Venue: Multi-Location Meeting - Council Chamber, Guildhall / MS Teams. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services - 636923
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Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests. Decision: 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 R D Lewis, F D
O’Brien & A H Stevens declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in
Minute 148 “Public Questions” and 159 “Councillors' Questions” and
left prior to discussion. 2) Councillors
S Bennett, P N Bentu, J P Curtice, T J Hennegan, R Francis-Davies, A S Lewis, M
B Lewis, P Lloyd, N L Matthews, S Pritchard, SJ Rice, R V Smith, G D Walker & T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 151 “Statement of Accounts 2021/22”; 3) Councillors P Downing, R A Fogarty, J W
Jones, M H Jones, W G Lewis, N L Matthews, C L Philpott & S J Rice declared
a Personal Interest in Minute 152 “School Admission Arrangements
2024-2025.”; 4) Councillor
S Pritchard declared a Personal Interest in Minute 153 “Swansea Public Services Board
Local Well-being Plan”; 5) Councillors
P M Black, C A Holley, P Lloyd & C L Philpott declared a Personal Interest
in Minute 155 Nomination of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2023-2024
“”; 6) Councillors
P R Hood-Williams & L G Thomas declared a Personal & Prejudicial
Interest in Minute
155 Nomination of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2023-2024 and
left prior to discussion “”. 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 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 R D Lewis, F D
O’Brien & A H Stevens declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in
Minute 147 “Public Questions” and 158 “Councillors' Questions” and
withdrew from the meeting prior to its discussion”. 2) Councillors
S Bennett, P N Bentu, J P Curtice, J A Hale, T J Hennegan, R Francis-Davies, H
Lawson, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, P Lloyd, N L Matthews, S Pritchard, S J Rice, R V
Smith, M S Tribe, G D Walker & T M White declared a Personal Interest in
Minute 150 “Statement
of Accounts 2021/22”. 3) Councillors P Downing, E W Fitzgerald, R
A Fogarty, J W Jones, M H Jones, W G Lewis, N L Matthews, C L Philpott & S
J Rice declared a Personal Interest in Minute 151 “School Admission Arrangements
2024-2025”. 4) Councillor
S Pritchard declared a Personal Interest in Minute 152 “Swansea Public Services Board
Local Well-being Plan”. 5) Councillors
P M Black, C A Holley, P Lloyd & C L Philpott declared a Personal Interest
in Minute 154
“Nomination of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2023-2024”. 6) Councillors
P R Hood-Williams & L G Thomas declared a Personal & Prejudicial
Interest in Minute
154 “Nomination of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2023-2024 and
withdrew from the meeting prior to its discussion”. 7) Councillor E W Fitzgerald declared a Personal
Interest in Minute 156 “Amendments to the
Council Constitution - Constitution Working Group Terms of Reference &
Membership”. |
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To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record. Decision: Approved Minutes: Resolved that the following Minutes be approved and
signed as a correct record: 1) Ordinary Meeting of
Council held on 2 March 2023. |
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Written Responses to Questions asked at the Last Ordinary Meeting of Council. PDF 203 KB Additional documents: Decision: For Information Minutes: The Chief Legal Officer
submitted an information report setting out the written responses to questions
asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council. |
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Announcements of the Presiding Member. Decision: For Information Minutes: a)
Condolences i)
Councillor Hazel
Morris The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Councillor Hazel Morris. Hazel represented the Penderry Ward for approximately 15 years on:
The Leader of the Labour Group led a tribute to Councillor Hazel Morris. ii)
Former Councillor
June Evans The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of former Councillor June Evans. June represented the Llansamlet Ward on:
All present observed a minute’s silence as a mark of sympathy and
respect. b)
Karen Thomas,
Democratic Services Retirement The Presiding Member
stated that Karen Thomas aka Zippy would be retiring on 31 March 2023, having
served 40 years with the Council. Karen had dedicated her career to supporting
Councillors. On behalf of the Council, she thanked Karen. The Presiding
Member also thanked all other Officers that were scheduled to retire in the
coming weeks & months for their service and dedication to the Council. c)
Thanks to the Test, Trace & Protect (TTP) Teams The Presiding
Member stated that the Welsh Government has recently thanked everyone involved
in the TTP Teams for their exceptional hard work and commitment throughout the
Covid-19 pandemic. On behalf of the Council, she added her thanks to the TTP
Teams for their professionalism and work during such a difficult period. d)
Live Broadcast The Presiding Member reminded all members of the public that the meeting was being broadcast live. Care must be taken to avoid any abusive or defamatory comments against Officers, Councillors, or other members of the public. e)
Remain Seated when Speaking The Presiding Member reminded Councillors to remain seated when speaking in the Council Chamber, thereby making it easier for people to hear and see. f)
Amendments / Corrections to the Council Summons i)
Items 19 & 20 “Notice of Motion” The name of
Councillor Jan Curtice should be removed from both Notices of Motion. |
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Announcements of the Leader of the Council. Decision: For Information Minutes: 1)
Explosion at Clydach Road, Morriston The Leader of Council referred to the recent tragic death of Brian
Davies following an explosion at Clydach Road, Morriston. He gave the Council’s
condolences to the family on behalf of the victim. He also thanked the Swansea Council Officer, the Housing Team, and the
Emergency Services for supporting the community. 2)
Freeport at Milford Haven & Port
Talbot The Leader of the Council welcomed the announcement that Neath Port
Talbot Council and Pembrokeshire Council as part of the Swansea Bay City Region
had been successful in their Celtic Freeport bid to have Freeports at Milford
Haven & Port Talbot. 3)
Cwmrhydyceirw Primary School
- Centenary The Leader of the Council stated that he had attended Cwmrhydyceirw
Primary School recently as part of their centenary celebrations. 4)
MJ Awards 2023 - Nominated for the Local Authority of the Year
Award The Leader of the Council stated that Swansea Council had been nominated for the
Local Authority of the Year in the MJ Awards 2023. He stated that Swansea
Council was a runner up in the same category in 2022. |
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Public Questions. 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. Decision: Noted Minutes: Six members of the public asked questions relating to Minute 158 “Councillors’ Questions - Question 1.” The Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Corporate Service & Performance responded and committed to providing written responses. |
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Corporate Plan 2023/28. PDF 160 KB Additional documents:
Decision: Approved Minutes: Resolved that the Corporate Plan 2023/28 be adopted. Note: Councillor S Bennett stated that “Paragraphs 3.84 & 3.94 refer to “more than 1 in 5 respondents…” and “More than 1 in 4 respondents…” respectively. What did the majority say i.e., the 4 in 5 and 3 in 4 say? What do these Paragraphs mean? The Cabinet Member for Corporate Service & Performance stated that a written response would be provided. |
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Report of Audit Wales - Audit of Accounts Report - City & County of Swansea. PDF 355 KB Decision: Noted Minutes: Derwyn Owen, Audit Wales presented the “Audit Wales, Audit of Accounts Report 2021-2022 for the City and County of Swansea”. Resolved that: 1) The Final Letter of Representation be approved and signed. Note: Councillor C A Holley referred to Page 171, Appendix 3 and asked what the Council was leasing for £284,851,000. The Leader of the Council stated that a written response would be provided. |
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Statement of Accounts 2021/22. PDF 223 KB Additional documents:
Decision: Approved Minutes: Resolved
that the 2021/22 Statement of Accounts attached as Appendix A of the report be
approved. |
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School Admission Arrangements 2024-2025. PDF 272 KB Additional documents:
Decision: Approved Minutes: Resolved that: 1) The proposed admission arrangements for 2024-2025 for Nursery as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved. 2)
The
proposed admission arrangements for 2024-2025 for Reception as set out in
Appendix B of the report be approved. 3)
The
proposed admission arrangements for 2024-2025 for Year 7 as set out in Appendix
C of the report be approved. 4)
The
proposed admission arrangements for 2024-2025 for in-year transfers as set out
in Appendix D of the report be approved. 5)
The
proposed admission arrangements/criteria for entry for 2024-2025 for sixth
forms set in Appendix E of the report be approved. 6)
The
Schedule of Events for primary and secondary as set out in Appendix F of the
report be approved. 7) The admission numbers for primary and secondary schools as set out in Appendix G of the report be noted. |
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Swansea Public Services Board Local Well-being Plan. PDF 292 KB Additional documents: Decision: Approved Minutes: Resolved
that: 1) The Swansea Public Service Board Local Well-being Plan be approved. |
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Appointment of a Lay Member to the Governance & Audit Committee. PDF 232 KB Additional documents: Decision: Approved Minutes: Resolved
that: 1) David Roberts be appointed as Lay Member of the Governance & Audit Committee. 2)
The
Term of Office being five years, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028. |
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Nomination of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2023-2024. PDF 408 KB Decision: Approved Minutes: The Head
of Democratic Services submitted a report which sought to
nominate the Lord Mayor elect and Deputy Lord Mayor elect to enable the
arrangements for the Inauguration of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor event
to proceed. Resolved
that: 1)
Councillor Graham Thomas be nominated Lord Mayor
Elect 2023-2024. 2) Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams be nominated Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2023-2024. |
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Timing of Council Meetings - Survey & Council Bodies Diary 2023-2024. PDF 272 KB Additional documents: Decision: Approved Minutes: Resolved
that: 1)
The draft Council Bodies Diary 2023-2024 be
adopted subject to final approval at the Annual Meeting of Council on 18 May
2023. |
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Decision: Approved Minutes: The amendments related to the Terms of Reference of the Constitution Working Group and to the Financial Procedure Rules. Resolved that: 1) Paragraph 3.2 of the Constitution Working Group Terms of Reference be amended to read: “3.2 This
Group is exempt from the Committee Balance Rules to allow the following
membership and representation by each Political Group: Presiding Member, Deputy
Presiding Member, Leader & Deputy Leader of Ruling Group and Largest
Opposition Group, Leader of other Political Groups and Cabinet Member with
responsibility for Constitutional matters. Note: Each Political Group Leader may substitute their
Deputy Political Group Leader with another of their Group Members if required
but the membership must be approved by Council.” 2) Councillor M H Jones replace Councillor E W Fitzgerald as the Largest Opposition Group representative on the Constitution Working Group. 3)
Paragraph 11.6 of the Financial Procedure Rules
be amended to read: “11.6 Debts which are not recoverable
must be written off. The Chief Finance Officer must approve all write off of debts up to £10,000. Debts above £10,000 must be written-off with the approval of the Chief Finance Officer and the Chief
Legal Officer”. |
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Review of Communities. PDF 233 KB Decision: Approved Minutes: The Returning
Officer submitted a report that sought approval to instruct the Local
Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales (LDBCW) to conduct the Community
Review on behalf of the Council. Resolved
that: 1) The Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales conduct a Section 26 Review of Communities on behalf of the Council. 2)
The Constitution Working Group’s Terms of
Reference be amended to include: “To oversee the Review of Communities and have responsibility for working with the Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales to ensure any recommendations accurately reflect Swansea’s communities and the Terms of Reference of the Review of Communities.” 3)
The Constitution Working Group consider a
“Council Size Policy” and recommend such a Policy to Council in due course. |
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Councillors' Questions. PDF 431 KB Decision: For Information Minutes: 1) Part
A ‘Supplementary Questions’ Ten
(10) 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 9 Councillor E
W Fitzgerald asked for a clearer definition of what “roads are regularly
cleaned” meant. She queried what the exact timescale was? The Cabinet
Member for Community stated 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. |
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Notice of Motion - The Brexit Risk to our Rights - The Retained EU Law Bill. PDF 269 KB Decision: Approved Minutes: Proposed by
Councillor R A Fogarty and Seconded by Councillor R C Stewart. “So far, leaving
the European Union has harmed our national standing in the world, cost our economy
billions in lost trade and created uncertainty and paperwork for citizens and
businesses across the UK. 65% of the British public think that the Conservative
Government is handling Brexit badly. The Retained EU
Law Bill will give Government Ministers the ability to pick and choose which EU
rules they will keep and which to scrap. This includes basic, but hard-fought,
protections such as health and safety at work, disability protections and
maternity rights. This risks causing further harm at a
time of economic difficulty for many by ripping up 4,000 basic rights and
protections with minimal parliamentary scrutiny and locking into the UK statute
books the Conservative obsession with deregulation at all costs. It is
particularly concerning to see attempts to sideline
the sovereignty of Parliament at a time when there seems to be a new scandal
involving UK Government Ministers every week, undermining public trust and
confidence in our leaders to do what is in their best interests. Like communities
across the UK, Swansea is deeply affected by the cost of
living crisis, with people living evermore precariously. The
Government's priority at this time must be to secure economic prosperity, and
prevent any further harm being done by those who wish to use Brexit as an
opportunity to weaken hard fought rights and protections. Therefore, this
Council: - Urges
the Government to rethink sunsetting EU laws through the Retained EU Law Bill. - Calls
on the UK Government to make a commitment to uphold all existing rights and
protections afforded to us in EU legislation. - Asks
the Leader to write to the Prime Minister outlining this Council's steadfast
opposition to his Government's regular attacks on fundamental human rights. - Asks
the Leader to also write to the Leader of the Opposition in Westminster,
seeking assurance that as the Bill makes its way through Parliament, every step
will be taken to fight this outright attack on Parliamentary democracy,
including through focusing public scrutiny on the rights and protections we
stand to lose.” In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 30 “Voting” a recorded vote
was requested. The voting was recorded as follows:
Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted. |
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Notice of Motion - Illegal Immigration Bill. PDF 205 KB Decision: Approved Minutes: Proposed by
Councillor S Pritchard and Seconded by Councillor R C Stewart. “This Council is appalled
by the UK government’s illegal immigration bill which proposes to detain and later
remove anyone who arrives in the UK on a small boat meaning the Home Office
will not consider any of their Asylum claims regardless
if they have fled war or persecution for being a minority. These people seeking sanctuary will then be deported back to the
country they have fled from or a ‘safe’ third country. This third country could
be Rwanda or another country deemed safe by UK Govt but with a questionable
record on human rights. This ill-thought out and
inhumane legislation will punish the most vulnerable people from across the
world. Questions have been raised surrounding the legality of the Bill and
whether it is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and
consistent with the 1951 Refugees Convention. The Prime Minister has also
stated in writing that if you come to the UK illegally “You can’t benefit from
our modern slavery protections”. This Council also notes
and condemns the dangerous and dehumanising language which has been used to
support this Bill. This rhetoric cultivates and
provides a platform for a culture of abuse, racism and even violence against
refugees and minorities. As a City of Sanctuary,
this Council and the people of Swansea have welcomed and accepted refugees and
asylum seekers. This has made the city a more interesting, diverse
and tolerant city because of this. This Council condemns the
action of the UK Government in bringing forward this legislation,
and calls upon the prime minister and his ministers to withdraw these
egregious proposals. We call upon the Leader of
Council to write to the Prime Minister in the strongest possible terms to
outline our concerns. We would also request the
Leader of the Council to write to Swansea City of Sanctuary to reaffirm the
Council’s support for the work they do.” In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 30 “Voting” a recorded vote
was requested. The voting was recorded as follows:
Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted. |