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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Guildhall, Swansea

Contact: Democratic Services - 636923 

Items
No. Item

11.

Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests.

Minutes:

The Head of Legal, Democratic Services and Business Intelligence gave advice regarding the potential personal and prejudicial interests that Councillors and / Officers may have on the agenda.

 

The Head of Democratic Services reminded Councillors and Officers that the “Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests” sheet should only be completed if the Councillor / Officer actually had an interest to declare. Nil returns were not required. Councillors and Officers were also informed that any declarable interest must be made orally and in writing on the sheet.

 

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

 

Councillors

 

1)              Councillors C Anderson, P M Black, J E Burtonshaw, S E Crouch, J P Curtice, N J Davies, A M Day, P Downing, C R Doyle, M Durke, C R Evans, V M Evans, E W Fitzgerald, R Francis-Davies, S J Gallagher, L S Gibbard,  F M Gordon, K M Griffiths, D W Helliwell, T J Hennegan, C A Holley, P R Hood-Williams, B Hopkins, D H Hopkins, O G James, L James, Y V Jardine, J W Jones, L R Jones, P K Jones, S M Jones, E T King, E T Kirchner, M A Langstone, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, R D Lewis, W G Lewis, C E Lloyd, P Lloyd, I E Mann, P N May, H M Morris, D Phillips, C L Philpott, S Pritchard, A Pugh, J A Raynor, C Richards, K M Roberts, B J Rowlands, M Sherwood, P B Smith, R V Smith, A H Stevens, R C Stewart, D G Sullivan, M Sykes, D W W Thomas, M Thomas, W G Thomas, L J Tyler-Lloyd, G D Walker, L V Walton & T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 20 “Councillors & Co-Opted Members Allowances & Expenses 2017-2018”.

 

Officers

 

1)              T Meredith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 22 “Senior Management Structure” and withdrew prior to its discussion.

12.

Minutes. pdf icon PDF 101 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved that the following Minutes be approved and signed as a correct record:

 

1)       Ceremonial Meeting of Council held on 18 May 2018;

 

2)       Annual Meeting of Council held on 24 May 2018 subject to Councillor S M Jones being removed from the list of apologies and being marked as present.

13.

Written Responses to Questions asked at the Last Ordinary Meeting of Council - None.

Minutes:

There were no written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.

14.

Announcements of the Presiding Member.

Minutes:

1)              South & West Wales Occupational Safety Group (SWWOSG) Awards

 

The Presiding Member congratulated the Corporate Health, Safety, Emergency Management & Wellbeing Service as they had been awarded the “Wellbeing Shield” by the South & West Wales Safety Group for 2017, as a result of the innovative work of Stress Management & Counselling, the Helping Hands volunteers and the Occupational Health Unit in improving employee Wellbeing.

 

Corporate Health & Safety were also awarded for “Outstanding Safety Performance” in 2017 again.

 

Craig Gimblett, Andy Langford, Tracy Dicataldo, and Liz Thomas-Evans were present to receive the award.

 

Martin Rogers of Waste Management (also present) was also awarded runner up for employee of the year by the Group, for his ongoing dedication to improving health & safety standards at the Bailing Plant.

 

2)              Morriston Primary School - Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative Competition 2018

 

The Presiding Member announced that Morriston Primary School celebrated its 150th anniversary on 15 June 2018.  In addition to this achievement, the School has been acknowledged by the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative with a prize for their efforts in bringing the event together, with many months spent trawling through the Swansea Archives to find the Head Teacher logs dating back to when the School first opened in 1868.  He stated that apparently it wasn’t easy as the Head Teachers’ handwriting was extremely difficult to read in the early records.

 

3)              Head Teacher of the Year in Wales - Professional Teaching Awards Cymru

 

The Presiding Member congratulated Janet Waldron (MBE), Headteacher at Pontarddulais Comprehensive School, for recently being named Headteacher of the Year in Wales at the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru ceremony.

 

4)              Gower College Student Awards 2018

 

The Presiding Member congratulated the Authority for winning the ‘Employer Partner’ of the Year Award at the Gower College Student Awards 2018.  Councillor Will Evans received the Glass Plaque and a cheque payable to the Lord Mayor’s Fund on behalf of the Authority.

 

5)              All Wales Continuous Improvement Community Annual Awards 2018

 

The Presiding Member congratulated Swansea’s Team Around the Family (TAF) Service for winning its second award in 6 months.  Recently the Team won an All Wales Continuous Improvement Council / Academi Wales 2018 Award for its TAF in Schools (TiS) model of delivery in the Public Value category.

 

The Team is an innovative and sustainable initiative developed to empower and up-skill Primary School-based staff to support children and their families to tackle early stage social challenges.  TiS has upskilled workers in 73 out of the city’s 79 Primary Schools by boosting their confidence and ability to support vulnerable families, ensuring their needs are met at the earliest possible opportunity by people they know and trust.

 

This has resulted in a reduction in demand for more intensive services, a more responsive Offer for families within their own communities and positive feedback from Schools in relation to being able to confidently and directly provide support for the well-being of children and their families.

 

As a result of winning the National Guardian Public Services Award there has been continued interest in the TiS model from Wales and further afield.  In early June, Early Intervention Services hosted a visit of the Director of Education for the New Zealand Government who was interested in learning from the innovative practice and approaches that have been developed here in Swansea.  Professor Karen Graham, Wales and the UK representative on the World Forum Foundation, will be presenting the works of TiS at the 2019 World Forum.

 

6)              Wales - The World’s First Fair Trade Nation

 

The Presiding Member stated that ten years ago on 6 June 2008, Wales became the World’s First Fair Trade Nation.  Supporting and promoting Fair Trade is still an important way for Councils to demonstrate their commitment to a Globally Responsible Wales, as required by the Well-Being of Future Generations Act.

 

Cabinet resolved in August 2004 to support Fair Trade, as part of Swansea's bid to become a Fair Trade City, helping Wales achieve Fair Trade Nation status.  In the coming months, this Authority will be asked to renew that resolution which will be much more detailed than the original.  Hopefully, Swansea can continue to lead the way in being globally responsible.

 

7)              Queen’s Birthday Honours 2017

 

The Presiding Member congratulated the Citizens of Swansea and / or People with Links to Swansea who received awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

 

a)              Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

 

i)                Professor Jill Hunter. Professor of Midwifery at Cardiff University. For services to Midwifery and Midwifery Education in the UK and Europe. (Sketty, Swansea).

 

b)              Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

 

i)                Janet Waldron. Head Teacher at Pontarddulais Comprehensive School. For services to Education. (Neath Port Talbot).

 

c)               British Empire Medal (BEM)

 

i)                Joan E Darbyshire. For Charitable services. (West Cross, Swansea);

 

ii)               Wendy A Pressdee. For services to Netball. (Pennard, Swansea);

 

iii)             Ruth Ridge.  For services to the Gower Society and the Community of Gower. (West Cross, Swansea).

 

8)              Happy 70th Birthday to Aneira Thomas of Loughor and to the National Health Service (NHS)

 

The Presiding Member extended the Council’s best wishes to Aneira Thomas of Loughor on her 70th birthday.  Aneira was born shortly after midnight on 5 July 1948 after the midwives encouraged her mother with the words “Hang on Edna…”.  Aneira was the first baby born under the National Health Service and now spends much of her time touring the country as a powerful supporter and advocate of our NHS.

 

He also extended the Council’s best wishes which also was celebrating its 70th birthday.

 

9)              Amendments / Corrections to the Council Summons

 

i)                Agenda Item 10 “Safer Swansea Community Safety Strategy”

 

The pie charts shown on Pages 43-53 had not printed correctly.  The amended pages were circulated.

 

ii)              Agenda Item 11 “Councillors and Co-opted Members Allowances & Expenses 2017-2018

 

Paragraphs 2.4 and 2.9 of the report need to be amended so as to clarify the ICT Allowance and the Subsistence Allowance.  The paragraphs should read as follows:

 

“2.4    The ICT Allowance is set at a maximum of £1,808 over a period of 5 years (2017-2022).  This is broken down as £1,008 in the year immediately following the election of the Councillor and £200 each year thereafter.  The amounts do not need to be taken in the specific year but the amount of £1,808 cannot be exceeded.

 

2.9     Subsistence Allowance - These costs relate to any subsistence costs incurred including accommodation and conference / seminar costs.”

 

iii)            Agenda Item 14 “Amendments to the Council Constitution”

 

Paragraph 3.1 a) and b) should be amended to read:

 

a)          Part 3 - Terms of Reference - Constitution Working Group;

b)          Part 4 - Council Procedure Rules - Rules of Debate.

 

iv)            Agenda Item 17 “Notice of Motion”

 

This Item has been withdrawn.

 

10)          Suspension of Council Procedure Rule 17.2 “Rules of Debate – Standing when Speaking”

 

Council agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rule 17.2 in order to allow Councillors to remain seated whilst speaking.  The purpose being to aid those with hearing difficulties.

15.

Announcements of the Leader of the Council.

Minutes:

1)       The BBC’s Biggest Weekend, Swansea

 

The Leader of the Council congratulated all involved with the BBC Biggest Weekend, Swansea which was held on 27 and 28 May 2018.  The event was a sell out and was one of the most exciting live music event of the summer, as BBC Music and Radio 1 joined forces to bring two days of spectacular performances to Singleton Park.

 

2)       Swansea Bay City Deal

 

The Leader of the Council stated that Cabinet earlier that day had approved the establishment of the Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Committee and associated funding streams.  A report on the City Deal would be presented to Council on 26 July 2018.

 

3)       Tidal Lagoon

 

The Leader of the Council stated that he would be meeting the Secretary of State for Wales on Monday, 25, June 2018, where he would continue to press for a positive response on the scheme.

 

4)       Deb Yeates – Leaving the Authority

 

The Leader of the Council congratulated Deb Yeates on her forthcoming retirement and wished her the best for the future following her 37 years in Local Government.  Deb started her career as a Social Services Personnel Officer in the former West Glamorgan County Council.  She worked her way through the Authority and was for some time the Acting Head of HR.

 

One of Deb’s remarkable achievements during that time was the fact that she never took a day’s sickness.

 

5)       Chris Sivers – Pastures New

 

The Leader of the Council congratulated Chris Sivers on her new role in Gloucestershire.  He referred to her 5 years in Swansea and outlined her achievements in joint working between social care and education, focussing on prevention, early intervention and better commissioning.

16.

Public Questions.

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.

Minutes:

A number of questions were asked by members of the public.  The relevant Cabinet Member responded.  No questions required a written response.

17.

Public Presentation - None.

Minutes:

No Public Presentations were received.

18.

Amendments to the Private Sector Housing Renewal and Disabled Adaptations : Policy To Provide Assistance 2017-2022 : Houses Into Homes and National Home Improvement Loan Scheme. pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Minutes:

The Homes & Energy Cabinet Member submitted a report, which outlined proposed amendments to the current Private Sector Housing Renewal and Disabled Adaptations: Policy to Provide Assistance 2017-2022, following changes to the Welsh Government Houses in Homes and National Home Improvement Loan Scheme, and to publish an addendum to the Policy.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The revisions to the Welsh Government’s Houses in Homes and National Home Improvement Loans Scheme as detailed in the report be approved and included as an addendum to the Private Sector Housing Renewal and Disabled Adaptations: Policy to Provide Assistance 2017-2022.

19.

Safer Swansea Community Safety Strategy. pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Better Communities Cabinet Member submitted a report, which presented a strategic partnership response for delivering priorities as identified in the Safer Swansea Community Safety Strategy.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Safer Swansea Community Safety Strategy be approved.

20.

Councillors & Co-Opted Members Allowances & Expenses 2017-2018. pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Democratic Services submitted an information report, which presented the amount of allowances and expenses paid to each Councillor and Co-opted Member during 2017-2018 under the Councillors Allowances Scheme.

 

Following a request from the Head of Democratic Services, Council agreed that Paragraphs 2.4 and 2.9 of the report be amended so as to clarify the ICT Allowance and the Subsistence Allowance.  The paragraphs were amended to read as follows:

 

“2.4    The ICT Allowance is set at a maximum of £1,808 over a period of 5 years (2017-2022).  This is broken down as £1,008 in the year immediately following the election of the Councillor and £200 each year thereafter.  The amounts do not need to be taken in the specific year but the amount of £1,808 cannot be exceeded.

 

2.9     Subsistence Allowance - These costs relate to any subsistence costs incurred including accommodation and conference / seminar costs.”

 

 

21.

Response to Welsh Government Consultation on the Green Paper regarding Local Government Reform: ‘Strengthening Local Government – Delivering for People’. pdf icon PDF 153 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Economy & Strategy Cabinet Member submitted a report, which proposed a response to the consultation on the Welsh Government Green Paper regarding Local Government Reform: ‘Strengthening Local Government – Delivering for People’.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The response to the consultation on the Welsh Government Green Paper regarding Local Government Reform: ‘Strengthening Local Government – Delivering for People’ be noted and endorsed.

22.

Senior Management Structure. pdf icon PDF 605 KB

Minutes:

The Chief Executive submitted a report, which sought agreement for a new Senior Management Structure.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The posts of Director of Resources, Director of People, Chief Social Services Officer, Chief Education Officer and Head of Financial Services & Service Centre be removed from the establishment;

 

2)              The post of Deputy Chief Executive be established and advertised;

 

3)              The post of Director of Social Services be established and advertised;

 

4)              The post of Director of Education be established and advertised ;

 

5)              The post of Head of Financial Services & Service Centre be replaced by the post of Chief Finance Officer and be advertised;

 

6)              The spans of control for the Chief Operating Officer (currently vacant) be amended and appointed from existing Heads of Service;

 

7)              The post of Head of Legal, Democratic Services and Business Intelligence be replaced by the post of Chief Legal Officer and the incumbent be slotted into that post;

 

8)       The post of Deputy Chief Finance Officer be established and advertised;

 

9)              The post of Deputy Chief Legal Officer be established and the incumbent be slotted into that post;

 

10)           The Place Directorate be amended as outlined in Paragraph 6 of the report.

23.

Amendments to the Council Constitution. pdf icon PDF 22 KB

Minutes:

The Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services jointly submitted a report, which sought to make amendments in order to simplify, improve and / or add to the Council Constitution.

 

The proposed changes related to the following area of the Council Constitution:

 

a)              Part 3 - Terms of Reference - Constitution Working Group;

b)              Part 4 - Council Procedure Rules - Rules of Debate.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Terms of Reference of the Constitution Working Group be amended to include the following line:

 

“3.      To consider all aspects of any Boundary Reviews and make recommendations to Council as appropriate”.

 

2)              Council Procedure Rule 17 “Rules of Debate” be amended to read:

 

1                “Respect for Chair

 

When the Presiding Member stands during a debate all Councillors must immediately stop speaking and the Council must be silent.

 

2                Standing when Speaking

 

A Councillor, when speaking at Council, must address the Presiding Member; all others must remain silent, unless raising a point of order, a personal explanation or a point of information.

 

This Procedure Rule does not apply to other Council Body meetings such as Cabinet, Committees etc.

 

When a Councillor raises a “Point of Order”, a “Personal Explanation” or a “Point of Information”, Paragraph 17(12) “Personal Explanation, Points of Order and Points of Information” applies.  If this occurs, the Councillor has the floor.

 

3        Order of Speaking

 

If two or more Councillors indicate their wish to speak, the Presiding Member will call on one and the other(s) must be silent.  The Presiding Member may decide and announce that Councillors will be called in a given order at specified points during the debate.  Alternatively, the Presiding Member may also decide to open a list of Councillors wishing to speak and to restrict the speakers to those that indicate an intention to speak prior to the closure of the list.  The Presiding Member shall announce when this list is closed.”

 

Note: The remainder of Council Procedure Rule 17 “Rules of Debate” remains unchanged.

24.

Membership of Committees. pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Minutes:

The Business Transformation and Performance Cabinet Member submitted a report, which sought approval for nominations / amendments to the Council Bodies.

 

He stated that the Leader of the Council had also made the following changes to the Authority’s Outside Bodies.

 

1)              Police and Crime Panel

Remove Councillor K M Roberts.

Add Councillor E T Kirchner.

 

Resolved that the membership of the Council Bodies listed below be amended as follows:

 

1)              Corporate Parenting Board

Remove Councillor M C Child.

Add Councillor E J King.

 

2)              Audit Committee

Remove Councillor B Hopkins.

Add Labour Vacancy.

 

25.

Councillors' Questions. pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Minutes:

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

 

Nine (9) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

 

The following supplementary question(s) required a written response.

 

Question 2

 

a)              Councillor C A Holley asked:

 

i)                 Can the Leader of the Council provide Councillors with the details of the new lease at the Liberty Stadium specifically changes to the repair / maintenance element of the lease?”

 

The Leader of the Council stated that a written response would be provided.

 

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

 

Five (5) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

26.

Notice of Motion - Councillors P M Black, C A Holley, A M Day, L G Thomas, C L Philpott, J W Jones & M H Jones.

Council notes the advisory referendum that took place on 5th June 1975 in which 67% of those voting confirmed our membership of the European Economic Community on the basis of clearly set out terms of membership.

 

Council notes the further advisory referendum that took place on 23 June 2016 in which 52% of those voting decided that the United Kingdom should no longer remain a member of the European Union.

 

Council further notes that neither the question of our continuing membership of the single market nor the terms for withdrawal were put before the electorate to determine as part of the 2016 referendum.

 

Council further notes the subsequent difficulties in negotiating the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union concerning the Irish border and the future of the Good Friday Agreement, the future of Gibraltar, estimates that Wales would see a reduction of £1.1 billion in GVA from a hard Brexit, the impact on Higher Education and scientific research from lost grants, a possible loss of manufacturing and financial sector jobs to continental Europe and the impact on aviation and nuclear medicine as a result of abandoning international agreements.

 

Council also notes the impact of Brexit on imported labour, which combined with the current government’s clampdown on visas is already leaving the NHS short-staffed in key areas and undermining agriculture and other labour-intensive industries.

 

Council also expresses concern over the uncertainty facing European citizens living and working in the UK and those UK citizens living and working in Europe.

 

Council notes the non-existent progress being made by the UK Government in securing alternative trade deals outside of the European Community and is concerned that once the UK has left the EU we will be isolated, have a weak negotiating position and be at the mercy of bigger trading partners such as the USA, who will want to impose unacceptable terms on any deals we do with them.

 

Council notes that it is possible to increase trade with non-European countries whilst remaining a member of the single market, as evidenced by a 27% year-on-year increase in UK cheese exports to Asia.

 

Council believes that given the uncertainties listed above, the consequences for our economy and individual lifestyles of a hard Brexit as currently being promoted by the UK Government, and the consequences of Brexit that have emerged since June 2016, that voters should have the final say in a referendum on any deal struck between the UK Government and the EU, with an option to stay in the EU if they consider that to be the best course for the UK.

 

Council resolves that the Leader should to write to local MPs, the Secretary of State for Wales and the Prime Minister to set out this case for a final referendum on the Brexit deal.

 

Minutes:

The Notice of Motion was withdrawn.