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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Guildhall, Swansea. View directions

Items
No. Item

119.

Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests.

Minutes:

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 J P Curtice, S J Gallagher, T J Hennegan, R D Lewis, G J Tanner, D W W Thomas and G D Walker declared a Personal Interest in Minute 126 “Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service - Presentation by Chief Fire Officer”;

 

2)              Councillors T J Hennegan, P R Hood-Williams, L James, O G James, J W Jones, P Jones, M B Lewis, D Phillips, S Pritchard, W G Thomas, L V Walton and T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 127 “Audit Committee Annual Report 2016/17”.

120.

Minutes. pdf icon PDF 168 KB

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

Minutes:

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

 

1)       Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 23 November 2017.

121.

Written Responses to Questions asked at the Last Ordinary Meeting of Council. pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Legal, Democratic Services and Business Intelligence submitted an information report setting out the written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.

122.

Announcements of the Presiding Member.

Minutes:

1)              Condolences

 

a)              Honorary Alderman & Former Councillor David I E Jones

 

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Honorary Alderman and Former Councillor D I E Jones.  Honorary Alderman Jones commenced his Local Government service with Dacorum Borough Council in November 1980 before serving the Penyrheol Electoral Ward with the former Lliw Valley Borough Council from May 1994 to 31 March 1996.

 

He also served the Penyrheol Electoral Ward with the City and County of Swansea from 1 April 1996 to May 2012.  He served as Lord Mayor for the period 1998-1999.

 

All present stood as a mark of sympathy and respect.

 

2)              Snowflake Award

 

The Presiding Member referred to last year’s launch of the Family Information Service (FIS) Snowflake Award where the Authority celebrated the hard work of registered childcare providers and the children in their care by presenting awards in various categories in respect of the Christmas displays they had undertaken.

 

He stated that he was delighted to announce that the Snowflake Award had been a success again this year.

 

3)              Morfa Distributor Road won the Environmental Sustainability Project of the Year Award at the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) Wales Awards 2017

 

The Presiding Member was delighted to announce that the Morfa Distributor Road had won the Environmental Sustainability Project of the Year Award at the recent Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) Wales Awards 2017.

 

The project was supported by the City and County of Swansea, Welsh Government and private developer contributions.  The design and supervision of the project has been provided by the City and County of Swansea, with the phased construction delivered by the Authority’s in-house Highway Construction Unit, T. Richard Jones Ltd and Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd. The majority of the routes alignment traces that of the former Swansea Canal, through the historically sensitive area known as the Hafod Copperworks.

 

Not only does the project evidence examples of design best practice in a challenging environment, but the manner in which the project was delivered illustrates the key role that Local Authorities have in providing a holistic solution to regeneration. Rarely can such projects evidence the support of both local and regional transport forums, as well as private developers, ecologists and historical preservation groups. Such is the challenge that was overcome by the Morfa Distributor Road scheme.

 

David Hughes and Alun Thomas were present to receive the award.

 

4)              Correspondence from the Minister for Children & Social Care

 

The Presiding Member stated that the Minister for Children & Social Care (Huw Irranca-Davies AM) has recently written to the Authority in order to congratulate it on the success of the Team Around the Family (TAF) in Schools Partnership at the recent Guardian Public Service Awards.

 

He states, “effective collaboration and partnership working are essential to the delivery of good quality family support and Team Around the Family in Schools is a very good example of how this can be achieved.  By working together with schools, this project is enabling more families to receive the right level of support at the right time which will help more children to achieve positive wellbeing and reach their potential.”

 

Congratulations to all involved with the scheme.

123.

Announcements of the Leader of the Council.

Minutes:

1)              Christmas Celebrations & Mince Pies

 

The Leader of the Council thanked the Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member for hosting and providing at their own cost a pre Council meeting Christmas Celebration with home baked Mince Pies, sausage rolls and pasties.

 

2)              ‘Together at Christmas’ Event - 12 December 2017

 

The Leader of the Council referred to the ‘Together at Christmas’ Event held at the Brangwyn Hall on 12 December 2017.  The event was aimed to assist the homeless, vulnerable and isolated within society by hosting a free Christmas dinner and party in Swansea

 

More than 200 people went along to the 'Together at Christmas' event, which was held for the second year running.  The event organised by JR Events and Catering, with support from the Authority included a free, two-course Christmas dinner, a Christmas tree, Christmas crackers, live music, singers, a DJ and a photo booth.

 

Additionally, information points on housing support, benefits and employment schemes were set up at the event.  Courtesy of local businesses, free haircuts and dental checks were also made available.

 

The Authority’s Trading Standards Team also arranged for 120 counterfeit jumpers and hoodies to be given to people in need.  The fake clothing had previously been confiscated during raids and donated to the His Church charity. The church regularly passes on counterfeit clothing to charities for redistribution to those in need.

 

The Leader of the Council congratulated all of the Councillors, Officers and Volunteers who helped make the event a huge success.

 

3)              UK City of Culture

 

The Leader of the Council stated that whilst Swansea had not been granted UK City of Culture 2021; he was extremely proud of the bid and the incredible efforts of all involved.  He congratulated Coventry on their success and stated that he had approached the Welsh Government in order to see if Swansea could retain the £4,000,000 promised should it be granted the UK City of Culture 2021.

 

4)       Live Verde – Signing of Memorandum of Understanding

 

The Leader of the Council stated that the Authority had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Live Verde.  The operating platform of Live Verde was launched to address the UK’s housing deficit by capitalising on partner’s strengths, methodology, energy solutions and financial support.

 

5)       Santander Cycles University Challenge

 

The Housing, Energy & Building Services Cabinet Member stated that Swansea University Authority had recently won the Santander Cycles University Challenge meaning that the it will receive £100,000 worth of equipment and infrastructure to establish a bike share scheme for the community.

 

She stated that the scheme was open to Councillors and Officers of the Council with half price membership.

124.

Public Questions.

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

Minutes:

No questions were asked by members of the public.

125.

Public Presentation - None.

Minutes:

No Public Presentations were received.

126.

Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service - presentation by Chief Fire Officer.

Minutes:

Chris Davies (Chief Fire Officer) gave a presentation on the work of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.  A number of questions were asked of the Chief Fire Officer.

 

Councillor J P Curtice, Deputy Presiding Member gave thanks for the presentation.

127.

Audit Committee Annual Report 2016/17. pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Minutes:

The Vice Chair of the Audit Committee presented the Audit Committee Annual Report for the 2016-2017 municipal year for information.

128.

Gypsy and Traveller Policy 2017. pdf icon PDF 107 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Environment Services and Housing, Energy & Building Services jointly submitted a report, which sought approval for the new Gypsy and Traveller Policy.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Gypsy and Traveller Policy be approved and published.

129.

Review of Councillors Handbook. pdf icon PDF 162 KB

Minutes:

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report, which outlined the recent review of the Councillors Handbook by the Democratic Services Committee on 7 November 2017.  The Committee recommended that Appendix A of the report be recommended to Council for adoption.

 

He asked that the following amendments be made to Appendix A of the report:

 

i)                Add a paragraph 8.4 “A passenger allowance is permitted when a Councillor carries a passenger(s) on Authority business.  The rate payable is in line with the determinations of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW)”;

 

ii)               Add a new paragraph 14 as follows:

 

14.     “Travel by Motor cycles

 

14.1     A motor cycle allowance is available as outlined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW)”;

 

iii)             The remaining paragraphs be renumbered accordingly.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The amended Councillors Handbook as set out in Appendix A of the report together with the amendments above be adopted.

130.

Amendments to the Council Constitution. pdf icon PDF 122 KB

Minutes:

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 – Scheme of Delegation”;

2)              Part 4 “Rules of Procedure – Scrutiny Procedure Rules”.

 

The report proposed the deletion of I14 “Power to hear appeals from Officers in respect of approvals to drive school transport” from the Council Constitution as the power was covered within J2 of the Local Choice Functions.

 

Additionally, the report proposed that paragraph 2.3 of the Scrutiny Procedure Rules be amended.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              Paragraph I14 “Power to hear appeals from Officers in respect of approvals to drive school transport” of the Miscellaneous Functions within the Scheme of Delegation be deleted;

 

2)              Paragraph 2.3 of the Scrutiny Procedure Rules be redrafted as follows and the additional paragraphs added:

 

“2.3    As required by law and guidance from the Welsh Government, Scrutiny Committee’s dealing with education matters must include in their membership voting representatives of religious faiths and of parent governors.  Membership of the Scrutiny Programme Committee will therefore include:

 

1 x Parent Governor Representative from a Primary School;

1 x Parent Governor Representative from a Secondary School;

1 x Catholic Church Representative (LA Maintained Faith Schools);

1 x Church in Wales Representative (LA Maintained Faith Schools).

 

2.4     These Statutory Co-optees shall only have a vote at the Committee, and relevant Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups, on items relating to the overview and scrutiny of education functions.  However, they may remain and speak on any other matter.

 

2.5     In accordance with the Police & Justice Act 2006, the Authority’s designated crime and disorder committee may also co-opt additional members to serve on the committee to add value and expertise to the committee’s work. Co-optees can be appointed with or without voting rights, at the discretion of the Committee.”

 

3)              Any further consequential changes be adopted.

131.

Membership of Committees. pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Minutes:

The Service Transformation & Business Operations Cabinet Member submitted a report outlining nominations / amendments to the Council Bodies.

 

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)                Education & Skills Policy Development and Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor M B Lewis.

Add Councillor S Pritchard.

 

ii)              Poverty Reduction Policy Development and Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor G J Tanner.

Add Councillor B Hopkins.

 

iii)            Transformation & Future Council Policy Development and Delivery Committee

Remove Councillor C Anderson.

Add Councillor P Jones.

132.

Councillors' Questions. pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Minutes:

1)              Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

 

Five (5) 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 1.  Councillor E W Fitzgerald asked:

 

The Cabinet Member states in his response that between 2015 and 2025 a total of 8,700 new jobs are going to be achieved.  Meanwhile, the Schedule of Non Substantive Amendments to the Deposit Plan re-emphasises, in paragraph 1.3.9, that the overall number of new jobs, is going to be 14,700 during the Plan period.

 

Figures produced by the Centre for Cities for 2004-2013 confirm that only a dismal 900 jobs were produced during this nine-year period.

 

Therefore, in order to realise the 14,700 figure, it would seem that between 2013 and 2015, 5,100 new jobs must have been delivered.  However, I can find no evidence for this, Can the Cabinet Member clarify please?”

 

The Leader of the Council stated that a written response would be provided.

 

Question 3.  Councillor A M Day asked:

 

“Can you please provide Councillors with a list of grit bins by Electoral Ward across Swansea?”

 

The Leader of the Council 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.