Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

The Head of Legal, Democratic Services and Business Intelligence 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 M Durke, C A Holley & A Pugh declared a Personal Interest in Minute 112 “Annual Report 2016-2017 - Director of Social Services”;

 

2)              Councillors C Anderson, J E Burtonshaw, R Francis-Davies, K M Griffiths, J A Hale, T J Hennegan, P R Hood-Williams, E T Kirchner, R D Lewis, W G Lewis, P N May, R V Smith, M Sykes, M Thomas, L J Tyler-Lloyd & L V Walton, declared a Personal Interest in Minute 113 “Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2017-2020”;

 

3)              Councillors J P Curtice, W Evans, E W Fitzgerald, K M Griffiths, P R Hood-Williams, L James, J W Jones, M A Langstone, C Richards, K M Roberts, B J Rowlands, R V Smith, A H Stevens, M Thomas, L J Tyler-Lloyd, G D Walker & T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 114 “Council Tax Base Calculation 2018/2019”;

 

4)              Councillors C Anderson, P M Black, J E Burtonshaw, M Child, J P Curtice, N J Davies, C R Doyle, M Durke, C R Evans, V M Evans, W Evans, E W Fitzgerald, R Francis-Davies, S J Gallagher, L S Gibbard, K M Griffiths, J A Hale, T J Hennegan, C A Holley, P R Hood-Williams, B Hopkins, O G James, L James, J W Jones, L R Jones, E J King, E T Kirchner, M A Langstone, A S Lewis, M B Lewis, R D Lewis, W S Lewis, C E Lloyd, I E Mann, P N May, H M Morris, C L Philpott, S Pritchard, A Pugh, J A Raynor, C Richards, K M Roberts, B J Rowlands, M Sherwood, R V Smith, A H Stevens, R C Stewart, M Sykes, G J Tanner, D W W Thomas, L G Thomas, M Thomas, L J Tyler-Lloyd, G D Walker, L V Walton & T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 115 “Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report 2018-2019 - Consultation”;

 

5)              Councillors V M Evans & L S Gibbard declared a Personal Interest in Minute 118 “Councillors' Questions”.

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

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

 

1)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 26 October 2017.

There were no written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.

1)              Condolences

 

a)              Former Councillor Grenville Phillips

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of former Councillor Grenville Phillips.  He was an Honorary Alderman Honorary Burgermeister of Mannheim and the founder of the Portmead and Blaen y Maes Community Centre.  He was also the Lord Mayor 1995-1996.

 

He served the Penderry Electoral Ward on the former Swansea City Council from 3 May 1979 to 31 March 1996 and the City and County of Swansea from 1 April 1996 to 3 May 2012.

 

A celebration of his life will be held at 10.30 on Monday, 27 November 2017 at Morriston Crematorium.

 

b)              Carl Sargeant Assembly Member

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent tragic death of Carl Sargeant, Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside.

 

All present stood as a mark of sympathy and respect.

 

2)              Department of Modern Languages, Translation & Interpreting

 

The Presiding Member welcomed students from the Department of Modern Languages, Translation & Interpreting in Swansea University who were attending the meeting as observers.

 

3)              ACES 2017 Award for Excellence - Accommodation Strategy / Agile Programme

 

The Presiding Member announced that the Authority had been awarded the Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and Property Managers in the Public Sector (ACES) 2017 Award for Excellence for its Accommodation Strategy / Agile programme.  Each year ACES present an award for excellence and this year, after they received 40 UK wide nominations, this Authority was successful.  This is the successful achievement of a job well done, enabling the Authority to achieve one of its key objectives and to demonstrating some or all of the key criteria qualities.

 

He congratulated Becky Jones, the Facilities Team and everyone in Corporate Property for their contributions to this exemplary asset management initiative, involving not just accommodation but leasing and disposals.

 

Geoff Bacon, Becky Jones, Nerys Williams, Helen Davies, Paul Smith, Sian Davis, Tania Pugh, Chris Legg, Karen Samuel, Ben Thomas and Richard Rowlands were present to receive the award.

 

4)              Swansea's first wheelchair swing Installed in a Public Park

 

The Presiding Member announced that Swansea’s first wheelchair swing was installed in Victoria Park on 2 November 2017.  The swing was formally opened by Quentin Hawkins, Chair of Swansea’s Play Access Group.  This is the culmination of many years of effort to ensure that every child's right to play is provided for.  It was initiated by the 2016 Play Sufficiency Assessment and funded by Children’s Play within the Poverty & Prevention Service.

 

Victoria Park was chosen by parent/carers, young wheelchair users and representative groups, to create an inclusive hub due to the accessibility of other local provision including the changing Places toilets at 360 Beach & Watersports. At the same time, one of the existing swings is being replaced by a high backed seat that has straps available for hire to support children with physical limitations.

 

The Authority has worked with the Guildhall, Victoria Park Kiosk and 360 Beach & Watersports to loan out these straps to families.

 

5)              Fly The Red Ensign Merchant Navy Day 2017 - Certificate of Commemoration

 

The Presiding Member stated that the Authority had participated in the ‘Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day’ campaign, helping to raise awareness of the UK’s dependence as an ‘island nation’ on past, present and future Merchant Navy seafarers.

 

He was pleased to announce that the Authority have been awarded a Certificate of Commemoration in recognition of its participation.  Further information relating to the campaign may be viewed at www.merchantnavyday.uk

 

6)              Flying Start - Townhill Area

 

The Presiding Member referred to another fantastic inspection report from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) for Flying Start, but this time for the Townhill Area.  Inspectors looked at four areas at the Townhill Area project and gave the following ratings:

 

·                 Excellent - “Children’s Wellbeing”;

·                 Excellent - “Leadership & Management”;

·                 Good - “Environment” (deemed very, very good - this would have been excellent if the building allowed children to freely access outdoor play);

·                 Good - “Care & Development”.

 

This is another excellent achievement with both Areas received unannounced CSSIW Inspections conducted very differently by two different Inspectors.  He thanked Tracy Harrison, Flying Start Manager who has worked incredibly hard across both Seaview & Townhill over the last few months and also to the staff teams at both settings who continued their normal working practices which is always excellent.

 

7)              LAC Participation Group - Presentation of the Diana award

 

The Presiding Member stated that the Diana Award is awarded to courageous, caring, compassionate young people, transforming the lives of others in the name of Diana, Princess of Wales.

 

Diana Award holders come from all walks of life and many have challenging and disadvantaged backgrounds, however they share a deep sense of social responsibility.  They could be giving up their time to mentor other students, a young carer, taking part in anti-bullying initiatives, fundraising or campaigning for a cause close to their heart.  Whatever they are doing, they have one thing in common, a desire to make a difference and improve the lives of others.

 

#Iamme are an exceptional group of young people, who have made a significant contribution to ensuring that their Looked After Children's community is represented, heard and considered; unrelenting in their ambition to be the best Ambassadors for LAC representing with pride the looked after population in Swansea, Wales and Children & Young People everywhere.

 

The group established in 2008 is made up of looked after children and young people aged 7 to 18.  The ethos behind the #iamme group is embedded in the principles of the UNCRC with emphasis on the articles pertinent to Looked after Children.

 

The Presiding Member was delighted to state that the Group were nominated for and went on to win the prestigious Diana award.

 

8)              Amendments / Corrections to the Council Summons

 

a)              Agenda Item 16 “Membership of Committees”.

 

The Presiding Member stated that an amended report had been circulated.

1)              Liberty Stadium

 

The Leader of the Council provided an update regarding the leasing arrangements at the Liberty Stadium.

 

2)       Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon

 

The Leader of the Council stated that Team Swansea had visited London on 20 November 2017 in order to continue the lobbying for the approval of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

 

3)              UK City of Culture

 

The Leader of the Council stated that Team Swansea had visited London on 20 November 2017 in order to continue its bid work to be granted UK City of Culture 2021.

 

4)              Economic Visit to Beijing & Wuhan, China

 

The Leader of the Council referred to his recent economic visit to Beijing and Wuhan, China

Questions must relate to matters on the open part of the Agenda of the meeting and will be dealt within a 10 minute period.

A number of questions were asked by members of the public relating to the following agenda items:

 

1)              Item 9 “Children & Young People’s Rights Scheme Annual Progress Report 2017”;

 

2)              Item 12 “Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2017-2020”.

 

The relevant Cabinet Member responded accordingly.

 

Those questions requiring a written response are listed below:

 

1)       David Davies asked the Children, Education & Lifelong Learning Cabinet Member a question in relation to Minute 113 “Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2017-2020”.

 

“Page 146.  “Cenedl Heb Iaith, Cenedl Heb Galon” (A Nation without Language, A Nation without Heart).

 

Welsh is essentially a spoken language, a tongue of oratory and poetry but it is a great advance that WESP has such a challenge ahead for our schools from many who oppose such a concentration on Cymraeg.

 

Am I right in saying that examination results in English and Welsh Language Schools are better than in English only establishments?  Do you have any statistics on this?”

 

The Children, Education & Lifelong Learning Cabinet Member Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

No Public Presentations were received.

The Children, Education & Lifelong Learning Cabinet Member submitted a report, which outlined the progress of the implementation of the Children & Young People’s Rights Scheme in Swansea.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              Annual Progress Report on the Children & Young People’s Rights Scheme be noted.

Sara-Jane Byrne and Samantha Clements, Wales Audit Office, presented the report which detailing the City and County of Swansea’s Annual Improvement Report 2016-2017 from the Auditor General for Wales.  They verbally corrected two errors on their report and stated that the amended version had been published on their website.

 

The Leader of the Council thanked them for attending and answering questions.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Wales Audit Office Annual Improvement Report 2016-2017 be received and noted.

The Chief Social Services Officer presented the Director of Social Services evaluation of the improvement journey to 2016-2017, and how well the Council is meeting statutory requirements under the Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014.  The report reviewed last year’s areas for improvement, and set out new priorities for 2017-2018.  The report set out the changes that have taken place within Social Services to achieve progress towards national wellbeing outcomes.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Director of Social Services Annual Report 2016-2017 be received.

The Children, Education & Lifelong Learning Cabinet Member presented a report which sought the adoption of the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) 2017-2020 and for it to be submitted to the Welsh Government for its approval.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The amended Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) 2017-2020 be adopted;

 

2)              The amended Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) 2017-2020 be submitted to the Welsh Government for its approval.

 

Note:  Councillor P M Black asked the following question:

 

“What evidence is there that ‘Outcome 1: More seven year old children being taught through the medium of Welsh’ is actually being met?”

 

The Children, Education & Lifelong Learning Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

The Service Transformation & Business Operations Cabinet Member submitted a report detailing the calculation of the Council Tax Base for the City and County of Swansea, its Community / Town Councils and the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority for 2018-2019.  The Council is required to determine the Council Tax Bases for 2018-2019 by 31 December 2017.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)       The calculation of the Council Tax Bases for 2018-2019 be approved;

 

2)       In accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, the calculation by the City and County of Swansea Council for the Year 2018-2019 shall be:

 

	For the whole area	89,962
	For the area of Community / Town Councils:
	Bishopston	1,961
	Clydach	2,622
	Gorseinon	3,179
	Gowerton	1,953
	Grovesend	412
	Ilston	323
	Killay	2,113
	Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton	494
	Llangyfelach	947
	Llanrhidian Higher	1,592
	Llanrhidian Lower	328
	Llwchwr	3,400
	Mawr	745
	Mumbles	9,694
	Penllergaer	1,366
	Pennard	1,459
	Penrice	419
	Pontarddulais	2,281
	Pontlliw and Tircoed	1,031
	Port Eynon	435
	Reynoldston	292
	Rhossili	188
	Three Crosses	711
	Upper Killay	572
	For the area of the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority	62,577

 

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report informing Council of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report 2017-2018 and outlined the determinations proposed by the IRPW.  The report also contained the recommended draft response of the Democratic Services Committee of 7 November 2017 to the consultation.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)       The comments outlined in Appendix A of the report be adopted as the Authority’s response to the IRPW’s consultation in relation to their Draft Annual Report 2017-2018.

The Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services jointly submitted a report seeking to amend in order to simplify, improve and / or add to the Council Constitution in relation to the following areas:

 

1)       Part 3 “Responsibility for Functions - Terms of Reference”.

 

The Leader of the Council proposed that the report be amended so that Paragraph 3.6 and Appendix B, Membership & Frequency of Meetings, Sentence C) be both deleted and both re-written as follows:

 

“Frequency of meetings is a matter for the Chair depending on workload; however, it is anticipated that formal Committee meetings shall be held monthly or as dictated by the work plan.  In addition to formal Committee meetings, Informal Working Groups may be undertaken, if the work plan, dictates.”

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The changes to the Council Constitution as outlined in Appendix B of the report together with the Leader of the Council’s amendment and any further consequential changes be adopted;

 

2)              The membership size of each Policy Development & Delivery Committee be reduced to 12 Councillors and the membership be as outlined by the names submitted by the Political Groups.

 

Note: The Leader of the Council stated that he would host a meeting of the Political Group Leaders and Monitoring Officer in order to discuss the Policy Development and Delivery Committees.

The Service Transformation & Business Operations Cabinet Member stated that an amended report had been circulated.

 

He stated that the Leader of the Council had not made changes to the Authority’s Outside Bodies.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The membership of the Council Bodies listed below be amended as follows:

 

i)                Economic & Infrastructure Policy Development and Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor P Jones.

 

ii)              Education & Skills Policy Development and Delivery Committee

Remove Councillors B Hopkins, M H Jones and S Pritchard.

Add Councillor M Durke and Liberal Democrat / Independent Political Group Vacancy.

 

iii)            Poverty Reduction Policy Development and Delivery Committee

Remove Councillors R D Lewis, LG Thomas and T M White.

Add Councillor L R Jones and Liberal Democrat / Independent Political Group Vacancy.

 

iv)            Safeguarding Policy Development and Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor M B Lewis.

 

v)              Transformation & Future Council Policy Development & Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor M Durke.

 

vi)            Scrutiny Programme Committee

Remove Councillor C Anderson.

Add Councillor M Durke.

1)              Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

 

Eight (8) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

 

Those supplementary question(s) required a written response are shown below:

 

Question 2.  Councillor P M Black asked:

“At a recent Adult Services Performance Panel it was revealed that the number of continuing care assessments were in decline.  This seems counterproductive in the light of the increasing elderly population with complex needs.  Would the Cabinet Member say what representations have been made to the LHB about this trend and whether he believes it is related to the financial implications of the Supreme Court judgement?”

 

The Health and Wellbeing Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

 

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

 

No (0) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.