Loading
There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Climate Change & Nature Recovery Service Transformation Committee held on 9 February 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Councillor Anderson introduced the ‘for information’ report to committee, and Rachel Jowitt, Head of Building Services & Waste, then gave a detailed overview of the report which provided the Climate Change & Nature Recovery Service Transformation Committee with an update covering the 2025/26 period on municipal waste and recycling performance, emerging risks, and the forward plan of improvement activity that supports the Council’s net zero and nature recovery commitments. The report outlined the approved programme of work through 2026/27 to maintain and improve recycling performance, reduce residual waste and single-use plastics, and prepare for major national policy and market changes that are scheduled to be introduced. It was noted and welcomed that Swansea achieved the third highest recycling performance in Wales for 2024/2025 and was the highest‑performing city in Wales in terms of recycling. Members were advised of a change in approach, whereby the Council will pause development of the longer‑term waste strategy and instead prioritise a short‑term but ambitious plan, with focus placed on National Policy Initiatives, as referenced under paragraph 10 (a-g) of the report. The Committee discussed the following matters and asked various questions of the officer, who responded accordingly: • Measures to address the issue that 50% of recyclable material continues to be disposed of in black bags. • The implementation and potential implications of the Deposit Return Scheme. • The impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. • Wider National Policy Initiatives and how these shape future service planning. • Trail scheme for soft plastic recycling and how residents can dispose/recycle old/broken bins etc • New proposals and recycling equipment should eliminate the use of up to 10m single use recycling bags, which is to be welcomed. The Chair thanked officers for the report and emphasised the importance of the matters raised for ongoing consideration.
Councillor Stevens introduced the ‘for information’ report to committee on the closure of the Sustainable Transport Strategy (STS) and outlined the establishment of new work streams to support the development of a Swansea Local Transport Plan (LTP). Matthew Bowyer, Group Manager Network Infrastructure, then provided committee with a briefing on the transition to a Swansea Local Transport Plan (LTP), which will focus on: • Reducing car dependency and increasing sustainable travel • Application of the Regional Transport Delivery Plan • Supporting health, air quality, and climate targets • Aligning with Welsh Government’s Llwybr Newydd and the Well-being and Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 • Setting out clear milestones • Determining how we will engage with stakeholders. The committee discussed the following: • Bus franchising plan: Members noted the benefits and challenges, including the move to single integrated tickets and the implementation timescale. • Consultation: Future consultation events were discussed. • Current network: Concern remained that the existing bus network is insufficient to meet local needs.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Rachel Lewis, Directorate Project Manager, summarised the progress made in relation to the work programme for 2025/2026 for the committee. The Chair and members thanked Rachel Lewis for her work and support. The Chair acknowledged and thanked her predecessor, Rebecca Fogarty, for her contribution. Resolved that the report be approved and referred to Council.
The Chair advised that the 2026/27 Work Plan needed to be developed and invited Members to put forward any issues for inclusion. The Committee raised the following points as potential topics for consideration in the 2026/27 Work Plan: • City Centre Regeneration – environmental impact. • HMO/Flats bin and recycling provision. Members were asked to submit any further issues to the Chair for consideration.
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.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.