Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

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

Approved

Resolved that the Minutes of the Recovery & Future Generations Policy Development Committee held on 26 October 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record.

For information

Adam Hill and Marlyn Dickson presented a “for information” report which provided Members with an update on the Recovery and Transformation Plan. Swansea – Achieving Better Together.

The background and rationale behind the development of the plan was outlined, as well as the main purposes and strategic aims of the initiative which includes the three main stages and phases contained within it, namely the remobilisation, refocusing and reshaping of the local authorities services going forward.

The various work stream topics identified and the work and input being carried out by the different policy development teams into these areas was outlined in the report.

The various projects and successes contained within the plan were also outlined, including the large scale redevelopment and expansion of the city centre and the new arena, the impact of the homelessness strategy in moving 400+ people from temporary accommodation, the expansion of the local area coordinator posts to all parts of the city and the partnership approach to supplying mobile phones and data to those in need to assist digital inclusion. Also outlined were the excellent internal initiatives and ideas involving staff such as the leadership and ideas hubs, updated agile provision and support to staff during the pandemic.

Phase 3 of the plan, the reshaping aspect would continue to be worked on and planned for, but wouldn’t fully be introduced and implemented until after the local government elections in May 2022 and the setting up of both the new political administration and the establishment and implementation of the new senior management structure.

Members asked various questions and made comments on both the report and its content, and the Officers presentation including reference to the following areas – staffing, brexit, continuing impact of the pandemic, future replacement funding issues and homelessness, to which the Officers responded accordingly.

The Chair thanked the Officers for the report and their support to the Committee.

For information

Richard Rowlands presented a “for information” report which outlined and identified the detailed preparations that had been undertaken by the Council for the EU Exit, the main risks identified at that time and also updated the committee on the current post-EU Exit situation.

He also outlined the impact that both brexit and the ongoing pandemic have had locally, nationally and globally on issues such as the supply chain and price increases, workforce availability and rising fuel costs etc.

He detailed the excellent partnership work carried out across many agencies on the EU citizen’s resettlement scheme and the numbers of people assisted were outlined and detailed in the report.

Members again asked various questions and made comments on both the report and its content, including the following areas – outstanding numbers of EU citizens not identified yet, future replacement funding issues and amounts, people with disabilities project, to which the Officers responded accordingly. The detailed information officers were unable to provide would be sourced and supplied to Members following the meeting.

The Chair again thanked the Officers for the report and their support to the Committee.

For information

The Chair provided a verbal update on the excellent discussions, questions and answer sessions and feedback that were undertaken at the workshops held regarding Workforce Strategy which both Members and Officers had attended.

Further discussion/feedback would be undertaken at the January meeting on the topic, prior to a formal report being drafted by Adrian Chard and presented to the February meeting.

Noted

The Chair presented the Workplan 2021/22 and suggested the following revisions:

January

Further verbal discussion/update from Workforce Strategy Workshop.

Meeting to be followed by a Workshop on Co-production.

February

Sustainable Development Policy / Well-being & Future Generations Policy.

Report on Workforce Strategy.

Discussions on Annual Report.

March

Annual Report.

Resolved that the revised Workplan as outlined above for 2021/22 be noted.