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 Recovery & Future Generation Policy Development Committee held on the 26 January 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Chair provided an overview of the workshop and matters discussed, which included:

1)    Co-production

·                It was suggested that a representative be invited from Social Services to show how they have managed co-production and produced their policy framework.

·                It was also suggested that Lee Wenham be invited to discuss the corporate approach to co-production

2)            Improve the look and feel of neighbourhoods

·                Look at the Street Scene agenda and invite representative

·                Discuss how the Committee can work with residents and officers to improve and enhance their areas

·                Funding and working with communities / consideration of co-production to support work

3)            Building on Community Action / Volunteers

·                Invite representative to discuss funding to support community schemes

·                Building on community action shown through the Covid-19 pandemic and carrying that forward

·                Volunteering strategy for staff

4)    Identify Services which the Council could provide under the General        Power of Competence

·                   Looking at services which the Council would be able to provide which it      is currently unable to 

·                   Review what other authorities have done under the General Power of         Competence

·                   Apprenticeships / training and career progression for staff

5)    Transport

·                Invite a representative to give an overview of transport needs

·                Invite representative from transport providers and / or community transport schemes

·                It was suggested that as it was a large topic and a number of Policy Development Committees were looking at aspects of transport it would be worth a joint workshop / meeting on transport to understand the key issues and discuss which issues each Committee would look at.

In addition to those items discussed at the workshop the Committee also discussed the Workforce Strategy and how to support, retrain and upskill the current workforce to adapt to the new ways for working – how to remove some red-tape and constrictions for staff whilst also keeping in touch and monitoring performance. The Committee discussed staff surveys and talking to staff and members to co-produce any policy made. It was suggested that the Committee design a questionnaire for staff around future workforce which could then be distributed and feed into the Workforce Strategy. It was also highlighted that to compile a complete picture it would be worth talking to residents as well, to gain their view on accessing services and whether the new ways of working are addressing their needs.

The Committee also discussed Youth Council. Swansea Council had a Youth Forum, but not a Youth Council. It was suggested that the Committee look to set up a Youth Council to ensure that views of younger people were heard.

 Resolved that the update be noted.

The Chair presented the Workplan 2020/21.

The Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Resources was scheduled to attend the Committee in March to provide an update on the Recovery Plan. 

It was suggested that Youth Council be added to the Agenda for March.

A joint meeting / workshop be set up on transport.

Support for Council staff be added to the Workplan.

Resolved that the Workplan 2020/21 be updated accordingly.