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 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, N J Davies, O G James, E J King, E T Kirchner and P M Matthews declared a Personal Interest in Minute 33 “Notice of Motion – Universal Credit”.

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)              Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 1 July 2021 subject to Minute 13 “Announcements of the Presiding Member” – 2) Queen’s Birthday Honours “being amended as follows:

·                 David John Lloyd BEM – Voluntary Services (Founder Second Chance).

The Chief Legal Officer submitted an information report setting out the written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.

1)            Council Procedure Rules (Council Constitution Part 4.1)

The Presiding Member announced that Council Procedure Rules state that 5 clear working days should be given to the publication of the Summons and any Reports for Council Meetings. However, in exceptional circumstances the 5 clear working day rule may be waived providing there is prior written agreement from the Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer, Head of Democratic Services and Leader of the Council.

The Presiding Member was aware that some individuals had difficulty accessing the Council website yesterday (28 July 2021) and as such, he had obtained the written agreement to waive the 5 day rule.

Note: Under the legislation only 3 clear working days are required. However, the Council always seeks to improve on that and has given 4 clear working days-notice.

2)            Municipal Journal 2021 Achievement Awards.

The Presiding Member stated that the Council had been nominated as finalists in two categories, Best Social Housing Initiative and Best Council Service Team. The winners will be announced on 17 September 2021 in London.

a)           Best Social Housing Initiative for the developments at Parc yr Helyg and Colliers Way

Swansea Council has recently completed two new build schemes. The homes are built to the Swansea Standard and combine innovative technologies to help keep energy bills as low as possible. These homes all have Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs), PV solar roofs, battery storage and Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) Systems, and will be able store and use their own energy.

The 34 new homes across two sites include a mix of 1-bedroom apartments, and 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes. All the apartments have their own private access and all the homes have a private rear garden.

b)           Best Council Service Team for the More Homes Delivery

The finalist nomination charters the More Homes Delivery achievements to the present day, including Bryn House, and as laid down in the 2016 commissioning review, recommending outcomes of transformed existing in-house delivery, approved by Council. Implemented in September 16 with a clear objective of building in-house skills to deliver the More Homes strategy, supporting climate change, tackle fuel poverty and boost economic energy efficiency measures in social housing.

He congratulated all involved.

3)            Amendments / Corrections to the Council Summons

The Presiding Member referred to the correction / amendments required to the Council Summons.

i)             Item 11 “Councillors’ Questions” – Questions 5 & 6.

The Presiding Member reminded all that amended responses had been circulated in relation to Councillors’ Questions 5 & 6.

1)            Free Bus Travel within City & County of Swansea

The Leader of the Council stated that the Authority would be funding free bus travel within the City & County of Swansea commencing on 30 July 2021 for the duration of the summer holidays. This would be a boost for families, tourism and business.

Note: Councillor P M Black asked for the cost of this. The Leader of the Council stated that the cost would be circulated once finalised.

2)            Removal of Sports Fees

The Leader of the Council referred to the recent announcement relating to the removal of sport fees levied by the Council. He stated that he was aware that that announcement did not address those with a lease agreement. An announcement was due shortly aimed at addressing that anomaly.

3)            Mayhill Review

The Leader of the Council referred to the creation of an Independent Review of the recent Mayhill disturbance. Within its remit is the need to seek to address the questions posed by the Community. The review would be led by Professor Elwyn Evans (Swansea University) and supported by Jack Straw and Martin Jones.

4)            Phil Roberts (Chief Executive)

The Leader of the Council referred to the recent announcement by Phil Roberts that he would be retiring at the end of the current Council term. He stated that a full tribute would be made closer to that time; however, he wished to place on record the immense contribution Phil Roberts has made to the City & County of Swansea and its predecessor Authorities.

5)            Unacceptable Behaviour at Home of First Minister

The Leader of the Council, together with all Political Group Leaders condemned the recent scenes and protests outside the private home of the First Minister.

He stated that he would be writing to the First Minister calling out the unacceptable behaviour and offering support to the First Minster. The Political Group Leaders indicated that they would also sign that letter.

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 received.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Supporting Communities jointly submitted a report which provided an update on the work of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and the Cross Party Working Group set up to look at Diversity in Local Democracy.

Resolved that:

1)              The Council commits to becoming a Diverse Council to:

i)                Provide a clear, public commitment to improving diversity;

ii)               Demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all;

iii)             Consider staggering Council Meeting times and agreeing recess periods to support Councillors with other commitments; and

iv)             Set out an action plan of activity ahead of the 2022 Local Government Elections.

2)              The Democratic Services Committee be tasked with undertaking a review of the Diversity in Democracy Programme.

3)              A report be brought back to Council with an Action Plan setting out how the Council can support the Diversity in Democracy Programme.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report recommended to Council by the Constitution Working Group. The report recommended changes to the Terms of Reference of the Governance & Audit Committee as a result of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 and the CIPFA Guide “Audit Committees Practical Guidance for Local Authorities and Police (2018 Ed).

Resolved that the amended terms of reference of the Governance & Audit Committee as outlined in the report be approved.

The Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer & Head of Democratic Services submitted a report recommended to Council by the Constitution Working Group. The report recommended changes to the Terms of Reference of the Pension Fund Committee.

Resolved that the following note in the current terms of reference of the Pension Fund Committee be deleted:

“The Pension Fund Committee shall be Chaired by the Cabinet Member responsible for Finance”.

1)            Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

Seven (7) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

No supplementary questions required a written response.

Note: An amended response to Questions 5 & 6 had be circulated prior to the Meeting.

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

Three (3) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

Proposed by Councillor R C Stewart and seconded by Councillor L S Gibbard.

“This council deplores the cruel and spiteful decision by the Tory U.K. government to cut Universal Credit payments by £20 per week (or £1040 per year) for millions of people across Wales and the U.K.

This cut will potentially leave thousands of Swansea residents facing a substantial cut to their income, and remove hundreds of thousands of pounds from the local economy. It’s impacts will be simply devastating on low income households.

We call upon the Leader of council (and any political Group leaders who are prepared to sign) to write a letter laying out our strong objection to the proposed universal credit cut; to highlight the impacts on Swansea residents and families; and urge the Tory U.K. Government in the strongest possible terms to reverse the cut and retain the £20 per week.”

Following debate, and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 30 “Voting” a recorded vote was requested. The voting on the motion was recorded as follows:

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be approved.