Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

None

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 no interests were declared.

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)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 9 November 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)             Condolences

i)              Huw Mowbray - Development and Physical Regeneration Strategic Manager

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Huw Mowbray. Huw was the Council’s Development & Physical Regeneration Strategic Manager. Huw was a great friend and colleague to many and was widely respected by Councillors & Officers for his professionalism and dedication.

For many years, Huw helped shape the regeneration of the City Centre and had been held in the highest esteem by our Partners and Developers. Huw’s impact on the City can be seen today in the many developments that have helped transform the City Centre.

She stated that the Council’s thoughts and condolences are with Huw’s family, friends, and colleagues.

ii)             Patrick Arran - Head of Legal

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Patrick Arran. Patrick was a former Head of Legal. She stated that the Council’s thoughts and condolences are with Patrick’s family, friends, and colleagues.

All stood as a mark of sympathy & respect.

b)            Polling District & Polling Place Review 2023

The Presiding Member stated that the Returning Officer was conducting a Polling District & Polling Place Review 2023. The Consultation Period opened on 8 November 2023 and closes on 20 December 2023. Further information relating to the review is available online at https://swansea.gov.uk/article/25356/Review-of-Polling-Districts-and-Polling-PlacesStations-2023

Consultation responses should be sent to elections@swansea.gov.uk or via an online form https://online1.snapsurveys.com/pollingdistrictreview

c)             Safer Communities Awards 2023

The Presiding Member stated that the inaugural Safer Communities Awards were recently held at the Village Hotel, Swansea. The awards aim to celebrate the work of projects, partnerships and people actively making communities safer across Wales. The Awards showcase the great work being undertaken across Wales to prevent, reduce and make communities safer in areas such as Anti-Social Behaviour, Violence against Women and Girls, and Exploitation.

She stated that she was delighted to announce that four Swansea Council projects were honoured at the Awards:

·                Community Integration Team Flip the Streets project was highly commended in the Equalities, Inclusion & Cohesion category.

·                Community Integration Team Safer Swansea Christmas Chalet project was highly commended in the Partnerships category.

·                CMET (Contextual, Missing Exploited or Trafficked) panel in Child & Family Services was highly commended in the Safeguarding category.

·                Local Area Co-ordination Team in Adult Services, Prevention and Tackling Poverty Service were the overall winners in the Equalities, Inclusion & Cohesion category.

She congratulated the Local Area Co-ordination Team on winning this award and thanked them for their work within our communities. They should be proud of the impact they are making on improving the lives of individuals and connecting our communities right across the city.

d)            Together at Christmas

The Presiding Member stated that Swansea Council in partnership with JR Events & Catering ran the Together at Christmas initiative on 5 December 2023. The event provided a free Christmas carvery lunch for the homeless, isolated and those in need. She thanks everyone that helped.

She stated that many Councillors and Officers were wearing Christmas attire to tonight’s Council meeting. The money raised will be given to support charities in Swansea.

For Information

a)             Ministerial Advisory Forum for Ageing with Welsh Government

The Leader of the Council stated that Councillor Hayley Gwilliam, Cabinet Member for Community had been selected to take part in the Ministerial Advisory Forum for Ageing with Welsh Government. She will participate as the Ageing Well Lead. The Outside Bodies list shall be amended accordingly.

b)            Homes for Ukraine

The Leader of the Council stated that the Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt has written to him thanking Council Officers for their support and hard work with the Homes for Ukraine programme. The Minister stated that the Council played a critical role in ensuring Wales could live up to its ambition of being a Nation of Sanctuary. Ukrainian guests sponsored by the Welsh Government were accommodated in three initial accommodation venues across Swansea, namely the Mercure, the Village Hotel, and the Grand Hotel. These venues provided much needed accommodation for families in need of a safe and caring environment during a time of significant uncertainty following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

c)             Christmas Parade

The Leader of the Council thanked the Council’s Special Events Team for hosting an excellent Christmas Parade.

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.

None

There were no Public Questions asked.

For Information

The Section 151 Officer provided a verbal update on the Mid-term Budget Statement 2023-2024.

Approved

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report that undertook a mid-year review of the Revenue Reserves position and sought agreement for any suggested reclassification of reserves based on current requirements.

Resolved that:

1)             It be noted that a capital equalisation reserve was created from the underspending on debt charges and the fundamental review by Council of the Minimum Revenue Provision calculation. This reserve is topped up wherever possible, by capital financing underspending in year, to help with any timing issues around the need to fund any City Deal projects in advance of receipt of funding from other bodies.

2)             To this extent, and following a review of current earmarked reserves, the re-classification of earmarked reserves as detailed below be approved at this juncture:

Approved

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 2024/2025. The Council is required to determine the Council Tax Bases by 31 December.

Resolved that:

1)       The calculation of the Council Tax Bases for 2024/2025 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 2024/2025 shall be:

Approved

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that outlined a review of the Councillors Handbook and sought approval to include guidance on the Use of the Council Logo in Section C “Protocols”.

The Democratic Services Committee considered the report at its meeting on 6 November 2023 and recommended the revised Councillors Handbook include the Guidance on the Use of the Council Logo to Council for adoption.

Resolved that revised Councillors Handbook including the Guidance on the Use of the Council Logo be adopted.

For Information

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 2

Councillor E W Fitzgerald asked:

i)               Can I have a yes or a no response to my written question?

ii)              Where are the locations identified for tree planting following the Tree Canopy Survey?

The Cabinet Member for Community 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.