Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

The Chief Legal Officer gave advice regarding the potential personal and prejudicial interests that Councillors and / Officers may have on the agenda.

 

The Head of Democratic Services reminded Councillors and Officers that the

“Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests” sheet should only be completed if the Councillor / Officer actually had an interest to declare. Nil returns were not required. Councillors and Officers were also informed that any declarable interest must be made orally and in writing on the sheet.

 

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

 

1)       Councillors C Anderson, S Bennett, P N Bentu, C M J Evans, R Francis-Davies, C A Holley, D H Hopkins, L R Jones, M B Lewis, P Lloyd, N L Matthews, R V Smith, M S Tribe, T M White and R A Williams – declared a Personal interest in Minute 98 - “Medium Term Financial Planning 2026/27 – 2028/29”

 

2)       Councillors C Anderson, S Bennett, P N Bentu, C M J Evans, R Francis-Davies, C A Holley, D H Hopkins, L R Jones, M B Lewis, P Lloyd, N L Matthews, A J O’Connor, C L Philpott, R V Smith, M S Tribe, T M White and R A Williams declared a Personal interest in Minute 99 - “Revenue Budget 2025/26”.

 

3)       Councillors S Bennett, P N Bentu, P M Black, C M J Evans, V M Evans, R Francis-Davies, L S Gibbard, K M Griffiths, H J Gwilliam, C A Holley, J W Jones, L R Jones, M H Jones, S M Jones, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, P Lloyd, N L Matthews, P N May, A J O’Connor, R V Smith, R C Stewart, M S Tribe, L V Walton, T M White, and R A Williams declared a Personal interest in minute 101 - “Capital Budget & Programme 2024/25 – 2029/30”

 

4)       Councillor M Baker declared a Personal interest in Minute 102 “Housing Revenue Account – Capital Budget & Programme 2024/25 – 2029/30

 

5)       Councillor V M Evans declared a Personal interest in Minute 103 “Statutory Resolution – Resolutions to be Made in Accordance with the Regulations in the Setting of the Council Tax 2025/2026”.

 

6)       Councillors S Bennett and J D McGettrick declared a Personal interest in Minute 106 “Councillors Questions”

The Chief Legal Officer gave advice regarding the potential personal and prejudicial interests that Councillors and / Officers may have on the agenda.

 

The Head of Democratic Services reminded Councillors and Officers that the “Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests” sheet should only be completed if the Councillor / Officer actually had an interest to declare. Nil returns were not required. Councillors and Officers were also informed that any declarable interest must be made orally and in writing on the sheet.

 

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

 

1)       Councillors C Anderson, S Bennett, P N Bentu, C M J Evans, R Francis-Davies, C A Holley, D H Hopkins, L R Jones, M B Lewis, P Lloyd, N L Matthews, R V Smith, M S Tribe, T M White and R A Williams – declared a Personal interest in Minute 98 - “Medium Term Financial Planning 2026/27 – 2028/29”

 

2)       Councillors C Anderson, S Bennett, P N Bentu, C M J Evans, R Francis-Davies, C A Holley, D H Hopkins, L R Jones, M B Lewis, P Lloyd, N L Matthews, A J O’Connor, C L Philpott, R V Smith, M S Tribe, T M White and R A Williams declared a Personal interest in Minute 99 - “Revenue Budget 2025/26”.

 

3)       Councillors S Bennett, P N Bentu, P M Black, C M J Evans, V M Evans, R Francis-Davies, L S Gibbard, K M Griffiths, H J Gwilliam, C A Holley, J W Jones, L R Jones, M H Jones, S M Jones, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, P Lloyd, N L Matthews, P N May, A J O’Connor, R V Smith, R C Stewart, L G Thomas, M S Tribe, L V Walton, T M White, and R A Williams declared a Personal interest in minute 101 - “Capital Budget & Programme 2024/25 – 2029/30”

 

4)       Councillor M Baker declared a Personal interest in Minute 102 “Housing Revenue Account – Capital Budget & Programme 2024/25 – 2029/30

 

5)       Councillor V M Evans declared a Personal interest in Minute 103 “Statutory Resolution – Resolutions to be Made in Accordance with the Regulations in the Setting of the Council Tax 2025/2026”.

 

6)       Councillors S Bennett and J D McGettrick declared a Personal interest in Minute 106 “Councillors Questions”

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

Approved.

Resolved that the following Minutes be approved and signed as a correct record:

 

1)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 30 January 2025.

For information.

The Chief Legal Officer submitted an information report setting out the written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.

For information.

a)             Condolences

 

Former Councillor Paulette Smith

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the death of former Councillor Paulette Smith, who had represented the Clydach Ward for nearly 14 years, from 1 May 2008 to 5 May 2022.

 

All present stood as a mark of sympathy and respect.

 

b)             APSE Building & Housing Apprentice Awards 2025

 

The Presiding Member was pleased to announce that 2 Council apprentices have been shortlisted for this year’s APSE apprentice of the year awards.  The apprentices were Isaac Fabb in the year 4 category and Ashleigh Johnson year 2 category.

 

She added that the results should be announced by the end of the week and she wished them both good luck.

For information.

a)    Skyline

The Leader of the Council welcomed the decision made by the Planning Committee on 4 March 2025 to approve the Skyline application.  The decision would enable Skyline to proceed with installation, which was anticipated to attract approximately 450,000 annual visitors to Swansea in its first year, rising to over 700,000 visitors in the following years.

 

In addition, he condemned the intimidation and abuse suffered by local Councillors and inaccuracies surrounding the application on social media during the course of the application process.   

 

He referred to the project facilities which would greatly assist those with mobility issues and disabilities allowing them access to new facilities at Kilvey Hill.

 

b)    Hydrogen Ferry

The Leader of the Council was pleased to announce that the Council had progressed the introduction of a ferry service between South Wales and the south-west of England.  He referred to the 2,626 votes cast in favour of the service as part of the consultation process and highlighted the economic and journey time benefits to both areas.

 

c)    71/72, the Kingsway

The Leader of the Council stated that the Authority had taken ownership of 71/72, the Kingsway.  A formal handover ceremony had recently occurred and the first two tenants included IWC, a local furniture company and TUI, who would use the building as its national headquarters.

 

A formal opening would occur in May 2025 and most of the rest of the space within the building was under formal offer and it was hoped that the building would be 100% let by the time of the formal opening.  The building would house 600 workers and would contribute approximately £38m to the local economy. He thanked all the staff, contractors and partners involved with the project.

 

d)    International Women’s Day purple plaque unveiling for Amy Dillwyn

The Leader of the Council was pleased to announce that the formal unveiling of the purple plaque in honour of Amy Dillwyn would take place in the Amy Dillwyn Park on 7 March 2025, International Women’s Day.

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.

Noted.

Three members of the public asked questions. The questions related to Minute 99 ‘’Medium Term Financial Planning 2026/27 – 2028/29 and Minute 100 “Revenue Budget 2025/26”.

 

The Leader of the Council responded. He stated that Dave Warren would receive a written response in relation to his question regarding the savings made from the commencement of the Sustainable Swansea Strategy in 2013 to the end of the 2024/25 financial year.

 

Nodwyd.

The Section 151 Officer gave a broad technical presentation in relation to the budget reports. Councillors asked broad technical questions.  Finance Department staff were thanked for their work and commitment in producing the budget reports.

 

The Leader of the Council gave a broad budget presentation.

 

The Presiding Member advised that specific questions related to individual reports should be asked and debated when that report was being discussed.

Approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report that set out the rationale and purpose of the Medium Term Financial Plan, detailing the major funding assumptions for the period and proposes a strategy to maintain a balanced budget.

 

Resolved that the Medium Term Financial Plan 2026/27 to 2028/29 be approved as the basis for future service financial planning.

 

Approved.

 

The Presiding Member set out the process that would be followed for this item.

 

The Section 151 Officer presented the report which proposed a Revenue Budget and Council Tax Levy for 2025/26.  There were no technical questions asked.

 

Original report proposed by Councillor R C Stewart. Seconded by Councillor D H Hopkins.

 

The Presiding Member stated that two budget amendments had been received. One from the Liberal Democrats / Independent Opposition Group and one from the Uplands Party Group.

 

Liberal Democrats / Independent Opposition Group Amendment

Proposed by Councillor C A Holley. Seconded by Councillor P M Black.

 

The amendment being:

 

We call on the Council to make the following amendment to the budget.

The cost of living is hitting everyone very hard currently with the cost of energy and food which have been with us for some time.  We would therefore propose Council tax to be set at 3.95% as opposed to 5.95%.

Whilst this would “cost” (i.e. reduce council tax) by £3.272m we know that roughly 20p in every £1 goes on CTRS so that can be cut by £0.654m offsetting the impact and making the net cost £2.618m.

 

We propose a draw from the capital equalisation reserve of the sum of £2.618 million to allow this.  There is more than enough funding in that to allow this draw to take place.  We understand that the current administration has done what we have been saying for many years and is now planning to use this fund to trim council tax itself. We hope that this Council Chamber will support our amendment to further reduce Council Tax.

 

Following debate and a vote, the amendment was not supported.

 

Uplands Group Amendment

Proposed by Councillor S J Rice. Seconded by Councillor P N May.

 

The amendment being:

 

·       Reduce spot hire vehicle costs for 25/26 by £350,000 to 24/25 levels.

·       Increase expenditure on Environmental Enforcement (fly-tipping) by £100k.

·       Remove proposed savings - Social Services Adult Services Reduce the costs of in-house homecare (domiciliary care) provision by 3% by increasing caseloads £250k.

 

Following debate and a vote, the amendment was not supported.

 

Substantive Motion

Discussion took place on the substantive motion.

 

Resolved that: -

 

1)    The Revenue Budget for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix A, be approved.

 

2)    The Budget Requirement and Council Tax Levy for 2025/26 as detailed in Section 9 of this report, be approved.

Yn unol â Rheol 4 Gweithdrefn y Cyngor gohiriodd yr Aelod Llywyddol y cyfarfod er mwyn hwyluso egwyl o 10 munud.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4 the Presiding Member adjourned the meeting to facilitate a 10-minute comfort break.

Approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report that proposed a Revenue Budget for 2025/26 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

 

Resolved that the revenue budget proposals for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), as detailed in section 4 of the report, be approved.

Approved.

The Presiding Member set out the process that would be followed for this item.

 

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report that proposed a revised capital budget for 2024/25 and a capital budget for 2025/26 – 2028/29.

 

Original report proposed by Councillor R C Stewart. Seconded by Councillor A S Lewis.

 

The Presiding Member stated that two budget amendments had been received from the Uplands Group and from the Labour Group.

 

Uplands Group Amendment

Proposed by Councillor S J Rice. Seconded by Councillor P N May.

 

The amendment being:

 

·       Remove:  Skyline £8.072m.

 

Following debate and a vote, the amendment was not supported.

 

Labour Group Amendment

Proposed by Councillor R C Stewart. Seconded by Councillor A S Lewis.

 

The amendment being:

 

Add £1m for 2026/27 taking total investment to £2m for modern changing rooms.

 

Following debate and a vote, the amendment was supported. The amendment became the substantive motion.

 

Substantive Motion

Discussion took place on the substantive motion.

 

Resolved that the revised capital budget for 2024/25 and the capital budget for 2025/26 – 2029/30, as amended and detailed in appendices A, B, C, D, E, F and G, be approved.

Approved.

The Presiding Member set out the process that would be followed for this item.

 

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which proposed a revised capital budget for 2024/25 and a capital budget for 2025/26 – 2028/29.

 

Original report proposed by Councillor A S Lewis. Seconded by Councillor

R C Stewart.

 

The Presiding Member stated that a budget amendment had been received from the Liberal Democrats / Independent Opposition Group.

 

Liberal Democrats / Independent Opposition Group Amendment

Proposed by Councillor P M Black. Seconded by Councillor C A Holley.

 

The amendment being:

 

Amendment to the HRA capital budget to increase the £70,000 for environmental improvements to £700,000 funded by borrowing the additional £630,000, the revenue costs of £38,115 to come from HRA reserves this year and to be absorbed into borrowing costs in future budgets.

 

Following debate and a vote, the amendment was not supported.

 

Substantive Motion

Discussion took place on the substantive motion.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)    The transfers between schemes and the revised budgets for schemes in 2024/25, be approved.

 

2)    The budget proposals for 2025/26 – 2028/29, be approved.

 

3)    Those individual schemes in Appendix B which are programmed over the 4-year period as described in this report, are committed and that their financial implications for funding over 4 years, be approved.

Approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report that outlined several statutory resolutions to be made in accordance with the Regulations in the setting of the Council Tax 2025-2026.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)    The statutory resolutions as set out below be noted and adopted.

 

2)    It be noted that at its meeting on 5 December 2024, the Council calculated the following amounts for the year 2025/2026 in accordance with Regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) -

 

a)    95,063 being the amount calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, as its Council Tax base for the year.

 

b)    Parts of the Council’s Area:

 

Bishopston	2,046
Clydach	2,684
Gorseinon	3,377
Gowerton	2,055
Grovesend & Waungron	449
Ilston	365
Killay	2,189
Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton	534
Llangyfelach	976
Llanrhidian Higher	1,608
Llanrhidian Lower	343
Llwchwr	3,560
Mawr	760
Mumbles	10,191
Penllergaer	1,638
Pennard	1,560
Penrice	475
Pontarddulais	2,392
Pontlliw and Tircoed	1,072
Port Eynon	471
Reynoldston	316
Rhossili	204
Three Crosses	725
Upper Killay	592

 

being the amounts calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Regulations, as the amounts of its Council Tax base for dwellings in those parts of its area to which special items relate.

 

3)    The following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2025/2026 in accordance with Section 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

 

a)    £988,903,731	being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Sections 32(2)(a) to (d) of the Act.
b)    £353,201,257	being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Sections 32(3)(a), 32(3)(c) and 32(3a) of the Act.
c)    £635,702,474	being the amount by which the aggregate at (3)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget requirement for the year.
d)    £467,990,904	being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its Council Fund in respect of redistributed non-domestic rates, and revenue support grant less discretionary Non-Domestic Rate relief.
e)    £1,764.21	being the amount at (3)(c) above less the amount at (3)(d) above, all divided by the amount at (2)(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.
f)      £2,338,821	being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.
g)    £1,739.61	being the amount at (3)(e) above less the result given by dividing the amount at (3)(f) above by the amount at (2)(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special items relate.
h)    Parts of the Council’s Area:

 

Bishopston	1,792.40
Clydach	1,806.38
Gorseinon	1,786.53
Gowerton	1,758.76
Grovesend & Waungron	1,787.49
Ilston	1,762.45
Killay	1,752.40
Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton	1,756.28
Llangyfelach	1,770.35
Llanrhidian Higher	1,854.07
Llanrhidian Lower	1,761.48
Llwchwr	1,784.67
Mawr	1,888.49
Mumbles	1,824.62
Penllergaer	1,749.38
Pennard	1,802.88
Penrice	1,766.45
Pontarddulais	1,812.35
Pontlliw and Tircoed	1,776.97
Port Eynon	1,757.66
Reynoldston	1,764.93
Rhossili	1,774.90
Three Crosses	1,789.39
Upper Killay	1,780.70

 

being the amounts given by adding to the amount at (3)(g) above the amounts of the special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided  in each case by the amount at (2)(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

 

i)      Parts of the Council’s Area:

 

	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Bishopston	1,194.93	1,394.09	1,593.24	1,792.40	2,190.71	2,589.02	2,987.33	3,584.80	4,182.27
Clydach	1,204.25	1,404.96	1,605.67	1,806.38	2,207.80	2,609.22	3,010.63	3,612.76	4,214.89
Gorseinon	1,191.02	1,389.52	1,588.03	1,786.53	2,183.54	2,580.54	2,977.55	3,573.06	4,168.57
Gowerton	1,172.51	1,367.92	1,563.34	1,758.76	2,149.60	2,540.43	2,931.27	3,517.52	4,103.77
Grovesend & Waungron	1,191.66	1,390.27	1,588.88	1,787.49	2,184.71	2,581.93	2,979.15	3,574.98	4,170.81
Ilston	1,174.97	1,370.79	1,566.62	1,762.45	2,154.11	2,545.76	2,937.42	3,524.90	4,112.38
Killay	1,168.27	1,362.98	1,557.69	1,752.40	2,141.82	2,531.24	2,920.67	3,504.80	4,088.93
Llangennith, Llanmadoc & Cheriton	1,170.85	1,366.00	1,561.14	1,756.28	2,146.56	2,536.85	2,927.13	3,512.56	4,097.99
Llangyfelach	1,180.23	1,376.94	1,573.64	1,770.35	2,163.76	2,557.17	2,950.58	3,540.70	4,130.82
Llanrhidian Higher	1,236.05	1,442.05	1,648.06	1,854.07	2,266.09	2,678.10	3,090.12	3,708.14	4,326.16
Llanrhidian Lower	1,174.32	1,370.04	1,565.76	1,761.48	2,152.92	2,544.36	2,935.80	3,522.96	4,110.12
Llwchwr	1,189.78	1,388.08	1,586.37	1,784.67	2,181.26	2,577.86	2,974.45	3,569.34	4,164.23
Mawr	1,258.99	1,468.83	1,678.66	1,888.49	2,308.15	2,727.82	3,147.48	3,776.98	4,406.48
Mumbles	1,216.41	1,419.15	1,621.88	1,824.62	2,230.09	2,635.56	3,041.03	3,649.24	4,257.45
Penllergaer	1,166.25	1,360.63	1,555.00	1,749.38	2,138.13	2,526.88	2,915.63	3,498.76	4,081.89
Pennard	1,201.92	1,402.24	1,602.56	1,802.88	2,203.52	2,604.16	3,004.80	3,605.76	4,206.72
Penrice	1,177.63	1,373.91	1,570.18	1,766.45	2,158.99	2,551.54	2,944.08	3,532.90	4,121.72
Pontarddulais	1,208.23	1,409.61	1,610.98	1,812.35	2,215.09	2,617.84	3,020.58	3,624.70	4,228.82
Pontlliw and Tircoed	1,184.65	1,382.09	1,579.53	1,776.97	2,171.85	2,566.73	2,961.62	3,553.94	4,146.26
Port Eynon	1,171.77	1,367.07	1,562.36	1,757.66	2,148.25	2,538.84	2,929.43	3,515.32	4,101.21
Reynoldston	1,176.62	1,372.72	1,568.83	1,764.93	2,157.14	2,549.34	2,941.55	3,529.86	4,118.17
Rhossili	1,183.27	1,380.48	1,577.69	1,774.90	2,169.32	2,563.74	2,958.17	3,549.80	4,141.43
Three Crosses	1,192.93	1,391.75	1,590.57	1,789.39	2,187.03	2,584.67	2,982.32	3,578.78	4,175.24
Upper Killay	1,187.13	1,384.99	1,582.84	1,780.70	2,176.41	2,572.12	2,967.83	3,561.40	4,154.97
All other parts of the Council area	1,159.74	1,353.03	1,546.32	1,739.61	2,126.19	2,512.77	2,899.35	3,479.22	4,059.09

 

being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at (3)(g) and (3)(h) above by the number which, in the population set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of the categories of dwellings listed in the different valuation bands.

4)    It be noted that for the year 2025/2026 the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales have stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwelling shown below –

	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
The Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales	252.45	294.52	336.60	378.67	462.82	546.97	631.12	757.34	883.56

 

5)    having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at (3)(I) and (4) above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2025/26 for each of the categories of dwelling shown below –

	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band	Band
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Bishopston	1,447.38	1,688.61	1,929.84	2,171.07	2,653.53	3,135.99	3,618.45	4,342.14	5,065.83
Clydach	1,456.70	1,699.48	1,942.27	2,185.05	2,670.62	3,156.19	3,641.75	4,370.10	5,098.45
Gorseinon	1,443.47	1,684.04	1,924.63	2,165.20	2,646.36	3,127.51	3,608.67	4,330.40	5,052.13
Gowerton	1,424.96	1,662.44	1,899.94	2,137.43	2,612.42	3,087.40	3,562.39	4,274.86	4,987.33
Grovesend & Waungron	1,444.11	1,684.79	1,925.48	2,166.16	2,647.53	3,128.90	3,610.27	4,332.32	5,054.37
Ilston	1,427.42	1,665.31	1,903.22	2,141.12	2,616.93	3,092.73	3,568.54	4,282.24	4,995.94
Killay	1,420.72	1,657.50	1,894.29	2,131.07	2,604.64	3,078.21	3,551.79	4,262.14	4,972.49
Llangennith, Llanmadoc & Cheriton	1,423.30	1,660.52	1,897.74	2,134.95	2,609.38	3,083.82	3,558.25	4,269.90	4,981.55
Llangyfelach	1,432.68	1,671.46	1,910.24	2,149.02	2,626.58	3,104.14	3,581.70	4,298.04	5,014.38
Llanrhidian Higher	1,488.50	1,736.57	1,984.66	2,232.74	2,728.91	3,225.07	3,721.24	4,465.48	5,209.72
Llanrhidian Lower	1,426.77	1,664.56	1,902.36	2,140.15	2,615.74	3,091.33	3,566.92	4,280.30	4,993.68
Llwchwr	1,442.23	1,682.60	1,922.97	2,163.34	2,644.08	3,124.83	3,605.57	4,326.68	5,047.79
Mawr	1,511.44	1,763.35	2,015.26	2,267.16	2,770.97	3,274.79	3,778.60	4,534.32	5,290.04
Mumbles	1,468.86	1,713.67	1,958.48	2,203.29	2,692.91	3,182.53	3,672.15	4,406.58	5,141.01
Penllergaer	1,418.70	1,655.15	1,891.60	2,128.05	2,600.95	3,073.85	3,546.75	4,256.10	4,965.45
Pennard	1,454.37	1,696.76	1,939.16	2,181.55	2,666.34	3,151.13	3,635.92	4,363.10	5,090.28
Penrice	1,430.08	1,668.43	1,906.78	2,145.12	2,621.81	3,098.51	3,575.20	4,290.24	5,005.28
Pontarddulais	1,460.68	1,704.13	1,947.58	2,191.02	2,677.91	3,164.81	3,651.70	4,382.04	5,112.38
Pontlliw and Tircoed	1,437.10	1,676.61	1,916.13	2,155.64	2,634.67	3,113.70	3,592.74	4,311.28	5,029.82
Port Eynon	1,424.22	1,661.59	1,898.96	2,136.33	2,611.07	3,085.81	3,560.55	4,272.66	4,984.77
Reynoldston	1,429.07	1,667.24	1,905.43	2,143.60	2,619.96	3,096.31	3,572.67	4,287.20	5,001.73
Rhossili	1,435.72	1,675.00	1,914.29	2,153.57	2,632.14	3,110.71	3,589.29	4,307.14	5,024.99
Three Crosses	1,445.38	1,686.27	1,927.17	2,168.06	2,649.85	3,131.64	3,613.44	4,336.12	5,058.80
Upper Killay	1,439.58	1,679.51	1,919.44	2,159.37	2,639.23	3,119.09	3,598.95	4,318.74	5,038.53
All other parts of the Council area	1,412.19	1,647.55	1,882.92	2,118.28	2,589.01	3,059.74	3,530.47	4,236.56	4,942.65

 

Approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which sought to approve the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators, Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2025/26 and note the Interim Year Treasury Management Review 2024/25.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)             The Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators (Sections 2-7 of the report) be approved.

 

2)             The Investment Strategy (Section 8 of the report) be approved.

 

3)             The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement (Section 9 of the report) be approved.

 

4)             The Interim Year Treasury Management Review 2024/25 (Appendix H of the report) be noted.

 

5)             The Annual Treasury Management Report 2023/24 (Appendix I of the report) be noted.

Approved.

The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which sought to approve the Capital Strategy which informs and shapes the six-year capital programme.

 

Resolved that the Capital Strategy 2024/25 - 2029/30 be approved.

For information.

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

 

Ten (10) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

 

Those supplementary questions required a written response are listed below.

         

Question 3

Councillor Francesca O'Brien asked how serious the Council is on this project, can it be confirmed when Ocean were appointed to carry out the consultation and the stakeholders are on the Working Group be confirmed?

         

          The Chief Executive stated that a written response would be provided.

 

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

 

Five (5) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.

Approved.

Proposed by Councillor L S Gibbard and Seconded by Councillor A Anthony.

 

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, this Council pledges its ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable and inclusive Swansea, and supports this year’s IWD theme of “Accelerate Action”.

 

This Council welcomes the UK Labour Government’s commitment to halve Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the next decade, and we recognise the important role of local government in turning the tide of VAWG in our communities.

 

We note in the UK an estimated one in four women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and an average of one woman per week is killed at the hands of their male partner or ex-partner (ONS, 2023). Furthermore, annually, domestic abuse costs the public purse an estimated £78 billion per year (Women’s Aid, ResPublica, 2023).

 

We note the national Women’s Aid campaign which is calling on Councils to pass a ‘Motion for Change’ and welcome the opportunity to restate our dedication to addressing the epidemic of Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV).

 

Swansea has a strong record on the pledges Women’s Aid are asking Council’s to make. We already:

 

·       Work with survivors and local specialist services to understand the impact of VAWDASV in Swansea and have developed a strategy to address this;

·       Ensure comprehensive education on healthy relationships is available in all schools across Swansea; and

·       Have a Domestic Abuse Champion, to hold the council to account on these pledges and amplify the voice of survivors.

 

This Council commits to further action to tackle this important issue. We pledge to:

 

·       Maintain partnership working with vital third sector organisations;

·       Continue the important work with young people of our community cohesion team in tackling misogyny;

·       Move our new ‘Honour Based Abuse’ forum forward with support from Council services and other stakeholders; and

·       Lobby UK government, Welsh government and the police for harsher sentencing and for protection orders to be enforced.

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.

Referred to Cabinet.

Proposed by Councillor L R Jones and seconded by Councillor F D O’Brien.

This Council notes the following:

1.    On the 30^th October 2024 the UK Labour Government announced that from April 2025 the rate of employers’ National Insurance contributions (NICs) will increase by 1.2 per cent and the threshold employers pay employers’ NICs on each employee’s salary is reducing from £9,100 to £5,000 a year.

 

2.    Additionally, the Employment Allowance will increase from £5,000 to £10,500. 

 

3.    HMRC estimates that these measures combined will impact around 1.2 million employers from April 2025, including many in Swansea.

 

4.    The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) states this will result in an average annual tax increase in excess of £800 per employee, a jobs tax. 

 

5.    This Council is deeply concerned by the OBR report which states that in 2025-26 employers will pass on 60 per cent of the higher costs to workers and consumers via lower wages and higher prices, and from 2026-27 onwards 76 per cent of the total cost is passed through lower real wages.

 

6.    There will be a serious impact to public services such as GPs, Hospices, as well as private contractors that are procured by the Local Authority. For example, private care homes and providers, will see increased employment costs, which in turn will increase the cost of these services to Swansea Council and the local taxpayer.
 

This Council believes the following:

i.               The changes to NICs will have a damaging impact on businesses and public services across Swansea.

ii.              That the Labour Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, was right when she previously referred to any increase to NICs as a “jobs tax” and “a tax purely on working people”.
 

Therefore, this Council requests that:

1.     Swansea Council’s Cabinet considers the financial cost of NICs changes at their next meeting and report back to the next Full Council Meeting.

2.     The Council writes to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP and Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP to reverse this policy, which will hit people throughout Swansea hard, especially those on lower wages.

 

The Section 151 Officer provided technical advice regarding the timescales involved in reporting the details back to Council.

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion be referred to Cabinet and reported back to Council when the information is available.