Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

In accordance with the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, no declarations of Whipped Votes or Party Whips were declared.

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

Resolved that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committees held on 14 May 2018 and 24 May 2018 be approved and signed as correct records.

Questions must relate to matters on the open part of the Agenda of the meeting and will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

There were no public questions.

As Convener of the Panel, Councillor Lyndon Jones presented a report of the Regional Working Scrutiny Inquiry Panel.  

He highlighted that the main focus of the Panel and the Report was to ensure good outcomes for the people in Swansea. He said that Swansea Council had been consistently open to considerations on merger and other regional working options. It was established that some regional activities were making a real difference to local people. The report looked at the positives and weaknesses of regional working as well as lessons learnt from past experiences.

One of the issues highlighted was the opportunity to review all regional groups, in order to identify which are essential and those which are no longer necessary.

Concerns were highlighted in respect of the lack of Scrutiny arrangements in some of the large regional partnerships. Clear accountability and scrutiny arrangements were required to be built in to all regional groups and in particular the big three partnerships of Western Bay, Education through Regional Working and Swansea Bay City Region.

The Convenor highlighted the recommendations made in the report.

Questions and discussions with the Convenor focussed on: -

·                Links to reference documents and the full findings report;

·                Consideration of power equalities / power dynamics;

·                Follow up of recommendations in 9-12 months;

·                Full review of regional bodies;

·                Concern on lack of scrutiny arrangements;

·                Possible effect of Council mergers on regional working; and

·                Importance of effectively delivering services on the ground.

The Convener thanked Officers, those people who gave evidence and information to the Panel as well as the members of the Inquiry Panel who gave their time and Commitment.

Resolved that the contents of the report, which was to be presented to Cabinet on 21 June 2018, be noted.