Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

The Chief Legal Officer 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)              Councillors C Anderson, P M Black, J E Burtonshaw, M C Child, J P Curtice, N J Davies, A M Day, P Downing, C R Doyle, M Durke, C R Evans, V M Evans, W Evans, E W Fitzgerald, R Francis-Davies, S J Gallagher, L S Gibbard, F M Gordon, K M Griffiths, D W Helliwell, T J Hennegan, C A Holley, P R Hood-Williams, B Hopkins, D H Hopkins, O G James, L James, Y V Jardine, J W Jones, L R Jones, M H Jones, P K Jones, S M Jones, E J King, E T Kirchner, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, R D Lewis, W G Lewis, C E Lloyd, P Lloyd, I E Mann, P M Matthews, P N May, H M Morris, D Phillips, C L Philpott, S Pritchard, A Pugh, J A Raynor, C Richards, K M Roberts, B J Rowlands, M Sherwood, P B Smith, R V Smith, A H Stevens, R C Stewart, D G Sullivan, M Sykes, G J Tanner, D W W Thomas, M Thomas, W G Thomas, L Tyler-Lloyd, G D Walker, L V Walton, & T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 21 “Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report 2021-2022 - Consultation”.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

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

 

1)        Annual Meeting of Council held on 1 October 2020.

1)              Condolences

 

a)              Spencer Davis

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Spencer Davis. He was the founding member of the Spencer Davis Group, the band that enjoyed success in the 1960s with hits including Keep on Running and Somebody Help Me. Spencer Davis was born in Swansea and attended Dynevor Grammar School.

 

b)              Donald Thomas, Father of Karen Thomas (Democratic Services)

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Donald Thomas. Donald was father to Karen Thomas, AKA Zippy within the Democratic Services Team. Donald was also a former employee of the Council.

 

All present sat quietly as a mark as sympathy and respect.

 

2)        Queen’s Birthday Honours

 

The Presiding Member congratulated the Citizens of Swansea who received awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

 

a)        Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

 

i)               Alun Wyn Jones. Services to Rugby Union Football in Wales.

 

ii)              Professor Paul Meredith. Sr. Cymru Professor in Sustained Advance Materials, Swansea University. Services to semi-conductor research and innovation.

 

b)              Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

 

i)                Glenys Irene Cour. Services to Visual Arts in Wales.

 

ii)               Ellen Kerry Davis. Services to Holocaust Education.

 

iii)             David James Adams Hughes. Services to NHS and bereaved during Covid-19.

 

iv)            Colin Raymond Jones. National Coach, Welsh Amateur Boxing Association. Services to Boxing in Wales.

 

v)              Mark Thomas McKenna. Co-founder and Director of Down to Earth Project and Down to Earth Construction. Services to Young People and the Environment.

 

vi)            Fiona Edwina Morgan. Disability Employment Adviser, Department for Work and Pensions. Services to Mental Health.

 

vii)           Jean Saunders. Senior Nurse, Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Swansea Bay University Health Board. Services to Nursing.

 

viii)         Carolyn Joy Smith. Road Safety and Business Performance Manager, Neath Port Talbot. Services to Road Safety.

 

c)        British Empire Medal (BEM)

 

i)               Margaret Ann Baker. Clinical Nurse, Specialist Secondary Breast Oncology, Swansea Bay University Health Board. Services to Patients with Secondary Cancer in Bridgend.

 

ii)              Dr. Mahaboob Basha. External Relations and Engagement Manager. Energy Safety Research Institute, Swansea University. Services to the Community in Sketty during Covid-19.

 

iii)             Rita Chohan. Services to NHS during Covid-19.

 

iv)            Stephen Robert Davies. Services to People with Disabilities.

 

v)              Mayameen Meftahi. Services to Victims of Child Sexual Abuse in Wales.

 

vi)            Christopher David Singletary. Services to Veterans, their Families and Armed Forces.

 

vii)           Geraint Andrew Thomas. Services to Samaritans, Mountain Rescue and Disadvantaged People on South West Wales.

 

viii)         Nigel Williams. Services to Local Government in Swansea during Covid-19. Swansea Council.

 

3)              Lord Mayor – Sponsored Walk for the Memory Choir

 

The Presiding Member stated that the Memory Choir is one of the Lord Mayor’s Charities this year. It provides music and singing to people living with dementia, and is hugely enjoyed by them and their carers. It has continued operating throughout the pandemic by moving on-line and adapting a bit.

 

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Mark Child is aiming to raise money for Memory Choir by doing a sponsored walk from Rhossili to Mumbles, about 20 miles, on Friday 13 November 2020. He would really welcome your support. You can sponsor the Lord Mayor on the GoFundMe website https://www.gofundme.com/f/walk-for-musical-memories-dementia-choir

 

4)              Alun Wyn Jones (OBE) – World’s Most Capped Rugby Player

 

The Presiding Member congratulate Alun Wyn Jones on becoming the World’s Most Capped Rugby Player. He earned his 149^th Cap against Scotland on 30 October 2020. He has 140 Caps for Wales and 9 Caps for the British and Irish Lions.

 

5)              Friends of Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden

 

The Presiding Member announced that Keep Wales Tidy has unveiled this year’s Green Flag Award winners with the Friends of Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden having been named as one of the Country’s best green spaces. The Green Flag is the international mark of a quality park or green space.

 

Friends of Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden has achieved the prestigious Green Flag Community Award in recognition of its dedicated volunteer involvement, high environmental standards and commitment to delivering great quality green space.

 

The group is responsible for two projects, taking care of a pleasant picnic area, and continuing to develop a food garden.

 

6)              Council’s Dylan Thomas Service Wins UK Award

 

The Presiding Member announced that a project run by the Dylan Thomas Service has won a UK national award. The Literature and Trauma initiative won a prize in the Museums Association’s Museums Change Lives awards. The creative writing scheme was named the best small museum project that delivers social impact.

 

Literature and Trauma’s workshops allow attendees to feel part of the wider community, to access cultural venues and to orientate themselves in a new city. The workshops have become a focal point and safe space for a committed and gifted group from this often neglected community.

 

7)              Corrections / Amendments to the Council Summons

 

The Presiding Member outlined an addition to the Council Summons.

 

a)              Item 13 “Membership of Committees”.

 

Scrutiny Programme Committee

Remove Councillor E T Kirchner.

Add Council J E Burtonshaw.

1)              Covid-19 Update

 

The Leader of the Council provided an update on the Covid-19 pandemic. He thanked the majority those that followed the Welsh Government rules and expressed concern at those that didn’t.

 

 

2)              Grant Payments made by the Finance Team to Swansea Businesses

 

The Leader of the Council congratulated the Chief Finance Officer, Ben Smith and his Officers for their excellent work in distributing the Welsh Government Grants to Swansea Businesses.

 

3)              Remembrance Day Events

 

The Leader of the Council outlined the Council’s Remembrance Day Events and encouraged all to follow the Covid-19 guidance.

 

4)              Gap funding Support for All Weather Facility at Pontarddulais and Further Play Facilities across Swansea

 

The Leader of the Council stated that due to the hard work of Councillor Phil Downing, and the use of Community Grants by Councillors Phil Downing and Kevin Griffiths, Pontarddulais would soon have an All Weather Sports Facility. He also outlined further play facilities across Swansea.

 

5)              Welcome Welsh Government commitment to Free School Meal Support

 

The Leader of the Council welcomed the Welsh Government commitment to Free School Meal Support up to and including Easter 2021.

 

6)              Amendments to Cabinet Portfolios

 

The Leader of the Council stated that he had made the following amendments to the Cabinet Portfolios. He asked the Head of Democratic Services to circulate a complete version following the meeting. The changes take effect immediately.

 

Delivery & Operations (Joint-Deputy Leader of the Council)

Add

Cemeteries, Crematoriums, Births, Deaths & Marriages

Statutory Nuisance Matters (inc. Noise, Pests, Overgrown Gardens)

 

Economy, Finance & Strategy (Leader of the Council)

Add

Emergency Planning

 

Environment Enhancement & Infrastructure Management

Add

Air Quality and Pollution Incidents

 

Homes, Energy & Service Transformation (Joint Deputy Leader of the Council)

Delete

Public Service Board (PSB) Partnership Member - Leader’s Representative

Add

Public Service Board (PSB) - Leader’s Representative

Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must relate to items on the agenda. Questions will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

No questions were received.

The Cabinet Member for Delivery and Operations submitted a report which sought approval of the proposed new HMO Licensing Policy, which included the Mandatory HMO Licensing Scheme for the whole of Swansea and a new Additional HMO Licensing Scheme for Castle, Uplands and St Thomas Electoral Wards.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Policy be approved for publication.

The Cabinet Member for Delivery and Operations submitted a report which sought:

 

i)                Consideration of the outcome of the consultation in respect of a proposal to pass a new resolution not to issue casino premises licences; and proposed amendments to the City and County of Swansea’s Statement of Principles (Gambling Policy).

 

ii)              To make a decision regarding passing a new resolution not to issue casino premises licences.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The outcome of the consultation in respect of a proposal to pass a new resolution not to issue casino premises licences and proposed amendments to the City and County of Swansea’s Statement of Principles (Gambling Policy) be considered and noted.

 

2)              The matters identified in Paragraph 4 of the report and agrees to pass a new resolution not to issue casino premises licences be taken into account and noted.

 

3)              The proposed amendments to the Gambling Policy be approved for publication and 6 December 2020 be specified as the date on which the resolution takes effect.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which undertook a mid-year review of the Revenue Reserves position and sought agreement for any suggested reclassification of reserves based on current requirements.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The recommendations made at Sections 3.11 and 3.12 of the report be approved.

The Section 151 Officer provided a verbal update on the Mid-term Budget Statement 2020-2021.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The update be noted.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report informing Council of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report 2021-2022 and outlined the determinations proposed by the IRPW. The report also contained the recommended draft response of the Democratic Services Committee of 14 October 2020 to the consultation.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The comments and observations as set out in Appendix A of the report be adopted as the Authority’s formal response to the IRPW.

The Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services jointly submitted an information report setting out the amendments made by the Monitoring Officer to the Council Constitution following management and staffing changes in relation to the Resources Directorate structure.

The Delivery & Operations Cabinet Member submitted a report which sought Council approval to the nominations / amendments to the membership of Council Bodies. He stated that there was an addition to the printed report.

 

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

 

1)              Chief Executives Appraisal & Remuneration Committee

Remove Councillor C E Lloyd.

Add Councillor D H Hopkins.

 

2)              Scrutiny Programme Committee

Remove Councillor E T Kirchner.

Add Councillor J E Burtonshaw.

1)        Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

 

Five (5) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

 

Those supplementary question(s) required a written response are listed below:

 

Question 1

 

i)               Councillor A  Day asked a question:

 

“Can Councillors be provided with a list of the 40,000 gullies in Swansea together with a schedule of their frequency of cleaning?”

 

ii)              Councillor P N May asked a question:

 

“Can Councillors be provided with a list of the 40,000 gullies in Swansea, outlining their location and means of identifying each one, thus making it easier for a Councillor to report which gully requires cleaning?”

 

The Environment Enhancement & Infrastructure Management Cabinet Member stated that written responses would be provided.

 

2)        Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

 

Seven (7) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

Notice of Motion from Councillors A Pugh, M Sherwood, L S Gibbard, R C Stewart, A Lewis, D H Hopkins, J P Curtice, D W W Thomas, S Pritchard, M B Lewis, W G Lewis, L V Walton, M C Child & R Francis-Davies

 

Proposed by Councillor A Pugh and Seconded by Councillor M Sherwood.

 

“Tackling Poverty is a corporate priority for Swansea Council, so that every person in Swansea can achieve their potential.

 

The Council’s Vision for Swansea states: “The Council aspires to … achieve a Swansea in which residents Maximise their Income and get the most out of the money that they have”.

 

We note that:

 

1.              The under-claiming of welfare benefits and tax credits keeps vast amounts of money locked out of local people’s pockets and our local economy. The charity EntitledTo reported in February this year that an estimated total of £16bn is unclaimed in the UK every year. (www.entitledto.co.uk).

 

2.              The most highly under-claimed benefit is Council Tax support, with over 2.7m people UK-wide choosing not to claim, or not knowing they can. As a council we are already working hard to promote this support.

 

3.              The next most highly under-claimed benefit is Pension Credit, with 2 in 5 eligible people not claiming it, missing out on an average of over £2,000 per year per household.

 

4.              The number of pensioners in poverty is increasing across the UK (The Joseph Rowntree Foundation Annual Report 2019/20).

 

5.        The lack of income arising from the under-claiming of Pension Credit means older people sacrifice healthy food, heat and opportunities to connect with friends and family. Pension Credit under-claiming is often identified when an older person qualifies for intensive personal support, having been entitled for many years.

 

6.        Since August 1st, over-75s now face an annual charge of £157 for a TV licence, unless they receive pension credit.

 

7.        The ongoing Coronavirus crisis is creating financial stress for households of all kinds, and ensuring that older people are receiving all the income they can is an important strategy for supporting all of our resident community.

 

Therefore this Council agrees to:

 

1.              Commit to working with our key partners to increase take-up of Pension Credit in Swansea, these are Citizens Advice, Carer Centres and Care and Repair.

 

2.              Consider developing resources to raise the level of Pension Credit Take-Up through a campaign with our key partners over a 6-9 month period.

 

3.              Encourage action across all Council services to support a Pension Credit Take-Up Campaign and raise awareness amongst those who would benefit from it. This could include the use of direct mail to identifiable cohorts e.g. through Revenues and Benefits; this may be repeated throughout the campaign. We will engage wider Council services through the Swansea Council Poverty Forum to maximise the impact of the campaign. Also Marketing and Communications including posters, leaflets, bridge banners and digital marketing communications to reach a wide audience.”

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.