Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

In accordance with the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, no declarations of Whipped Votes or Party Whips were declared.

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

Resolved that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on 12 February 2018 be approved and signed as a correct record.

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

There were no public questions.

The Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism & Major Projects presented a report on Key Headlines for the Culture, Tourism & Major Projects Portfolio.

Questions and Discussions with the Cabinet Member focussed on the following: -

Dylan Thomas

·                The culture, tourism and economic benefits to Swansea

·                Possibility of expanding the Dylan Thomas Exhibition

·                Lease of Centre to University of Wales, Trinity Saint David and success of that lease

·                Creation of a Dylan Thomas Trail

·                Better promotion of Dylan Thomas as well as other prominent figures from Swansea such as John Dillwyn-Llewellyn and other members of the Kardomah Group.

·                Effect of austerity and budget cuts on funding available for such promotion

Skyline & Penderyn

·                The next steps – agreement of Heads of Terms

·                Financial Implications

City of Culture

·                Cost of the bid / raised profile despite missing out on the award of the UK City of Culture for 2021

·                Support from Welsh Government on delivering the legacy programme developed as part of the bid.

·                Lessons learnt from previous unsuccessful bids and whether further bids should be submitted

·                The upcoming Biggest Weekend Radio One Music Festival

Welsh National Opera

·                Lack of appearances in the Grand Theatre or other Swansea venues despite 40% funding from Wales Arts Council

City Centre Management

·                Concern about state of cleanliness in the City Centre particularly around Castle Gardens and the impression / effect on investors and visitors to Swansea

Universities

·                Proposals for an International Sports Village

·                Transport links between the two University Campuses

Greener Cities

·                Example of activities supporting this portfolio responsibility

3G Pitches

·                The first phase had been completed at Penyrheol and Morriston

·                The second phase would focus on three sites namely Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive School / Community Leisure Centre, Pentrehafod Comprehensive School / Community Sports Centre and YGG Bryntawe / Penlan Community Leisure Centre

·                Further 3G pitches would be dependent on the agreement with Swansea City AFC

Resolved that the Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Cabinet Member, reflecting the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.

Child & Family Services (Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams, Convener)

As Convener of the Panel, Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams presented a report on the progress of the Child & Family Services Scrutiny Performance Panel. He reflected on the history since the service was subject of special measures in 2009, and improvement journey. He remarked that the fact the Performance Panel was now meeting less frequently (bi-monthly) was a reflection of the improvement that has been seen.  . However he added that there was more improvement to be made and the Panel would continue to monitor progress.

He was pleased  that a number of new councillors had joined the Panel and they had been making valuable contributions.

Councillor Hood-Williams in particular highlighted  that the demand for adopters was far higher than supply and there needed to be a drive to increase adoptors nationally. Questions were also asked about the Western Bay Scrutiny arrangements.

Resolved that the update be noted.

The Chair presented a report on the Membership of Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups.

Resolved that the following amendments as outlined in the report be approved:-

1)        Remove Councillors Cyril Anderson and Will Thomas from the Development and Regeneration Performance Panel.

2)        Remove Councillor Wendy Fitzgerald from the Local Flood Risk Management Working Group.

Discussion on:

a)            Committee Work Plan.

b)            Opportunities for Pre-Decision Scrutiny.

c)            Progress with Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups.

The Chair updated the Committee on progress with the Scrutiny Work Programme 2017/18. It was highlighted that the Cabinet Member(s) for Future Generations would be attending the next Scrutiny Programme Committee for the Question and Answer Session. The Committee was prompted to give thought to possible questions.

Further to discussion on the More Homes Council house building Pilot Scheme in November 2017, the Chair asked the Committee to confirm their desire for pre-decision Scrutiny on the second development scheme at Parc yr Helyg , a report on which is scheduled for Cabinet on 19 April 2018.

Resolved that: -

1)    The update be noted

2)    A Special Scrutiny Programme Committee be arranged for Pre-decision Scrutiny on the upcoming Cabinet report entitled ‘More Homes Parc Yr Helyg Site Options Appraisal’ – tentatively for 16 April 2018 at 3.00 pm.  

The Chair presented a report on Scrutiny Letters. This included a response from the Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities following the Question and Session held on 11 December 2017. It was noted that a question in respect of the Communities First Legacy Fund had not been sufficiently addressed in the response. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Member to seek a further response on what performance measures and monitoring arrangements were in place to measure outcomes and ensure that good value for money was being achieved.

Resolved that the Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities. 

The Audit Committee Workplan was noted. The Chair reported that a new member of the Audit Committee had been appointed and the Audit Committee would be electing a Chair at the next Meeting. She stated that the Chair of the Audit Committee would be invited to attend a future meeting to help develop the relationship between the Audit Committee and scrutiny.

The dates and times of upcoming Panel / Working Group meetings were noted.