Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor R C Stewart.

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

Officers

1)       Patrick Arran declared a Personal Interest in Minute 78 “21^st Century Schools Programme - Capital Programme Authorisation for the New Build for YGG Lôn Las” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its discussion.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 20 August 2015.

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

1)       Cabinet held on 20 August 2015.

The Deputy Leader of the Council welcomed Councillor A S Lewis (Next Generation Services Cabinet Member) to her first Cabinet meeting as a Cabinet Member.

She also thanked Councillor M Thomas for his work as a former Cabinet Member.

She also welcomed Councillor R C Clay to his first Cabinet meeting since his appointment as a Deputy Cabinet Member.

A number of questions were asked by member(s) of the public.  The relevant Cabinet Member responded.  Those questions not requiring a written response are listed below:

1)       Peter East asked the Deputy Leader of the Council a question relating to Minute 79 “Update on Disposal Strategy”.

The Deputy Leader of the Council ruled the question out of order as the report did not appear on the public part of the agenda.  She advised however, that should Mr East submit his question in writing to the Leader of the Council, a response would be provided.

2)       Peter East asked the Deputy Leader of the Council a question in relation to Minute 71 “Audit of Financial Statements Report - City and County of Swansea Pension Fund”.

The Section 151 Officer replied stating that the Welsh Treasurers were currently working on a common investment vehicle.

There were no questions requiring a written response.

A number of questions were asked by member(s) of the public.  The relevant Cabinet Member responded.  Those questions not requiring a written response are listed below:

1)       Councillor T J Hennegan asked the Deputy Leader of the Council a question in relation to Minute 72 “More Homes - Location for Pilot Scheme”.  The question asked the Deputy Leader of the Council whether she supported the excellent report.

The Deputy Leader of the Council indicated that she fully supported the report.

There were no Scrutiny reports.

Kevin Williams of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) presented the Audit of Financial Statements Report - City and County of Swansea for the audit year 2014-2015.

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

CABINET DECISION

The Audit of Financial Statements Report 2014-2015 be noted.

Kevin Williams of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) presented the Audit of Financial Statements Report - City and County of Swansea Pension Fund for the audit year 2014-2015.

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

CABINET DECISION

The Audit of Financial Statements Report - City and County of Swansea Pension Fund 2014-2015 be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Next Generation Services submitted a report which sought to identify locations for pilot schemes of new Council Housing.

CABINET DECISION

1)       Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned land off Milford Way, Penderry and at Parc yr Helig, Llansamlet, be identified as preferred locations for pilot schemes of new Council housing subject to any unknown constraints to development;

2)       Resources be committed to providing detailed ground investigations and a scheme design to support a formal planning applications in due course.

Policy Framework

Local Housing Strategy.

Reason for Decision

For the pilot scheme to be taken forward.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy submitted a report which sought to report Corporate and Service Performance for Quarter 1 of 2015-2016.

CABINET DECISION

1)       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

Delivering for Swansea Corporate Plan 2015-2017.

Reason for Decision

To receive and review the performance results for Quarter 1 of 2015-2016.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy submitted a report which sought to report on financial monitoring of the 2015-2016 revenue and capital budgets, including the delivery of budget savings.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The comments and variations in the report, and the actions in hand to address these be noted.

Policy Framework

Budget 2015-2016;

Sustainable Swansea - Fit for the Future.

Reason for Decision

To note any significant variations from the agreed budget 2015-2016 and savings plan and the actions planned to achieve a balanced budget.

Consultation

Cabinet Members, Corporate Management Team, Corporate Equalities Unit, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Performance submitted a report which sought to present the Annual Equality and Welsh Language Review reports for 2014-2015 as required by the Public Sector Equality Duty for Wales and Welsh Language Commissioner.  The draft Strategic Equality Plan 2016-2020 was also presented.

CABINET DECISION

1)       Both the report content (for publication) and draft SEP (for formal public consultation) be approved.

Policy Framework

Strategic Equality Plan 2012-2016;

Welsh Language Scheme 2011-2014.

Reason for Decision

To present the review reports for approval prior to submission to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Welsh Language Commissioner (as the regulators) and publication on the Council’s website (as required by law). 

To present the draft SEP for approval prior to formal public consultation.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which sought approval of the Annual Review of Governance Arrangements for 2014-2015.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The Annual Governance Statement 2014-2015 be approved.

Policy Framework

None.

Reason for Decision

To comply with the Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations 2014.

Consultation

Access to Services, Executive Board, Finance, Legal.

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 Education submitted a report in relation to the Capital Programme Authorisation for the new build for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg (YGG) Lôn Las.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The recommendations as set out in the report together with the amendments made at Cabinet be approved.

Policy Framework

One Swansea Plan;

The Revenue and Capital Budget as reported to and approved by Council on 10 February 2015;

QEd 2020 programme;

Corporate Priority to review the overall provision of schools;

Corporate Priority to improve opportunities for children and young people;

Corporate Priority improving school performance;

Corporate Priority effective corporate and strategic management of assets.

Reason for Decision

As set out in the report.

Consultation

Access to Services, Corporate Building and Corporate Services, Education, Finance, Legal.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategy submitted a report which sought to provide an update on the Disposal Strategy.

CABINET DECISION

1)       The recommendations as set out in the report approved.

Policy Framework

Corporate Asset Management Plan;

Council Constitution.

Reason for Decision

As set out in the report.

Consultation

Access to Services, Finance, Legal.