Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interests were declared:

1)              Councillor J A Raynor declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 15 “Local Authority Governor Appointments” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration;

2)              Councillor Mark Thomas declared a Personal Interest in Minute 16 “Financial Procedure Rule 7 - Local Transport Capital Grants 2018-2019”;

3)              Councillor C E Lloyd declared a Personal Interest in Minute 27 “Financial Procedure Rule 7 – Baldwin’s Bridge Interchange 2018-2019”.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting(s) listed below be approved and signed as a correct record:

1)              Cabinet held on 17 May 2018.

The Leader of the Council made no announcements.

Questions must relate to matters on the open part of the Agenda of the meeting and will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

A number of questions were asked in relation to Minute 13 “School Organisation linked to the Welsh Education Strategic Plan”, Minute 14 “Small School Review” and Minute 20 “Swansea Regeneration Projects Update and FPR 7”.

The relevant Cabinet Member responded.

A number of questions were asked in relation to Minute 13 “School Organisation linked to the Welsh Education Strategic Plan”, Minute 14 “Small School Review” and Minute 21 “Swansea Bay City Deal”.

The relevant Cabinet Member responded.

Councillor L R Jones, Convenor of the Regional Working Scrutiny Inquiry Panel presented the findings, conclusions and recommendations resulting from the Panel’s Inquiry into regional working.

Resolved that:

1)              The report be noted and the relevant Cabinet Member tasked with submitting a written response to Cabinet.

Councillor T J Hennegan presented the pre decision scrutiny feedback.

The Cabinet Member for Homes and Energy presented a report, which provided an update on which option should be progressed at Parc yr Helyg, along with financial implications.

Resolved that:

1)              The options as outlined in the report were considered and the preferred specification as the Swansea Standard (with value engineering) be confirmed;

2)              The emerging longer term development programme be noted and the allocation of £500,000 for the scheme for Colliers Way Phase 2 for the enabling works be approved, the detail of which being delegated to the Director of Place, in line with the requirements of Financial Procedure Rule 7.

The Education & Skills Policy Development and Delivery Committee submitted a report, which outlined the progress of the developing policy on education and skills to meet the challenges of the City Deal.

Resolved that:

1)              The report on developing policy on education and skills to meet the opportunities provided by the City Deal was considered and the actions identified in the report endorsed;

2)              The Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Lifelong Learning work with Officers to ensure that local arrangements are robust to meet the challenges and opportunities arising from the City Deal, including establishment of local partnership arrangements to feed into regional partnerships.

The Leader of the Council (Cabinet Member for Economy & Strategy) submitted a report, which sought to award Council Tax Discretionary Relief to care leavers aged 18 to 25 years old residing in the City and County of Swansea area as part of discharging the Authority’s duty as a Corporate Parent and supporting those care leavers.

Resolved that:

1)              Cabinet exercise its discretionary powers to award a 100% Discretionary Council Tax Relief to the net Council Tax liability of all care leavers aged between 18 and 25 years.

The Cabinet Member for Business Transformation & Performance presented a report, which provided information and considered the adoption of a new temporary High Street Rates Relief Scheme, relating to Business Rates, which has been introduced by Welsh Government (WG) for the current financial year.

Resolved that:

1)              The details of the scheme as set out in the report be noted;

2)              The Rate Relief Scheme and the application process as set out in the report be adopted for 2018-2019.

The Cabinet Member for Business Transformation & Performance presented an information report, which provided an overview of the work of the Authority in relation to the Welsh language during the specified reporting period.

The Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning & Skills presented a report, which sought consideration of the next steps required to progress the commitments within the Welsh Education Strategic Plan (WESP), as reflected in the Authority’s approved 21^st Century Schools Band B Programme, and where appropriate approve the commencement of statutory consultation processes.

Resolved that:

1)              The next steps required to deliver the commitments within the WESP be noted and the commencement of statutory consultation as appropriate be approved, specifically:

a)              The proposed relocation and enhancement of capacity and facilities at YGG Tan-y-lan;

b)              The proposed relocation and enhancement of capacity and facilities at YGG Tirdeunaw (if required);

c)              The consultation on the proposed closure of YGG Felindre;

d)              The proposed review of Primary and Secondary Welsh-medium catchment areas as necessary to reflect the proposed changes above.

The Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning & Skills presented a report, which noted the small schools in Swansea and sought approval to consult on a proposal to close one of these schools, Craigcefnparc Primary School, with effect from 31 August 2019.

Resolved that:

1)              Approval is given to consult on a proposal to close Craigcefnparc Primary School with effect from 31 August 2019;

2)              The responses following the consultation period be considered;

3)              The review of small schools by Cabinet as outlined in the report continue.

The Local Authority Governors Appointment Group submitted a report, which sought approval of the nominations submitted to fill Local Authority (LA) Governor vacancies on School Governing Bodies.

Resolved that:

1)              The following nominations recommended by the Chief Education Officer in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning & Skills be approved:

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure Management presented a report, which confirmed the bid for Local Transport Fund (LTF) and Local Transport Network Fund Grant (LTNF) and sought approval for expenditure on the proposed schemes and projects in 2018-2019.

Resolved that:

1)              The Local Transport Fund (LTF) and Local Transport Network Fund Grant (LTNF) schemes, together with their financial implication be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure Management presented a report, which stated that Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) provide an opportunity for first time non-habitual offenders to avoid court and a possible criminal record.  They offer a more efficient and proportionate response to tackling small scale fly tipping incidents which will also help ease the burden on the court system.

Resolved that:

1)              The fixed penalty fee be set at £400 with an early payment amount of £250 if paid within 10 working days;

2)              This be reviewed in one year by the Cabinet Member / Lead Officer.

The Cabinet Member for Better Communities presented a report, which sought agreement for the updated Swansea Third Sector Compact Agreement.

Resolved that:

1)              The updated Third Sector Compact be approved in anticipation of its formal adoption by partners on 27 June 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration & Tourism presented a report, which sought to comply with Financial Procedure Rule 7 “Capital Programming and Appraisals” in order to commit and authorise the inclusion of the Town Loan Scheme within the Capital Programme.

Resolved that:

1)              The proposed Town Centre Loan Fund scheme and its financial and legal implications be approved and the Scheme added to the Capital Programme;

2)              The launch of the Town Centre Loan Fund and proceeding to offer Town Centre Loans be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration & Tourism presented a report, which set out urgent decisions required and the current budget requirements in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules.

Resolved that:

1)              The capital budget requirements to take forward the following projects be approved:

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Strategy & Chief Executive presented a report which sought to approve the establishment of the Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Committee and the associated funding streams.

Resolved that:

1)              The establishment of the Swansea Bay City Deal (SBCD) Joint Committee and associated governance structure be approved;

2)              The draft Joint Committee Agreement be endorsed and delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to make such minor amendments to the Agreement as are required and agreed between the partner Authorities and the UK and Welsh Governments to finalise the agreement;

3)              The establishment of a Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Scrutiny Committee be endorsed;

4)              The proposal that the Council contributes £50k per annum over 5 years to jointly cover operating costs for the Joint Committee, Economic Strategy Board, Programme Board, Joint Scrutiny Committee, Accountable Body and Regional Office functions be endorsed and the principle that further funding is provided equivalent to the 1.5% top slice of the City Deal funding allocation be agreed.  The agreement of the basis of the provision of this funding be delegated to the Head of Financial Services and Service Centre (Section 151 Officer) in consultation with the Leader of the Council;

5)              The Head of Financial Services and Service Centre (Section 151 Officer) be authorised to explore and implement the most appropriate proportionate borrowing to fund Regional projects delivered in Council respective areas;

6)              The Head of Financial Services and Service Centre (Section 151 Officer) be authorised to negotiate with colleague Directors the most appropriate allocation basis for the regional non-domestic rate retention in respect of the 11 projects.

Councillor C A Holley presented the pre decision scrutiny feedback.

Councillor R C Stewart (Chair) left meeting.

Councillor C E Lloyd (Vice Chair) Presiding

The Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism presented a report, which provided and update on the progress of the procurement exercise undertaken for Leisure and Cultural facilities, following the Service Commissioning Review 2015, and present comparative options for future delivery.

Resolved that:

1)              The progress of the procurement exercise undertaken for Leisure and Cultural facilities, following the Service Commissioning Review 2015, and present comparative options for future delivery be noted.

Cabinet were requested to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the item(s) of business identified in the recommendations to the report(s) on the grounds that it / 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(s).

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(s) of business.

(Closed Session)

The Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism presented a report, which provided and update on the progress of the procurement exercise undertaken for Leisure and Cultural facilities, following the Service Commissioning Review 2015, and present comparative options for future delivery.

Resolved that the recommendations as detailed in the report be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Business Transformation & Performance presented a report, which considered options for the disposal of the Former Civic Centre and adjoining land, Penllergaer.

Resolved that the recommendations as detailed in the report be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure Management presented a report, which confirmed the funding for the purchase of land required for the Baldwin’s Bridge Interchange Project and sought approval for expenditure in 2018-2019.

Resolved that the recommendations as detailed in the report be approved.