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 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 M Bailey, S Bennett, P N Bentu, P M Black, J P Curtice, A Davis, A M Day, P Downing, P Downing, C R Doyle, M Durke, C R Evans, C M J Evans, V M Evans, E W Fitzgerald, R A Fogarty, R Francis-Davies, L S Gibbard, F M Gordon, K M Griffiths, H J Gwilliam, J A Hale, T J Hennegan, V A Holland, C A Holley, B Hopkins, D H Hopkins, L James, O G James, Y V Jardine, A J Jeffery, D H Jenkins, J W Jones, L R Jones, M Jones, S M Jones, S A Joy, S E Keeton, E J King, E T Kirchner, H Lawson, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, W G Lewis, P Lloyd, M W Locke, N L Matthews, P M Matthews, P N May, J D McGettrick, F D O’Brien, A J O’Connor, D Phillips, C L Philpott, J E Pritchard, S Pritchard, A Pugh, S J Rice, K M Roberts, B J Rowlands, R V Smith, A H Stevens, R C Stewart, M S Tribe, G D Walker, L V Walton, T M White and R A Williams declared a Personal Interest in Minute 95 “Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report 2023-2024 - Consultation”.

2)              Councillor J D McGettrick declared a Personal Interest in Minute 97 “Councillors’ Questions” - Question 12.

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 28 October 2022.

2)              Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 3 November 2022 subject to Councillor David Phillips being added to the list of apologies for absence.

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

a)              Condolences

i)                Former Councillor Huw Rees

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of former Councillor Huw Rees. Huw represented the Sketty Ward on the City & County of Swansea from 6 May 1999 to 4 May 2017. Huw also served as Presiding Officer (Chair of Council).

All present stood as a mark of sympathy and respect.

b)              Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA) Awards 2022

The Presiding Member stated that INCA was at the forefront of transforming the energy efficiency of homes and businesses in the UK. They aim to represent the External Wall Insulation industry through technical excellence and effective collaboration.

Swansea Council was recently shortlisted in two categories in the INCA Awards 2022. The categories being:

i)                External Wall Insulation (EWI) Excellence - Architectural Excellence or Environmental Impact.

ii)               Render Only – Insulated Placed Elsewhere. (More Homes – Colliers Way, Penlan).

She stated that Swansea Council had won the External Wall Insulation (EWI) Excellence - Architectural Excellence or Environmental Impact at the awards ceremony on 17 November 2022. The award was in relation to the De-carbonisation / EWI works at Jones Terrace, Evans Terrace & Wilks Row.

c)              Welsh Government’s Sustainable Schools Challenge

The Presiding Member congratulated Education’s Capital Team for being shortlisted for their innovative and collaborative bid for Welsh Government’s Sustainable Schools Challenge.

The Team’s plan to develop and deliver a net zero carbon primary school build that can make a positive contribution to the environment and surrounding landscape has reached the short list stage. If successful at the next stage, the collaboration will include learners, staff, parents, community, and supply chains through all stages of design, construction, and operational life of a truly sustainable school in Swansea.

The Challenge will draw upon the sustainability aspects of the new curriculum and how our young learners translate this into their own ‘sustainable community for learning’.

d)              Welsh Housing Awards 2022

The Presiding Member stated that Swansea Council had won the Best Housing Story Award at the Welsh Housing Awards 2022. The Awards celebrate excellence within Wales’ Housing sector. The award went to Swansea Council’s “More Homes Team” for the Bryn House scheme.

The project was delivered during the pandemic, to provide additional permanent and temporary accommodation. It involved the purchase of a former education centre, refurbishment of the main building to provide 4 x 1-bedroom flats, and the purchase of 4 factory made 1-bedroom pods that were then craned into the site.

a)              Support Given by Swansea Council During Cost-of-Living Crisis

The Leader of Council stated that since the start of the year, the Council has paid out almost £20m in grants to hard-pressed families and individuals, including more than 76,000 cost of living payments, a further 40,000 discretionary cost of living payments, 20,000 fuel payments and 4,500 unpaid carers’ payments.

Tens of thousands of families in communities across Swansea have benefited from millions of pounds in grants and other payments to help them through the cost-of-living crisis. But thousands more who are eligible for a £200 fuel support payment or a cost-of-living grant are being urged to get their applications in.

The fuel payment scheme runs until 5:00pm on 28 February 2023 and the discretionary cost of living payments scheme closes at the end of March 2023. Anyone who thinks they might be eligible but have not yet applied, should get their applications in soon.

The Welsh Government-funded support is in addition to any UK Government winter fuel payments made to pensioners via the Department for Work and Pensions. More details about the scheme, the online application form and FAQs are on the Council's website www.swansea.gov.uk/fuelsupport

b)              Budget Update

The Leader of Council stated that since last meeting of Council, the UK Budget had been announced. The Chancellor of the Exchequer failed to announce any energy help for the public sector. Chosen specifically to exclude energy help for Schools, Care Homes, and Community. This was a political choice by the Conservative Government. He stated that he hoped that the Government would change its mind on this issue.

c)              His Dark Materials E

The Leader of Council stated that Councillor E J King would be opening the “His Dark Materials” Exhibition at the Glynn Vivian later that evening. It was a free exhibition open to all.

d)              Christmas Parade

The Leader of Council thanked the Council’s Special Events Team for hosting an excellent Christmas Parade recently. The Parade contained over 70 attractions and floats.

e)              Together at Christmas

The Leader of Council stated that Swansea Council in partnership with JR Events & Catering will be running the Together at Christmas initiative again this year. The event aims to provide a free Christmas carvery lunch for the homeless, isolated and those in need. It will be held between 12-3.00pm on Tuesday, 6 December 2022 at the Brangwyn Hall. Councillors and others are encouraged to volunteer via email events@jr-eventsandcatrering.co.uk

f)                Major Projects - Blue Eden & Skyline

The Leader of Council provided updates on two major projects within Swansea, namely Blue Eden & Skyline.

g)              Martin Nicholls – Chief Executive

The Leader of Council congratulated and welcomed Martin Nicholls to his first Council meeting since being appointed as Chief Executive of the City & County of Swansea.

Questions can be submitted in writing to Democratic Services democracy@swansea.gov.uk up until noon on the working day prior to the meeting. Written questions take precedence.  Public may attend and ask questions in person if time allows. Questions must relate to items on the open part of the agenda and will be dealt within a 10 minute period.

Public questions were asked in relation to Minute 92 “Policy Commitments - The First 100 Days” and “Minute 97 “Councillors’ Questions” - Question 13.

The Section 151 Officer provided a verbal update on the Mid-term Budget Statement 2022-2023.

The Leader of Councillor submitted an information report highlighting the achievements and successes of Swansea Council during the “first 100 days”, in line with the Policy Commitments Statement agreed at Council on 7 July 2022.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4 the Presiding Member adjourned the meeting to facilitate a 10-minute comfort break.

The Economy, Finance & Strategy Cabinet Member submitted a report detailing the calculation of the Council Tax Base for the City and County of Swansea, its Community / Town Councils, and the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority for 2023/2024. The Council is required to determine the Council Tax Bases by 31 December 2022.

Resolved that:

1)       The calculation of the Council Tax Bases for 2023/2024 be approved.

2)       In accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, the calculation by the City and County of Swansea Council for the Year 2023/2024 shall be:

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report informing Council of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report 2023-2024 and outlined the determinations proposed by the IRPW. The report also contained the recommended draft response of the Democratic Services Committee of 7 November 2022 to the consultation.

Resolved that:

1)              The draft IRPW Annual Report 2023-2024 be noted.

2)              Section 3 & Appendix A of the report be adopted as the Authority’s reply to the IRPW.

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

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

1)              Organisational Transformation Corporate Development Committee

Remove Councillor M Jones.

Add Labour Vacancy.

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

Seventeen (17) 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 6

Councillor J W Jones asked for an update on the electric charging ports for EV planned for Killay.

The Service Transformation Cabinet Member stated a written response would be provided.

Question 7

Councillor S J Rice asked, “Now that the Neath Port Talbot / Pembrokeshire application was supported, would local businesses in Swansea still be able to access funding or benefits if the Freeport bid is successful?”.

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

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

One (1) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.