Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair referred with sadness to the recent death of Committee Member, Councillor Wendy Fitzgerald.

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 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

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.

There were no public questions.

 The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation assisted by the Head of Digital and Customer Services, updated the Committee on the implementation of the Oracle Fusion Project. 

The Cabinet Member outlined the progress with Oracle Fusion since the project closure report to Cabinet on October 2023, planned future developments and enhancements that would support services.

Committee questions focussed on:

·       Project Cost/Current Budget – it was noted that the final cost of the project was £12.15m, less than that £13.2m figure anticipated in October 2023.  The reserve budget stood at £1.8m and would be used to fund Redwood (Oracle’s new user interface that replaces Oracle Fusion) and any one-off developments.  This included the original  contingency fund of £500k. Oracle’s quarterly patching which included Redwood developments were detailed.  Both De Novo and service departments would need to undertake impact assessments, analysis and testing. Funds would be used to support testing prior to systems going live.

·       Benefits – it was reported that to date 57 of 65 originally identified benefits and improvements have already been achieved. The main benefits were resilience, reliability and security of the system for services.   Automation within core human resources had saved time and improved reporting mechanisms.   A further critical benefit was all the learning for the Council was now in one place.  Officers would attempt to express the benefits realised in terms of money, and report on this.

·       Future Development Plan and Redwood – Committee was told that Redwood is Oracle’s new user interface replacing Oracle Fusion.  The system would deliver a higher level of automation of processes.    

·       Support Partner – it was noted that the original contract with Infosys had ended and De Novo had been successful in gaining the contract.  De Novo had worked well collaboratively and in partnership with the Council.  Members noted their focus, range of services offered and their partnership with Oracle.    

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation and the Head of Digital and Customer Services

Resolved that the Chair write to Cabinet Member outlining the views of the Committee.

The Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance and Strategy attended for Q & A session on his portfolio responsibilities. He provided a written report focussing on the financial strategy, corporate transformation programme and progress with major projects.

The Leader of the Council referred to the regeneration successes over the recent year and the improved budget settlement.

Committee questioning and discussion focussed on the following:

 Committee questioning and discussion focussed on the following:

·       Future Waste Strategy – there was discussion around the planned introduction of reusable containers for cans & glass, and paper & card to replace the use of single use green bags. It was noted that Welsh Government funding existed for a recycling trial in parts of the City for the collection of additional items such as film, drinks cartons and textiles that usually end up in black bags.  The Leader congratulated residents for their efforts in recycling and ensuring that the Council remained at the top of the league.  Prior to any further developments, he emphasised that it was crucial that the waste service had a period of stabilisation as there had been many recent challenges (the introduction of new refuse collection vehicles/changes to working practices).  Officers were looking at further measures within the operational areas around the best use of the new fleet vehicles and possibility of offering our agency workers permanent jobs in order to provide a flexible workforce and a resilient service.   With regard to public consultation on changes the Leader stated that reference was made to the changes to waste collection within the recent budget consultation which is currently open, however, would check in case there is standalone consultation. 
 

·       Future Community Hub Model – Members noted the range of public services that would be available at the Community Hub providing residents with a one stop shop and increased footfall into the City Centre.  The Leader stated that Marks and Spencer’s decision to stay in the City Centre had given retailers a level of assurance.  The opening of the City Centre Community Hub (Y Storfa) was scheduled for Autumn 2025 and lessons learned would apply, where appropriate, to other libraries/hubs around the County.  The aim was to co-locate services in a building which would for example prevent library closures.  It was accepted that bespoke hubs in each area may involve capital expenditure.

·       Net Zero Programme – Committee noted that the success in achieving the targets would require support from national governments.  Progress in relation to a decrease in fleet, street lighting, buildings and energy emissions since 2019 was detailed.  It was noted that business travel had increased by 37% since 2019 and work was underway to determine the reasons.  Grants in terms of Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, pavement gullies and Birchgrove Primary School building fabrication were anticipated.  Additionally, heating grants to improve the energy efficiency of our Council public buildings had been successful.  The REFIT programme benefits were detailed.   In terms of the 2050 target, a range of engagement activities with schools and the public were highlighted.  Reference was made to work being progressed by Public Service Board in producing a climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy.

·       EV Charging – noted that a trial involving pavement gullies that would allow for charging cables to laid safely across the pavement for home charging was being looked at. It was reported that all funding opportunities were being pursued in relation to EV charging.  In relation to street lighting columns the existing infrastructure did not currently have the capacity.  However, it could be something for examination in the future when new columns are being installed. 

·       Green Buses – a written response to be provided on the extent to which ‘green’ buses were operating / being trialled in Swansea.

·       Regeneration Programme – Committee noted proposals in respect of new entrances for the market, and activity on the acquisition of buildings in Oxford Street, the Quadrant, the former Debenhams building, remodelling of Castle Gardens and Copr Bay phase two. The Leader referred to a PwC report which had projected that Swansea would be the seventh fastest growing City in in the UK. It was also noted that planning permission had now been secured for the Public Sector Hub at the former St David’s shopping centre site, and construction work was anticipated to start during 2025. It was indicated that funding for the new Public Sector Hub would be Council led, that will enable income from rent from partners expected to take up space in the building.

·       Historic Buildings – It was reported that opportunities existed to restore and revitalise other buildings in High Street and the Council always made efforts to unlock these sites.  Coastal Housing in their previous form had a significant master plan for that area that still existed.  Members noted the proposals for the renovation of the tower blocks, tunnels and connectivity to the Strand, the river corridor and the opportunity presented on the former Woolworths store site.  There was a query around progress on a planned development around Jockey St, which despite planning permission has not been progressed, which the Leader would check and respond in writing.

·       Centre for Cities Report – in response to a question, it was noted that whilst    the Cities Outlook 2025 report contradicted the PWC report, the Leader stated that it was not entirely negative but laid out the issues which the Council is already working to fix. It reinforced the issues politicians had been trying to address such as Swansea's wage economy being behind that of the southeast of England and other areas.  The regeneration of the City Centre would attract high quality jobs to the area.

The Chair thanked the Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance and Strategy and the Cabinet Member for Service Transformation for their input.

Resolved that the Chair write to the Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance and Strategy reflecting discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.

The Chair introduced the report which indicated one change - the removal of Councillor F D O’Brien from the membership of the Education Performance Panel. 

Resolved that:

1)    the report be approved.

The Chair introduced the agreed Work Programme to facilitate the Committee’s monitoring of all Scrutiny activity. Various information was provided to ensure progress could be reviewed with the agreed Programme.

The Chair referred to the Community Assets Scrutiny Inquiry Panel Final Report which was presented to Cabinet on 12 December. The lead Cabinet Member(s) would report back to Cabinet a proposed response to the Scrutiny recommendations for approval, which was tentatively down for 20 March Cabinet meeting.

Members noted that changes are being made which would terminate the existing Legal Agreement which established a Partneriaeth Joint Committee, effective on 31 March 2025. This would be replaced by a new Collaboration Agreement effective from 1 April 2025 to deliver the education development service (still to be known as Partneriaeth). The termination of the Legal Agreement would result in the dissolution of the Partneriaeth Joint Committee and Joint Scrutiny Councillor Group. A ‘Strategic Group’ of officers will have responsibility for overseeing the delivery of the Service. The Strategic Group will be responsible for business planning, performance monitoring, risk and resource management. Evaluative reports on the performance of Partneriaeth will be available for local scrutiny annually.

The items scheduled for the next Committee meeting were:

·            Draft Tackling Poverty Strategy

·            Delivery of Workforce Strategy

Scrutiny Letters were reported reflecting on recent Scrutiny activity:

1)        Committee - Scrutiny of Swansea Public Services Board – 19 November 2024 - Letter to Chair of Swansea PSB.

2)         Committee - Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report 2023/24 – 19 November 2024 – Letter to Cabinet Member for Care Services.

The date and time of upcoming Panel/Working Group/Regional Scrutiny Meetings was provided “For information”.