Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interest was declared:

1)       Councillor Mark Thomas declared a personal interest in Minute 220 Western Bay response to the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Report on Care Homes in Wales ‘A Place to Call Home’ – wife works for the Authority in Adult Social Services – dispensation from Standards Committee.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 17 March 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meetings held on 17 March 2015 be approved as a correct record.

The Leader indicated that he had no announcements but referred to the tragic incident on the Kingsway and expressed his condolences to the family. He referred to the statements made in the press and that he would be allowing an urgent item on the Proposed Experimental Changes to the Kingsway.

A number of questions were asked in relation to the following items:

i)        A written questions was asked by Mr N Perrott in respect of Minute 221 – WLGA Peer Review Action Plan. The Leader  responded accordingly.

Ii)       Mr Roberts, Mr Sims and Mr Gibson  - Minute 214 – Report on the Proposed Experimental Changes to Kingsway.The Leader responded accordingly.    

iii)       Mr East – Minute 218 – Transfer of the Capital Budget – details of the process and contract. The Leader indicated that a written response would be provided.

No questions were asked. 

None.

None.

The Leader stated that pursuant to paragraph 100B (4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, he considered that the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation should be considered at this matter as a matter of urgency.

Reason for Urgency

 A decision needs to be made to enable officers to commence work on planning fior and implementing Experimental Traffic Orders at the earliest possible opportunity.

Report on Proposed Experimental Changes to the Kingsway

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Transportation presented a report which considered a proposal to review the operation of the bus lane ( eastbound) on the Kingsway and the implications of re – routing bus services and other vehicles that are currently permitted to use the bus lane. The Leader proposed an additional recommendation to this report.

CABINET DECISION

That:-

1)       Officers be authorised to monitor the implementation of temporary barriers along the central reservation of the Kingsway.

2)       Officers be authorised to implement an Experimental Traffic Order and      take any consequential steps to bring this into effect.

3)       Officers be authorised to access contingency funds of any monies necessary to fund amendments to the Kingsway.

Policy Framework

None

Reason for Decision

To provide officers with instructions to proceed.

Consultation

Local Ward Members, Legal & Finance, Access to Services

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing submitted a report which provided details of the Disabled Facilities and Improvement Grant Programme and sought approval to include schemes in the 2015-2016 Capital Programme.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The Disabled Facilities and Improvement Grant Programme as detailed, including its financial implications, be approved and included in the 2015-2016 Capital Budget.

Policy Framework

i)        Local Housing Strategy;

ii)       Private Sector Housing Renewal and Disabled Adaptations: Policy to Provide Assistance 2012-2017;

iii)       Statutory declaration of the Sandfields Renewal Area approved by Cabinet on 14 January 2014.

Reason for Decision

To comply with Financial Procedure Rule 7 “Capital Programming and Appraisals” - To commit and authorise schemes as per the Capital Programme.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Education submitted a report which provided an update on the progress in meeting the 5 recommendations in the Estyn Inspection Report. The second bullet point on Page 22 of the report was verbally amended to indicate that the deadline of the consultation period had been extended to 27 March 2015.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The progress update on the 5 recommendations in the Estyn Inspection Report be noted.

Policy Framework

i)        Estyn Common Inspection Framework.

Reason for Decision

Political monitoring of progress in meeting the 5 recommendations stipulated by Estyn.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation submitted a report which outlined a response to the scrutiny recommendations and presented an action plan for agreement.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The response as outlined in the report and related action plan be agreed.

Policy Framework

None.

Reason for Decision

To comply with the requirements of the Council Constitution.

Consultation

Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy submitted a report which presented the case to transfer existing unexpended capital budget from the refurbishment of the Civic Centre, Council Chamber (now discontinued) scheme to the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery Project, the proposed Guildhall, Council Chamber works and the recent  Guildhall accommodations moves.

CABINET DECISION

1)       £300,000 of the existing unexpended £500,000 capital budget allocated to the Civic Centre Council Chamber public access works be transferred to the Guildhall Council Chamber public access works and recent Cabinet and Senior Officer accommodation costs;

2)       The remaining budget of £200,000 be transferred from the existing budget set aside to refurbish the Civic Centre Council Chamber to the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery refurbishment project.

Policy Framework

None.

Reason for Decision

To comply with Financial Procedure Rule 7.

Consultation

Finance, Legal, Procurement, Corporate Building and Property Services.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy submitted a report which sought to agree the schemes to be funded through the Capital Maintenance programme.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The proposed capital maintenance schemes as listed in Appendix A of the report be approved;

2)       The financial implications identified in Appendix B of the report be authorised for inclusion in the capital programme.

Policy Framework

i)        The Revenue and Capital Budget as reported to and approved by Council on 24 February 2015.

Reason for Decision

To comply with Financial Procedure Rule 7 “Capital Programming and Appraisal” to commit and authorise schemes as per the capital programme.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Members for Finance & Strategy and Communities and Housing jointly submitted a report which set out the final terms of the exit from the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy system and the implications on the Council.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The final terms of the exit from the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy system be noted.

Policy Framework

Local Housing Strategy.

Reason for Decision

To provide the final terms of the reforms.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Services for Adults and Vulnerable People submitted a report which provided the background to the Older Peoples Commissioners (OPC) report “A Place to Call Home” and to outline the OPC’s requirements for action contained within the report.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The Swansea position within the Western Bay response to the OPC report be noted;

2)       The Western Bay response to the OPC report and the requirements for action identified within be noted;

3)       The Western Bay collaborative approach to develop and improve the quality of life for care home residents be supported.

Policy Framework

i)        Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action.

Reason for Decision

To seek endorsement of the Western Bay response to the OPC report and the requirements for action therein.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Performance submitted a report which considered the Action Plan and progress to date in response to the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Peer Review.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The Peer Review Action Plan subject to any additions be approved;

2)       The Peer Review Action Plan be referred to Council for information.

Policy Framework

Corporate Plan - Sustainable Swansea - Fit for the Future.

Reason for Decision

The Peer Review report was reported to Cabinet and Council in February 2015.  It was agreed to present the Action Plan to a future meeting.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Performance submitted a report which sought to appoint a temporary Assistant Coroner.

CABINET DECISION

1)       Caroline Sumeray be appointed as an Assistant Coroner for a fixed           period of 12 months from 26 March 2015.

Policy Framework

None.

Reason for Decision

To comply with a statutory requirement.

Consultation

None.

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 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 Communities and Housing submitted a report which sought to approve the Welsh Purchasing Consortium (WPC) Framework for Asbestos Surveying / Inspection Services, Testing / Analytical Services and Removal of Asbestos Works.  LOT 1 - Asbestos Survey / Inspection; LOT 2 - Asbestos Testing / Analytical Services; LOT 3 - (HSE) Asbestos Removal.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The recommendations as indicated in the report be approved.

Policy Framework

Council Constitution.

Reason for Decision

To comply with Contract Procedure Rule 13, as set out in the Council Constitution.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal, Democratic Services and Procurement, Corporate Building and Property Services.