Agenda and minutes

The Presiding Member stated that Councillor D H Hopkins had recently been appointed as Communities and Housing Cabinet Member.  As such, Councillor D H Hopkins was no longer able to serve as the Deputy Presiding Member.  The Presiding Member thanked Councillor D H Hopkins for his support.

 

The Presiding Member asked for nominations for the role of Deputy Presiding Member.

 

A nomination was received for Councillor J P Curtice.  The nomination was proposed and seconded.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor J P Curtice be elected Deputy Presiding Member for the remainder of the 2014-2015 Municipal Year.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P M Black, W J F Davies, D Phillips, I M Richard, C Richards, R J Stanton, D G Sullivan and C Thomas.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Council held on 9 September 2014.

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

 

1)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 9 September 2014.

The Deputy 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:

 

1)       Councillor R Francis-Davies declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 103 “Dispensation for Councillor Leave of Absence - Councillor W J F Davies” and left prior to its discussion;

 

2)       Councillors V M Evans, C A Holley, A J Jones, D J Lewis, C E Lloyd, N M Ronconi-Woollard and M Thomas declared a Personal Interest in Minute 104 “Director of Social Services Annual Report 2013-2014”;

 

3)       Councillors M C Child, A M Day, E W Fitzgerald, S M Jones, P B Smith and M Thomas declared a Personal Interest in Minute 108 “Notice of Motion from Councillors R C Stewart, C Richards, M C Child, J E C Harris, J A Raynor, D Hopkins, W Evans, R Francis-Davies, M Thomas, C E Lloyd, D W W Thomas, E T Kirchner, V M Evans, A S Lewis, N S Bradley, P M Matthews and P Lloyd”.

The Presiding Member had no announcements.

1)       Welcome to the new Cabinet

 

The Leader of the Council welcomed the new Cabinet to Council and stated that he would circulate details of their portfolios to Councillors following the meeting.

 

The Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members and their designated Cabinet Portfolios being:

 

Rob C Stewart	Leader Finance & Strategy
Christine Richards	Deputy Leader Services for Children & Young People
Mark C Child	Wellbeing & Healthy City
Will Evans	Anti-Poverty
Robert Francis-Davies	Enterprise, Development & Regeneration
Jane E C Harris	Services for Adults and Vulnerable People
David H Hopkins	Communities & Housing
Clive E Lloyd	Transformation & Performance
Jennifer A Raynor	Education
Mark Thomas	Environment & Transportation

 

The Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services jointly submitted a report which informed Council of proposed Constitutional changes which affect those positions that receive Senior Salaries and the list of Council Bodies.

 

The Leader of the Council stated that there was an amendment to the list printed in the Council Summons and that the list of Member Champions is as follows:

 

Member Champion Area	Responsible Councillor
Armed Forces	June E Burtonshaw
Biodiversity	Mark C Child
Carers	Paulette B Smith
Children and Young People (Lead Member for Children and Young People’s Services – As defined by the Children Act 2004)	Christine Richards
Councillor Support and Development	Clive E Lloyd
Disabled People	Paul Lloyd
Diversity	Erika T Kirchner
Domestic Abuse	Erika T Kirchner
Gender, Gender Reassignment and Sexual Orientation	John C Bayliss
Health and Wellbeing	Jane E C Harris
Healthy Cities	Mark C Child
Language (including Welsh)	Paul M Meara
Older People	Jan P Curtice
Race, Religion, Belief and Heritage	Yvonne V Jardine

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)              The 4 Executive Support Committees be deleted from the list of Council Bodies;

 

2)              The following positions be removed from the list of those paid a Senior Salary:

 

·                  Chair of Executive Support Committees x 4;

 

3)              The following 5 Cabinet Advisory Committees (CAC’s) be established:

 

·                 Business and Administration;

·                 Economy and Investment;

·                 Engagement and Inclusion;

·                 People;

·                 Place.

 

4)       The following positions be added to the list of those paid a Senior Salary commensurate with that of a Band 3 Committee Chair:

 

·                 Chair of Business and Administration Cabinet Advisory Committee;

·                  Chair of Economy & Investment Cabinet Advisory Committee;

·                  Chair of Engagement & Inclusion Cabinet Advisory Committee;

·                  Chair of People Cabinet Advisory Committee;

·                  Chair of Place Cabinet Advisory Committee.

 

5)       The Terms of Reference of the Cabinet Advisory Committees as listed in Appendix A be adopted;

 

6)       The Role Description for the Chair of the Cabinet Advisory Committees as listed in Appendix B be adopted;

 

7)       Councillors be allocated to serve on the 5 Cabinet Advisory Committees in line with the nominations received from the Political Groups;

 

8)       The Council Constitution be amended as shown in the Appendix to this report and the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution required as a result of this report at the close of this meeting of Council.

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.  No questions required a written response.

No Public Presentations were received.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report which sought to summarise the key proposals contained within the Welsh Government’s White Paper - Reforming Local Government, issued on 8 July 2014 and to outline the response of the Welsh Local Government Association.

 

He stated that paragraph 1.15 of the report needed to be amended.  The amendment being to delete the words “a year” following “…£200 to £400 million”.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       The proposals within the paper be noted and considered by Council;

 

2)       A Councillors Seminar be arranged in order to discuss the issue of voluntary Council mergers further.

The Transformation and Performance Cabinet Member stated that an amended report had been circulated.

 

He also referred to the report stating that the Leader of the Council had made the following changes to the Authority’s Outside Bodies

 

Outside Bodies.

 

1)       Armed Forces Reserve Cadets

Remove Councillor M Theaker.  Add Councillor A M Cook.

 

2)       ABMU Community Health Council

Remove Councillors E T Kirchner and P B Smith.  Add Councillors M C Child and G J Tanner.

 

3)       Environment Centre

Remove Councillor E T Kirchner.  Add Councillor N J Davies.

 

4)       Education Otherwise Management Committee

Remove Councillor W Evans.  Add Councillor J A Raynor.

 

5)       Environment Agency (Welsh Region) – WW Area Environment Group

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw.  Add Councillor M Thomas.

 

6)       Gower College Swansea

Remove Councillors D Phillips and M Theaker.  Add Councillors J A Raynor and C Richards.

 

7)       Mid and West Wales Fire Authority

Remove Councillors A S Lewis and C E Lloyd.  Add Councillors J C Bayliss and G J Tanner.

 

8)       National Waterfront Museum Swansea

Remove Councillor S E Crouch.  Add Councillor R Francis-Davies.

 

9)       South West Wales Regional Waste Management Committee

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw.  Add Councillor M Thomas.

 

10)     South West Wales Regional Waste Planning Group

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw.  Add Councillor M Thomas.

 

11)     Spatial Planning Network

Remove Councillor R Francis-Davies.  Add Councillor P Lloyd.

 

12)     Swansea City Waste Disposal Company (LAWDC)

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw.  Add Councillor M Thomas.

 

13)     Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council

Remove Councillor M Theaker.  Add Councillor E T Kirchner.

 

14)     Swansea Business Improvement District (BID)

Add Councillor R C Stewart.

 

15)     Swansea Stadium Management Company (SSMC)

Remove Councillor J C Bayliss.  Add Councillor R Francis-Davies.

 

16)     Swansea Festival of Music and The Arts

Add Councillor D Phillips.

 

17)     Swansea Waste Forum

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw.  Add Councillor M Thomas.

 

18)     Wales National Pool

Remove Councillor M Theaker.  Add Councillor M C Child.

 

19)     Welsh Joint Education Committee

Remove Councillor W Evans.  Add Councillor J A Raynor.

 

20)     Welsh Purchasing Consortium

Remove Councillor D W W Thomas.  Add Councillor C E Lloyd.

 

RESOLVED that the membership of the Council Bodies listed below be amended as follows:

 

1)       Business and Administration Cabinet Advisory Committee

Add Councillors J E Burtonshaw, J A Hale, B Hopkins, G Owens, P B Smith, C Thomas, D W W Thomas, L V Walton and T M White.

 

2)       Economy & Investment Cabinet Advisory Committee

Add Councillors J C Bayliss, N S Bradley, P Downing, C R Doyle, P Lloyd, P M Matthews, B G Owen, G Owens and N M Ronconi-Woollard.

 

3)       Engagement & Inclusion Cabinet Advisory Committee

Add Councillors J P Curtice, D W Cole, F M Gordon, E T Kirchner, Y V Jardine, A J Jones, D J Lewis, H M Morris and L V Walton.

 

4)       People Cabinet Advisory Committee

Add Councillors R A Clay, U C Clay, A M Cook, J P Curtice, P Downing, T J Hennegan, A S Lewis, R V Smith and G J Tanner.

 

5)       Place Cabinet Advisory Committee

Add Councillors A M Cook, D W Cole, C R Doyle, N J Davies, V M Evans, P Lloyd, G Owens, G J Tanner and T M White.

 

6)       Area 2 Development Control Committee

Remove Councillor R C Stewart.  Add Councillor D Phillips.

 

7)       Appointments Committee

Remove Councillor D Phillips.  Add Councillor R C Stewart.

 

8)       Appeals & Awards Committee

Remove Councillor C Richards.  Add Councillor D W W Thomas.

 

9)       Audit Committee

Remove Councillors R Francis-Davies and J A Raynor.  Add Councillors A M Cook and D Phillips.

 

10)     Corporate Parenting Forum

Remove Councillors W J F Davies and U C Clay.  Add Councillors J C Curtice and V M Evans.

 

11)     Chief Executives Appraisal and Remuneration Committee

Remove Councillors N S Bradley, J E Burtonshaw, S E Crouch and D Phillips.  Add Councillors M C Child, C E Lloyd, R C Stewart and M Thomas.

 

12)     Democratic Services Committee

Remove Councillor R Francis-Davies.  Add Councillor J P Curtice.

 

13)     Challenge Panel

Remove Councillors R Francis-Davies and D H Hopkins.  Add G Owens and M Theaker.

 

14)     Gower AONB Partnership Group

Remove Councillor R Francis-Davies.  Add Councillor P Lloyd.

 

15)     Gower AONB Sustainable Fund Panel

Remove Councillor R Francis-Davies.  Add Councillor P Lloyd.

 

16)     Joint Consultative Committee

Remove Councillors C Richards and R C Stewart.  Add C E Lloyd and M Thomas.

 

17)     LDP Advisory Group

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw.  Add Councillor P Lloyd.

 

18)     Constitution Working Group

Remove Councillor D Phillips.  Add Councillor R C Stewart.

 

19)     Community / Town Councils Forum

Remove Councillors N S Bradley, J E Burtonshaw, S E Crouch, C R Doyle and M Theaker.  Add Councillors J E C Harris, D H Hopkins, C E Lloyd, P Lloyd, J A Raynor and M Thomas.

 

20)     Gypsy Traveller Liaison Forum

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw.  Add Councillor D H Hopkins.

 

21)     Swansea Student Liaison Forum (and Operational & Residents Meetings)

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw and M Theaker.  Add Councillor M Thomas.

 

22)     Scrutiny Programme Committee

Remove Councillors V M Evans, J E C Harris and M Thomas.  Add Councillors R A Clay, S E Crouch and G J Tanner.

 

23)     External Funding Panel

Remove Councillors N S Bradley, C R Doyle and D Phillips (or nominee S E Crouch).  Add Councillors W Evans, R Francis-Davies (or nominee N S Bradley) and C E Lloyd.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which detailed the timescale involved in the completion and audit of the Council’s Statement of Accounts for 2013-2014.  He advised that in accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, the Council had to approve the Statement of Accounts 2013-2014 on or before 30 September 2014.

 

RESOLVED that the 2013-2014 Statement of Accounts be approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted an information report which detailed the Council’s Treasury Management activities during 2013-2014 and compared actual performance against the strategy laid down at the start of the year.

The Wellbeing and Healthy City Cabinet Member submitted a report which presented a draft of the Sustainable Development Report for discussion.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       A final version of the Sustainable Development Report be included as an unassured appendix in the annex of the Annual Statement of Accounts or published online alongside the accounts;

 

2)       Sustainable governance principles and the emerging implications of the Wellbeing for Future Generations (Wales) Bill be integrated into the evolving Single Corporate Plan.  Full integration would negate the need for Sustainable Development reporting in future years.

 

Note:  Councillor P M Meara asked the Wellbeing and Healthy City Cabinet Member the following question:

 

a)       Page 75, Paragraph 36 “Percentage of Procurement Spend on Local Suppliers”.  Does the amount quoted include spending on the Delegated School Budget?”

 

The Wellbeing and Healthy City Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which sought approval to grant dispensation in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor W J F Davies be granted dispensation to not attend meetings for the period up to 1 June 2015, in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chief Social Services Officer submitted an information report which provided an overview of the performance of Social Services, risks and plans for improvement during 2013-2014.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee submitted the Scrutiny Annual Report for the 2013-2014 Municipal Year.  The report outlined the work of scrutiny during that period.

 

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Annual Report 2013-2014 be endorsed.

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.

 

The following question(s) required a written response:

 

a)       Question 2.  The Main Opposition Political Group Leader, Councillor C A Holley the following supplementary question(s):

 

“i)       Will the Anti Poverty Cabinet Member, circulate the Delivery Plan and related Timescales for the Target Areas?”

 

The Anti Poverty Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

 

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

 

One (1) 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.

Making Swansea a Dementia Supportive Community

 

The Council notes that:

 

In the City and County of Swansea over 3,300 people are living with dementia. Across Wales as a whole more than 45,500 people are living with the condition.

 

Two thirds of people with dementia live in the community, many on their own. One third of people with dementia live in a care home.

 

Dementia is the fastest growing condition for the over 65’s.

 

One in three people over 65 will die with a form of dementia.

 

Only 42% of people living with dementia in the Swansea area have received a formal diagnosis.

 

Diagnosis is the key that unlocks access to both statutory and third-sector support and services.

 

The financial cost of dementia to Wales was an estimated as being over £1.26billion in 2013.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

Work towards making Swansea the first “Dementia Supportive Community” in Wales, a status officially recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society.

 

Appoint an elected member to the position of Dementia Champion and appoint a lead officer for dementia.

 

Work in partnership with the Dementia Supportive Community Forum, including appointing an officer to represent the Council on the Forum.

 

Work in partnership with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board to continue to develop and improve services for people with dementia.

 

Encourage staff of the City and County of Swansea to become a ‘Dementia Friend’, through the Alzheimer’s Society ‘Dementia Friends’ initiative.

 

Participate in awareness raising activities during Dementia Awareness Week.

 

Ensure that due consideration is given to people living with dementia and their carers by including them explicitly in Equality Impact Assessments.

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor M C Child and seconded by Councillor J E C Harris.

 

“Making Swansea a Dementia Supportive Community

 

The Council notes that:

 

In the City and County of Swansea over 3,300 people are living with dementia. Across Wales as a whole more than 45,500 people are living with the condition.

 

Two thirds of people with dementia live in the community, many on their own. One third of people with dementia live in a care home.

 

Dementia is the fastest growing condition for the over 65’s.

 

One in three people over 65 will die with a form of dementia.

 

Only 42% of people living with dementia in the Swansea area have received a formal diagnosis.

 

Diagnosis is the key that unlocks access to both statutory and third-sector support and services.

 

The financial cost of dementia to Wales was an estimated as being over £1.26billion in 2013.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

Work towards making Swansea the first “Dementia Supportive Community” in Wales, a status officially recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society.

 

Appoint an elected member to the position of Dementia Champion and appoint a lead officer for dementia.

 

Work in partnership with the Dementia Supportive Community Forum, including appointing an officer to represent the Council on the Forum.

 

Work in partnership with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board to continue to develop and improve services for people with dementia.

 

Encourage staff of the City and County of Swansea to become a ‘Dementia Friend’, through the Alzheimer’s Society ‘Dementia Friends’ initiative.

 

Participate in awareness raising activities during Dementia Awareness Week.

 

Ensure that due consideration is given to people living with dementia and their carers by including them explicitly in Equality Impact Assessments”.

 

RESOLVED that the Notice of Motion as shown above be approved.