Agenda and minutes

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 M Thomas declared a Personal Interest in Minute 129 “CSSIW Annual Performance Evaluation for 2014-2015: City and County of Swansea”;

2)       Councillor J A Raynor declared a Personal Interest in Minute 130 “Corporate Parenting Annual Report and Corporate Parenting Challenge Report”;

3)       Councillor R D Lewis declared a Personal Interest in Minute 133 “Honorary Freedom of the City and County of Swansea to 215 (City of Swansea) Squadron”;

4)       Councillor J E Burtonshaw declared a Personal Interest in Minute 136 “Councillors’ Questions”.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

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

1)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 26 November 2015.

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

1)       Condolences

a)       Albert Evans, Father of Councillor C Richards

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Albert Evans, father of Councillor C Richards.

All present stood as a mark of sympathy and respect.

2)       Councillor J P Curtice - Illness

The Presiding Member stated that Councillor J P Curtice wished to express her thanks for all of the support that she received during her recent period of illness.

3)       Congratulations

a)       Jazz Carlin

The Presiding Member was pleased to announce that Jazz Carlin, Swansea’s British swimming star had recently won double Gold at the European Short Course Championships in the 400m and 800m freestyle.  This follows her success earlier this year in winning Bronze at the World Championships in Kazan, and her Gold and three Silver medals in the World Cup and three Gold Medals at the British Championships.

b)       Councillor G Owens - Birthday

The Presiding Member wished Councillor G Owens a happy birthday.

c)       Councillor T J Hennegan - Great Grandfather

The Presiding Member announced that Councillor T J Hennegan had recently become a Great Grandfather.

4)       Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year

The Presiding Member wished a Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year to all.

1)       Sale and Development of Civic and St David’s Sites

The Leader of the Council stated that Cabinet had met earlier and had made a decision in relation to the sale and development of the Civic and St David’s Sites.

2)       Tidal Bay Lagoon

The Leader of the Council stated that a further bid for a strike price had been made to the UK Government.  He was hopeful that the UK Government would make a speedy decision.

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)       Lis Davies asked questions in relation to Minute 136 “Councillors Questions - Question 6”:

a)       “Is the Cabinet Member aware of the total outlay costs associated with the implementation of the disastrous Capgemini project and the total amount of savings actually delivered by the project?  I ask because I would like to know how much public money the previous administration wasted on the Service @Swansea project?”

b)       “Cabinet at its meeting on 30 December 2005 resolved to delegate authority to enter into a Strategic Partnering Agreement with Capgemini PLC.  The minutes of those meetings were never presented back to a Cabinet Meeting.  Why not?”

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

2)       Lis Davies asked questions in relation to Minute 129 “Corporate Parenting Annual Report and Corporate Parenting Challenge Report”:

“Page 41.  The agenda makes mention of the schooling of looked after children.  My questions relate to the time period, 2010 to date, and how many looked after children under the care of CCS have:

a)       Achieved GCSE qualifications?

b)       Achieved A level qualifications?”

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

No Public Presentations were received.

The Services for Adults and Vulnerable People Cabinet Member presented the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) Performance Evaluation Report 2014-2015.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Chair of the Corporate Parenting Forum submitted an information report which outlined the work of the Corporate Parenting Forum throughout 2014-2015 and covers actions identified in the 2013-2014 Annual Report, and key recommendations from inspections.

The Services for Children and Young People Cabinet Member submitted a report which outlined the progress of the implementation of the Children and Young People’s Rights Scheme for Swansea.

RESOLVED that:

1)       The progress report on the Children and Young People’s Rights Scheme be noted.

Note:  Councillor P M Black asked the following question:

“If embedded how were children in receipt of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) services consulted.”

The Services for Children and Young People Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

The Finance and Strategy Cabinet Member submitted an information report which outlined the Treasury Management Mid Year Review Report 2015-2016.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report which sought consideration of whether to confer the honorary freedom of the City and County of Swansea to 215 (City of Swansea) Squadron Air Training Cadets.

He stated that the 215 (City of Swansea) Squadron Air Training Cadets is one of the most successful squadrons in the whole of Great Britain and is one of the sixth largest in the United Kingdom.  The squadron have undertaken community and voluntary work in support of the Swansea Branch of the Royal British Legion in organising Remembrance events for the last 10 years for the City and County of Swansea.

RESOLVED that:

1)       The Honorary Freedom of the City and County of Swansea be conferred on 215 (City of Swansea) Squadron in recognition of their 75^th Anniversary, long standing relations with the City and County of Swansea and their community work in support of the Swansea Branch of the Royal British Legion, Remembrance events and the annual Poppy Appeal.

The Transformation and Performance Cabinet Member submitted a report which provided an opportunity for nominations / amendments to the membership of Council Bodies.

He indicated that none had been received.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services jointly submitted a report which sought to make amendments in order to simplify, improve and / or add to the Council Constitution in relation to the following area(s):

1)       Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions - Terms of Reference - Swansea Student Liaison Forum and the Residents Partnership Meeting;

2)       Part 4 - Rules of Procedure - Council Procedure Rules - CPR 17.2 “Rules of Debate” and CPR 30.1 “Voting”.

RESOLVED that the changes to the Council Constitution as outlined in Paragraph 4 of the report together with any further consequential changes be adopted.

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

Six (6) 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 1.  Councillor E W Fitzgerald asked if a charging facility for mobility scooters would be provided at Llys Gwalia, Gorseinon?

The Next Generation Services Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

b)       Question 4.  Councillor J W Jones asked:

i)        What are the administrative costs of the Communities First Delivery Plan for 2014-2015 and the first six months of 2015-2016.

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

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

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