Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

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

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Development Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 17 February 2016 and the Special Development Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 24 February 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters Arising from 24 February 2016 Special Development Cabinet Advisory Committee:

50      Open Spaces Strategy

          The Chair updated the Committee that the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing & Healthy City had clarified his requirements in relation to this issue, in that he wished the Committee to draft the Open Spaces Strategy prior to individual wards being considered.

Lisa Wells, City Centre Manager

The City Centre Manager provided a presentation and verbal report to enable the Committee to consider the current position regarding the management and development of Swansea Market in the context of the potential provision of public toilet facilities.

She provided information on the background of Swansea Market and explained that at present the only toilets within the Market are for staff and traders, located on the first floor, via two separate stairwells which also provide through access to the first floor offices. 

She went on to explain the existing City Centre toilet provision and outlined the options available as follows:

·                 Reinstatement of historic toilet provision at 39 Union Street;

·                 Conversion of existing stalls for public toilets (2 options);

·                 Further scoping and feasibility wok be undertaken to develop a programme of works to provide a firm foundation on which external funding could be sought.

RESOLVED that the Committee undertaken a site visit to Swansea Market within the next 2 weeks.

Martin Nicholls, Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer and Principal Facilities & Buildings Officer provided a verbal presentation on Community Budgets (formerly known as the Environmental Improvement Scheme). 

The new scheme had been approved by Cabinet on 19 November 2015 with significant changes to the scheme, namely:

The criteria has been widened to allow any use by ward members provided it is legal and complies with the Council’s Constitution, policies and procedures.  As such, limited restrictions will apply:

·                 Grants to community groups supporting wider community engagement or services are permitted but a maximum of £2,000 per annum per member to organisations will be permitted;

·                 Monies cannot be used in pursuit of any political purposes;

·                 Grants/monies cannot be made available to any commercial organisation or any individual or organisation whose principles conflict with those of the Council.

In addition to the report the amount of money for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 has been increased to approximately £9,500 per ward member (from £3,000).

A dedicated Officer – Jane Hunt has now been employed to administer the scheme and Councillors should liaise with Jane in relation to Community Budgets.

In addition a “Landlords Building Consent” form / portal had been devised, predominately for schools to use in relation to any construction works to be undertaken.  The Chair had tested the portal prior to it “going live” and requested a separate form / portal for Councillors as some of the fields were not relevant to Councillors.

Further discussions centred around the following:

·                 A list of frequently asked questions should be available;

·                 A catalogue price list, updated on a regular basis should be available;

·                 A standard format for quotes should be devised;

·                 Options for procuring items / works from an external supplier.

RESOLVED that

1)       A separate form based on the “Landlords Building Consent” form be devised for Councillors;

2)       A frequently asked questions (FAQ) list be circulated to Councillors and updated;

3)       A catalogue price list be updated and circulated to Councillors;

4)       A clearer format for budget prices and quotes;

5)       Councillors are sent updated information in relation to the current status of their Community Budget, to include how much they have spent, what works are outstanding scheme and how much money they have remaining;

6)       Councillors are kept updated of their amended total each time they spend money from their Community Budget;

7)       Councillors inform the team of any medium - large scale schemes they wish to be undertaken as soon as possible in order that works can be scheduled appropriately.

The Chair reported the following updates:

1)       Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s)

          The Chair would be meeting with the Leader, Councillor Andrea Lewis and the Community Safety Manager next week regarding PSPO’s.

2)       Pedestrianisation of Wind Street

          The Chair would be meeting the Head of Highways and Transportation next week regarding the pedestrianisation of Wind Street and the barriers on the Kingsway.

3)       Improvements to Recycling Shop at Recycling Plant

          The Cabinet Member for Environment & Transportation would like the Development Cabinet Advisory Committee to consider how improvements could be made at the Recycling Shop at the Recycling Plant.

RESOLVED that:

1)       The Special Committee scheduled for 23 March 2016 focus on the Open Spaces Strategy;

2)       The Committee scheduled for 20 April 2016 received reports on the following issues:

·             Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s);

·             Waste Management.

3)       The following items be considered at future meetings:

·             Feedback on Regional District Shopping Centres – second visit to Morriston;

·             Housing Estates Containing Unadopted (Private) Streets;

·             Pedestrianisation of Wind Street;

·             Improvements to Recycling Shop at the Recycling Plant.