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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Guildhall, Swansea. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services - 636824 

Items
No. Item

65.

Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests.

Minutes:

The Chief Legal Officer 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:

 

1)           Councillor T J Hennegan declared a Personal Interest in Minute 72 “Updated Welsh Housing Quality Standard Compliance Policy”;

 

2)           Councillors P M Black, J E Burtonshaw, A M Day, C R Doyle, M Durke, C R Evans, V M Evans, W Evans, E W Fitzgerald, S J Gallagher, L S Gibbard, F M Gordon, K M Griffiths, T J Hennegan, C A Holley, P R Hood-Williams, B Hopkins, D H Hopkins, O G James, L James, J W Jones, L R Jones, M H Jones, P K Jones, S M Jones, E J King, M A Langstone, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, R D Lewis, W G Lewis, C E Lloyd, P Lloyd, P M Matthews, P N May, D Phillips, C L Philpott, S Pritchard, A Pugh, J A Raynor, C Richards, 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, L G Thomas, M Thomas, W G Thomas, L J Tyler-Lloyd, L V Walton & T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 74 “Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales’ Review of Electoral Arrangements for the City and County of Swansea”.

 

Officers

 

1)           The Head of Democratic Services, H G Evans declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 75 “Appointment of ‘Standing’ Deputy Returning Officer and Deputy Electoral Registration Officer” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its discussion.

66.

Minutes. pdf icon PDF 436 KB

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

Minutes:

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

 

1)           Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 29 August 2019 subject to the following amendment in relation to Minute 59 “Notice of Motion – Prorogation of Parliament”:

 

The note at the top of Page 7 has a typographical error.  Delete the word “withdrawn” and replace with “withdrew”.

67.

Written Responses to Questions asked at the Last Ordinary Meeting of Council. pdf icon PDF 205 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chief Legal Officer submitted an information report setting out the written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.

68.

Announcements of the Presiding Member.

Minutes:

1)              Condolences

 

a)              Honorary Alderman Byron G Owen – Condolences

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Honorary Alderman Byron G Owen.  Byron was a former Councillor, Cabinet Member and former Lord Mayor.  He served the Mynyddbach and Penderry communities for nearly 36 years and was Lord Mayor of the City of Swansea for the 1991-1992 Municipal Year.  His periods of service being:

 

Ø    Swansea City Council 10 May 1973 to 5 May 1976;

Ø    Swansea City Council 3 May 1979 to 31 March 1996;

Ø    City & County of Swansea 4 May 1995 to 10 June 2004;

Ø    City & County of Swansea 1 May 2008 to 18 March 2016.

 

b)              Former Councillor John B Hague – Condolences

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Former Councillor John B Hague.  John was a former Councillor, Cabinet Member and Deputy Leader of the Council, serving the Bôn-y-maen community for nearly 16 years.  His period of service being:

 

Ø    City & County of Swansea 6 June 1996 to 3 May 2012.

 

c)              Former Lady Mayoress Elaine Francis-Davies – Condolences

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Former Lady Mayoress Elaine Francis-Davies.  Elaine was Lady Mayoress in 2001-2002 and was the ex-wife of Councillor Robert Francis-Davies.

 

d)             Josh Gardener

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Josh Gardener, a firefighter with the Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service who died during a training exercise when two boats collided in the Cleddau Estuary, Pembrokeshire, on 17 September 2019.

 

All present stood as a mark of sympathy and respect.

 

2)              Filming, Recording and Photography at Council Meetings

 

Under the Authority’s “Filming, Recording and Photography at Council Meetings” Policy (adopted on 24 November 2011), the Presiding Member stated that he had allowed a film crew from Amazon News Media to film the Council Meeting.

 

3)              Local Authority Pension Fund (LAPF) Investment Awards 2019

 

The Presiding Member stated that City and County of Swansea Pension Fund had won the Best Approach to Sustainable Investing Award at the recent LAPF Investment Awards 2019.

 

The LAPF Investments Awards were established in 2015 in order to celebrate outstanding achievement in the Local Government Pension Schemes (LGPS).  Over the years, an award from LAPF Investments Awards has come to be recognised as mark of excellence in the field of pension provision in the LGPS.

 

He congratulated Councillor C E Lloyd, Jeff Dong, Karen Cobb, the Pension Team and the Authority’s Advisors, Hymans Robertson, particularly William Marshall for their work.

 

4)              NHS Wales Awards 2019

 

The Presiding Member stated that Swansea Bay's Primary Care Children and Families' Wellbeing Team won the Improving Health and Wellbeing category of the NHS Wales Awards 2019.  The partnership with Swansea Bay University Health Board and Swansea Council was recognised for their work to reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences in the Penderi ward, which takes in some of the most deprived areas of the city.

 

The NHS Wales Awards are a national showcase for excellence and celebrate good practice in delivering improved, high quality patient care across Wales.  The Awards were launched in 2008 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NHS.  The NHS Wales Awards are open to Teams and Organisations, with the aim of uncovering, acknowledging and celebrating good practice that has helped to transform patient care.

 

He congratulated all involved.

 

5)              The Great British High Street Awards 2019

 

Swansea High Street takes visitors right into the heart of the City.  Swansea High Street is taking major steps forward to regenerate and future proof the High Street for years to come.  Following a £25 million investment Swansea’s Urban Village will expand the High Street with new shops, businesses and homes.  As part of the Urban Village, Swansea Tech provides space for 20 digital start-ups and employs over 300 people.  Plans are also in place to build two new student blocks to house more than 1,300 students.  The weekly car boot sale along with the theatre, and gallery attract a wide range of people to the High Street. Great customer service is a hallmark of the high street with four businesses achieving Swansea BID’s Extra Mile award.

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that following a visit of the judges last week, Swansea High Street is now in the final of the Great British High Street Awards 2019.  Follow the link if you wish to vote for Swansea High Street https://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk/high-street-of-the-year-awards/champion-finalist-swansea

 

6)              Ironman Cymru 2019 – Huw Evans, Head of Democratic Services

 

The Presiding Member congratulated Huw Evans, Head of Democratic Services for completing Ironman Cymru in Tenby, Pembrokeshire on 15 September 2019.  Huw swam 2.4 miles, cycled 112 miles and then ran a full marathon of 26.2 miles all within 14 hours, 22 minutes and 5 seconds.

 

The Leader of the Council and Councillors applauded Huw’s achievement.

 

7)              Corrections / Amendments to the Council Summons

 

Item 11 “Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales’ Review of Electoral Arrangements for the City and County of Swansea”

 

The Presiding Member referred to Page 73, Table 2 stating that the line relating to “Dunvant and South Killay” contained a typographical error.  Column two related to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales’ “Welsh Proposed” name for Dunvant and South Killay.  The printed entry states “Dyfnant a De Cilâ” which is what the report suggests however it should read Dynfant a De Cilâ” as that is what the Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales (LDBCW) suggested.

69.

Announcements of the Leader of the Council.

Minutes:

1)              Acquisition of the Palace Theatre, High Street, Swansea

 

The Leader of the Council referred to the recent Cabinet resolution to acquire the Palace Theatre, Swansea.  He stated that it was a Grade II listed building, recognisable for its distinctive wedge shape.  It is Wales' oldest surviving theatre.  The Palace Theatre would be subject to a full refurbishment and be used as a place of work.

 

He thanked Paul Relf and Councillor Robert Francis-Davies for their hard work in the acquisition.

 

2)              Amendments to Cabinet Portfolios

 

The Leader of the Council stated that he had made amendments to the Cabinet Portfolios which would take effect from 1 October 2019.  A sheet outlining the changes was circulated and the new Portfolios would be placed within the Council Constitution. 

 

The changes see Councillor C E Lloyd stepping down as Deputy Leader of the Council for personal reasons.  This is a temporary arrangement until further notice.  Councillors D H Hopkins and A S Lewis take on the Deputy Leader of the Council role on a Joint Interim basis.

 

Councillors D H Hopkins, C E Lloyd and A S Lewis also had their Cabinet Portfolio titles changed and some Cabinet Portfolio Responsibilities were shifted between these 3 Councillors with some additional ones added.

 

The table sets out the Cabinet Portfolios and relevant Councillors as of 1 October 2019:

 

Councillor

Cabinet Portfolio

Rob C Stewart

Ø Leader of the Council

Ø Economy & Strategy

Andrew H Stevens

Alyson Pugh

Ø Better Communities (Place - Lead)

Ø Better Communities (People - Lead)

Mark C Child

Ø Care, Health & Ageing Well

Sam Pritchard

Elliott J King

Ø Children Services (Young People - Lead)

Ø Children Services (Early Years - Lead)

David H Hopkins

Ø Joint Interim Deputy Leader

Ø Delivery & Performance

Jennifer A Raynor

Ø Education Improvement, Learning & Skills

Mark Thomas

Ø Environment & Infrastructure Management

Andrea S Lewis

Ø Joint Interim Deputy Leader

Ø Homes, Energy & Service Transformation

Robert Francis-Davies

Ø Investment, Regeneration & Tourism

Clive E Lloyd

Ø Resilience & Strategic Collaboration

 

70.

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(s) responded.

 

Those questions requiring written responses are listed below:

 

a)              Sue Lyle asked the following question relating to Minute 72 “Updated Welsh Housing Quality Standard Compliance Policy”:

 

Considering housing consumes 30% of all fossil-fuel energy and that every fact we have about the climate point to the urgency of action, when will all houses in the public sector be retrofitted to reduce carbon emissions which will also help combat fuel poverty and boost the green economy?”

 

The Homes & Energy Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

 

b)              Peter Anderson asked the following question relating to Minute 78 “Amendments to the Constitution”:

 

“In light of Climate Change now being included under the remit of the Equalities & Future Generations Policy Development Committee, can someone explain - what are the Council's top priorities for tackling climate change to meet the needs of future generations and what plans are being made to implement them?”

 

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

71.

Presentation - None.

Minutes:

A Presentation was not received.

72.

Updated Welsh Housing Quality Standard Compliance Policy. pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Homes & Energy Cabinet Member submitted a report which sought to update the existing Welsh Housing Quality Compliance Policy, which was initially approved by Council in 2016.

 

Resolved that the report be endorsed.

73.

Progress Towards Meeting the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. pdf icon PDF 403 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Homes & Energy Cabinet Member submitted an information only report which provided a progress update on achieving the Welsh Housing Quality Standard on Council owned properties up to 31 March 2019.

 

Note: Councillor P M Black referred to Paragraph 5.8 of the report and asked for a breakdown of the reasons for the 4,734 Properties within an Acceptable Fail in relation to Energy Rating.

 

The Homes & Energy Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

74.

Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales’ Review of Electoral Arrangements for the City and County of Swansea. pdf icon PDF 918 KB

Minutes:

The Returning Officer and Head of Democratic Services submitted a joint report, which provided a response to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales’ Draft Proposals in relation to their Review of the Electoral Arrangements for the City and County of Swansea.

 

The Head of Democratic Services stated that the report had been considered by the Constitution Working Group on 4 September 2019.  That Group recommended that Council approve the report for submission as part of the consultation period.

 

The Group also instructed the Head of Democratic Services to ensure that all Electoral Wards and Community Wards have a Welsh Language or Bilingual name.  The proposed names and requests for proposed names were outlined in Appendices B and C of the report.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The response to the Draft Proposals as detailed in Paragraph 5 of the report be approved and forwarded to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales;

 

2)              The Welsh Language Electoral Ward names as suggested by this Authority and set out in Appendix B of the report be recommended to the Welsh Language Commissioner to be placed on the “Standardisation of Welsh Place Names list”;

 

3)              The Welsh Language Commissioner be asked to reconsider the use of “Dynfant” as the Welsh form of “Dunvant” so that “Dyfnant” becomes the formal standardised name;

 

4)              The Welsh Language Community Ward names as suggested by this Authority and set out in Appendix C of the report be recommended to the Welsh Language Commissioner to be placed on the “Standardisation of Welsh Place Names list”;

 

5)              The Welsh Language Commissioner be asked to consider suitable Welsh Language or Bilingual Community Ward names for those Community Wards as outlined in Appendix C of the report.

 

Note: Councillor J W Jones asked that it be noted that whilst be supported the majority of the report he did not support, the recommendations in relation to Dunvant and Killay South.

75.

Appointment of ‘Standing’ Deputy Returning Officer and Deputy Electoral Registration Officer. pdf icon PDF 227 KB

Minutes:

The Returning Officer submitted a report which sought to appoint the Head of Democratic Services, Huw Evans as the ‘Standing’ Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) in line with good practice and to also appoint him as the Deputy Electoral Registration Officer (DERO).

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Head of Democratic Services, Huw Evans be appointed as the ‘Standing’ Deputy Returning Officer to exercise all Returning Officer functions currently exercisable by the Chief Executive;

 

2)              The Head of Democratic Services, Huw Evans be appointed as the Deputy Electoral Registration Officer to exercise all Electoral Registration functions currently exercisable by the Chief Executive;

 

3)              Any consequential changes to the Council Constitution be carried out.

76.

Swansea Bay City Region – Amendments to Joint Committee Agreement. pdf icon PDF 155 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council submitted a report to approve the amendments to the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Committee Agreement.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The amendments to the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Committee Agreement as attached at Appendix B of the report be endorsed;

 

2)              The Chief Legal Officer / Monitoring Officer be endorsed to enter into a deed of variation to effect the changes to the Joint Committee Agreement and to grant delegated authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any minor amendments to the Agreement as are required between the Partner Authorities.

77.

Treasury Management Annual Report 2018/19. pdf icon PDF 623 KB

Minutes:

The Section 151 Officer submitted an information report which detailed the Council’s Treasury Management activities during 2018-2019 and compared actual performance against the strategy laid down at the start of the year.

78.

Amendments to the Constitution. pdf icon PDF 222 KB

Minutes:

The Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services jointly submitted a report seeking to amend in order to simplify, improve and / or add to the Council Constitution in relation to the following areas:

 

a)              Part 3 “Responsibility for Functions” - “Policy Development Committees (PDCs) - Terms of Reference”.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The sixth Term of Reference be amended to read as follows:

 

vi)     To develop Council Corporate Priorities in relation to Equalities & Future Generations, including Climate Change.”

79.

Membership of Committees. pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Minutes:

The Business Transformation & Performance Cabinet Member submitted a report which sought Council approval to the nominations / amendments to the membership of Council Bodies.

 

He referred to the report stating that the Leader of the Council had also made changes to the Authority’s Outside Bodies as outlined below:

 

1)              Swansea Bay Community Health Council

Remove Councillors H M Morris & M Sykes.

Add Councillors V M Evans & P B Smith.

 

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

 

1)              Equalities & Future Generations Policy Development Committee

Remove Conservative Vacancy.

Add Councillor D W Helliwell.

 

2)              Planning Committee

Remove Councillor S M Jones.

Add Councillor M H Jones.

 

3)              Poverty Reduction Policy Development Committee

Remove Councillors D W Helliwell & L R Jones.

Add Conservative Vacancies.

80.

Councillors' Questions. pdf icon PDF 529 KB

Minutes:

1)            Part A “Supplementary Questions”

 

Eleven (11) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

 

Those supplementary question(s) required a written response are listed below:

 

Question 3

Councillor E W Fitzgerald asked the relevant Cabinet Member:

 

“Are you aware of the concerns relating to the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the concerns relating to the fact that it is they that provide the guidance?”

 

The Environment & Infrastructure Management Cabinet Member 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.