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 interest was declared:

1)              Councillor R Francis-Davies declared a Personal & Prejudicial interest in Minute 22 “Wales National Pool Financial Support” and withdrew from the Meeting prior to its discussion.

2)              Councillor A S Lewis declared a Personal Interest in Minute 23 “Climate Emergency Declaration – Policy Review & Proposed Action Plan”.

3)              Councillor A S Lewis declared a Personal Interest in Minute 24 “Energy Strategy 2020-2030”.

4)              Councillor E J King declared a Personal & Prejudicial interest in Minute 28 “Local Authority Governor Appointments” and withdrew from the Meeting prior to its discussion.

5)              Councillor J A Raynor declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 28 “Local Authority Governor Appointments” and stated that she had dispensation from the Standards Committee to Stay, Speak but Not Vote on matters relating to the Appointment of Local Authority Governors.

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 15 October 2020.

The Leader of Council made no announcements.

Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must relate to items on the agenda. Questions will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

No questions were asked.

Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must relate to items on the agenda.

Councillor M H Jones asked a number of questions in relation to Minute 21 “Oracle Programme Re-plan Report”.

The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded.

The Cabinet Member for Homes, Energy & Service Transformation submitted a report which provided an update on the current status of the oracle Cloud implementation due to the impact of Covid-19 and makes recommendations to delay the programme including re-planning and costs.

Resolved that:

1)              The paused, phased return, and programme re-plan be approved together with the necessary financial increase in order to achieve successful implementation of this corporate system.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report which provided an update on the costs of closure, additional operating costs and reduced income at Wales National Pool (WNPS) owing to Covid-19 and advised on the levels of financial support needed by Wales National Pool Ltd to July 2020 and from August 2020 to 31 March 2021.

Resolved that:

1)              The additional underwriting of £350,000 to support WNPS between 1 August 2020 and 31 March 2021 be approved.

2)              The additional financial support be noted as being likely to be required beyond 31 March 2021 and until at least 31 July 2021, with a detailed report to follow at a future date.

3)              The Chief Legal Officer be delegated authority to enter into any documentation necessary to implement any of the recommendations in the report and to protect the Council’s interest.

The Cabinet Member for Homes, Energy & Service Transformation submitted a report which provided an update on the progress since the Climate Change Emergency, Notice of Motion to Council on 27 June 2019.

She asked that the report be amended slightly by adding the following Paragraph:

“3.1.4  The report also clearly incorporates the requirement and aspirations of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, although we understand Welsh Government are undertaking a review to further improve the net zero targets by 2050. Any strategy and future action plan will incorporate any new requirements arising of the legislative changes.”

Resolved that:

1)              The progress to date be noted.

2)              The Climate Change Charter be signed.

3)              The action plan set out at Paragraphs 3 to 6 of the report be endorsed for the Authority to achieve net zero carbon by 2030 for its own “in scope” emissions.

4)              Further work be undertaken to develop the longer term Climate Change Strategy and striving towards net zero carbon by 2050 for Swansea.

5)              A further report be presented following the public consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Homes, Energy & Service Transformation submitted a report which sought approval for the updated Council Energy Strategy and associated Carbon Management Plan.

Resolved that:

1)              The Energy Strategy and associated Carbon Management Plan be approved and implemented.

The Cabinet Member for Supporting Communities submitted an information report which provided updates on Swansea’s Third Sector Compact Agreement and the work to date of the third Sector Liaison Group who were formed as part of the amended Swansea Compact Agreement with the Voluntary Sector in 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Community Health Services submitted a report which sought approval of the ICF Capital Funding 2020-2021 and to comply with Financial Procedure Rule 7 “Capital Programming and Appraisals”, to commit and authorise a scheme to the Capital Programme.

Resolved that:

1)              The updated detail of the ICF Capital Funding allocated for 2020-2021 and the schemes and their financial implications as detailed within Paragraph 2.2 of the report be approved and added to the Capital Programme or are amended as set out in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning & Skills submitted a report which sought approval to commit £204,500 to the capital programme for the remodelling of a hard standing area and installation of a 3G pitch on the existing land at Dylan Thomas Community School. Funding includes:

£50,000 from Garfield Weston.

£61,000 from the Johan Cruyff Foundation.

£25,000 from the Council.

£68,500 from the School Delegated Budget.

The report also sought to comply with Financial Procedure Rule 7 – to commit and authorise a new project to the Capital Programme.

Resolved that:

1)              £204,500 be committed to the capital programme for the remodelling of a hard court play area and the installation of a 3G pitch following confirmation of funding totalling £111,000 from Garfield Weston and the Johan Cruyff Foundation.

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 Director of Education in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning & Skills be approved:

The Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement & Infrastructure Management submitted a report which considered the financial impact of implementing reduced car parking charges within the Council’s City Centre Car Parks.

Resolved that:

1)              The implementation of revised parking charges for the period 9 November to 9 December 2020 as detailed in the report be endorsed.

2)              The extension of the revised parking charges from 9 December 2020 to 31 January 2021 be approved.

3)              The Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement & Infrastructure Management, Chief Finance Officer and Head of Highways and Transportation be delegated authority to review and implement any further changes to car parking and park and ride tariffs from 31 January to 31 March 2021.

The Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement & Infrastructure Management submitted a report which sought to comply with Financial Procedure Rule 7 “Capital Programming & Appraisals”, to commit and authorise schemes onto the Capital Programme. The report also confirmed funding for the repairs to Graig Road.

Resolved that:

1)              The proposed scheme to reconstruct Graig Road be approved and included in the Capital Programme.

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 Members for Delivery & Operations and Investment, Regeneration & Tourism jointly submitted a report which sought approval to acquire a property as part of the Property Investment Fund.

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

The Cabinet Members for Delivery & Operations and Investment, Regeneration & Tourism jointly submitted a report which sought to deliver financial support to the Councils commercial tenants due to the recent COVID-19 ‘firebreak’ announcement. The support will be in the form of an additional rent concession and is required to ensure tenant survival, in addition to minimising the impact on the local economy & potential job losses.

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