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Councillors met on 4 December 2025. They approved the Council's response to its first Panel Performance Assessment, a 4.3% rise in council house rents from April 2026, a co-ordinated school admissions scheme for September 2028, the 2026/27 Council Tax base and a community councillor for the Standards Committee. They also noted reports on policy commitments and written answers to earlier questions.
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 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 adopted by the City and County of Swansea the following interests were declared: 1) Councillor J D McGettrick declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 70 “Panel Performance Assessment: Final Report and Council Response” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration. 2) Councillors C Anderson, M Baker, N Furlong, T J Hennegan, & T M White declared a Personal Interests in Minute 71 “Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Rent Setting 2026/2027”. 3) Councillors F M Gordon, L James, S J Rice & T M White declared a Personal Interest in Minute 73 “Co-ordinated Schools Admission Arrangements Scheme 2028”. 4) Councillor C M J Evans declared a Personal Interest in Minute 75 “Recruitment of a Community / Town Councillor to the Standards Committee”. 5) Councillors R A Fogarty & S Keeton declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 75 “Recruitment of a Community / Town Councillor to the Standards Committee” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration. 6) Councillor P N May declared a Personal Interest in Minute 77 “Councillors’ Questions (Question 1 & Question 2)”. 7) Councillors B Hopkins, D H Hopkins & N L Matthews declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Minute 77 “Councillors’ Questions (Question 7)” and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.
Resolved that the following Minutes be approved and signed as a correct record: 1) Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 6 November 2025.
The Chief Legal Officer submitted an information report setting out the written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council.
1) Christmas Attire at Council The Presiding Member stated that it was pleasing to see so many wearing Christmas attire at Council this evening. She asked that those wearing Christmas attire to consider donating £5; and the grinches amongst, those not wearing Christmas attire consider donating £10. All donations to be made to a Homelessness Charity. 2) Kevin Sinfield “7 in 7” Challenge The Presiding Member stated that it was incredible to see Kevin Sinfield in Swansea on 3 December 2025, as part of his “7 in 7” Challenge. Kevin aims to complete 7 Ultra Marathons in 7 days to raise money and awareness for those living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) The route started and finished at Swansea.com and included stops at the DVLA, Dunvant RFC, Swansea Bay Sports Park and going through the historical home of Swansea rugby and cricket at St Helens. There was also a special personal moment for Kevin Sinfield as he stopped at Gorseinon RFC, the birthplace of legendary Leeds player Lewis Jones, who passed away in 2024. The “7 in 7” Team dedicated the day in memory of 14-year-old Kyle Sieniawski, the teenager from Pontypridd who passed away last Thursday after his own battle with MND. Please consider making a donation: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/kevin-sinfield-7-in-7-together-challenge Kevin Sinfield has raised over £10 million with his five previous challenges for those impacted by Motor Neurone Disease, inspired by his friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow. 3) Together at Christmas The Presiding Member stated that Swansea Council in partnership with JR Events & Catering will host the Together at Christmas initiative on 9 December 2025 at the Brangwyn Hall. The event will provide a free Christmas carvery lunch for the homeless, isolated and those in need. She thanked those intending to help.
1) Swansea Council’s Christmas Parade – Winner of Event of the Year – Local Authority Sector at the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) Awards 2025. The Leader of the Council stated that he was delighted to announce that Swansea Council’s Christmas Parade had recently won Event of the Year in the Local Authority Sector at the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) Awards 2025. The award was for the Special Events Team’s forward-thinking approach to delivering major public celebrations. The NOEA Awards brings together the UK's leading event professionals to celebrate the strength, creativity and resilience of the outdoor events industry. The Christmas Parade is organised annually by the Special Events Team with support from a wide range of other Council services, community groups and businesses, making sure it's become one of the best-loved events in the Swansea calendar. This award recognises the creativity, dedication, and impact of all the teams that come together to make the annual Christmas Parade possible. This achievement comes on the back of multiple wins at local and regional level, reinforcing Swansea's reputation as a leading destination for vibrant, inclusive and high-quality cultural events. 2) Y Storfa The Leader of the Council stated that brand-new library and community services hub had opened in the centre of Swansea bringing a wide range of services under one roof. Y Storfa, located in Oxford Street, officially opened to the public on 1 December 2025. Y Storfa has been designed to transform how residents access essential services in the City as part of the council's £1bn regeneration programme. Y Storfa is now home to the City's Central Library, the Council's Housing Options and Housing Support services, the West Glamorgan Archive Service and several other Council services. There will also be bases for Careers Wales, Citizens Advice, and Swansea University's South Wales Miners' Library. 3) Shopper Hopper – Free Shuttle Bus – Swansea City Centre The Leader of the Council announced the launch of the Shopper Hopper, shuttle bus service, He stated that it was the perfect way to get about the City Centre for free, five days a week. The shuttle bus would provide direct access to Swansea Railway Station, Swansea Market (Whitewalls) and the Bus station (Wellington Street). The bus will run from 9.00am-4.30pm, Monday-Friday. 4) Wales Investment Summit The Leader of the Council stated that he and the Chief Executive attended the Wales Investment Summit, Newport on 1 December 2025. The Summit was an opportunity to share the Swansea story with a range of other potential investors and influencers. An extra £1.4 billion of investment was announced by the First Minister ahead of the Wales Investment Summit. 5) Christmas Cakes & Attire at Council The Leader of the Council thanked the Presiding Member, Councillor J P Curtice for baking cakes for today’s Council. He also thanked Councillor W G Lewis for collecting the donations for a Homelessness Chairity.
There were no public questions.
The Leader of the Council & Chief Executive jointly submitted a report outlining the Council’s proposed response to its first Panel Performance Assessment (PPA) under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. The Council proactively scoped the review to focus on digital transformation, workforce sustainability, and programme delivery. The PPA provides a high level of external assurance that Swansea is a well-led, collaborative and forward-looking authority. Resolved that: 1) The Panel’s report be noted. 2) The Panel Performance Assessment (PPA) Action Plan be approved. Note: Councillor F D O’Brien asked, “How many residents did the Panel engage with during the period of their visit?” The Leader of Council stated that a written response would be provided.
The Cabinet Member for Service Transformation submitted a report that proposed an increase in rents, fees and charges for properties within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2026-2027. Resolved that: 1) Rents be increased by 4.3% within the maximum permitted under Welsh Government policy as detailed in Paragraph 15 of the report. 2) Fees, changes and allowance be increased by 4.3% as outlined in Paragraph 16 of the report.
The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Performance) submitted a report that outlined the Policy Commitment performance from April 2024 to September 2025. Resolved that the performance in delivering the Council’s Policy Commitments from April 2024-2025 be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Education & Learning submitted a report that sought to determine the Co-ordinated Admission Arrangements Scheme for Swansea schools. The scheme is a requirement under The Education (Co-ordination of School Admission Arrangements and Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2024 which came into force on 28 June 2024. Resolved that the proposed Co-ordinated School Admission Arrangements Scheme September 2028 as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Economy, Finance & Strategy 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 2026-2027. The Council is required to determine the Council Tax Bases by 31 December. Resolved that: 1) The calculation of the Council Tax Bases for 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 shall be: For the whole area 96,701 For the area of Community / Town Councils: Bishopston 2,079 Clydach 2,723 Gorseinon 3,450 Gowerton 2,069 Grovesend & Waungron 451 Ilston 359 Killay 2,265 Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton 549 Llangyfelach 976 Llanrhidian Higher 1,653 Llanrhidian Lower 350 Llwchwr 3,605 Mawr 766 Mumbles 10,273 Penllergaer 1,801 Pennard 1,583 Penrice 511 Pontarddulais 2,397 Pontlliw and Tircoed 1,054 Port Eynon 482 Reynoldston 322 Rhossili 209 Three Crosses 729 Upper Killay 608 For the area of the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority 67,273
The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that sought consideration of the recommendation of the Standards Committee to appoint Community Councillor Carrie Townsend-Jones of Mumbles Community Council as the Community / Town Councillor representative to the Standards Committee. Resolved that: 1) Community Councillor Carrie Townsend-Jones of Mumbles Community Council be appointed as the Community / Town Councillor representative to the Standards Committee. 2) Her term of office will commence on 5 December 2025 until the next Local Government Elections.
The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Democracy) 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 approved: i) Appeals & Awards Committee Delete Councillor R D Lewis. Add Vacancy. ii) General Licensing Committee Delete Councillor R D Lewis. Add Councillor A J O’Connor. iii) Statutory Licensing Committee Delete Councillor R D Lewis. Add Councillor A J O’Connor. iv) Planning Committee Delete Councillor R D Lewis. Add Councillor A J Jeffrey. v) Petitions Committee Delete Councillor A J O’Connor. Add Vacancy. vi) Governance & Audit Committee Delete Councillor P R Hood-Williams and Labour Vacancy. Delete Councillor L V Walton. Add Councillor P N Bentu. vii) Trustees Panel Delete Councillor W G Thomas. Add Vacancy.
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. No supplementary questions required a written response. 2) Part B ‘Questions not requiring Supplementary Questions’ Seven (7) 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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