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 M C Child declared a Personal Interest in Minute 90 “Annual Review of Charges (Social Services) 2016/17” – my mother receives care from Social Services but I have dispensation from Standards Committee.

2)    Councillor M C Child declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 92 “Local Authority Governor Appointments” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

3)    Councillors M C Child, R Francis-Davies, W Evans, A S Lewis, M S Sherwood, R C Stewart & M Thomas declared a Personal Interest in Minute 91 “Councillors’ ICT Allowances - May 2017 & Beyond”.

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 18 October 2018.

The Leader referred to recent issues surrounding communications being sent to pupils and parents at Birchgrove Comprehensive and Primary Schools. He indicated that the Authority is investigating the matter and will issue a statement shortly.

He also referred to recent press reports relating to redundancies. He stated that as in previous years, the Authority will endeavour to explore all options for savings and compulsory redundancies would only be the final option.

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.

No questions were asked.

Councillor J E Burtonshaw asked the Cabinet Member for Homes & Energy in regard to “Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan 2018-2022” if she would consider adding to the Strategy and Action Plan the “working with Members of the Armed Forces Covenant Community to try and assist those veterans sleeping rough”.

The Cabinet Member for Homes & Energy indicated she would be happy to assist veterans and add this to the strategy.

Councillor T J Hennegan presented the pre decision scrutiny feedback, and referred to the letter circulated to Cabinet Members.

The Cabinet Member for Homes & Energy thanked Scrutiny for the letter and their input.

The Cabinet Member for Homes & Energy presented a report which sought approval of the Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan 2018 - 2022, which has taken into account feedback from the consultation exercise undertaken.

She thanked the input made from Scrutiny, the Poverty PDC and the Public into the development of the document, and paid tribute to the input of Officers from the Housing Department.

She indicated that the Action Plan would be subject to yearly review and update to Cabinet.

Resolved that:

1)    The consultation responses be noted.

2)    The Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan with the amendment referred to in Minute 86 above be approved for implementation by 31 December 2018.

The Section 151 Officer presented a report which reported on financial monitoring of the 2018/19 revenue and capital budgets, including the delivery of budget savings.

Resolved that:

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

The Cabinet Member for Care, Health & Ageing Well presented a report which outlined the Director of Social Services’ Annual Review of charging (social services) 2018/19. The report sets out the Council’s proposed list of charges for social services 2019/20 to come into effect on 1^st April 2019.

Resolved that:

1) the Annual Review of Charges (Social Services) report by the Director of Social Services 2018/19 be noted.

2) the proposed 2019/20 List of Charges outlined within the report be approved.

The Leader presented the report of the Head of Democratic Services which proposed to reformat the recently amended and adopted Councillors’ ICT Allowances - May 2017 & Beyond Policy in order to make it suitable for publishing online.

Resolved that:

1) The Councillors’ ICT Allowances - May 2017 & Beyond Policy as outlined in Appendix A of the report be adopted in its new format.

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 Investment, Regeneration and Tourism presented a report which proposed confirmation of a level of funding for the Leisure Centre capital development proposals in partnership with Freedom Leisure.

The report was necessary in order to comply with Financial Procedure Rule No 7 (Capital Programming and Appraisals) to commit and authorise the schemes, as set out in the Tender from Freedom Leisure, within the Council’s Capital programme. 

Resolved that:

1) The overall Capital Development principles be approved together with their financial implications;

2) Authority be given to draw down the Capital borrowing and to authorise the schemes contained within the Capital Development principles;

3) A Project Board be developed to manage the individual schemes with appropriate officer representation;

4) Grant funding opportunities be explored in partnership with Freedom Leisure to increase the level of capital available to further enhance the development proposals and expand where feasible, other facility upgrades.