Agenda and minutes

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None

The convener discussed the role of the Panel and the Terms of Reference, as set by the Scrutiny Programme Committee, were noted.

Phil Holmes - Head of Planning & City Regeneration

Phil Holmes, Head of Planning and City Regeneration, gave a service overview. He briefed the Panel on the service structure, financing and performance and upcoming projects. He also outlined his role in the service and how his staff and teams linked in with specific areas of work.

He referred to a number of development and regeneration projects:

·         Swansea Bay City Deal

·         Swansea Central (City Centre Redevelopment Scheme)

·         Kingsway Digital District

·         Hafod Morfa Copperworks

He also referred to improvements in relation to:

·         City Centre Management

·         European Social Fund Projects

·         The Swansea Community Energy & Enterprise Scheme

·         Gower Landscape Partnership Programme

·         The Vibrant & Viable Places Programme of Investment

·         Rural Development Plans

Key Points Raised:

·         The projects referred to are frontline and directly impact people’s lives

·         The capital budget for the department fluctuates each year depending on grants and external income which has been achieved for that year

·         The development and regeneration projects aim to bring and sustain business in Swansea

The Head of Service was pleased that scrutiny was looking at such a large and interesting agenda.

Members’ questions focussed on:

·         Funding impacts of Brexit

·         The breakdown of funding Swansea Council is contributing to the projects, including collaborative ones

·         Marketing and promotion around the projects being undertaken

·         Information around the business cases being developed around individual projects

A work plan for the year ahead was discussed.

To support its monitoring role it was agreed that the immediate focus of the Panel would be on establishing information on all current major projects to create a development and regeneration overview.

It was noted that:

·         The business cases would form a large part of the work

·         Future meetings would include housing

·         The work plan will develop over time

·         Agendas will evolve as information becomes available.