Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Newbury, B G Owen, C Thomas and L G Thomas.

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/DisclosuresofInterests

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:

Councillors

1)       Councillor G J Tanner declared a Personal Interest in Minute 165    “Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Compliance Policy”;

2)       Councillors P Downing, B Hopkins and D H Hopkins declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 166 “Nomination of Lord Mayor Elect and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2016-2017” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its discussion;

3)       Councillors R A Clay, U C Clay, A M Day, K E Marsh, C Philpott and C Richards declared a Personal Interest in Minute 168 “Medium Term Financial Planning 2017/2018-2019/2020”;

4)       Councillors P M Black, J E Burtonshaw, R A Clay, U C Clay, N J Davies, A M Day, C R Evans, P R Hood-Williams, D H Hopkins, L James, M H Jones, S M Jones, K E Marsh, P M Meara and C Richards declared a Personal Interest in Minute 169 “Revenue Budget 2016/2017”;

5)       Councillors P M Black, J E Burtonshaw, R A Clay, U C Clay, N J Davies, S M Jones and K E Marsh declared a Personal Interest in Minute 170 “Capital Budget & Programme 2015/2016-2019/2020”;

6)       Councillor N J Davies declared a Personal Interest in Minute 171 “Treasury Management Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2016/2017”;

7)       Councillor T J Hennegan declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 172 “Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget 2016/2017” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its discussion;

8)       Councillor G J Tanner declared a Personal Interest in Minute 172 “Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget 2016/17”;

9)       Councillor C A Holley declared a Personal Interest in Minute 169 “Revenue Budget 2016/2017” and stated that he had received dispensation from the Standards Committee to stay, speak and vote on any item relating to Social Services matters, general staff employment, on budget matters and other Social Services matters other than those that directly affect his daughter by specific reference to her post;

10)     Councillor G J Tanner declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Minute 173 “Housing Revenue Account – Capital Budget and Programme 2016/17-2019/20” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its discussion;

11)     Councillor Mark Thomas declared a Personal Interest in Minute 168 “Medium Term Financial Planning 2017/2018-2019/2020” and Minute 169 “Revenue Budget 2016/2017” and stated that he had dispensation from Standards Committee to stay and speak but not vote on any item relating to general staff employment, on budget matters other than matters that directly affect his wife by specific reference to her post;

12)     Councillor T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 169 “Revenue Budget 2016/2017”, “Revenue Budget 2016/2017”, “Capital Budget & Programme 2015/2016-2019/2020” and “Treasury Management Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2016/2017” and stated that he had dispensation from Standards Committee to stay and speak on any item relating to general staff employment, on budget matters other than matters that directly affect his daughter by specific reference to her post.

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

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

1)       Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on 28 January 2016;

2)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 28 January 2016.

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)       Congratulations

a)       Purple Flag

The Presiding Member stated that the Association of Town Centre Managers had announced that it was pleased to confirm that Swansea had been successful in retaining the prestigious “Purple Flag” award for 2016, confirming the high standards and continuing development of Swansea’s Night Time Economy.

The Association of Town Centre Managers also confirmed that Swansea has been short listed as a finalist in its 2016 National Awards for its work in changing perceptions of the Night Time Economy and developing its diversity.  The announcement of the winner will take place in London on 8 March 2016.

b)       Dacre Sword - 215 (City of Swansea) Squadron Air Cadets

The Presiding Member congratulated Sarah Flower and Jonny Evans of 215 (City of Swansea) Squadron Air Cadets for recently being awarded the Dacre Sword.

1)       City Deal

The Leader of the Council stated that the Swansea Bay City Region submitted a ground-breaking 'Internet Coast' City Deal bid, in excess of £500m over 20 years, to the UK and Welsh Governments on 24 February 2016.

The aim being to boost energy, health and well-being and economic acceleration by harnessing the power of digital networks and the asset base of Swansea Bay.  It is estimated that the City Deal investment could lever in total around £3.3bn of output and £1.3bn of gross value added for Wales, while supporting around 39,000 jobs in the region.

2)       Reform of the Music Service

The Leader of the Council clarified the Authority’s position in relation to the Reform of the Music Service.  He reiterated the fact that the City and County of Swansea had never made any attempt to close the service.

The service was fully supported however the City and County of Swansea in conjunction with e Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council were conducting a reform of the service in order to safeguard its future.

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.

A)       Those question areas not requiring a written response are listed below:

a)       Item 12 “Revenue Budget 2016-2017” in relation to Bus Services and the Music Service.

B)       There were no questions requiring a written response.

No Public Presentations were received.

The Next Generation Services Cabinet Member submitted a report which sought approval for the Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) Compliance Policy.

RESOLVED that:

1)       The Welsh Housing Quality Standards Compliance Policy be approved and submitted to the Welsh Government.

Note: Councillor I M Richard asked “Can I have the number of Council Housing units still using Coal Heating, and if possible could the answer be split into what types of units e.g. Flats or Houses etc.?”

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

The Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which sought to nominate the Lord Mayor Elect and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2016-2017 in order to enable the arrangements for the Inauguration of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor event to proceed.

RESOLVED that:

1)       Councillor David H Hopkins be nominated as Lord Mayor Elect 2016-2017;

2)       Councillor Phil Downing be nominated as Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2016-2017;

3)       The Constitution Working Group conduct a review of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Protocol and report back to a future Council meeting within 6 months.

The Section 151 Officer gave a technical presentation of the following 4 budget reports:

i)        Medium Term Financial Plan 2017-2018 to 2019-2020;

ii)        Revenue Budget 2016-2017;

iii)       Capital Budget & Programme 2015-2016 to 2019-2020;

iv)      Treasury Management Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2016-2017.

Councillors asked technical questions of the Section 151 Officer.  The Section 151 Officer responded.

Following the technical questions, the Leader of the Council gave a general political overview of the budget situation followed by a political presentation of the 4 budget reports referred to above.  The relevant Cabinet Members also gave presentations relating to their portfolios.

Councillors asked political questions of the Leader of the Council.  The Leader of the Council and relevant Cabinet Members responded.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which proposed a Medium Term Financial Plan 2017-2018 to 2019-2020.  The report set out the rationale and purpose of the Medium Term Financial Plan and detailed the major funding assumptions for the period and proposed a strategy to maintain a balanced budget.

RESOLVED that:

1)       The Medium Term Financial Plan 2017-2018 to 2019-2020 be approved as the basis for future service and financial planning.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which proposed a Revenue Budget and Council Tax levy for 2016-2017.  The report detailed:

i)                 Financial Monitoring in 2015-2016;

ii)               The Local Government Finance Settlement 2016-2017;

iii)              Budget Forecast 2016-2017;

iv)             Specific Savings Proposals: Update;

v)               Outcome of Budget Consultation;

vi)             Staffing Implications;

vii)            Reserves and Contingency Fund requirements;

viii)           The Budget Requirement and Council Tax 2016-2017.

ix)             Summary of Funding Proposals;

x)               Assessment of Risks and Uncertainties.

RESOLVED that:

1)       A Revenue Budget for 2016-2017 as detailed in Appendix A of the report be approved;

2)       A Budget Requirement and Council Tax levy for 2016-2017 as detailed in Section 9 of the report be approved;

3)       Any changes to the budget proposals in respect of the final Revenue and Capital Settlement for 2016-2017 as confirmed on 9 March 2016 will be met by transfer to / from Reserves.

Note:

1)       Councillor E W Fitzgerald the following question:

i)        “Page 120 - What is the percentage increase in burial and cremation fees?”

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

2)       Councillor A M Day the following question:

i)        “Pages 150-153.  Will the Leader of the Council circulate his response to the School Budget Forum?”

The Leader of the Council indicated that he would circulate his response as requested.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which proposed a revised Capital Budget for 2015-2016 and a Capital Budget for 2016-2017 to 2019-2020.

The report outlined the following budget proposals within its appendices:

i)        Appendix A “Summary of General Fund Capital Expenditure and Financing 2015-2016 to 2019-2020”;

ii)       Appendix B “Schools Programme Capital Expenditure and Financing 2015-2016 to 2019-2020”;

iii)       Appendix C “Material changes to the original 2015-2016 budget”;

iv)      Appendix D “Reconciliation of Capital Programme shortfall;

v)       Appendix E “General Fund Capital Budget 2015-2016 to 2019-2020”.

RESOLVED that the revised capital budget for 2015-2016 and a capital budget for 2016-2017 to 2019-2020 as detailed in Appendices A, B, C, D and E be approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which recommended the Treasury Management Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2016-2017.

RESOLVED that:

1)       The Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators (Sections 2-7 of the report) be approved;

2)       The Investment Strategy (Section 8 of the report) be approved;

3)       The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement (Section 9 of the report) be approved.

Note: Councillor P M Black asked the following questions:

i)        “Do we have any investments in Non AAA or Non AA institutions?  If so how much and what percentage of total investments?”

ii)       “Do we have any investments in Non UK institutions?  If so how much and what percentage of total?”

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

The Section 151 Officer and Director of Place submitted a joint report which proposed a Revenue Budget for 2016-2017 and a rent increase for properties within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

RESOLVED that:

1)       Rents be increased in line with the Welsh Government new rent setting policy as detailed in Section 4 of the report;

2)       Fees, charges and allowances as outlined in Section 4 of the report be approved;

3)       The revenue budget proposals as detailed in Section 4 of the report be approved.

The Section 151 Officer and Director of Place submitted a joint report which proposed a Capital Budget 2015-2016 to 2019-2020.

RESOLVED that:

1)       The transfers between schemes and the revised budget for schemes in 2015-2016 be approved;

2)       The budget proposals for 2016-2017 to 2019-2020 be approved;

3)       Where individual schemes in Appendix B of the report are programmed over the 4 year period described in the report, then these be committed and approved and that their financial implications for funding over subsequent years be approved;

4)       Authorisation be granted to Officers to submit planning applications in relation to Capital Repair Schemes on Council owned land where planning permission is considered necessary.

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

Four (4) 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 P N May asked:

“What action is being taken by the Authority to disable the water tap at the Recreation Ground in order to prevent future unauthorised use?”

The Enterprise, Development and Regeneration Cabinet Member indicted that a written response would be provided.

b)       Question 2.  Councillor J W Jones asked:

“Where are the exact locations referred to by the Cabinet Member in his response when he refers to the 4.8% of principal (A) roads, non principal (B) roads and non principal (C) roads that are in overall poor condition?

The Environment and Transport Cabinet Member indicted that a written response would be provided.

c)       Question 4.  Councillor A M Day asked:

“What action is being taken by the Authority to progress the open cases of claims relating to injuries?”

The Environment and Transport Cabinet Member indicted that a written response would be provided.

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

Two (2) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.