Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

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 W G Lewis declared a Personal Interest in Minute 138 “Admission Arrangements 2023-2024”.

2)        Councillor C E Lloyd declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 141 “Pension Fund Committee Chair Remuneration” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

3)        Ben Smith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 141 “Pension Fund Committee Chair Remuneration” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

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 W G Lewis declared a Personal Interest in Minute 138 “Admission Arrangements 2023-2024”.

2)        Councillor C E Lloyd declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 141 “Pension Fund Committee Chair Remuneration” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

3)        Ben Smith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 141 “Pension Fund Committee Chair Remuneration” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

For Information.

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

For information.

a)            Community Councillor Phil Crayford - Standards Committee

The Presiding Member stated that Community Councillor Phil Crayford has been the Community / Town representative on the Standards Committee since 5 October 2012. His Term of Office ends at the Local Government Election on 5 May 2022.

On behalf of the Council, he thanked Community Councillor Crayford for his service.

b)           World Scout Jamboree – Korea 2023

The Presiding Member congratulated the seven (7) Explorer Scouts from Swansea that had recently been selected to represent Wales at the 25^th World Scout Jamboree in Korea during 2023. They participated in a rigorous selection process of 250 before finally being whittled down to 72 across Wales.

Our Head of Democratic Services, Huw Evans is especially proud as both of his children (Branwen & Gruff) are among the 7 from Swansea to have been selected. He wished them good luck with the fundraising.

For information.

a)              Skyline Swansea

The Leader of the Council referred to the recent statement by Skyline Swansea stating that they were aiming to be open early in 2025.

b)              Events at the Arena

The Leader of the Council stated the excellent events that had recently been held at the Arena and also the brilliant forthcoming events.

c)              Councillors Not Seeking Re-election on 5 May 2022

The Leader of the Council and the Political Group Leaders paid tribute to those Councillors that had chosen not to seek re-election at the Local Government Elections on 5 May 2022.

They thanked them for serving their communities and the residents of Swansea during their terms of Office as Councillors.

Key:

Questions must be submitted in writing to Democratic Services democracy@swansea.gov.uk 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.

There were no public questions.

Approved.

The Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning & Skills submitted a report that sought determination of the Admission Arrangements for maintained Schools for the academic year 2023-2024.

Resolved that:

1)              The proposed admission arrangements for 2023-2024 for Nursery as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved.

2)       The proposed admission arrangements for 2023-2024 for Reception as set out in Appendix B of the report be approved.

3)       The proposed admission arrangements for 2023-2024 for Year 7 as set out in Appendix C of the report be approved.

4)       The proposed admission arrangements for 2023-2024 for in-year transfers as set out in Appendix D of the report be approved.

5)       The proposed admission arrangements/criteria for entry for 2023-2024 for sixth forms set in Appendix E of the report be approved.

6)       The Schedule of Events for primary and secondary at Appendix of the report be approved.

7)       The admission numbers for primary and secondary schools be noted, as set out in Appendix G of the report be noted.

Approved.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report that sought to approve the recommendation of the Appointments Committee held on 1 March 2022 and appoint 2 further Lay Members to the Governance & Audit Committee.

Resolved that:

1)              Gordon Anderson be appointed as Lay Member of the Governance & Audit Committee.

2)              Phil Sharman be appointed as Lay Member of the Governance & Audit Committee.

3)              The Term of Office for both being 24 May 2022 until the Local Government Elections in 2027.

Approved.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that sought to re-appoint Paula O’Connor as Independent (Co-opted) Lay Member to the Governance & Audit Committee for a further 5-year term.

Resolved that:

1)              Paula O’Connor be re-appointed as an Independent (Co-opted) Lay Member of the Governance & Audit Committee for one further consecutive Term of Office.

2)              Her Term of Office ends at the Local Government Elections in 2027.

Approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report that recognised the increased breadth and scope of the role of Chair of the Pension Fund Committee and recommended appropriate remuneration in line with that responsibility, to be consistent with its partner funds in The Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) and other Committee Chair roles within the Council.

Resolved that:

1)              The increased scope and breadth of responsibility of the role of the Chair of the Pension Fund Committee be recognised.

2)              The Chair of the Pension Fund Committee be paid the equivalent of an Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Senior Salary for a Committee Chair with the additional sums (over and above Basic Salary) to be met by the Pension Fund as outlined in Paragraph 6.1 of the report.

Approved.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that sought approval of the reviewed Section D of the Councillors Handbook – Role Descriptions & Person Specifications as recommended by the Democratic Services Committee held on 14 February 2022.

Resolved that:

1)              The Welsh Local Government Association’s (WLGA) “Framework Member Role Descriptions and Person Specifications - June 2021” and the Swansea Council specific Role Descriptions as set out in Appendices A & B respectfully be adopted as Section D of the Councillors Handbook.

2)              The Head of Democratic Services be delegated authority to update Section D of the Councillor Handbook to ensure its constant alignment with the WLGA’s future publications.

For Information.

The Monitoring Officer submitted an information report setting out the amendments made by the Monitoring Officer to the Council Constitution following the commencement of certain sections of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 and recent senior management structure changes.

None.

1)        Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

xx (x) 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’

xx (x) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.