finance, Access to Services.

Cabinet were requested to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the item of business identified in the recommendations to the report on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as set out in the exclusion paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 relevant to the items of business set out in the report.

Cabinet considered the Public Interest Test in deciding whether to exclude the public from the meeting for the item of business where the Public Interest Test was relevant as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded for the following item of business.

CLOSED SESSION

The Leader of Council stated that pursuant to paragraph 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, he considered that the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy – Elba Estate Gowerton Rent Review should be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency.

Reason for Urgency

To authorise Officers to commence negotiations in order to come to a conclusion in respect of a revised amount of rent for Elba residents.

The Leader of Council provided Cabinet with a report which provided an update and options regarding the Elba Estate Rent Review.  Cabinet then discussed the issue at length.

CABINET DECISION

That the recommendations, as detailed in the report, be approved.

Policy Framework

None.

Reason for Decision

To update Cabinet Members and for Officers to obtain instructions regarding the future conduct of this issue.

Consultation

Legal, Finance, Access to Services.

The meeting ended at 6.10 p.m.

CHAIR

Published on 25 September 2014