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 10 December 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 Leader / Cabinet Member for Economy & Strategy presented a report on the key headlines of his portfolio.

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

Swansea Bay City Deal

·                Progress of the City Deal and impact of the reviews which have been commissioned – there was an internal review being conducted by Pembrokeshire County Council concerning the issues around the Delta Lakes project, a governance review of the Programme commissioned by Councillor Stewart as Chair of the Joint Committee, and independent reviews by UK and Welsh Governments.

·                Timescale for releasing initial funds from the City deal – anticipated to be before the end of the financial year

·                Effect and Impact of the Arenas due to be built in Newport and Cardiff on the proposed Swansea Arena

·                Ways of attracting people to the City Centre – mixed approach (living, shopping, leisure), not just shopping outlets, to create a destination for people to visit

·                Job and Skills Opportunities resulting from development in the City Centre – would continue to source labour and materials locally and also link with education to develop skills needed e.g. Digital Skills

·                The Skills and Talent Project was a key element of the City Deal and part of Phase 2

·                The need to attract offerings to the City Centre to appeal to all, not least families

·                Impact of the increasing number of student properties in the City Centre - the development of accommodation in the City Centre both student and private housing would create a larger population in the City Centre which would help develop greater footfall and need / demand for the offerings in the City Centre

·                Global Advertising was part of Swansea Central – Phase 2 and would provide the opportunity to promote new retail and leisure opportunities globally

Brexit

·                Possible implications of a no-deal Brexit

·                Preparations for Brexit  - underway at WLGA and local level, however with so much uncertainty and decisions yet to made the effects and how far reaching the effects would be were difficult to predict and many of which would be outside the Council’s control

·                Possible effects on food and medical supplies, businesses which were already facing difficulties, particularly social services providers

·                Communication Challenges - effective use of Social Media in keeping people well informed following Brexit, and countering mis-information

·                Concerns on areas where there is no National laws or National bodies, where European laws or bodies are utilised

·                Cost implications and money spent already in preparation for Brexit – Officer time had been taken up but funds were being sought (via WLGA) from the Welsh Government preparedness fund

·                Co-working with Newport and Cardiff on issues of Brexit – exploring Great Western City Alliance

·                Meeting organised by the Council for EU Citizens on 23 January giving advice about the EU Settlement Scheme

Public Service Board (PSB) / Wellbeing Objectives

·                Governance of PSB and progress of the governance review

·                Evidence of value added from PBS – progress on issues such as Domestic Abuse, NEETS, Best Start in Life and Environmental Priorities

·                Change in PSB lead – Andrew Davies, ABMU Health Board had been appointed Chair and Councillor Rob Steward appointed Vice-chair

·                Possibility of a regional PSB to relieve duplication / pressure on partners currently involved in more than one PSB

·                PSB was just beginning the delivery phase. Co-working with all partners was still developing and there was plenty of work still to do. It was hoped as the delivery of the Well-being Plan gets underway outcomes would be seen more quickly with greater partnership working and involvement.

·                PSB driver diagrams showed each partners’ contribution to the objectives.

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

The Chair presented a report on the Scrutiny Improvement Action Plan. She highlighted additional opportunities to report to Cabinet depending on the outcomes from Working Groups and Performance Panels as well as Working Group conveners being encouraged to ‘follow up’ directly in absence of formal processes but keen that they get advice from the Scrutiny Team first.

Service Improvement & Finance (Councillor Chris Holley, Convener)

In the absence of the Convenor, Councillor Chris Holley, the Service Improvement & Finance Performance Panel update was noted.

There was praise for the work and effectiveness of the Panel and excellent chairing.

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

The Chair reported that Councillor Peter Black had asked to be added to the Development & Regeneration Scrutiny Performance Panel.

Further to the report, an update was provided with the membership of the following Groups, following invitation to non-executive Councillors to express interest:-

·                Tourism Scrutiny Working Group

·                Anti-Social Behaviour Scrutiny Working Group

·                Digital Inclusion Scrutiny Working Group

Councillor Peter Jones and Will Thomas had both expressed an interest in acting as Convenor of the Tourism Scrutiny Working Group.

In the absence of Councillor Will Thomas, the Chair read a statement in support of his interest to act as Convenor. Councillor Peter Jones addressed the Committee in support of his interest to act as Convenor.

Councillor Terry Hennegan and Councillor Sam Pritchard had both expressed an interest in acting as Convenor of the Anti-Social Behaviour Scrutiny Working Group. Councillor Terry Hennegan addressed the Committee in support of his interest to act as Convenor. Councillor Sam Pritchard withdrew his expression of interest as Convenor.

The Digital Inclusion Scrutiny Working Group was an existing Working Group and Councillor Lesley Walton would continue as Convenor.

Resolved that: -

1)        Councillor Peter Jones be appointed as Convenor of the Tourism Scrutiny Working Group

2)        Councillor Terry Hennegan be appointed Convenor of the Anti-Social Behaviour Scrutiny Working Group

3)        The addition of Councillor Peter Black to the Development & Regeneration Performance Panel be noted.

4)        The membership of the Working Groups on Tourism, Anti-Social Behaviour and Digital Inclusion, as circulated, be noted.

Discussion on:

a)         Committee Work Plan.

b)         Opportunities for Pre-Decision Scrutiny.

c)         Progress with Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups.

The Chair presented the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2018/19.

The Cabinet Member Question Session for the next Scrutiny Programme Committee was with the Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure Management, and Committee Members were asked to give thought to questions.

It was also noted that the Adult Services Performance Panel scheduled for 15 January 2019 had been cancelled.

The Chair presented a report on ‘Scrutiny Letters’ for information. The correspondence relating to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Inquiry follow up had been received.

The Audit Committee Work Plan was provided for information.

The dates and times of upcoming Panel / Working Group Meetings were provided for information.