Agenda, decisions 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)        Councillor P Lloyd declared a Personal Interest in Minute 98 “Adoption of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme”.

 

2)        Councillor K M Roberts declared a Personal Interest in Minute 98 “Adoption of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme”. Note: Councillor K M Roberts did not participate in the vote on this item.

 

3)        Councillor A Pugh declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 98 “Adoption of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme” and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration.

 

4)        Councillor V M Evans declared a Personal Interest in Minute 99 “Private Sector Housing Renewal and Disabled Adaptations: Policy to Provide Assistance 2022-27”.

 

5)        Councillor K M Roberts declared a Personal Interest in Minute 99 “Private Sector Housing Renewal and Disabled Adaptations: Policy to Provide Assistance 2022-27”. Note: Councillor K M Roberts did not participate in the vote on this item.

 

6)        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, J A Hale, D W Helliwell, T J Hennegan, C A Holley, P R Hood-Williams, B Hopkins, D H Hopkins, L James, O G James, Y V Jardine, J W Jones, M H Jones, M Jones, P K Jones, S M Jones, E J King, E T Kirchner, H Lawson, A S Lewis, M B 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, R C Stewart, D G Sullivan, G J Tanner, M Thomas, L G Thomas, W G Thomas, L J Tyler-Lloyd, G D Walker, L V Walton and T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 102 “Councillors ICT Allowances Policy – May 2022 & Beyond”.

 

7)        Councillors A M Day, E W Fitzgerald, P R Hood-Williams, E T Kirchner, C L Philpott, R C Stewart and L G Thomas declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 104 “Nomination of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2022-2023” and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration.

 

8)        Councillors P M Black, R Francis-Davies, C A Holley and A S Lewis declared a Personal Interest in Minute 104 “Nomination of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2022-2023”.

 

9)        Councillor M C Child declared a Personal Interest in Minute 107 “Councillors’ Questions” (Question 6).

 

10)      Councillors C Anderson, J E Burtonshaw, J P Curtice, P R Hood-Williams, L James, J W Jones, P K Jones, E T Kirchner, W G Lewis, P Lloyd, I E Mann, P M Matthews, J A Raynor, C Richards, G J Tanner, L G Thomas, L V Walton and T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 108 “Notice of Motion – National Energy Crisis”.

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

Approved.

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

 

1)        Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 2 December 2022.

None.

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

None.

a)       New Year’s Honours

 

The Presiding Member referred to the Citizens of Swansea who received awards in the New Year Honours.

 

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

 

i)                Professor Tavi Murray. Professor of Glaciology Swansea University. Services to glaciology and climate change research.

 

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

 

i)                Michael John Walters. Lifeboat Operations Manager. Loughor Inshore Lifeboat. Services to the community in Swansea.

 

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

 

i)                Reverend Steven Bunting. Vicar of St. Thomas Church. Charitable services to the community in Swansea.

 

ii)               Alison Williams. Headteacher Craigfelen School. Services to Education and the community in Swansea.

 

iii)             Dr. Edward Morgan Roberts DL. Services to medicine and to the community in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

 

b)       CEEQUAL: CQA 670 - Kingsway Urban Park

 

The Presiding Member stated that CEEQUAL was the World leading sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme for civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects.

 

The BRE Academy had verified and ratified that Kingsway Urban Park has achieved the CEEQUAL award. This is the first CEEQUAL assessment that has been completed and the first to achieve a ‘pass’, actually exceeding this and getting a ‘Good’.

 

The areas assessed under the Client, Design and Construction for the scheme were:

 

Ø    Project Management.

Ø    People and Communities.

Ø    Land Use and Landscape.

Ø    Historic Environment.

Ø    Ecology and Biodiversity.

Ø    Water Environment.

Ø    Physical Resources Use and Environment.

Ø    Transport.

 

He congratulated all involved.

 

c)              Holocaust Memorial Day – 27 January

 

The Presiding Member stated that today was a national commemoration day dedicated to the remembrance of the six million Jews who lost their lives in the Holocaust, the demise of millions more who suffered under Nazi persecution and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Dafur.

 

The 27 January is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Together we bear witness for all those who were murdered and persecuted and we honour the survivors of those regimes and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.

 

There is still more that we can do to ensure we live in a world free from discrimination, hostility and persecution.

 

The Holocaust shook the foundations of civilisation and it is up to us to ensure this is never forgotten and the memory of those who lost their lives live on in generations to come.

 

The Council, in conjunction with schools, Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE), Swansea Interfaith Forum and Norma Glass MBE have pre-recorded a ceremony which is available on the Council’s Facebook page which you can view.

 

He invited all members of Council to pause for a moment of reflection to remember those who lost their lives to the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

 

d)              Corrections / Amendments to the Council Summons

 

i)                Item 11 “Honorary Freedom of the City & County of Swansea”

 

This item has been deferred due to the fact it will be very difficult to arrange a Ceremonial Council within a limited period in light of the Pre-Election Period starting in March 2022, ongoing Covid restrictions, a number of other Ceremonial Councils having to take priority i.e. Inauguration of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, Merchant Navy and the Local Government Election in May 2022.

 

Our Council Constitution states that all decisions should be implemented within 6 months of the date of the decision being made and I believe we will struggle to hold a Ceremonial Council within 6 months.

 

ii)              Item 12 “Councillors ICT Allowances Policy – May 2022 & Beyond”

Appendix A. Paragraph 8.1 refers to the Data Protection Act 1998. Amend the year to read 2018.

 

iii)            Item 15 “Membership of Committees”

Standards Committee Vacancy Panel

Add Mike Lewis, Standards Committee Statutory Co-optee

Add Community Councillor Phil Crayford

None.

a)              Appointment of Ben Smith as Director of Finance / Section 151 Officer

 

The Leader of the Council stated that Ben Smith had been appointed as Director of Finance / Section 151 Officer following an interview process. His appointment was made at the Extraordinary Meeting of Council earlier that day. Councillor R C Stewart congratulated Ben Smith on his appointment on behalf of the Council.

 

The Leader of the Council also paid tribute to the Officers within the Finance Team for all of their work especially with ensuring that the business grants were processed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Ben Smith thanked the Leader of the Council for the support. He stated that he looked forward to continuing to serve the Council.

 

b)              Mayhill Learning Review

 

The Leader of the Council referred to the recent publication of the Mayhill Learning Review. He thanked all for their input into the report and its recommendations. He stated that the Council fully accepted the recommendations.

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.

None.

Three Public Questions were submitted. All related to Minute 107 “Councillors’ Questions”. One related to Question 4 and 2 related to Question 11.

 

The relevant Cabinet Member responded.

Approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report that outlined the requirement to annually consider whether to revise or replace the Council’s existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the requirement to either adopt a new scheme or re-adopt the existing scheme by 31 January 2022. It also sought the re-adoption of the current scheme as set out in Section 3 of the report for the period 2022/23.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013 (“the Prescribed Requirements Regulations”) by the National Assembly for Wales (Now the Senedd Cymru) on 26 November 2013, as amended be noted.

 

2        The amendments to “the Prescribed Requirements Regulations” contained in The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, to be considered by the Senedd Cymru on 18 January 2022 be noted.

 

3)              The outcome of the consultation exercise undertaken by the Council in November 2018 on the discretionary areas of the current scheme be noted.

 

4)              The discretionary areas of the current scheme (2021/22) (as set out in section 3 of this report) remain unchanged for the period 2022/23.

 

5)              The Council adopts the scheme as set out in section 3 of this report, to include any mandatory amendments which may be necessary as a result of, The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 being approved by the Senedd Cymru and coming into force.

Approved

The Climate Change & Service Transformation submitted a report that outlined the proposed amendment to the current Private Sector Housing Renewal and Adaptations: Policy to Provide Assistance 2017-22 for inclusion in a new policy for 2022-27 and sought approval of the new policy.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)             The proposed Private Sector Housing Renewal and Disabled Adaptations: Policy to Provide Assistance 2022-2027, including the proposed removal of the means test for small and medium Disabled Facilities Grants in accordance with Welsh Government guidance be approved.

Approved.

The Environment Enhancement & Infrastructure Management submitted a report that sought approval to adopt the Waste Strategy 2022-2025.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Waste Strategy 2022-2025 be adopted.

Deferred.

This item has been deferred due to the fact it will be very difficult to arrange a Ceremonial Council within a limited period in light of the Pre-Election Period starting in March 2022, ongoing Covid restrictions, a number of other Ceremonial Councils having to take priority i.e. Inauguration of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, Merchant Navy and the Local Government Election in May 2022.

 

Our Council Constitution states that all decisions should be implemented within 6 months of the date of the decision being made and I believe we will struggle to hold a Ceremonial Council within 6 months.

Approved.

The Head of Democratic Services and Head of Digital & Customer Services jointly submitted a report that sought adoption of the Councillors ICT Allowances Policy – May 2022 & Beyond.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The “Councillors ICT Allowances Policy – May 2022 & Beyond” be adopted subject to the amendment outlined in the Presiding Member Announcements.

 

2)              The Head of Digital & Customer Services provide a “Good Habits” Helpful Guide to Councillors setting out subjects such as Back Up & Sync etc.

 

3)              Modern.gov software Training be added to the Councillors Induction Programme.

Approved.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that sought adoption of the recently reviewed Councillors Handbook. The Democratic Services Committee held on 10 January 2022 reviewed Sections A-C and recommended the amendments to Council.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The amendments proposed by the Democratic Services Committee as set out in Appendices A & B of the report be adopted.

Approved.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that sought to nominate the Lord Mayor elect and Deputy Lord Mayor elect to enable the arrangements for the Inauguration of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor event to proceed.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              Councillor Mike Day be nominated Lord Mayor Elect 2022-2023.

 

2)              Councillor Graham Thomas be nominated Deputy Lord Mayor Elect 2022-2023.

 

3)              The nominations of Councillors Rob Stewart, Wendy Fitzgerald, Paxton Hood-Williams, Erika Kirchner & Cheryl Philpott for Lord Mayor / Deputy Lord Mayor be accepted to allow an automatic fall-back position should those named above not re-stand or not be re-elected.

Approved.

The Cabinet Member for Delivery & Operations submitted a report that sought approval of the nominations / amendments to various Council Bodies.

 

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

 

West Glamorgan Archives Committee

Remove Councillor L S Gibbard.

Add Councillor M B Lewis.

 

Standards Committee Vacancy Panel

Add Mike Lewis, Standards Committee Statutory Co-optee.

Add Community Councillor Phil Crayford.

None.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee submitted an information report outlining the impact of scrutiny.

None.

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.

 

No supplementary questions required a written response.

 

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

 

Five (5) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

Approved.

Proposed by Councillor A S Lewis and Seconded by Councillor R C Stewart.

 

“This council recognises the unprecedented energy crisis facing many households across Swansea, Wales and the UK. In the coming months more and more households will see increases of a magnitude never seen before as the price cap is removed or energy deals come to an end.

 

This comes on top of a cost of living crisis created by the Impacts of Brexit and the Covid Pandemic which have already seen an unprecedented squeeze on peoples incomes.

 

Inflation remains very high which is putting huge pressure on household budgets as earnings have not kept pace with prices, leaving family budgets squeezed and people worse off.

 

The additional costs of day to day living are already impacting negatively on every household across Swansea but even more so on families who are living close to the bread line many of whom still need to visit food banks and will now be faced with the terrible choice of heating their home or putting food on the table.

 

As a Council, we will continue to do everything within our power to help mitigate energy costs by signposting residents to the number of financial support options available to improve the energy efficiency of residents homes as home owners as well as our significant investment in our Council homes to make them cheaper to heat and live in.

 

WG are also giving many households £100 each and we welcome this contribution in the interim with the Council processing up to 30,000 such payments to households in Swansea.

 

However, the help families need to deal with the cost of living crisis can only be fixed by decisive action by the UK Government.

 

This Council therefore calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer and call for the immediate implementation and action for the following:

 

·                 A reduction in VAT for Energy Bills to help families and householders.

·                 An introduction of a new lower price cap on energy bills to protect households from excessive price rises.

·                 Increasing the availability of grants or interest free loans to encourage the take up of renewable energy solutions such as domestic Solar / PV for private home owners and local businesses.

·                 A windfall tax on energy companies to fund a UK wide grant scheme for qualifying households to complement the work started by the WG £100 scheme.”

 

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

 

For (57 Councillors)
Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)
C Anderson	D H Hopkins	C L Philpott
J E Burtonshaw	O G James	S Pritchard
J P Curtice	L James	A Pugh
N J Davies	Y V Jardine	J A Raynor
P Downing	J W Jones	C Richards
C R Doyle	M Jones	K M Roberts
M Durke	P K Jones	B J Rowlands
C R Evans	S M Jones	M Sherwood
V M Evans	E J King	P B Smith
W Evans	E T Kirchner	R V Smith
R Francis-Davies	H Lawson	R C Stewart
S J Gallagher	A S Lewis	D G Sullivan
L S Gibbard	M B Lewis	D W W Thomas
F M Gordon	W G Lewis	L G Thomas
D W Helliwell	C E Lloyd	M Thomas
T J Hennegan	P Lloyd	W G Thomas
C A Holley	P M Matthews	L J Tyler-Lloyd
P R Hood-Williams	P N May	L V Walton
B Hopkins	D Phillips	T M White

 

Against (0 Councillor(s))
Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)
-	-	-

 

Abstain (0 Councillors)
Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)	Councillor(s)
-	-	-

 

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

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.