Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

 

1)              Councillor F D O’Brien declared a Personal Interest in Item 13 “Councillor Questions - 12”.

 

2)              Councillor S J Rice declared a Personal & Prejuicial Interest in Item 13 “Councillor Questions – 5 & 9”.

 

 

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 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)             Councillor F D O’Brien declared a Personal Interest in Minute 24 “Councillor Questions - Question 12”.

 

2)             Councillor S J Rice declared a Personal & Prejuicial Interest in Minute 42 “Councillor Questions - Question 5 & Question 9”.

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 11 July 2024.

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)             Former Councillor Peter Davies

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Former Councillor Peter Davies. Peter represented Gowerton on the former Lliw Vally Borough Council.

 

b)             Death of Alexander Zurawski

The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the tragic death of 6-yeard old, Alexander Zuraski. She stated that it was a very distressing and tragic incident.

 

All present stood as a mark of sympathy & respect.

 

c)             Green Flag Community Awards

The Presiding Member stated that six of Swansea’s main parks had been awarded Green Flag Status, recognising the vital role that they play in boosting residents’ wellbeing and improving the natural environment. Clyne Gardens, Singleton Botanical Gardens, Brynmill Park, Parc Llewelyn, Cwmdonkin Park and Victoria Park have all gained the prestigious flag status for another year.

 

Thirteen “Community Awards” have also been awarded to smaller Community Based Gardens & Green Spaces in Swansea including Friends of Coed Gwilym Park, Pontlliw Park, Swansea Canal, Swansea Community Farm, St Samlets Graveyard Community Garden, Coedbach Park & Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden.

 

This is the sixth year in a row that the Friends of Mayhill Washing Lake and Community Food Garden have received the Green Flag Community Award.

 

She paid tribute to and thanked all volunteers involved with the other Parks / Green smaller community-based gardens and green spaces in Swansea. She stated that the work by these volunteers was invaluable to Swansea and its citizens.

 

d)             Ynystawe Cricket Club

The Presiding Member congratulated Ynystawe Cricket Club’s 1^st Team. They won the 2^nd Division of the South Wales Premier Cricket League taking them back to the First Division next year. This is the top tier in South Wales Cricket.

 

e)             European Cader Man Cycling Adventure for Blood Cancer UK

The Presiding Member gave the Council’s best wishes to Huw Evans, Head of Democratic Services for his forthcoming European Cycling Adventure. Huw and his colleagues will be cycling from Gothenburg to Amsterdam. 700 miles over 8 days. They’ll cycle through Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Netherlands. They will be unsupported and required to carry all their gear for the duration. Their longest cycling day will be a gruelling 137 miles.

 

The purpose of the trip is to raise money for Blood Cancer UK, a charity dedicated to fund research and provide support to improve blood cancer patients’ lives. www.bloodcancer.org.uk

 

Donations can be made via the Cader Man Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/caderman2024

 

f)              Review of Senedd Constituency Boundaries

The Presiding Member stated that the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru published its Initial Proposals for the Review of Senedd Constituency Boundaries on 3 September 2024. The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 means that the Commission will have to return 16 Senedd Constituencies which will be formed by combining 2 contiguous UK Parliamentary Constituencies. Each constituency will be represented by 6 Members of the Senedd.

 

The Commission’s Initial Proposals may be viewed at https://www.dbcc.gov.wales/reviews/09-24/2026-review-initial-proposals

 

The Consultation Period ends on 30 September 2024 and responses should be made to https://senedd2026.reviewswales.wales/

For Information

 

a)             Thank you to Council Staff & Volunteers for Helping Families over the Summer

The Leader of the Council thanked those Council Staff, Special Events Team & Volunteers that that helped families over the summer period. They had helped families gain access to food, bus travel, airshow and wider activities.

 

b)             Cwtch Mawr, Swansea

The Leader of the Council congratulated Cwtch Mawr on its six-month anniversary. Cwtch Mawr is a multi-bank, providing essential goods to those in need. They are partnered with several charities and groups throughout Swansea, who refer individuals and families to Cwtch Mawr for donations of essential items.

 

c)             Regeneration of Swansea City Centre

The Leader of the Council that he had visited the newly renovated Albert Hall. This regeneration project along with the works at the Palace Theatre and 70-71 Kingsway were vital for the redevelopment of the City Centre. These three projects will bring over 1,000 new jobs into the City Centre.

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.

None

There were no Public Questions.

For Information

 

The Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee submitted for information the Governance & Audit Committee Annual Report 2023-2024. The Annual Report set out the work of the Committee over the period.

 

The Leader of the Council thanked the Chair and the Committee for its work.

For Information

 

The Head of Democratic Services Committee submitted for information the Democratic Services Committee Annual Report 2023-2024. The Annual Report set out the work of the Committee over the period. The Chair of the Democratic Servives Committee presented the report.

 

The Leader of the Council thanked the Chair and the Committee for its work.

Approved

 

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that sought consideration of the recommendation of the Standards Committee to appoint Community Councillor Mark Parkinson of Pennard Community Council as the Community / Town Councillor representative to the Standards Committee.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)             Community Councillor Mark Parkinson of Pennard Community Council be appointed as the Community / Town Councillor representative to the Standards Committee.

 

2)             His Term of Office shall end at the next Local Government Election scheduled for May 2027.

Approved

 

The Presiding Member, Deputy Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services jointly submitted a report which informed Council of the amendments to simplify, improve and / or add to the Council Constitution.

 

The Deputy Monitoring Officer stated that Article 4 of the Council Constitution details the role and functions of the full meeting of Council. It sets out the functions that must be undertaken by Council as prescribed by legislation; the different types of Council meetings; Council’s responsibility to adopt and approve the Budget and to adopt and approve the Policy Framework.

 

She outlined several amendments to the report which Council were asked to adopt.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)             The amendments to Article 4 as set out in Paragraph 3.1 of the report be adopted subject to the following amendments to the report on Pages 48 & 49 of the report, under the heading “Service Strategies, Policies & Plans”:

 

i)               Delete “Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Strategy (VAWDASV) (VAWDASV (Wales) Act 2015)”.

Add “Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Strategy (VAWDASV) (Local Discretion)”.

 

ii)              Delete “Air Quality Action Plan (Environment Act 1995, Part IV)”.

Add “Air Quality Action Plan (Local Discretion)”.

 

iii)            Add “Youth Justice Plan (Crime & Disorder Act 1998)”.

 

2)             The amendments to the Budget Policy and Framework set out in Paragraph 4 of the report be adopted.

 

3)             The amendments be made to the Council Constitution.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Service & Performance submitted a report that sought approval of the nominations / amendments to various Council Bodies.

 

Resolved that the membership of the Council Bodies listed below be amended:

 

Chief Officers Disciplinary Committee

Delete Councillor P R Hood-Williams.

Add Vacancy.

 

Community / Town Councils Forum

Delete Vacancy.

Add Councillor M H Jones.

 

Social Care & Tackling Poverty Strategic Transformation Committee

Delete Councillor J E Pritchard.

Add Councillor L V Walton.

For Information

 

1)       Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’

Nine (9) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.  The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons.

 

No supplementary questions required a written response.

 

2)       Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’

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

Approved

 

Proposed by Councillor C M J Evans and Seconded by Councillor R C Stewart.

 

“We confirm that Swansea Council supports the campaign to devolve management of the Crown Estate and its assets in Wales to the Welsh Government and that the funds raised be used to support the social needs of the Welsh people.

 

We ask the Leader to write to the Welsh Government outlining our support to help persuade Westminster to devolve the Crown Estate as a matter urgency.”

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.

Approved

 

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

 

“Flying Rings are cheap products derived from the solid disc frisbee, they are sold by many retailers at a price as little as £1 each and are often lost or discarded at beaches.

 

Seals (especially younger ones) are extremely curious animals and if they place their heads into the ring, they can quickly become entrapped, and it is almost always impossible for the seal to escape or dislodge themselves. Over time, the ring will start to cut into the animal’s flesh causing unmeasurable pain, suffering, infection, and death.

 

The north Atlantic grey seal is the predominant seal species sighted on our Gower coast. The UK has around 38 percent of the global population and Gower has a small percentage of that number. Human disturbance is a particular issue for the seals that visit Gower and so the threat that flying rings pose is an additional compounding stressor for seals in Gower and beyond (these rings can travel great distances in the ocean).

 

The Gower Seal Group approached the Swansea Local Nature Partnership Coordinators to see if Swansea Council would implement a ban on flying rings at their beaches. No other authority in Wales has implemented a ban , so Swansea could be the first to take action to discourage the use of flying rings.

 

The proposed action would support the awareness raising and campaigning work that the Gower Seal Group has undertaken on this issue locally and nationally. Through the efforts of their passionate volunteer base they have undertaken beach cleans and recovered discarded flying rings, and engaged with the community and retailers to educate people and business on the dangers flying plastic rings pose. Local business that have ceased the sale of these items include Kennexstone Caravan and Camping Park at Llangennith, and Pitton Cross Caravan and Camping.

 

The issue of flying rings has also received attention nationally, being highlighted on ITV Wales Coast and Country, and being the focus of a UK campaign led by the UK Seal Alliance (of which the Gower Seal Group are a member) which will include a UK Government published petition. While Tesco, Pets at Home, CVS Vets and coastal located Asda stores have banned their sale having seen their devastating consequences to unsuspecting marine wildlife.

Additionally, other UK councils have banned the use of flying rings on their beaches including Kings Lynn, West Norfolk and North Norfolk.

 

As well as helping to protect seal populations, this voluntary action on discouraging flying rings at Swansea Council Owned beaches would help the council meet their Section 6 Biodiversity duty and commitments to nature recovery under the Swansea Local Nature Recovery Plan, plus the Swansea Local Well-being Plan and the Swansea Council Corporate Plan.

 

We propose that Council:

 

Supports voluntary action on discouraging the use of flying rings at council owned beaches. This would cover the following:

 

·               Swansea Bay

·               Bracelet Bay

·               Limeslade Bay

·               Rotherslade Bay

·               Langland Bay

·               Caswell Bay

·               Port Eynon Beach

 

Supports the National Campaign to introduce a UK wide ban.

 

Asks the Leader to write to Welsh and UK Government in support of such a ban.

 

We further propose that Council:

 

Promotes communications through our council media channels to encourage the public and visitors to our coastline to support this Swansea wide action.”

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.

Amended motion approved

Proposed by Councillor P M Black and Seconded by Councillor S Bennett.

 

“Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

·                1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.

·                In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.

·                There is a strong correlation between families affected by the two-child limit and those who are living in poverty.

·                Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in.

·                Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £3.4 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

 

In Swansea, 4,866 children in 1,390 households are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments. That is 10% of all children in the authority area. At the same time 12,794 local children are living in poverty.

 

Council strongly believes that the two-child limit to benefit payments is a cruel and harmful policy that should be scrapped. Research from the University of York has shown its introduction has had no positive impacts on employment and earnings. Instead, it has dragged thousands of local families into poverty.

 

Council notes the Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the two-child limit to benefit payments since it was introduced – calling for it to be axed in their 2017 and 2019 manifestos and reaffirming their commitment to scrapping it at their 2023 federal Autumn Conference.

 

Council notes with concern the recent interview with the new Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer in which she insisted that she would be keeping the two-child benefit cap in place and the vote on an amendment to the Queen’s speech in which the government imposed a three-line whip to keep the cap.

 

Council resolves to:

 

1.             Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister indicating the Council’s strong belief that the two child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped – which would help 4,866 children living in Swansea.

 

2.             Further instruct the Chief Executive to write to all MPs covering Swansea area, asking them to commit their public support to the campaign to end the cruel two child limit to benefit payments.”

 

The Labour Group submitted an amended Motion. Amendment Proposed by Councillor R C Stewart and Seconded by Councillor A S Lewis.

 

Labour Amendment:

 

“Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

·                1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.

·                In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.

·                There is a strong correlation between families affected by the two-child limit and those who are living in poverty.

·                Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in.

·                Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £3.4billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

 

In Swansea, 4,866 children in 1,390 households are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments. That is 10% of all children in the authority area. At the same time 12,794 local children are living in poverty.

 

Council strongly believes that the two-child limit to benefit payments is a policy, introduced by the previous UK Government, that should be scrapped as soon as the public finances can accommodate this change. We note the challenging financial position faced by the new government including the significant £22bn black hole left by the previous government. Research from the University of York has shown its introduction has had no positive impacts on employment and earnings. Instead, it has dragged thousands of local families into poverty.

 

Council notes that members from all main opposition parties, opposed the two-child limit to benefit payments when it was introduced

 

Council resolves to:

 

1.       Instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister indicating the Council’s strong belief that the two-child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped as soon as public finances permit - which would help 4,866 children living in Swansea.

2.       Instructs the Leader of the Council to write to all MPs covering Swansea area, asking them to commit their public support the scrapping of the two-child limit as soon as public finances permit.”

 

Following a vote, the Labour amendment became the substantive motion.

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.

Amended motion approved

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

 

“The UK Government's decision to remove the winter fuel allowance will leave 26,000 Swansea pensioners wondering whether to heat their homes this winter or put food on their table.

 

This cut means a total of £8 million being taken out of their pockets.

 

This Council urges the UK Government to reinstate the winter fuel payment in full to support Swansea pensioners.”

 

The Labour Group submitted an amended Motion. Amendment Proposed by Councillor R C Stewart and Seconded by Councillor D H Hopkins.

 

Labour Amendment:

 

“This Council notes with concern the £22 bn black hole in the UK’s public finances. It is clear this was created by the previous conservative government’s economic mismanagement and catastrophic policy decisions.

 

The Council notes the reckless actions taken by successive Tory governments, but specifically the Truss and Johnson governments which destabilised the UK economy and contributed to the current financial black hole and cost of living crisis.

 

This Council notes the damning statement issued by the office for budget responsibility that ‘It had not been made aware of the extent of overspends and that It is now carrying out an investigation’.

 

This Council welcomes the announcement by the new Labour UK Government of the £421m housing support fund which will create a direct consequential for Wales.

 

This Council also welcomes the new Government’s commitment to the pension triple lock which will very likely increase pensions by at least £1,000 over the next 5 years.

 

We also welcome the new Government’s commitment to increase the uptake of pension credit. This is something this Council has done for many years.

 

This Council notes that previous Tory governments did very little to encourage the 880,000 eligible pensioners across the UK to claim pension credit worth an average of £3,900.

 

We also note the decisions by the previous government to continually freeze tax thresholds, meaning more tax was paid by everyone including pensioners, because thresholds did Not keep pace with inflation.

 

We recognise that the disastrous financial position inherited by the new UK Labour Government, has forced the new UK government to take immediate action including cancelling capital schemes, and changing the winter fuel payment from a universal payment to a targeted payment. The change means many pensioners not receiving winter fuel payments this winter.

 

This Council urges the new UK Government to reinstate the winter fuel payments in full to support Swansea pensioners or to take other actions like those listed above to support pensioners once the UK’s financial situation allows.”

 

Following a vote, the Labour amendment became the substantive motion.

 

Resolved that the Notice of Motion outlined above be adopted.