Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interests were declared:

1)             Councillor R V Smith declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 60 “Local Authority Governor Appointments” and stated that he had dispensation from the Standards Committee to stay, speak but not vote on matters relating to the Appointment of Local Authority Governors.

2)             Councillor E J King declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 60 “Local Authority Governor Appointments” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

3)             Councillors R Francis-Davies, A S Lewis and R C Stewart declared a Personal Interest in Minute 60 “Local Authority Governor Appointments”.

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

Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting(s) listed below be approved and signed as a correct record:

1)              Cabinet held on 19 September 2023.

The Leader of Council made no announcements.

Questions can be submitted in writing to Democratic Services democracy@swansea.gov.uk up until noon on the working day prior to the meeting. Written questions take precedence.  Public may attend and ask questions in person if time allows. Questions must relate to items on the open part of the agenda and will be dealt within a 10 minute period.

No questions were asked.

No questions were asked.

Councillor P M Black presented the Pre-decision Scrutiny feedback.

Resolved that:

1)             The pre-decision scrutiny feedback be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation presented an update on the end of the Oracle Fusion system implementation. The system is now live therefore the project will soon be closing and transitioning into the new Oracle operating model.

Resolved that:

1)    the £500,000 contingency budget for the project to remain in the earmarked Oracle Reserve to be used for the pending change requests from services and any additional in-year licence costs following review be approved.

2)    the Oracle activities transitioning from the project into the new permanent operating model be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Performance presented a report which sought Cabinet endorsement of the draft Local Nature Recovery Action Plan for Swansea.

Resolved that:

1)    the Swansea Local Nature Recovery Action Plan (LNRAP) be approved and its importance as an overarching partnership framework to deliver on Nature Recovery be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events & Tourism presented the Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2023-2026 for Swansea.

Resolved that:

1)    Swansea Destination Management Plan be approved for the period 2023-2026.

The Local Authority Governors Appointment Group submitted a report, which sought approval of the nominations submitted to fill Local Authority (LA) Governor vacancies on School Governing Bodies.

Resolved that:

1)             The following nominations recommended by the Director of Education in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Education & Learning be approved:

The Cabinet Members for Investment, Regeneration, Events & Tourism and Corporate Services & Performance presented a report which sought to approve, in principle the transfer of assets of Sporting and Leisure facilities, including more broadly any recreational land and associated buildings to community organisations, clubs and associations in accordance with the Councils Community Asset Transfer Policy, at less than best value in order to enable investment, improvement and long-term sustainability

Resolved that:

1)    the proposed transfers of the plots listed in 2.4 -Table 1 under the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy 2021 be approved in principle.

2)    Authority be delegated to the Director of Place to grant long leases for appropriate duration in line with the principles set out in paragraph 2.3, (in relation to the plots listed in 2.4 -Table 1) to the proposed leaseholders for the intended reasons as indicated in the table, providing that the Head of Property Services has considered each of the proposed transfers under the Council’s Land Transaction Procedure Rules  and recommends approval of each transfer. The leases to be granted at less than best consideration in accordance with the Councils Community Asset Transfer Policy

3)    Authority be delegated to the relevant Director in consultation with Head of Property Services and Cabinet Member to determine the appropriate reporting route to fully consider any objections received through the Open Space Disposal Notice, in line with section 6 of this report.

4)    Authority be delegated to the Head of Property Services to negotiate and settle the terms of the proposed leases (and thereafter any required Deeds of Variation) and authority is delegated to the Chief Legal Officer to finalise and enter into the legal documentation necessary to protect the Council’s interests.

The Section 151 Officer reported on the financial monitoring of the 2023/24 revenue and capital budgets, including the delivery of budget savings.

Resolved that:

1)    the comments and variations, including the heightened material uncertainties, set out in the report and the actions in hand to seek to address these be noted.

2)    the virements and the use of the Contingency fund as set out in 3.2 and the Inflation provision as set out in 4.3 subject to any further advice from the S.151 officer during the year be approved.

3)    the need for all Directors to continue to minimise service spending in year, recognising that the budget overall is currently balanced only by relying on future likely (but far from wholly assured) reimbursement from Welsh Government, centrally held contingency budgets and reserves be reinforced.

4)    the indicative overspend in 6.1 with further actions to be confirmed in subsequent quarters once it is clearer as to the likely final cost of the pay award pending be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation presented the Public Services Ombudsman of Wales Annual Letter 2022-23 for Swansea Council, for information.

The Cabinet Members for Economy, Finance & Strategy and Environment & Infrastructure presented a report which sought approval for additional funds to continue the current parking offer (1,2,3,4,5) for a limited period up to 31^st March 2024.

Resolved that:

1)    The additional one-off funds of £850,000 to continue the current parking offer (1,2,3,4,5) for a limited period up to 31^st March 2024 be approved and the attendant risks highlighted specifically by the S151 Officer be noted.