Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S E Crouch, N J Davies, W J F Davies, A M Day, P Downing, J E C Harris, D H Hopkins, L James, S M Jones, J Newbury, D Phillips, J A Raynor, D G Sullivan, L G Thomas and L V Walton.

The Head of Legal, Democratic Services and Procurement 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 actually 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:

No interests were declared.

Officers:

1)       The Head of Democratic Services declared a Personal Interest in Minute 86 “Amendments to the Council Constitution - Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration;

2)       The Chief Executive and Head of Legal, Democratic Services and Procurement and Monitoring Officer) declared a Personal Interest in Minute 86 “Amendments to the Council Constitution - Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014”.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the:-

1) Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on 30 July 2014.

2) Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 12 August 2014.

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

1)       Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on 30 July 2014 subject to Councillors D H Hopkins and T M White being added to the list of apologies given;

2)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 12 August 2014.

1)       IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Athletics European Championships – Swansea 2014.

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to congratulate Team GB following their recent success at the IPC Championships.  They won 36 medals; 5 Gold, 11 Silver and 20 Bronze.

2)       European Championships Berlin 2014

The Presiding Member congratulated Jazz Carlin for winning 2 Gold Medals in the 800m and 400m freestyle swimming at the recent European Championships.

Councillor R C Stewart.  The nomination was proposed by Councillor C Richards and seconded by Councillor A S Lewis.

RESOLVED that Councillor R C Stewart be elected as Leader of the Council.

1)       Announcement of New Cabinet and Structure

The Leader of the Council stated that he would be announcing a new Cabinet and structure during the next few days.

2)       GCSE Results

The Leader of the Council called upon Councillor W Evans to make an announcement in relation to the recent GCSE Results.

Councillor W Evans stated that Swansea’s secondary schools were celebrating their best ever GCSE results.  Swansea pupils who achieved 5 GSCE’s from A* to C including Maths and either Welsh or English had improved from 55.3% last year to 58.5% this year.

He stated that these fantastic results were a credit to our pupils and the support of their parents and their Teachers who have put in countless hours of hard work to realise these goals.  Beating the national average for A* and A grades by nearly 4% also further raises the profile of the high standards being set by Swansea schools.

He further stated that these results outlined the drive and commitment of the ruling Group of Council.

3)       Stonewall Education Equality Index

The Leader of the Council called upon the Opportunities for Children and Young People Cabinet Member, Councillor M Theaker to make an announcement in relation to the Stonewall Education Index.

The Opportunities for Children and Young People Cabinet Member stated that the City and County of Swansea was committed to tacking homophobic bullying and supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in their local communities.

He stated that he was pleased to announce that Swansea had been placed 26^th out of 45 on its first attempt when competing on the Stonewall Education Equality Index.

He paid tribute to the Chair of the Equalities Committee, Councillor F M Gordon and to the Councillor Champion for Gender, Gender Reassignment and Sexual Orientation, Councillor J C Bayliss for their commitment and drive in achieving this status.

4)       Healthy Cities

The Leader of the Council called upon the Wellbeing Cabinet Member, Councillor M C Child to make an announcement in relation to Healthy Cities.

The Wellbeing Cabinet Member stated that he was delighted to announce that Swansea had been accepted on to Phase 6 of the World Health Organisations Healthy City Network.

He stated that this was thanks to much work by Officers of this Authority but also to others including Dr Nina Williams of Public Health Wales and Sharon Miller of the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board.

Questions must relate to matters on the open part of the Agenda of the meeting and will be dealt within a 10 minute period.

A number of questions were asked by members of the public.  The relevant Cabinet Member responded accordingly.  There were no questions requiring a written response.

No Public Presentations were received.

The Citizen, Community Engagement and Democracy Cabinet Member stated that there were no changes to be made.

The Presiding Member submitted a report which sought to make amendments in order simplify, improve and / or add to the Council Constitution in relation to the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

He stated that the amendments were within the following areas of the Council Constitution:

i)        Part 2 - Article 15 “Review and Revision of the Constitution”;

ii)       Part 3 - Scheme of Delegation;

iii)       Part 3 - Terms of Reference: Appointments Committee, Chief Executive’s Appraisal and Remuneration Committee;

iv)      Part 4 - JNC Officer Appointment Procedure Rules;

v)       Part 4 - Chief Officers and Deputy Chief Officers Disciplinary Procedure Rules.

RESOLVED that the recommendations listed in Appendices A, B and C of the report be approved and adopted.

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

Two (2) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

No supplementary questions required a written response.

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

No Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee submitted an information report which provided Council with a progress report on various scrutiny activities.