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Swansea Council met on 2 October 2025. Councillors approved a new policy on licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), changed the rules on councillors' questions, approved advice on the council's reserves, and changed some committee memberships. They also received annual reports from the Governance and Audit Committee and from Scrutiny.
The Chief Legal Officer gave advice regarding the potential personal and prejudicial interests that Councillors and / Officers may have on the agenda. She reminded Councillors and Officers that the “Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests” sheet should only be completed if the Councillor / Officer actually 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, the following interests were declared: 1) Councillor A J O’Connor – Personal – Item 11 “Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Policy”. 2) Councillor S J Rice – Personal – Item 14 “Councillor Questions (Q2)”.
Resolved that the following minutes be approved and signed as a correct record: 1) Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 4 September 2025.
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 – Former Councillor Jim Kelleher The Presiding Member referred with sadness on the recent death of former Councillor Jim Kelleher. He served the community of Cockett on the City and County of Swansea and had also previously served on West Glamorgan County Council. All present stood as a mark of sympathy and respect. b) Child of Wales 2025 The Presiding Member congratulated Jayden and Jackson who have won the 2025 Child of Wales Courage Award. They sadly lost their mum last summer through suicide but have shown phenomenal strength and resilience. The role of Lee Ann and Christian Crowley who have been their foster carers, through Foster Wales Swansea, since 2020 has been pivotal in this as they have provided high quality care, commitment and love to these children helping them to heal. Jayden and Jackson were nominated by Lee Ann and their social worker Zara who also has a wonderful relationship with these special boys and is a real credit to the Child and Family Services team. The Awards took place on September 12 at the Swansea Arena and I hoped they had a fantastic, well-deserved evening. All present gave the boys a standing ovation.
a) Terrorist Attack - Manchester The Leader of the Council passed on the Council’s respects and condolences to those affected by the terror attack in Manchester earlier that day. He outlined he had spoken with South Wales Police who had been in touch and offered help and support to the Jewish community in Swansea. b) Flooding and Recent Bad Weather The Leader of the Council outlined his thanks to the various teams that had been involved with the recent flooding after the very heavy rains which left extremely complex and difficult problems to be dealt with. He thanked the various departments involved in dealing with serious issues and the partner organisations such as Welsh Water and the Fire Service. c) Y Storfa Opening The Leader of the Council referred to the recent release of information and imagery relating to the opening of the new facility in the City Centre.
There were no questions asked.
The Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee submitted for information the Governance & Audit Committee Annual Report 2024-2025. The Annual Report set out the work of the Committee over the period. The Leader of the Council thanked the Chair and the Committee for its work.
The Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee submitted a for information report that outlined the work of Scrutiny for the municipal year 2024-2025. The Leader of the Council thanked the Chair and the Committee for its work.
The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which outlined both the level of earmarked and general reserves held by the Council and the purpose for which they are held in the light of an ongoing assessment of future financial risks facing the Council. Resolved that the recommendations outlined at paragraphs 30 and 31 to the report be approved. Note: The Leader of the Council outlined that once the report to establish the Growth Fund had been agreed by Cabinet it could be reported to Council for discussion.
The Cabinet Member for Delivery submitted a report which sought to agree the proposed renewal of HMO licensing in Swansea, including Mandatory HMO Licensing for the whole of Swansea and the application of additional licensing in the Castle, Uplands, St Thomas and Waterfront wards. Resolved that the Policy be approved and published. Note: Peter Black asked for clarity on when the changes to the licence conditions will apply to existing licence holders if at all and how will the changes impact on HMOs in wards who don’t have a local/mandatory scheme in place. The Cabinet Member for Delivery to provide a written response.
The Presiding Member, Monitoring Officer & Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which sought to make amendments to Council Procedure Rules 22, 23 & 24 relating to Councillors Questions. Resolved that 1) Council Procedure Rules 24.3 be amended to read: “24.3 The Presiding Member in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, Section 151 Officer and relevant Director shall determine if additional time is required to respond to the submitted question which Council Meeting will receive the response. Should additional time be required, the relevant Director in consultation with the Presiding Member shall promptly liaise with those Councillors who submitted the question and outline the reason for the delay. There will be the opportunity to agree whether any part of the question can be responded to within the timescale or for the question to be revised. If neither of these options are agreed, those Councillors who submitted the question may choose to move one of their submitted Part B questions into Part A.” 2) Council Procedure Rule 24.3 as amended above should equally apply to Part A & Part B questions. Note: If approved, the amended Council Procedure Rule 24.3 will be added as drafted to Council Procedure Rule 22 as it overarches Part A & Part B questions, it would then be deleted from Council Procedure Rule 24. 3) Council Procedure Rule 23 “Supplementary Questions (Part A Questions) be amended as outlined at Paragraph 13 to the report.
The Cabinet Member for Delivery submitted a report that sought approval of the nominations / amendments to various Council Bodies. Resolved that the membership of the Council Bodies listed below be amended: Democratic Services Committee Delete Lib Dem/Ind Vacancy Add Councillor Sue Jones General & Statutory Licensing Committees Delete Councillor Mike Lewis Add Councillor Bev Hopkins Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) Delete Lib Dem/Ind Vacancy Add Councillor Jeff Jones Planning Committee Delete Councillor Andrew Williams Add Councillor Adam Davies Mid & West Wales Fire Authority Delete Councillor Andrew Williams Add Councillor Fiona Gordon (Note: The Leader of the Council referred to the recent temporary changes made to the Cabinet and outlined he would shortly circulate the revised portfolios and responsibilities to all Councillors)
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 that required a written response are outlined below. Question 2 Mary Jones asked for further information (non-confidential) on the groups/individuals who received assistance and were helped by the various schemes outlined in the response. Cabinet Member for Wellbeing to provide a written response. Question 3 Angela O’Connor asked for clarification on the date when the Council will take over the maintenance of the promenade from the contractor. Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure to provide a written response. Question 4 Stuart Rice asked for further information on the current occupancy figures for the 71/72 Kingsway, the expected gross and net income from tenants over the next five years, and the timeline for confirming the final cost of the building, including any commercially confidential information as appropriate. The Leader of the Council to provide a written response. Question . Councillor asked The Leader of the Council stated that the Cabinet Member for ?? would provide a written response. 2) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ Five (5) Part ‘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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