Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

Councillor M Durke Item 8 “Annual Report 2022/23 – Director of Social

Services” – personal.

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)       Councillor M Durke declared a Personal Interest in Minute 50 “Annual Report 2022/23 – Director of Social Services”.

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 subject to Councillor B Hopkins being added to the list of those present:

1)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 7 September 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)             Building Services & Housing Teams - Winners of an APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Award

The Presiding Member stated that the Council’s Building Services & Housing Teams Service recently jointly won the APSE Award in the Best Service Team in the Housing, Construction & Building Service category. She congratulated all involved.

b)            Ageing Well Team - Shortlisted for an APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Award

The Presiding Member stated that the Council’s Ageing Well Team was shortlisted for an APSE Award in the Best Health and Well Being initiative category. This is for their Well Being partnership walk which was initiated coming out of the covid lockdown. Despite not winning the award, to be shortlisted from over 300 submissions was an exceptional achievement. She congratulated the team and thanked them for their dedication and commitment towards supporting our older population. They are making a considerable impact on the lives of many of our residents from across the city and supporting them to live well and age well.

c)             Evolve Youth Service - Shortlisted for a Community Safety Award

The Presiding Member stated that the Council’s Evolve Youth Service had been shortlisted for a Community Safety Award for outstanding work. It is wonderful accomplishment to be shortlisted and to recognise the impact that Youth Outreach Workers are having with our young people in our communities across the city. The awards ceremony will take place on the 17 October 2023, and on behalf of Council, she wished them the very best of luck.

d)            Copr Bay Bridge – Structural Steel Design Awards 2023

The Presiding Member congratulated all staff involved with the iconic Copr Bay Bridge that now spans across Oystermouth Road, linking the city centre with the arena and coastal park. At the recent Structural Steel Design Awards 2023, the Council’s architects for the bridge, ACME won an award for its high standard of design.

e)             Resident Survey

The Presiding Member stated that the Council had recently launched a Resident Survey asking what they think of the Council’s services and staff. The feedback will hopefully help further improve what the Council does by responding to residents’ views. It’s also an opportunity for them to rank which services they’d prioritise, and this will feed into our budget discussions in the coming months. The survey can be found at www.swansea.gov.uk/residentsurvey

f)              Swansea Community Review

The Presiding Member stated that the Local Democracy & Boundary Commission for Wales is conducting a review of Swansea’s community boundaries. The Initial Consultation Period opened on 25 September 2023 and closes on 19 November 2023. Further information relating to the review is available at www.ldbc.gov.wales/reviews/09-23/swansea-community-review

Consultation responses should be sent to consultations@boundaries.wales or Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, Hastings House, Fitzalan Place, Cardiff, CF24 0BL.

For information

The Leader of the Council did not make any announcements.

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

David Davies asked a question in relation to Minute 52 “Policy Commitments Progress”.

i)               “Would a Swansea wide competition be appropriate where all Schools could nominate their Reader of the Year, a Boy and Girl; and appear before a Panel organised by the Council who would judge the winners and present a Cup to them and the School. Perhaps our Education Minister could choose a particular book for the contestants and then assess their critical appraisal of it and their imagination.

Wales is the land of Poets and Bards and this competition might inspire potential writers of the future. Cardiff has its Singer of the World, let Swansea have its Readers of the Year.”

The Education & Learning Cabinet Member welcomed the suggestion and stated that a written response would be provided.

Approved

The Director of Social Services submitted a report providing his account of the Council’s improvement journey to 2022-2023, and how well the Council is meeting statutory requirements under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. The report reviewed last year’s areas for improvement, the challenges faced and set new priorities. The report set out the changes that have taken place within Social Services to achieve progress towards national wellbeing outcomes.

Resolved that:

1)             The Director of Social Services Annual Report 2022-2023 be approved.

Note: Councillor C A Holley asked a question relating to Child & Adolescence Mental Health Services (CAHMS). He asked “What is the timescale for a visit after referral?”

The Director of Social Services stated that a written response would be provided.

For information

The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee submitted an information report that outlined the work of Scrutiny for the municipal year 2022-2023.

For information

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance & Strategy submitted an information report that summarised progress of the Policy Commitments adopted by Council in July 2022.

Note:

1)             Councillor P M Black asked, “What is the timescale and extent of the rollout of Public Free Wi-Fi.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure stated that a written response would be provided.

2)             Councillor P N May asked, “How many EV charging points were in place prior to the target being set? What is the numerical target now?”

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

For information

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

Three (3) 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 2

Councillor P N May asked, “Can a copy of the guidance for existing structures be circulated?”

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Performance stated that a written response would be provided.

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

Six (6) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

Amended motion approved

”.

The original Notice of Motion outlined below was submitted by Councillor C M J Evans, M W Locke / S Bennett.

“We call for a report to council which can outline the delivery and maintenance of a commemorative woodland, to mark the hundred years anniversary of the cenotaph and the sacrifice that our armed forces have made in service of our country. Each person named on the Cenotaph would have a tree planted in their name, and an online record created accessed via QR code, outlining details of their life and family to ensure their names and sacrifices are not lost to history”.

Prior to the Meeting, the Labour Group submitted an amended Motion, which was accepted by the original movers. The motion below was the substantive motion.

Proposed by Councillor C M J Evans and Seconded by Councillor W G Lewis.

“We call for a report to Cabinet which could outline the options for delivery and maintenance of a commemorative woodland, to mark the 100 year anniversary of the cenotaphs and the sacrifice that the people from all communities serving in our armed forces have made in service of our country.

The options will take into account the budget position, the Council's current tree planting strategy and ongoing work to map out areas of council land to further increase the tree cover as part of its net zero strategy. The review should consider the options to have a tree planted in their name, and an online record created accessed via QR code, outlining details of their life and family to ensure their names and sacrifices are not lost to history”.

Resolved that the amendment Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.