Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

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)       Councillors C Anderson, J P Curtice, H J Gwilliam, C A Holley, J W Jones, M H Jones, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, J E Pritchard & S Pritchard declared a Personal Interest in Minute 11 “Councillors ICT Allowances Policy – May 2022 & Beyond”.

 

2)       Councillor F D O’Brien declared a Personal Interest in Minute 18 “Councillors’ Questions” – Question 4.

 

3)       Councillor S Bennett, P M Black, C M J Evans & J D McGettrick declared a Personal Interest in Minute 18 “Councillors’ Questions” – Question 8.

 

4)       Councillor C R Doyle declared a Personal Interest in Minute 18 “Councillors’ Questions” – Question 16.

 

Officers

 

1)              Martin Nicholls declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 14 “Proposals for Recruitment to Chief Executive” and withdrew from the Meeting prior to its consideration.

 

2)              Helen Morgan-Rees, Martin Nicholls & Ben Smith declared a Personal Interest in Minute 15 “Proposals for Recruitment to Director of Corporate Services”.

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

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

 

1)           Ceremonial Meeting of Council held on 20 May 2022.

 

2)           Annual Meeting of Council held on 24 May 2022.

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

a)            Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022

 

The Presiding Member congratulated the Citizens of Swansea who received awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

 

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

 

i)             Professor Uzomaka Linda Iwobi. Services to racial equality and to championing diversity and inclusion.

 

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

 

i)             Rocio Cifuentes – Chief Executive, Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team Wales. Services to the Community in Wales.

 

ii)            Dr. Umakant Ramchandra Dave. Consultant Physician, Swansea Bay University Health Board. Services to NHS.

 

iii)           Emma Jayne Lewis. Chair, Roots Foundation Wales. Voluntary Services to Young People in Swansea.

 

iv)           Lynette Margaret Sanders. Chief Executive, Swansea Women’s Aid. Services to victims of domestic abuse is Swansea.

 

v)            Gaynor Sullivan (Bonnie Tyler). Services to Music.

 

c)            British Empire Medal (BEM)

 

i)             Gerald Gabb. Services to historical research in Swansea.

 

b)           Constructing Excellence in Wales Award for Integration and Collaboration

 

The Presiding Member stated that the YGG Tan-y-Lan project had recently won the Constructing Excellence in Wales Award for Integration and Collaboration. Congratulations to those involved with the project especially Claire Lewis (Education), Alex Harries & Jeff Pope (Building Services), the School, Kier and Stride Treglown. The outcome is a fantastic building for pupils and staff.

 

c)            Adam Hill, Director of Resources / Deputy Chief Executive - Resignation

 

The Presiding Member reminded Council of the resignation of Adam Hill, Director of Resources / Deputy Chief Executive. His final day with the Authority being 18 July 2022. She called on the Political Group Leaders to lead the tribute and thanks for his service.

 

The four Political Group Leaders led the tribute to Adam Hill for his dedication and service within the role.

 

d)           Corrections / Amendments to the Council Summons.

 

a)            Item 14 - Conferring Title of Honorary Alderman / Honorary Alderwoman

 

The Presiding Member stated that Former Lord Mayor & Former Councillor Lawrence D Bailey was greatly honoured by the intention of Council to confer him with the title Honorary Alderman; however, he was respectfully declining the title at this time.

 

The report is therefore amended to remove Former Lord Mayor & Former Councillor Lawrence D Bailey’s nomination from the recommendation.

 

b)             Item 18 – Membership of Committees

 

The Presiding Member stated that the Uplands Political Group have asked that some further amendments are made.

 

i)             Democratic Services Committee

Remove Councillor Sandra Joy.

Add Councillor Peter May.

 

ii)            Organisational Transformation Corporate Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor Peter May.

Add Councillor Sandra Joy.

The Leader made no announcements.

Questions must be submitted in writing to Democratic Services democracy@swansea.gov.uk 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 public questions received.

Thirty two pupil representatives from Secondary Schools throughout Swansea gave a presentation outlining the “Swansea Pupil Voice Manifesto 2022 – What Matters to us!”

 

They outlined a range of innovative and positive ideas that Swansea Council should consider as a means to help improve the communities of Swansea. These ideas formed their “Pupil Voice Manifesto”. The Manifesto covered these areas:

 

Safety & Feeling Safe in our Community.

Improved Sports, Equality & Facilities.

Mental Health.

Climate Change & Environmental Awareness.

Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic – Equality.

LGBTQ+

Substance Abuse & Vaping.

Visible & Invisible Disability Awareness & Equality.

 

The Political Group Leaders and Cabinet Members thanked the pupils for their presentation.

Jill Burgess, Chair of the Standards Committee submitted the Standards Committee Annual Report 2021-2022 for information. She outlined the work of the Committee over the period.

 

The Leader of the Council and Leader of the Largest Opposition Political Group thanked Jill Burgess for the report and also thanked her for her work on the Committee during the previous 10 years noting that her Term of Office would end in October 2022.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report that outlined the Council’s Policy Commitments for the next 5 years. The Commitments would help to deliver the Council’s overall vision and key priorities within its Corporate Plan.

 

Resolved that the Policy Commitments Statement as set out in Appendix A of the report be adopted.

The Economy, Finance & Strategy Cabinet Member submitted a report that sought to publish a refreshed Corporate Plan 2022-23 following an annual review as set out within the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and statutory guidance relating to Public Bodies.

 

Resolved that the Corporate Plan 2022-23 be approved and adopted.

The Head of Democratic Services & Head of Digital and Customer Services jointly submitted a report that sought to amend the Policy in relation to the Mobile Phone Allowance and Data & Telephone Allowance.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              Paragraph 4.5 of the Councillors ICT Allowance Policy – May 2022 & Beyond as outlined in Appendix A of the report be deleted:

 

“4.5    The Telephone element of the Councillors / Co-opted Members’ Data & Telephone Allowance, shall only be paid once per Councillor / Co-opted Member household (i.e. if there are 2 or more Councillors / Co-opted Members living at the address then the only one person shall receive the Telephone element of the Allowance).”

 

2)              Paragraph 5.3 of the Councillors ICT Allowance Policy – May 2022 & Beyond be amended as outlined below:

 

“5.3    There are 12 Qualifying Councillors are: Cabinet Members, Presiding Member and the Leader of the Largest Opposition Group. The Councillors’ Mobile Phone Allowance is currently set at £25 per Qualifying Councillor per month. Note: Job Share Cabinet Members will receive this payment in full and not pro-rata.”

 

3)              The Policy be re-numbered accordingly.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted an information report that promoted the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales’ (IRPW) determination in relation to the Contribution towards Costs of Care & Personal Assistance (CPA) and at encourage take up of the contribution.

 

The Head of Democratic Services submitted an amended report that sought to agree in principal to confer the title of “Honorary Alderman” or “Honorary Alderwoman” on the former Councillors identified below in line with Council Criteria.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              Council agree in principal to confer the title of “Honorary Alderman” or “Honorary Alderwoman” on the former Councillors June E Burtonshaw, Mark C Child, D Gareth Sullivan and Des W W Thomas, in recognition of their eminent service rendered to the City and County of Swansea and its predecessor Authority’s.

 

2)              A Ceremonial Meeting of Council be arranged to confer the titles on those former Councillors named above.

The Corporate Services & Performance Cabinet Member submitted a report that sought approval for the proposal to appoint to the role of Chief Executive.

 

Resolved that the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive at the existing remuneration by September 2022 be commenced.

The Corporate Services & Performance Cabinet Member submitted a report that sought approval for the proposal to appoint to the role of Director of Corporate Services.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)            The options contained within Paragraph 2 of the report in relation to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services post be considered.

 

2)            Option 2, as set out in the report to delete the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services post and create a Director of Corporate Services post with the Role Profile attached at Appendix A of the report with a salary range of £107,257 to £121,756 be approved.

 

3)            An interim Director of Corporate Services be appointed via a contract for services whilst a recruitment exercise is undertaken in respect of Paragraph 2 of the report.

 

4)            Delegated authority be given to the Interim Chief Executive and Chief Legal Officer to take any further action necessary to give effect to the content of the report.

The Monitoring Officer submitted an information that updated the Terms of Reference of the Governance & Audit Committee within the Council Constitution following legislative change.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Performance submitted a report that sought approval of the nominations / amendments to various Council Bodies.

 

The report also listed a change to the Outside Bodies that the Leader of the Council had made.

 

Swansea Bay City Region Joint Scrutiny Committee

Removed Councillor P Downing.

Added Councillor V A Holland.

 

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

 

i)             Climate Change Corporate Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor L V Walton.

Add Councillor O G James.

 

ii)           Democratic Services Committee

Remove Councillor S A Joy.

Add Councillor P N May.

 

iii)          Organisational Transformation Corporate Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor P N May.

Remove Councillor S A Joy.

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.

 

Those supplementary questions required a written response are listed below.

 

Question 1

 

Councillor P M Black asked for the terms of reference of the newly formed Project Teams together with guidelines as to how Councillors could request them to do work.

 

The Cabinet Members for Community stated that the information would be forwarded to all Councillors in due course.

 

Question 3

 

a)            Councillor P N May stated that he understood that a live feed was only given to street light columns during the hours of darkness. He asked a number of questions:

 

i)             Is this city wide?

ii)            What is the percentage of street light columns that only receive a live feed during the hours of darkness?

iii)           Will this prevent street light columns being utilised as charging points?

iv)           What actions will the Council undertake to alleviate this potential problem?

 

b)            Councillor S J Rice asked for the remit and timeframe of the consultants and their cost.

 

The Leader of Council stated that the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation would provide a written response.

 

The Cabinet Member for Delivery & Operations stated that a written response would be provided.

 

Question 7

 

Councillor L R Jones asked if a wood skip could be placed in Clyne Civic Amenity Site and then moved to Gorseinon Civic Amenity Site prior to be taken to the Bailing Plant, Llansamlet. This approach would reduce the need for vehicles to travel to Llansamlet thereby reducing greenhouses gases.

 

The Cabinet Members for Community stated that a written response would be provided.

 

2)        Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

 

Seven (7) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

Proposed by Councillor A Pugh and Seconded by Councillor R C Stewart.

 

“This Council deplores the immoral and unethical policy of the Tory U.K. Government of deporting men, women and children, who may be fleeing conflict or persecution, to Rwanda

 

Similar policies have previously been found to be unworkable and ineffective when employed by Governments in Israel and Denmark.

 

The U.K. must honour its obligations under international law and support refugees and those seeking asylum.

 

In addition to the immorality of deporting refugees and asylum seekers, the decision to choose Rwanda, which is a country with a poor record on human rights, and which retains draconian polices on female rights and a women’s right to choose, and gay rights, we find it completely unacceptable and deplorable. This is not a country where many of the modern and progressive laws of the U.K. or EU apply and will leave many individuals at significant risk.

 

The suggestion made by senior U.K. Government Ministers that the U.K. could withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which was set up after the atrocities of the Second World War, is a further worrying example of this Governments disregard for the rules of international law and looks like an attempt to undermine the principles of freedom, liberty, and equality.

 

Therefore, we call on the U.K. Government to

 

·                    Immediately stop this immoral and unethical policy and instead explore effective ways of preventing people trafficking.

 

·                    Engage with European partners and international crime prevention organisations to work together to break the people trafficking and exploitation networks.

 

·                    To work with Local Authorities and communities, including people with lived experience to build a fairer and more effective asylum system.

 

·                    Invest in immigration services and properly fund the immigration system.

 

·                    Restate the U.K. commitment to remain a member of the ECHR.

 

·                    Request the Leader (and supporting Group Leaders) write to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary to outline our opposition to this policy, and to call for its immediate discontinuation.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 30 “Voting” a recorded vote was requested. The voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:

 

For (55 Councillors)
Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)
C Anderson	V A Holland	P M Matthews
M Bailey	CA Holley	P N May
S Bennett	L James	J D McGettrick
P N Bentu	A J Jeffery	H M Morris
P M Black	D H Jenkins	D Phillips
J P Curtice	J W Jones	C L Philpott
A Davis	M H Jones	J E Pritchard
P Downing	M Jones	S Pritchard
C R Doyle	S M Jones	A Pugh
M Durke	S A Joy	S J Rice
C R Evans	S E Keeton	K M Roberts
C M J Evans	E J King	R V Smith
V M Evans	E T Kirchner	R C Stewart
R A Fogarty	H Lawson	L G Thomas
N Furlong	A S Lewis	L V Walton
L S Gibbard	M B Lewis	T M White
K M Griffiths	W G Lewis	R Andrew Williams
H J Gwilliam	M W Locke	-
T J Hennegan	N L Matthews	-

 

Against (0 Councillor(s))
Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)
-	-	-

 

Abstain (6 Councillors)
Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)
L R Jones	A J O’Connor	W G Thomas
F D O’Brien	B J Rowlands	M S Tribe

 

Withdrawn from meeting due to declarable interest (0 Councillors)
Councillor	Councillor	Councillor
-	-	-

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.