Agenda and minutes

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

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

Resolved that the Minutes of the Equalities & Future Generations Policy Development Committee held on the 24 November 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Head of Communications and Marketing provided a background to co-production and noted that it had recently moved into his area. The Strategic Equality Plan had been approved by Council and a Strategic Equalities Board was being set up.

A Co-production framework had been established for approval, however it was noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic there had not been significant progress. It was also noted that as well as Covid-19, resources was also an issue. Training would be required to upskill departments in using co-production.

Questions and discussions focussed on the following:

·            Use of co-production in Social Services

·            Social Services draft action plan for co-production

·            New timelines for framework

·            What full co-production looks like in comparison to consultation

·            Choosing when to use co-production over other methods of engagement

·            Resources and knowledge required for co-production

·            Potential resource benefits from co-production – getting it right first time

·            Language of co-production – nervous of term may allay some fears to use conversations

·            Constraints of co-production – legislation, grant conditions, time constraints etc.

·            Setting expectations – communicate clearly elements which can be changed and those which cant

·            Role of Ward Members in co-production

·            Lessons learnt from work done during Covid-19 – excellent examples of co-working

Resolved that:

1)    The Co-production Framework be circulated to the Committee

2)    Co-production be scheduled for a future meeting to discuss the framework and timelines.

Councillor Peter Jones highlighted some areas which are looking at the Natural Environment, such as the Natural Environment Performance Panel, Corporate Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Group as well as the imminent signing of the Council’s Climate Change Charter. However it was noted that no Policy Development Committee was looking as the Natural Environment.

The Committee discussed potential areas of the Natural Environment which could be looked at which included; -

·            Continued use of Glyphosate

·            The two recommendations resulting from the Scrutiny Inquiry which had not been accepted – This included the recommendations for two new posts (a Section 6 Officer and a part time post for a Planning Ecologist)

·            Looking at the new Local Development Plan – learning and communicating how it has incorporated better protection for Natural

Environment

Councillor Anderson noted that the Economy & Infrastructure Policy Development Committee was renamed the Economy, Environment & Infrastructure Policy Development Committee at Council on 3 December 2020.

Resolved that the topic of Natural Environment sit with the Economy, Environment & Infrastructure Policy Development Committee.

The Chair presented the Workplan 2020/21.

Co-production was to be added to the Workplan for January to discuss the Co-Production framework once it had been circulated.

It was also suggested that an update on the Recovery Plan be scheduled for January.

Resolved that the Workplan 2020/21 be updated accordingly.