Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interest was declared:

Councillor P R Hood-Williams - personal - Minute No. 117 – Chairman of Swansea Local Access Forum.

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 Committee held on 10 February 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record.

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.

The Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration & Tourism presented a report on the key headlines of his portfolio

Questions and discussions with the Cabinet Member focussed on the following:

·            Procurement - difficulty in assessing / identifying any effects of Brexit at this moment on the procurement process

·            Public Sector Hub and Digital Hub – proposals as part of Swansea Central Phase 2

·            Foreshore – public question on the possibility of street lighting on foreshore from SA1 to Mumbles to promote use and safety

·            Tourism - update on actions from the Tourism Working Group – particularly maintenance and cleanliness of tourist areas such as Langland; eco-tourism and possibility of extending cycle ways throughout Gower; improved walkway between Limeslade and Langland; funding priorities and funding available for tourism

·            Singleton Park  - use of the Park for events

·            Update on Copper Quarter, Hafod Morfa Copperworks and Skyline development

·            Update on West Glamorgan Archive Service and future accommodation

·            Swansea Market Improvement Plan – addition of toilet facilities and potential upgrades / events

·            Glynn Vivian Art Gallery – appointment of new Curator and improvements

Resolved that the Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Cabinet Member, reflecting the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.

Councillor Lyndon Jones, Convener, presented a report on ‘Education Scrutiny Performance Panel Update’. He specifically highlighted the following from the Panel’s work:-

·            Free Schools Meal learners attaining significantly below other pupils – will continue to be monitored 

·            Introduction and monitoring of new curriculum

·            Issues of safeguarding in winter months (lighting and safety) and increased traffic at schools

·            Discussions around the future footprint of Education Through Regional Working (ERW) regional school improvement consortium

He felt that the Panel had played a key role in helping the Council to drive up standards and commented that the Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning & Skills and the Director of Education / Senior Management had been well engaged in the scrutiny process.

Resolved that the update be noted.

The Chair presented a report on ‘Membership of Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups’.  

Resolved that Councillor J A Hale be removed from the Development & Regeneration Performance Panel and the Natural Environment Performance Panel.

Discussion on:

a)       Committee Work Plan.

b)       Opportunities for Pre-Decision Scrutiny.

c)       Progress with Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups.

The Chair presented the Scrutiny Work Programme 2019/20 for information.

She highlighted that the Cabinet Members for Better Communities were scheduled to attend the next Scrutiny Programme Committee on 20 April 2020 and urged the Committee to consider questions / topics in preparation for this session. 

There was a Special Scrutiny Programme Committee scheduled for 6 April 2020 for Crime & Disorder Scrutiny.

In view of current events, the Chair called for a discussion on council preparedness for coronavirus. She suggested that it be added to the agenda of the special Committee meeting planned for 6 April, inviting relevant Cabinet Members / officers to present to the Committee and update councillors on council planning.

Resolved that a discussion on Council preparedness for Coronavirus be added to the agenda of the Special Scrutiny Programme Committee on 6 April.  

Resolved that the report be noted.  

The Chair presented a report on ‘Scrutiny Letters’ for information. Correspondence with the Cabinet Member for Economy & Strategy (Leader) arising from the Q & A Session in January was provided for discussion.

The report was noted.

The Chair provided the Audit Committee Work Plan for information.

The dates and times of the upcoming Panel / Working Group meetings were noted.