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There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
The Chief Legal Officer gave advice regarding the potential personal and prejudicial interests that Councillors and / Officers may have on the agenda. The Head of Democratic Services reminded Councillors and Officers that the “Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests” sheet should only be completed if the Councillor / Officer had an interest to declare. Nil returns were not required. Councillors and Officers were also informed that any declarable interest must be made orally and in writing on the sheet. In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea no interests were declared.
Resolved that the following Minutes be approved and signed as a correct record: 1) Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 9 November 2023.
The Chief Legal Officer submitted an information report setting out the written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.
a) Condolences i) Huw Mowbray - Development and Physical Regeneration Strategic Manager The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Huw Mowbray. Huw was the Council’s Development & Physical Regeneration Strategic Manager. Huw was a great friend and colleague to many and was widely respected by Councillors & Officers for his professionalism and dedication. For many years, Huw helped shape the regeneration of the City Centre and had been held in the highest esteem by our Partners and Developers. Huw’s impact on the City can be seen today in the many developments that have helped transform the City Centre. She stated that the Council’s thoughts and condolences are with Huw’s family, friends, and colleagues. ii) Patrick Arran - Head of Legal The Presiding Member referred with sadness to the recent death of Patrick Arran. Patrick was a former Head of Legal. She stated that the Council’s thoughts and condolences are with Patrick’s family, friends, and colleagues. All stood as a mark of sympathy & respect. b) Polling District & Polling Place Review 2023 The Presiding Member stated that the Returning Officer was conducting a Polling District & Polling Place Review 2023. The Consultation Period opened on 8 November 2023 and closes on 20 December 2023. Further information relating to the review is available online at https://swansea.gov.uk/article/25356/Review-of-Polling-Districts-and-Polling-PlacesStations-2023 Consultation responses should be sent to elections@swansea.gov.uk or via an online form https://online1.snapsurveys.com/pollingdistrictreview c) Safer Communities Awards 2023 The Presiding Member stated that the inaugural Safer Communities Awards were recently held at the Village Hotel, Swansea. The awards aim to celebrate the work of projects, partnerships and people actively making communities safer across Wales. The Awards showcase the great work being undertaken across Wales to prevent, reduce and make communities safer in areas such as Anti-Social Behaviour, Violence against Women and Girls, and Exploitation. She stated that she was delighted to announce that four Swansea Council projects were honoured at the Awards: · Community Integration Team Flip the Streets project was highly commended in the Equalities, Inclusion & Cohesion category. · Community Integration Team Safer Swansea Christmas Chalet project was highly commended in the Partnerships category. · CMET (Contextual, Missing Exploited or Trafficked) panel in Child & Family Services was highly commended in the Safeguarding category. · Local Area Co-ordination Team in Adult Services, Prevention and Tackling Poverty Service were the overall winners in the Equalities, Inclusion & Cohesion category. She congratulated the Local Area Co-ordination Team on winning this award and thanked them for their work within our communities. They should be proud of the impact they are making on improving the lives of individuals and connecting our communities right across the city. d) Together at Christmas The Presiding Member stated that Swansea Council in partnership with JR Events & Catering ran the Together at Christmas initiative on 5 December 2023. The event provided a free Christmas carvery lunch for the homeless, isolated and those in need. She thanks everyone that helped. She stated that many Councillors and Officers were wearing Christmas attire to tonight’s Council meeting. The money raised will be given to support charities in Swansea.
a) Ministerial Advisory Forum for Ageing with Welsh Government The Leader of the Council stated that Councillor Hayley Gwilliam, Cabinet Member for Community had been selected to take part in the Ministerial Advisory Forum for Ageing with Welsh Government. She will participate as the Ageing Well Lead. The Outside Bodies list shall be amended accordingly. b) Homes for Ukraine The Leader of the Council stated that the Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt has written to him thanking Council Officers for their support and hard work with the Homes for Ukraine programme. The Minister stated that the Council played a critical role in ensuring Wales could live up to its ambition of being a Nation of Sanctuary. Ukrainian guests sponsored by the Welsh Government were accommodated in three initial accommodation venues across Swansea, namely the Mercure, the Village Hotel, and the Grand Hotel. These venues provided much needed accommodation for families in need of a safe and caring environment during a time of significant uncertainty following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. c) Christmas Parade The Leader of the Council thanked the Council’s Special Events Team for hosting an excellent Christmas Parade.
There were no Public Questions asked.
The Section 151 Officer provided a verbal update on the Mid-term Budget Statement 2023-2024.
The Section 151 Officer submitted a report that undertook a mid-year review of the Revenue Reserves position and sought agreement for any suggested reclassification of reserves based on current requirements. Resolved that: 1) It be noted that a capital equalisation reserve was created from the underspending on debt charges and the fundamental review by Council of the Minimum Revenue Provision calculation. This reserve is topped up wherever possible, by capital financing underspending in year, to help with any timing issues around the need to fund any City Deal projects in advance of receipt of funding from other bodies. 2) To this extent, and following a review of current earmarked reserves, the re-classification of earmarked reserves as detailed below be approved at this juncture: Category of Earmarked Revenue Reserve Current Balance 31/03/23 £’000 Proposed Change £’000 Recommended Position £’000 Technical / third party 2,815 0 2,815 Insurance 20,427 0 20,427 Transformation and efficiency 15 2,800 2,815 Schools delegated reserves 20,155 0 20,155 Equalisation reserves 23,386 0 23,386 Commuted sums 8,025 0 8,025 Repair and renewal funds 2,311 0 2,311 Profit share on joint ventures 1,694 0 1,694 Service earmarked reserves 36,431 0 36,431 Restructuring costs reserve 2,800 -2,800 0 Contingency 0 0 0 IT Development Fund 2,250 0 2,250 Recovery Fund 31,008 0 31,008 Total Earmarked Reserves 151,317 0 151,317
The Economy, Finance & Strategy Cabinet Member submitted a report detailing the calculation of the Council Tax Base for the City and County of Swansea, its Community / Town Councils, and the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority for 2024/2025. The Council is required to determine the Council Tax Bases by 31 December. Resolved that: 1) The calculation of the Council Tax Bases for 2024/2025 be approved. 2) In accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, the calculation by the City and County of Swansea Council for the Year 2024/2025 shall be: For the whole area 93,803 For the area of Community / Town Councils: Bishopston 2,014 Clydach 2,655 Gorseinon 3,322 Gowerton 2,015 Grovesend & Waungron 451 Ilston 347 Killay 2,173 Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton 519 Llangyfelach 969 Llanrhidian Higher 1,599 Llanrhidian Lower 343 Llwchwr 3,497 Mawr 762 Mumbles 10,072 Penllergaer 1,538 Pennard 1,544 Penrice 484 Pontarddulais 2,365 Pontlliw and Tircoed 1,037 Port Eynon 470 Reynoldston 312 Rhossili 196 Three Crosses 709 Upper Killay 593 For the area of the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority 66,063
The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that outlined a review of the Councillors Handbook and sought approval to include guidance on the Use of the Council Logo in Section C “Protocols”. The Democratic Services Committee considered the report at its meeting on 6 November 2023 and recommended the revised Councillors Handbook include the Guidance on the Use of the Council Logo to Council for adoption. Resolved that revised Councillors Handbook including the Guidance on the Use of the Council Logo be adopted.
1) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ Ten (10) Part A ‘Supplementary Questions’ were submitted. The relevant Cabinet Member(s) responded by way of written answers contained in the Council Summons. Those supplementary questions required a written response are listed below. Question 2 Councillor E W Fitzgerald asked: i) Can I have a yes or a no response to my written question? ii) Where are the locations identified for tree planting following the Tree Canopy Survey? The Cabinet Member for Community stated that a written response would be provided. 2) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ Six (6) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ were submitted.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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