Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S E Crouch, J P Curtice, A M Day, D J Lewis, H M Morris, B G Owen, J A Raynor, P B Smith, D G Sullivan and L G Thomas.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services 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 V M Evans declared a Personal Interest in Minute 101 “Announcements of the Leader of the Council”;

 

2)       Councillors J C Bayliss, J A Hale, T J Hennegan, R D Lewis, G J Tanner and G D Walker declared a Personal Interest in Minute 104 “Presentation by the Chief Fire Officer, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service”;

 

3)       Councillors J C Bayliss and R C Stewart declared a Personal Interest in Minute 105 “Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Policy 2016’’;

 

4)       Councillor D Phillips declared a Personal Interest in Minute 107 “Council Tax Base Calculation 2016-2017’’;

 

5)       Councillors J W Jones, M H Jones, C L Philpott, R C Stewart and L V Walton declared a Personal Interest in Minute 108 “Review of the Gambling Policy”;

 

6)       Councillors P Downing, J A Hale, C E Lloyd and C Richards declared a Personal Interest in Minute 112 “Appointment of Community/Town Council Member of Standards Committee”;

 

7)       Councillors M C Child, R A Clay, P Downing, V M Evans, W Evans, R Francis-Davies, J E C Harris, C A Holley, D H Hopkins, M H Jones, E T Kirchner, A S Lewis, C E Lloyd, P Lloyd, C Richards, R C Stewart and D W W Thomas declared a Personal Interest in Minute 113 “Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report 2016 - Consultation”;

 

8)       Councillors J E Burtonshaw, M C Child, R A Clay, U C Clay, A M Cook, N J Davies, P Downing, C R Evans, W Evans, V M Evans, F M Gordon, J E C Harris, J A Hale, T J Hennegan, D H Hopkins, Y V Jardine, S M Jones, E J King, A S Lewis, C E Lloyd, P Lloyd, P M Meara, G Owens, D Phillips, C Richards, R V Smith, R C Stewart, G J Tanner, D W W Thomas, M Thomas, G D Walker, L V Walton, T M White and N M Woollard declared a Personal Interest in Minute 115 “Notice of Motion”.

 

9)       Councillor N M Woollard declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 116 “Notice of Motion” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

 

Officers

 

10)     Jack Straw (Chief Executive) declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 110 “Appointment of Chief Executive” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Council held on 22 October 2015.

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

 

1)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 22 October 2015.

The Head of Legal, Democratic Services and Procurement submitted an information report setting out the written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.

1)       Use of the Microphone System

 

The Presiding Member outlined how to use the new microphone system within the Council Chamber, Guildhall.

 

2)       Condolences

 

a)       Keith Lewis, Father of Councillor D J Lewis

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Keith Lewis, father of Councillor D J Lewis.

 

b)       Paris Terrorist Attacks - 13 November 2015

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the series of coordinated terrorist attacks that occurred in Paris, France on 13 November 2015.  The attackers killed 130 people and injured hundreds more.

 

In the immediate aftermath of those attacks flags were lowered at Swansea Council buildings for a day, staff held a minute’s silence and the Brangwyn Hall arches at the Guildhall were bathed in the colours of the French Tricolour flag.  The Tricolour was also being flown during the Council Meeting.

 

All present stood as a mark of sympathy and respect.

 

3)       Councillor J P Curtice - Illness

 

The Presiding Member stated that Councillor J P Curtice has recently undergone surgery and that there was likely for further surgery to follow.  He wished her well on behalf of the Council.

 

4)       Modernisation of the Council Chamber, Guildhall

 

The Presiding Member stated that the modernisation works to this Council Chamber, Guildhall was of a high standard.  It was difficult to see where the 16 new seats have been added.

 

The modernisation process has seen the introduction of an electronic voting system, USB charging points, spaces for Councillors with access issues allowing them full functionality of access to mics and e-voting, fixed microphones for members of the public to use during public question time, a fixed projector and screen and a dedicated translation booth.

 

These works will help to future-proof the chamber for any future local government reorganisation and to enable the Authority the ability to market the Council Chamber, Guildhall as a small conference venue.

 

The costs of the works were approximately £267,000 which is significantly less that the £600,000 proposed to be spent on the Council Chamber, Civic Centre.  The works are also part of the Authority’s strategy to have one Council Chamber for for purpose with the Authority’s other Council Chambers at Penllergaer and within the Civic Centre being put up for sale.

 

5)       Congratulations

 

a)       UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Learning City Award 2015

 

The Presiding Member stated that he had referred to the award at last Council; however, today he was in the position to present the Award which is in recognition of the excellent progress made by the City and County of Swansea in implementing the Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities and the Key Features of Learning Cities.

 

Councillors C E Lloyd and R C Stewart were present receive the award.

 

b)       Best Employer for Supporting Young People

 

The Presiding Member stated that a collaborative project between the Authority’s Youth Service and Careers Wales has secured the Authority the Best Employer for Supporting Young People Award at the annual Careers Development Institute Awards.  The award was for a project aimed at supporting NEETs, young people not in employment, education or training to turn their lives around and make the most of their talents.

 

He stated that it was great to win such an award but the real winners are the young people whom we’ve supported because there’s been a near-60% reduction in their numbers in Swansea over the last nine years.

 

Councillor R C Stewart, Sarah Crawley, Emma Pike (Careers Wales) and Stacey Hamilton (Careers Wales) were present to receive the award.

 

c)       Truth about Youth - Princes Trust Award

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that the Flexible Support Service has the dual role of supporting adults with a learning disability to live independently within their own home facilitating social clubs to combat social isolation.

 

The Flexible Support Service was awarded by a Princes Trust Award given to employers who have delivered training and work experience to young people under 25 years old within the workplace with excellence.

 

The “Truth about Youth” scheme offers places to young people who are otherwise unemployed or not in education to have a taste of work experience within a field that they would like to work.

 

The Flexible Support Service were the first care providers in Swansea to run “a truth about Youth “course back in 2013 and followed through with another very successful course in 2014.  Several candidates went on to gain work within the care industry with one candidate becoming an ambassador for the Princes Trust.

 

Councillor R C Stewart, Jack Straw (Chief Executive) and Janette Jones (Flexible Support Service Team) were present to receive the award.

 

d)       UK Public Sector Sustainability Awards

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that the Authority had won a number of awards recently as part of the UK Public Sector Sustainability Awards ceremony in London.

 

i)                Platinum Award - For the most sustainable Public Sector Organisation in the UK.  This is the Top Award and was presented by Lord Redesdale;

 

ii)               Most Sustainable Local Authority;

 

iii)              Best refurbishment project - For the Guildhall Refurbishment Scheme;

 

iv)             Runner up - Innovation;

 

v)              Runners up - In the Innovation and Best Waste / Recycling categories.

 

These awards are clearly a tribute to all of the hard work of the staff and I would like to thank the staff for all this work and for their endeavours in making Swansea the best in the UK, you are a great credit to us all.

 

Councillors D H Hopkins, A S Lewis and R C Stewart and Richard Davies, Paul Bidder, Dave Phillips (Parks), Terri Shaw (Corporate Building and Property Services), Helen Grey (Gower Landscape Project), Jonathon Hurley (Public Lighting) and Tanya Nash (Sustainable Development) were present to receive the Awards.

 

e)       Sustain Wales Awards

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that the Authority was successful at recent prestigious Award Ceremonies, celebrating the fantastic work and success that the Council and our staff are doing to deliver sustainable outcomes and improve well-being for the communities and residents in Swansea.

 

At the Sustain Wales Awards Event in Cardiff last week the Council won the award for most sustainable project for our partnership approach with Safer Swansea in achieving the coveted Purple Flag status to improve standards of our night-time economy as well as the Most Sustainable Public Sector Award for our approach to making sustainable development our central organising principle, governing all we do to improve well-being in Swansea.

 

Councillor R C Stewart and Richard Davies, Paul Bidder, Dave Phillips (Parks), Terri Shaw (Corporate Building and Property Services), Helen Grey (Gower Landscape Project), Jonathon Hurley (Public Lighting), Tanya Nash (Sustainable Development), Sarah Crawley Poverty and Prevention) and Helen England (Safer Swansea) were present to receive the Awards.

 

f)        Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board Chairman’s Award for Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that the Authority had won the Chairman’s Award for Early Intervention at ABMU Health Board B for its ‘Teenstart’ programme, a multi-disciplinary service co-delivered by the Family Partnership Team and Health.  The team is made up of Midwifes, Nursery Nurses and Family Facilitators.

 

The Service works with Young Parents from conception through to their child’s 3^rd birthday with the aim of supporting parents in building skills, knowledge and resilience factors that will help them better meet their children’s needs and future development.

 

Councillor R C Stewart, Lynda Hill, Jessica Jones and Dave Bennet (Teenstart Project) were present to receive the award.

 

g)       British Destinations Website Awards - www.visitswanseabay.com

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that the Authority’s Tourism Team was awarded 3^rd place in the British Destinations Website Award for www.visitswanseabay.com

 

h)       Visit Swansea Bay - Canmol: Wales Marketing Awards

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that ‘Visit Swansea Bay - Measure for Measure: Reaching the Converted’ was one of the 3 finalists in the Canmol: Wales Marketing Awards which are sponsored by the Chartered Institute for Marketing (CIM).  The Authority’s Tourism Team was a finalist in the Tourism, Hotels, Leisure, Place and Destination Marketing, Travel and Transport Category.

 

The Authority won an award the previous two years and we were delighted to be shortlisted alongside major companies once again this year.

 

i)        Waterfront Winterland - Swansea Life Awards

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that the Authority’s Waterfront Winterland won the Best Event Award at the Swansea Life Awards.

 

j)        Young Fire Fighter of the Year

 

The Presiding Member stated that he was delighted to announce that at the Young Fire Fighters Association Annual Parade and training exercise at Morriston Fire Command, Jack Collins of Blaen y Maes was awarded the Young Fire Fighter of the Year award.

 

He along with the other young fire fighters all received certificates for attending the training exercise.  I understand that the team working of the group was a credit to all involved.

1)       Authority Wide Awards

 

The Leader of the Council stated that it was pleasing for so many awards to be presented at Council.  It was clear testament of the hard work and dedication of the staff of the Authority.

 

2)       Sale and Development of Civic Centre

 

The Leader of the Council stated that some announcements would be made in December 2015.

 

3)       UK Government Spending Review

 

The Leader of the Council stated that the UK Government Spending Review announced on 24 November 2015 proved yet again that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was no friend of Local Government.

 

4)       Electrification of Railway Line

 

The Leader of the Council outlined his bitter disappointment at the UK Government’s decision to delay the electrification of the rail line beyond Cardiff.

 

5)       Trip Advisor Traveller's Choice 2015 - Swansea LC

 

The Leader of the Council referred to the announcement by Trip Advisor that the Swansea LC had been awarded a 2015 Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice award.  This award put the venue in the top 1% of attractions in the World.

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.  Those questions not requiring a written response are listed below:

 

1)       Peter East asked a question in relation to Minute 115 “Notice of Motion - Opposing the Introduction of the Trade Union Bill 2015”.

 

2)       Peter East asked a question in relation to Minute 107 “Council Tax Base Calculation 2016-2017”.

 

3)       David Davies asked a question in relation to Minute 112 “Appointment of Community / Town Council Member of Standards Committee".

 

4)       Nortridge Perrott asked a questions in relation to Minute 106 “Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Policy 2016”.

 

There were no questions requiring a written response.

No Public Presentations were received.

Chris Davies, Chief Fire Officer, will update Members on the geographical challenges, the Authority area, the Service’s performance in Swansea, public value, efficiencies and value for money.  This will be followed by a question and answer session.

Chris Davies (Chief Fire Officer) gave a presentation on the work of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.  He stated that the Service covered the largest area and operated at the 2^nd cheapest cost per square kilometre within England and Wales.  A number of questions were asked of the Chief Fire Officer.

 

Councillor R C Stewart, Leader of the Council gave thanks for the presentation.

The meeting stood adjourned for a 10 minute comfort break.

The Wellbeing and Healthy City Cabinet Member submitted a report which sought agreement to the proposed new HMO Licensing Policy, which included the Mandatory HMO Licensing Scheme for the whole of Swansea and renewal of the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme for Castle and Uplands Electoral Wards.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       The Policy be approved and published.

 

Note:  The following questions were asked of the Wellbeing and Healthy City Cabinet Member:

 

1)       Councillor P N May asked:

 

i)        How many of the HMO’s known to the Authority are licenced?

ii)       What are the Authority’s proposals to clear the backlog of unlicensed HMO’s?

iii)       Does the Authority have any plans to use the licence fees to employ extra staff?

 

2)       Councillor P M Black asked:

 

i)        What consideration had been given in setting the fees to using income to employ sufficient enforcement officers to properly enforce licence conditions?

ii)       What is the relationship between RentSmart Wales and the licensing scheme, how will the Council be using the new register of landlords to identify unlicensed HMO’s and will it enable us to strengthen the existing HMO licensing scheme?

 

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

The Finance and Strategy Cabinet Member presented a report which detailed 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 2016-2017.  The Council is required to determine the Council Tax Bases for 2016-2017 by 31 December 2015.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       The calculation of the Council Tax Bases for 2016-2017 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 2016-2017 shall be:

 

	For the whole area	89,151
	For the area of Community / Town Councils:
	Bishopston	1,975
	Clydach	2,576
	Gorseinon	3,108
	Gowerton	1,960
	Grovesend	404
	Ilston	312
	Killay	2,067
	Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton	496
	Llangyfelach	949
	Llanrhidian Higher	1,587
	Llanrhidian Lower	334
	Llwchwr	3,395
	Mawr	742
	Mumbles	9,594
	Penllergaer	1,355
	Pennard	1,454
	Penrice	425
	Pontarddulais	2,255
	Pontlliw and Tircoed	1,034
	Port Eynon	416
	Reynoldston	281
	Rhossili	189
	Three Crosses	711
	Upper Killay	565
		151
	For the area of the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority	61,926

 

The Enterprise, Development and Regeneration Cabinet Member submitted a report which considered the responses to the consultation on the draft of the revised Gambling Policy, for the period January 2016 to January 2019.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       The revised Policy as outlined in the report and the additional suggested amendment in paragraph 4.2 of the report be adopted, as the Statement of Policy for Gambling for the City and County of Swansea from 31 January 2016.

The Transformation and Performance Cabinet Member submitted a report which sought approval of the nominations / amendment to the membership of Council Bodies.

 

He indicated that an additional amendment had been submitted.

 

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

 

1)       Audit Committee

Remove Councillor G Owens.

Add Councillor T J Hennegan.

 

2)       Planning Committee

Remove Councillor P B Smith.

Add Councillor P Downing.

 

3)       Prevention and Social Care Reform Cabinet Advisory Committee

Remove Councillor A M Cook.

Add Councillor C Anderson.

 

4)       Local Authority (LA) Governor Panel

 

Remove Councillor C L Philpott.

Add L G Thomas.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report which provided Council with options to replace the Chief Executive.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       An Interim Chief Executive be appointed on an internal basis ring-fenced to the existing Directors;

 

2)       The successful candidate would be paid the same remuneration as the current Chief Executive.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which sought dispensation for Councillor B G Owen not to attend meetings for the period up to 31 May 2016 in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       Councillor B G Owen be granted dispensation not to attend meetings for the period up to 31 May 2016 in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which considered the recommendation of the Standards Committee to appoint Community Councillor Philip Crayford to the Standards Committee.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       Community Councillor Philip Crayford (Llangyfelach Community Council) be appointed the Community / Town Council Member of the Standards Committee;

 

2)       The term of office shall be no more than 4 years or until the Ordinary Election of the Community Council of which the Community Councillor is a member, whichever is the shorter;

 

3)       Councillor P Downing be removed from the membership of the Standards Committee;

 

4)       The amended “Article 9 “The Standards Committee” as outlined in Appendix B of the report be adopted.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which informed Council of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report 2016 and outlined the determinations to be made.

 

The draft response and comments made at Council shall form the formal response to the IRPW’s consultation process and the Head of Democratic Services was authorised to submit the response on behalf of Council.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1)       The comments outlined in Appendix A of the report be adopted as the Authority’s response to the IRPW’s consultation in relation to the Draft Annual Report 2016.

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

 

Eight (8) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

 

The following supplementary question(s) required a written response.

 

a)       Question 2.  Councillor P M Black stated that the response did not fully answer his question as it omitted to address how the children and young people were consulted as part of the assessments.

 

The Leader of the Council stated that he would arrange for the Education Cabinet Member to provide a written response.

 

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

 

No (0) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

This Council opposes the introduction of the Trade Union Bill 2015. We ask that this Council write immediately to urge the UK Conservative Government at Westminster to abandon this Bill and make a commitment to work in partnership with the Trade Union movement to achieve a fairer society.

 

We believe this bill is driven by Conservative ideology and is an outdated response to the challenges of the 21st century.

 

This bill is counterproductive, vindictive, socially divisive, and will lead to more confrontational relationships between employers and employees, and ultimately undermine rather than support the delivery of important  public services. Swansea Council already has a long tradition of good relationships with our Trade Union colleagues and fully recognises the extremely important role they play within this organisation, the public and private sectors and the wider community. It is also our view that Swansea Council is more than able to determine the how it interacts with its employees and Trade Unions and does not need legislation on this issue. This Bill is an attack on democracy.

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor C E Lloyd and seconded by Councillor R C Stewart.

 

“This Council opposes the introduction of the Trade Union Bill 2015.  We ask that this Council write immediately to urge the UK Conservative Government at Westminster to abandon this Bill and make a commitment to work in partnership with the Trade Union movement to achieve a fairer society.

 

We believe this bill is driven by Conservative ideology and is an outdated response to the challenges of the 21^st century.

 

This bill is counterproductive, vindictive, socially divisive, and will lead to more confrontational relationships between employers and employees, and ultimately undermine rather than support the delivery of important public services.  Swansea Council already has a long tradition of good relationships with our Trade Union colleagues and fully recognises the extremely important role they play within this organisation, the public and private sectors and the wider community.  It is also our view that Swansea Council is more than able to determine the how it interacts with its employees and Trade Unions and does not need legislation on this issue.  This Bill is an attack on democracy.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 30 “Voting” a recorded vote was requested.  The voting was recorded as follows:

 

	For (37 Councillors):
	Councillor(s):	Councillor(s):	Councillor(s):
	C Anderson	J A Hale	G Owens
	P M Black	J E C Harris	D Phillips
	M C Child	T J Hennegan	C Richards
	R A Clay	B Hopkins	R V Smith
	U C Clay	D H Hopkins	R C Stewart
	A M Cook	J W Jones	G J Tanner
	N J Davies	E T Kirchner	C Thomas
	P Downing	A S Lewis	D W W Thomas
	C R Doyle	C E Lloyd	M Thomas
	C R Evans	P Lloyd	L V Walton
	V M Evans	P M Matthews	T M White
	W Evans	P M Meara	N M Woolard
	R Francis-Davies

 

	Against (3 Councillors):
	Councillor(s):	Councillor(s):	Councillor(s):
	A C S Colburn	P R Hood-Williams	L J Tyler-Lloyd

 

	Abstention (0 Councillors):
	Councillor(s):	Councillor(s):	Councillor(s):
	-	-	-

 

	Withdrawn from meeting due to declarable interest (0 Councillors):
	Councillor(s):	Councillor(s):	Councillor(s):
	-	-	-

 

RESOLVED that the motion as outlined above be approved.

PROPOSED REDUCTION IN FEED IN TARIFFS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SCHEME

 

This Council protests in the strongest possible terms at the size of the reduction in Feed in Tariffs for solar photo voltaic (PV) installations and to the inadequate notice of the changes, which will have a significant detrimental impact on the delivery of all future renewable energy schemes in Swansea and the UK.

 

The Council recognises the significant benefit to the environment, the economy and society of the promotion of Solar PV and other forms of renewable energy. These schemes have been subsidised by Government’s Feed in Tariff (FiT).  The FiT has been a huge success and helped local authorities, Registered Social Landlords and community energy groups to build viable business models for their projects, helping to reduce and localise energy spend, tackle fuel poverty and generate an income to re-invest in the area. The FiT has also been successful in helping to establish a renewable energy industry that now employs an estimated 2,010 people in Wales.  These benefits are now at risk of being lost, with an estimated 1,608 jobs (80%) at risk as a result of the proposed 87% cut to the FiT.

 

This Council calls upon Central Government to reconsider their position in reviewing the scale of the cut in FiTs and implement a regime that makes Solar PV affordable for local communities and ensure changes are introduced so that the industry has sufficient time to adjust, providing stability and maintaining investor confidence in renewable energy schemes.

Councillor A S Lewis stated that an amended motion had been circulated.  She stated that the amended motion was the substantive motion for discussion.

 

The following amended motion was proposed by Councillor A S Lewis and seconded by Councillor W Evans.

 

“Proposed Reduction in Feed in Tariffs for Renewable Energy Scheme

 

This Council protests in the strongest possible terms at the size of the reduction in Feed in Tariffs for solar photo voltaic (PV) installations and to the inadequate notice of the changes, which will have a significant detrimental impact on the delivery of all future renewable energy schemes in Swansea and the UK.

 

The Council recognises the significant benefit to the environment, the economy and society of the promotion of Solar PV and other forms of renewable energy. These schemes have been subsidised by Government’s Feed in Tariff (FiT).  The FiT has been a huge success and helped local authorities, Registered Social Landlords and community energy groups to build viable business models for their projects, helping to reduce and localise energy spend, tackle fuel poverty and generate an income to re-invest in the area. The FiT has also been successful in helping to establish a renewable energy industry that now employs an estimated 2,010 people in Wales.  These benefits are now at risk of being lost, with an estimated 1,608 jobs (80%) at risk as a result of the proposed 87% cut to the FiT.

 

This Council calls upon the UK Government to reconsider their position in reviewing the scale of the cut in FiTs and implement a regime that makes Solar PV affordable for local communities and ensure changes are introduced so that the industry has sufficient time to adjust, providing stability and maintaining investor confidence in renewable energy schemes.

 

This Council further recognises the substantial benefits to Swansea of the tidal lagoon and is concerned at the delay caused by the failure of the UK Government to agree a strike price for energy with the Tidal Lagoon Company. Council calls on the UK Government to come to an agreement on this issue as soon as possible.

 

This Council mandates the Chief Executive to write to the Energy Secretary, on behalf of the Council, to highlight the concerns raised in this Notice of Motion”.

 

RESOLVED that the motion as outlined above be approved.