Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

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)       Councillor F D O’Brien declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 168 - Public Questions and withdrew from the meeting prior to discussion.

2)       Councillors J P Curtice, M Durke, C A Holley, E J King, M Jones, T M White & A Williams declared a Personal Interest in Minute 168 – Pay Policy Statement 2023/24.

3)       Councillor F D O’Brien declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 168 – Pay Policy Statement 2023/24 and withdrew from the meeting prior to discussion.

4)       Councillor S J Rice declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 171 – Councillors’ Questions and withdrew from the meeting prior to discussion.

Officers

5)       T Meredith and B Smith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 167 – Chief Officer Evaluation Scheme and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration. 

6)       G Borsden, A Chard, C Davies, H Evans, T Meredith, M Nicholls, and B Smith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 168 - Pay Policy Statement 2023/24 and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration. 

          Note: A Chard & H Evans did not withdraw as they remained to present the report, run the vote, and record the decision.

7)       T Meredith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 169 –   Options for the Appointment for the Post of Director of Corporate Services and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration. 

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:

Councillors

1)       Councillor F D O’Brien declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 166 “Public Questions” and withdrew from the meeting during discussion.

2)       Councillors J P Curtice, M Durke, C A Holley, D H Jenkins, E J King, M Jones, F D O’Brien, M S Tribe, T M White & A Williams declared a Personal Interest in Minute 168 “Pay Policy Statement 2023/24”.

3)       Councillor S J Rice declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 171 “Councillors’ Questions” and withdrew from the meeting prior to discussion.

Officers

4)       T Meredith and B Smith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 167 “Chief Officer Evaluation Scheme” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

5)       G Borsden, A Chard, C Davies, H Evans, T Meredith, M Nicholls, and B Smith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 168 “Pay Policy Statement 2023/24” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

Note: A Chard & H Evans did not withdraw as they remained to present the report, run the vote, and record the decision.

6)       T Meredith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 169 “Options for the Appointment for the Post of Director of Corporate Services” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

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

Approved

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

1)       Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on 30 March 2023.

2)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 30 March 2023.

For Information

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

For Information

a)              Councillor Mair Baker

The Presiding Member welcomed Councillor Mair Baker to her first Council meeting. Councillor Baker was elected following the Penderry By-Election held on 28 April 2023.

b)              Dewar Shield

The Presiding Member outlined that the Welsh Schools Dewar Shield Competition is the oldest Schools Competition in World Rugby. She was delighted to congratulate Swansea Schools on recently winning the prestigious Dewar Shield for the ninth time, with a 24-22 victory over Pontypridd Schools in the final at Principality Stadium.

c)              Live Broadcast

The Presiding Member reminded all members of the public that this meeting is being broadcast live. Care must be taken to avoid any abusive or defamatory comments against Officers, Councillors, or other members of the public.

d)              Remain Seated when Speaking

The Presiding Member reminded all present to remain seated when speaking in the Council Chamber. Thereby making it easier for people to hear and see you.

e)              Amendments / Corrections to the Council Summons

The Presiding Member outlined that Item 9 “Chief Officer Job Evaluation Scheme” would be considered prior to Item 8 “Pay Policy Statement 2023-2024”.

For Information

a)              Councillor Mair Baker

The Leader of Council welcomed Councillor Mair Baker to her first Council meeting following her recent election in the Penderry Ward.

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.

For Information

Three members of the public asked questions relating to Minute 158 “Councillors’ Questions - Question 9.” 

The Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Corporate Service & Performance responded and committed to providing a written response to Mr Bettany.

Approved

The Chief Executive submitted a report that sought approval of the proposals of a new Job Evaluation Scheme for Chief Officers.

Resolved that:

1)              The recommendations of the independent consultants as detailed in Sections 2 to 10 of the report be approved.

2)              The recommendations detailed in Section 11 of the report to adopt the Local Government Association (LGA) job evaluation scheme for Chief Officers for future use be agreed.

3)              The appropriate changes be made to the Pay Policy as a result of resolution 2.

4)              The summary of existing pay bandings outlined in paragraph 11.6 and Appendix D of the report be noted.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Service & Performance submitted the updated Pay Policy Statement for the City & County of Swansea for 2023/24 for approval.

Resolved that the updated Pay Policy Statement 2023-2024 as outlined in Appendix A of the report be approved and published.

Approved

The Chief Executive submitted a report that sought confirmation of the options for the role of Director of Corporate Services.

Resolved that:

1)              The options set out in the report be noted.

2)              Option 2 - Advertise the Role on a Permanent Part-time basis be approved.

3)              The post be recruited to in line with the JNC Officer Appointment Procedure Rules.

Approved

The Leader of Council submitted a report that sought to adopt the Consultation and Engagement Strategy.

Resolved that the Consultation and Engagement Strategy attached at Appendix A of the report be adopted.

Note: Councillor E W Fitzgerald stated that consultation had not taken place regarding the Penllergaer Cycle Path. The Leader of the Council stated that a written response outlining the actions taken by Council would be provided.

For Information

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

Seven (7) 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 N May asked a technical question regarding the depth of resurfacing that the authority uses and the methods of pothole repairs used for compaction etc.

The Leader of Council indicated that a written response would be provided by the Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure.

Question 6

i)                 Councillor S Bennett stated that he was “concerned about the volume of sewage discharge into the River Tawe. There is a perpetual foam which I am told is algae bloom into the Tawe. Sewage was dumped into the Tawe a total of 1,818 times in 2022 - lasting 13,981 hours.

The response refers to discharges only occurring during storms and heavy rain. I appreciate we get a lot of rain but not this much. I note in the response there is limited detail about how the Council are working with Dŵr Cymru / Welsh Water or Natural Resources Wales (NRW about preventing ongoing discharges into the Tawe.

How will the Council be addressing this?”

ii)               Councillor P M Black asked “What discussions have the Council had with Welsh Water regarding upgrading their sewage treatment plant on Fabian Way?”

The Leader of Council indicated that written responses to the above would be provided by the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Performance.

He also outlined he would also raise the issues raised with both Welsh Government and Dŵr Cymru / Welsh Water.

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

Nine (9) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.