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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.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interest were declared: Councillor L R Jones declared a personal interest in minute 110 “Scrutiny of Swansea Public Services Board”.
In accordance with the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, no declarations of Whipped Votes or Party Whips were declared.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on 8 April 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
There were no public questions.
The Chair and Vice Chair of Swansea Public Services Board (PSB), accompanied by other representatives of the PSB and Lead Officers, were present for the Scrutiny of the Swansea PSB. Provided to the Committee in support of the session, for questions, were: · Draft of the PSB Annual Report 2024-2025. · Well-being Plan Action Plan 2025-2026 · Copy of previous correspondence between the Scrutiny programme Committee and Chair of PSB and response to Scrutiny views PSB Representatives highlighted the key elements and achievements during 2024-2025, stakeholder participation and risk / issues assessment. Committee questioning and discussion regarding the performance of the PSB focussed on: · Wellbeing Action Plan 2025-2026 – The PSB confirmed that they had taken on the previous scrutiny comments around measuring the PSB impact which had resulted in a concise plan for 2025/26 setting out actions, responsible officers, timescales and monitoring. The Committee was assured that the Plan was practical, deliverable and measurable. In regard to section 3, climate change, work was currently in progress and a completion date would be included in due course. · Wellbeing Action Plan 2025-2026 – Step 4 – Strong Communities: - The Committee heard that the planned actions included embedding crime prevention measures into urban planning, by aligning local development with public safety objectives. The Committee noted the impact of the Safer Streets Initiative and the joint working that existed with the Council’s Planning Department and crime officers. It was noted that any instance of anti-social behaviour on cycle tracks were dealt with through the neighbourhood policing infrastructure and not the crime officers involved in planning matters. - Enhancement of Youth Engagement Initiatives to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour - it was noted that engagement with young people had recently been redesigned. Engagement Officers were still in post and Chief Superintendent, Steve Jones provided a detailed overview of the current and planned youth engagement efforts and more information on the numerous engagement initiatives could be circulated to the Committee. · Stakeholder Participation – Representatives of the PSB detailed the integral role of stakeholder participation in the development of the PSB Annual Report 2024-25 and the PSB Action Plan for 2025-26. Extensive consultations and engagement activities were undertaken during the year with various stakeholder groups, including amongst others the public, communities, businesses, Councillors and employees. It was noted that a written response would be provided in relation to the composition and size of the stakeholder panel. · Public Engagement & Consultation – Members noted the strategies used by the PSB to improve public engagement and awareness of its activities. Details of engagement events with the public were highlighted. · Well-being Step 1 – Early Years – It was reported that the expansion of Flying Start services had been one of the key achievements, targeting resources effectively via examination of population numbers and deprivation levels to pinpoint areas, this had resulted in an extra 200 families being supported during the year. The Committee would receive a written reply in relation to access to outreach services to pupils from areas that otherwise do not currently have access to Flying Start. It was noted that a written response would be provided regarding the allocation of further funding by Welsh Government who have announced an additional £30 million boost for funded childcare, specifically supporting the Flying Start program to deliver childcare to two-year-olds across Wales. · Role and achievements of the PSB – The Committee noted that the PSB amalgamates all public sector bodies in Swansea resulting in positive collaboration, co-working and good relationships. A key area was Community Safety and reference was made to the Community Safety Village event on 7 June to which the Committee were invited to attend. · PSB Annual Report Video – it was noted that a video will accompany the PSB Annual Report upon its publication, intended as a public-facing communication tool to help explain the PSB’s work and achievements in a more accessible format. It was currently awaiting Welsh translation before being released. Resolved that: 1) The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Chair of Swansea Public Services reflecting the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.
Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings
The Cabinet Member for Education & Learning assisted by the Director of Corporate Services and Access to Services Manager, presented the Welsh Language Scheme Annual Report 2024-2025. The report provided a summary of the activities relating to Welsh Standards within the financial year ending 31st March 2025; including new projects and activities during the year. Members noted the key points, which encompassed: · Welsh Language Calls - In 2024-25, there were 553 Welsh language calls made to the Council, compared to 1294 in 2023-24, this reduction is directly relation to the introduction on answerphones for several Welsh speaking lines. · Translation Workload - The Translation Unit translated 2.5 million words in 2024-25, a slight increase on the previous year’s figure of 2.3 million. · Staff Self-Reporting Welsh Language Skills - The total number of employees reporting Welsh language skills increased to 1111 in 2024-25, up from 9993 in the previous year. Additionally, the percentage of council employees with Welsh language skills rose to 17.6% in 2024-25. · New and vacant Posts with Welsh Language Skills Requirement - Out of 582 new posts or vacant advertised in 2024-25, 100% stated that Welsh language skills were either desirable or essential, indicating a notable commitment to bilingual recruitment. · Formal Welsh Language Training Participation - In 2024-25, 37 employees participated in formal Welsh language training courses, compared to 32 in the previous year, with a notable increase observed at the entry level. · Welsh Language Complaints - The Council received five Welsh language complaints in 2024-25, the same amount as the previous year. · Welsh Medium Education - The percentage of students in Welsh language streams remained stable at around 14-15% across primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels in 2024-25, showing consistency in Welsh medium education enrolment. In summary, the Council's efforts in 2024-45 regarding Welsh language standards had shown both progress and areas for ongoing attention. The decrease in Welsh language calls aligned with the introduction of answer phone while the Translation Unit's increased workload indicates a continued commitment to linguistic accessibility. The rise in staff self-reporting Welsh language skills reflected growing linguistic diversity, supported by bilingual recruitment practices. However, a slight decrease in formal Welsh language training participation suggested a need for renewed efforts in staff development. With Welsh language complaints received remaining static and stable enrolment in Welsh medium education, the Council remained focused on promoting Welsh language use and inclusivity. Ongoing efforts would ensure continued progress in meeting Welsh language standards and serving Welsh-speaking residents effectively. Committee questioning and discussions focussed on the following: · Swansea Language Profile: - The Committee asked about the reported decline in Welsh speakers in the northern parts of the County and Morriston, which were traditionally strong Welsh-speaking areas. The Committee heard that there had been a significant decline in Welsh speakers over the last 50 years in what was industrial south west Wales. This was the result of a combination of different factors. In 2020, the Welsh Government introduced a pilot strategy to examine the region and issues were identified in regard to education policy, economic development, cultural and job opportunities. Furthermore, the decline had taken place over a period where there had been a growth in Welsh medium education, the legal status of the Welsh language and an increase of awareness of the Welsh language. - The Committee asked about the significant decline (31%) in Welsh speakers among children aged 3-4 and how this is being addressed, e.g. greater promotion of Welsh-speaking nurseries. · Bi-lingual communications – it was confirmed that all public communications are provided in Welsh and English. The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Education & Learning and Officers for their input. Resolved that the Chair write to the Cabinet Member for Education & Learning reflecting the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee.
Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings
The Chair welcomed Councillor Mary Jones, Convenor, Climate Change & Nature who provided the Committee with a progress report on the work / activities of the Climate Change & Nature Scrutiny Performance Panel). Resolved that the progress report be noted.
No changes to report.
Scrutiny Letters were reported reflecting on recent Scrutiny activity: 1) Follow Up – Customer Contact Scrutiny Working Group – 18 March 2025 – Letter to Cabinet Member for Service Transformation (Deputy Leader). 2) Digital Strategy / Transformation – 18 March 2025 – Letter to Cabinet Member for Service Transformation (Deputy Leader).
The Chair presented a report on the End of Year Review 2024/25 and invited Committee members to reflect on their experience and provide their views to the Scrutiny Team Leader. The Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee addressed the Committee about the Audit / Scrutiny relationship and how effective that was in terms of ensuring good awareness of each other’s work, avoiding duplication and gaps in work programmes, and the ability to refer issues between Committees. The Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee praised the cohesive working relationship between her Committee and the Scrutiny Programme Committee. She noted that both Committees clearly understand their distinct roles, which helps avoid overlap and ensures comprehensive oversight. She also expressed admiration for the volume and depth of work undertaken by the Scrutiny Committee and the quality of challenge provided by its members. With regard to reflection on the past year the following were raised: · Membership - whether the membership of the Scrutiny Programme Committee needed review to enable Performance Panel Conveners to be full members. This would require careful consideration due to proportionality rules, as the Committee is appointed by Council and must reflect political balance. · Scrutiny Work Programme – the need to ensure a strategic approach to major policy areas, ensuring they are appropriately divided among the various Scrutiny Panels and Committee was highlighted. The current topic-based approach to Scrutiny work / activity was referred to, allowing for deeper Scrutiny and more meaningful engagement with Cabinet Members. Committee Members were encouraged to complete the all-Councillor Scrutiny Satisfaction Survey issued in April by the Scrutiny Team Leader. The Chair informed the Committee that a Scrutiny Work Planning Conference, open to all non-executive Councillors, would be taking place on 10 June, with the first Committee meeting of the new municipal year then taking place on 15 July. The Chair stated that the Council’s statutory independent Panel Performance Assessment was taking place shortly and he would be contributing to their work
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
The Chair referred to upcoming Panel/Working Group/Regional Scrutiny meetings, for awareness.
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