Minutes:
The Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance and
Strategy attended for Q & A session on his portfolio responsibilities.
Committee questioning and
discussion focussed on the following:
·
Progress
on Major Projects: Copr Bay – Willmot
Dixon had taken over from the former contractor and progress was being made in
regard to prioritising the outstanding work.
Discussion regarding proposed new hotel next to the Arena ongoing.
·
Swansea
Arena Events / Ticket Sales – Question asked around performance against
business plan, and relative numbers visiting for commercial performances vs
events such as conferences where tickets may be free. Noted the Arena is a multi-use venue and a
breakdown between conferences and commercial shows and other events such as
rental of the arena for graduation ceremonies can be provided.
·
City
Centre Parking – Disabled Bay Provision – Concern expressed around temporary
loss of spaces for development works and impact. Highways Officers had made
visits to the City Centre to look at opportunities to relocate displaced
disabled parking. Park Street, Pell
Street and the rear of the Quadrant were being examined to mitigate the loss of
disabled parking spaces.
·
Innovative
Living Building Development at Picton Yard – following a query about the
proposed name for this building, noted that a naming policy report was being
submitted to Council to consider a formal mechanism for naming and re-naming.
·
Major
Projects/New Projects for Swansea from 2024 onwards – focus would remain on
completing the outstanding projects, however, opportunities existed in relation
to the Albert hall, former Burtons, Mamma Mia’s and the McDonald’s building on
the corner of Castle Square. The second
phase of Copr Bay and progress in relation to Urban
Splash, a National Gallery for Wales, the Aquarium and Skyline was detailed.
·
Blue
Eden – discussion around progress and concurrent developments in technology.
Noted that the project comprised an integrated energy project and a number of
elements had fallen into place. The
Council were close to commencing work.
·
Electric
Vehicle Charging Points– a written response would be provided to the Councillor
further to their question at Council.
·
Archive
Service relocation to the former BHS building – the building would be state of
the art and large enough to accommodate the Archives Service.
·
Drainage
Service – vast investment had been made in relation to the Service.
·
Transformation
Programme – Question around response to Audit Wales comments made in October
2023. Noted these were made a ‘point in time’ and feedback was largely
positive. Recommendations have been taken on board and the Transformation
Delivery Board was focussed on outcomes and impact.
The Chair thanked the Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member
for Economy, Finance and Strategy for his 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.
Supporting documents: