Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

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

Councillor Clive Lloyd – Minute Nos. 74 & 82 – Councillor Clive Lloyd declared a personal and prejudicial interest and withdrew from the meeting for the items.

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

Councillor Clive Lloyd – Minute Nos. 74 & 82 – Councillor Clive Lloyd declared a personal and prejudicial interest and withdrew from the meeting for the items.

None.

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.  

Approved.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on the 16 November 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record.

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.

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

The Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement & Infrastructure Management, the Transport Infrastructure Group Leader and the Parking Services Manager were present for the report on Parking Policy, Control & Enforcement.

Questions and discussions focused on: -

·                Parking Services Operational Budget – Clarification on the inter-relationship between Operating Budget, Income Targets and Actual Income

·                Civil parking enforcement – It was noted that this was a self-financing operation. There was discussion around the ring-fencing of revenue from Penalty Charge Notices to the highways budget for Highways improvement and / or safety

·                The potential difficulties of enforcing residents parking bays with paperless permits and the possibility of the development of an app or online service to allow residents to check for permits – the Committee was told  that Officers did not want residents challenging the public on permits and Officers would check for permits before going to site to investigate; but the issue would be looked into further

·                Parking on Pavements – there were limited powers of enforcement on unrestricted roads. Actions like the placement of street furniture in the City Centre could be taken to improve the aesthetics whilst also discouraging parking on pavements

·                Progress on improving the provision of secure cycle parking – Two sites for secure cycle parking were due for completion shortly at Fabian Way and the Quadrant Car Park as well as the non-secure cycle parking outside McDonalds in Castle Gardens. There would also be secure cycle parking in the new Arena car park

·                Staffing levels within parking services

·                Cleanliness of car parks – clarification on responsibilities of the Parking Services and the responsibilities of the Parks and Cleansing Teams

·                Investment into car parks –Two new car parks would be available next year (Copr Bay Development and the Arena) these would be fitted with ticketless technology where you pay on return to the vehicle – the key priority was providing flexibility and choice on how to pay for parking

·                Patrolling parking in the suburbs as well as the City Centre – importance of information from ward members in identifying issues and hot-spots

·                Potential sites for locations of park & rides was still under consideration

·                Efficiency of parking enforcement - Officers patrol in pairs and the safety of staff was paramount, officers would split work in the area for efficiency e.g. take a side of the street each  

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and Officers.

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

Noted.

Councillor Peter Jones, Convenor, presented the Natural Environment Performance Panel Update Report. He emphasised the importance of the Panel and highlighted recent activities, including: -

·                Climate Emergency Declaration – Council Climate Change Action Plan Progress

·                Air Quality Management

·                Ash Dieback

·                Local Flood Risk Management

·                Water Pollution

In addition to Panel meetings the Convenor also reported that he would be meeting informally with the relevant Cabinet Member(s), the Nature Conservation Team Leader and the Natural Environment Manager to keep in touch and update each other on relevant matters.

The Convener thanked Emily Davies, Scrutiny Officer, for her provision of scrutiny support to himself and Panel Members.

The Chair thanked the Convenor for the report.

Resolved that the update be noted.

Approved.

The Chair / Scrutiny Team Leader presented the ‘Scrutiny Dispatches – Impact Report’, highlighting scrutiny achievements during the second part of the 2021/2022 municipal year.

Resolved that the report proceed to Council.

Noted.

The Chair presented a report on the Membership of Scrutiny Panel and Working Groups. No changes were indicated.

Resolved that the report be noted.

Discussion on:

a)      Committee Work Plan.

b)      Opportunities for Pre-Decision Scrutiny.

c)      Progress with Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups.

Noted.

The Chair presented a report on the Scrutiny Work Programme.

The next Scrutiny Programme Committee was scheduled for 18 January 2022. The main items scheduled were: -

·                Question and Answer Session with the Leader of the Council / Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance & Strategy, Councillor Rob Stewart.

·                Scrutiny of Public Services Board

It was also noted that the Road Safety Working Group scheduled for February 2022 had to be cancelled due to service pressures, it would be postponed until after the Local Government Elections in May 2022.

A public request for scrutiny had been received regarding difficulties for those without off street parking to charge electric vehicles at home. This had been passed to relevant Cabinet Member(s) in the first instance for response and, depending on the response, the Chair will consider whether this issue merits discussion within a future scrutiny meeting. 

Resolved that the report be noted.

Noted.

The Chair presented a report on ‘Scrutiny Letters’ for information.

Resolved that the Scrutiny Letters be noted.

Noted.

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

Approved.

Resolved that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of a report on ‘Proposed Leasehold Acquisition and Redevelopment FPR7 – 279 Oxford Street / 25-27 Princess Way’ on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as set out in the exclusion paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007.

a)       Role of the Committee.

b)       Consideration of Cabinet Report and Questions.

c)       Committee’s View for Cabinet.

Resolved that the Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee writes to the Cabinet Members, outlining the views of the Committee, with feedback to be presented to Cabinet on 16 December 2021 ahead of the Cabinet decision.

The Committee considered the cabinet report ‘Proposed Leasehold Acquisition and Redevelopment FPR7 – 279 Oxford Street / 25-27 Princess Way.

Resolved that the Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee writes to the Cabinet Members, outlining the views of the Committee, with feedback to be presented to Cabinet on 16 December 2021 ahead of the Cabinet decision.