Agenda item

The Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance and Strategy attended for Q & A session on his portfolio responsibilities.

Committee questioning and discussion focussed on the following:

·         Progress on Major Projects: Copr Bay – Willmot Dixon had taken over from the former contractor and progress was being made in regard to prioritising the outstanding work.  Discussion regarding proposed new hotel next to the Arena ongoing.

·         Swansea Arena Events / Ticket Sales – Question asked around performance against business plan, and relative numbers visiting for commercial performances vs events such as conferences where tickets may be free.  Noted the Arena is a multi-use venue and a breakdown between conferences and commercial shows and other events such as rental of the arena for graduation ceremonies can be provided.

·         City Centre Parking – Disabled Bay Provision – Concern expressed around temporary loss of spaces for development works and impact. Highways Officers had made visits to the City Centre to look at opportunities to relocate displaced disabled parking.  Park Street, Pell Street and the rear of the Quadrant were being examined to mitigate the loss of disabled parking spaces.

·         Innovative Living Building Development at Picton Yard – following a query about the proposed name for this building, noted that a naming policy report was being submitted to Council to consider a formal mechanism for naming and re-naming.

·         Major Projects/New Projects for Swansea from 2024 onwards – focus would remain on completing the outstanding projects, however, opportunities existed in relation to the Albert hall, former Burtons, Mamma Mia’s and the McDonald’s building on the corner of Castle Square.  The second phase of Copr Bay and progress in relation to Urban Splash, a National Gallery for Wales, the Aquarium and Skyline was detailed.

·         Blue Eden – discussion around progress and concurrent developments in technology. Noted that the project comprised an integrated energy project and a number of elements had fallen into place.  The Council were close to commencing work. 

·         Electric Vehicle Charging Points– a written response would be provided to the Councillor further to their question at Council.

·         Archive Service relocation to the former BHS building – the building would be state of the art and large enough to accommodate the Archives Service.

·         Drainage Service – vast investment had been made in relation to the Service.

·         Transformation Programme – Question around response to Audit Wales comments made in October 2023. Noted these were made a ‘point in time’ and feedback was largely positive. Recommendations have been taken on board and the Transformation Delivery Board was focussed on outcomes and impact.

The Chair thanked the Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance and Strategy for his input.

Resolved that the Chair write to the Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance and Strategy reflecting discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.