CITY AND COUNTY OF

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA

HELD AT CIVIC CENTRE, SWANSEA ON THURSDAY 18TH JUNE 2009 AT 4.00 P.M.

PRESENT: Councillor E W Fitzgerald (Presiding Officer) presided

Councillor(s): Councillor(s): Councillor(s):

V N Abbott D H James D Phillips V A Bates Hughes D I E Jones G Phillips P M Black J W Jones C L Philpott J E Burtonshaw M H Jones D Price M C Child M R Jones T H Rees A R A Clement S M Jones S J Rice A C S Colburn W E A Jones I M Richard W J F Davies J B Kelleher D A Robinson A M Day R H Kinzett G Seabourne C R Doyle E T Kirchner P B Smith J Evans R J Lloyd R C Stewart W Evans K E Marsh R J Stanton R Francis-Davies P M Matthews D G Sullivan M E Gibbs P N May C Thomas J B Hague P M Meara D W W Thomas M J Hedges J T Miles L G Thomas C A Holley W K Morgan J M Thomas N A Holley H M Morris N J Tregoning D H Hopkins J Newbury D P Tucker D T Howells B G Owen S M Waller Thomas B J Hynes

14. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N S Bradley, P R Hood-Williams, A Jopling, R D Lewis, A Lloyd, J C Richards, M Smith and R L Smith.

15. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

The Monitoring Officer gave advice regarding declarations of interest in relation to items on the Council Summons. In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, the following interests were declared: Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

Councillor P M Black - Item 8(b)(i) - Wife is employed by the Council and based at St Helens School - personal and prejudicial and left the meeting while the item was being discussed.

Councillor A M Day - Item 8(b)(iii) - Trustee of Parklands Church in Maes-y-Gollen, Sketty - personal and prejudicial and left the meeting while the matter was being discussed. Item 9(a) - mother-in-law in receipt of Social Services transport - personal.

Councillor J B Hague - Item 10 - Councillor questioned No. 3 - Director of Swansea Stadium Management Company - personal and prejudicial and left the meeting while the matter was being discussed.

Councillor D H Hopkins - Item 8(a)(i) - Family living at Gloucester House - personal and prejudicial and left the meeting while the item was being discussed.

Councillor B J Hynes - Item 8(b)(i) - Governor at St Helens School.

Councillor J W Jones - Item 9(b) - Review of Door to Door Rent Collections - personal and prejudicial - daughter employed in Housing Department and left the meeting while the item was being discussed.

Councillor M H Jones - Item 9(b) - Door to Door Rent Collections - daughter works in Housing Department. Item 10 - Councillor questioned No. 13 - re. Capital Revenue Expenditure of National Pool - Director of Wales National Pool.

(Noted that Councillor M H Jones had been granted dispensation from the Standards Committee).

Councillor M R Jones - Item 8(b)(i) - Having the same problems as the teaching staff regarding parking in the Sandfields area, i.e. Bond Street, like all our staff of the Co-operative Funeral Services - personal and prejudicial and left the meeting while the item was being discussed.

Councillor J Newbury - Item 10 - Councillor questioned No. 3 - Director of Stadco - personal and prejudicial and left the meeting while the item was being discussed.

Councillor C L Philpott - Item 8(b)(iii) - Owns a property in Beech Street, Sandfields - personal and prejudicial and left the meeting while the item was being discussed.

Councillor D G Sullivan - Item 8(e)(i) - personal. Item 10 - Councillor questioned No. 13 - member of Wales National Pool. Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

Councillor L G Thomas - Item 10 - Councillor questioned No. 3 - Chairman of Swansea Stadium Management Company. Councillor questioned No. 13 - Director of Wales National Pool - personal and prejudicial and left meeting while the items were being discussed.

16. MINUTES OF COUNCIL

RESOLVED that:

(1) the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 8th May 2009 be accepted as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

Councillor A M Day be added to the list of apologies;

(2) the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 11th May 2009 be accepted as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

Minute 5 - Correct the spelling of Councillor S M Waller Thomas.

Minute 7 - Leader’s Announcements - alter the first paragraph to read “the Leader stated that there was no change to the Cabinet Members. However, Planning had been removed from the Environment Portfolio and added to the Economic & Strategic Development Portfolio”.

17. PRESIDING OFFICER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND/OR HEAD OF PAID SERVICE

Standards Committee

The Presiding Officer welcomed Clive Walton, Meirion Howells and Jennifer Gomes, Independent Members of the Standards Committee who had been invited to attend the meeting.

Morriston RFC

The Presiding Officer congratulated Morriston RFC on winning the inaugural WRU SWALEC Bowl against Lampeter at the on 9th May 2009.

Congratulations

The Presiding Officer was pleased to refer to the following recipients who had received awards in the Queen’s 2009 Birthday Honours List. Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

CBE

Professor David Allan Warner - Vice Chancellor, Swansea Metropolitan University. For services to local and national higher education.

MBE

Keith Broadbent. For services in West Glamorgan.

David Albert Burgess - Chairman, Carers UK, Swansea Branch. For services to disadvantaged people.

Elizabeth Howecroft. For charitable services in Swansea.

Peter John Richards - lately Head Teacher, St Joseph’s Cathedral Primary School, Swansea. For services to education in Wales.

Peter Ricketts - Chairman, Neath & Tenant Canals Trust. For services to heritage conservation in Wales.

Anne Carolyn Williams - Head, Electronic Customer Services, Electronic Vehicle Licensing, DVLA, Swansea.

OBE

Andrew John Beale. For services to intellectual property and to business in Wales.

Condolences

The Presiding Officer referred to the sad passing of Hayden Tanner of Penclawdd who had been the oldest surviving British Lion and Welsh Rugby International.

The Presiding Officer also referred to the tragic death in a ballooning accident of scientist Dr Kevin Beurle, who hailed from Swansea.

Welcome Back

The Presiding Officer welcomed back Councillors John Hague, Viv Abbott and John Miles after recent spells in hospital.

18. LEADER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Leader referred to the long-awaited commencement of work to the Quadrant Bus Station. Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

19. PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Mrs Liz Davies asked a question of Councillor R H Kinzett in respect of Item No. 10 - Councillor Questions - Question No. 1. Councillor R H Kinzett responded.

Mr Tony Beddow asked a question in respect of Item No. 8(d)(i) - Corporate Asset Management Plan for Property Assets 2009/10. The Cabinet Member for Finance responded.

Mr Tony Beddow asked a further question in relation to Item No. 10 - Councillor Questions - Question No. 2. The Leader responded.

Mrs Liz Davies asked a further question in relation to Item No. 10 - Councillor Questions - Question No. 4. The Leader provided a reply.

Mr Tony Beddow asked an additional question in respect of Item No. 8(b)(iv) - Highway and Transport Policy Framework. The Cabinet Member for Environment responded and undertook to give a written reply to Mr Beddow when the information required was received.

20. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

No public presentations were made.

21. PETITION - REQUEST FOR INSTALLATION OF A CAR PARKING BARRIER AT GLOUCESTER HOUSE

The Cabinet Member for Housing reported that a petition had been received from residents of Gloucester House requesting the installation of a car parking barrier at the Gloucester House Sheltered Housing Complex.

He advised that the petitioners had highlighted the fact that members of the public had been parking in the Gloucester House car park to access facilities in the Marina and had been ignoring the signs stating parking was for residents only. He added that the complex had 49 separate units with a car park that had enough car parking spaces for 15 cars. Car parking provision at the complex was similar to other sheltered complexes of comparable size. Parking was on a first come, first serve basis and no residents had designated car parking spaces.

It was added that a consultation exercise had been undertaken involving residents and Ward Members and following this a decision had been made to install a barrier. The barrier would be installed utilising existing Housing Revenue Account resources at a cost of Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

approximately £3,400 and there would be a minor annual maintenance charge which would be met by the Housing Revenue Account.

RESOLVED that the petition be noted as work was underway to install a car parking barrier which would address the issues raised in the petition.

22. PETITION - AGAINST TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS IN THE SANDFIELDS AREA

The Environment Cabinet Member reported on a petition objecting to proposals to introduce waiting restrictions in the Sandfields area. The petition had been submitted from the Head Teachers of Christchurch and St Helens Primary Schools, who felt that parking badges for school staff (Monday to Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., term time only) should be provided and that school staff should be entitled to parking permits during school hours in term time.

He reported that the purpose of the proposals was to provide parking spaces for permit holding residents and short term parking for visitors (including parents picking up from the schools in the controlled zone). An additional aim was to discourage long term parking in the area. Therefore, to issue permits for non-resident’s vehicles would severely undermine these intentions. Since the Council had taken on civil parking enforcement powers, the Traffic Regulation Orders within the Sandfields area had been rigorously enforced and had helped residents to park close to their homes.

Following the introduction of the Council’s Travel Plan, allocation of staff car parking permits for the Guildhall, Civic Centre and Paxton Street car parks were assessed against set criteria. The school teachers of St Helens and Christchurch Primary Schools were also subject to the same criteria. He advised that the school teachers of St Helens and Christchurch Primary Schools had undoubtedly experiences changes through the implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders within the Sandfields, and have had to adapt their travel times and parking arrangements accordingly. However, it should be noted that there was still some unregulated parking available within the Sandfields which may be available to teachers and that subject to meeting the qualification criteria set by the Council’s Travel Plan, they were able to park in the Civic Centre’s car parks.

RESOLVED that:

(1) the petition be noted; Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

(2) the teaching staff of St Helens and Christchurch Primary Schools be considered for permits to enable them to park their vehicles in either the Civic Centre car parks or Paxton Street car park, subject to meeting the appropriate criteria.

23. PETITION - REQUESTING PROHIBITION OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES IN BRYNGWYN AVENUE, GARDEN VILLAGE

The Environment Cabinet Member reported on a petition from residents of Bryngwyn Avenue and Garden Crescent, Garden Village expressing concern regarding commercial vehicles being parked in the area.

Mr S Evans made representations on behalf of the petitioners.

RESOLVED that the petition be noted and the location added to the Council’s waiting list for parking restrictions to be investigated once the necessary funding became available.

24. PETITION - REQUESTING RESIDENTS PARKING AT MAES-Y- GOLLEN, SKETTY

The Environment Cabinet Member reported on a petition from residents of Maes-y-Gollen, Sketty expressing their concerns regarding the lack of parking for residents on their street, which they considered to have been exacerbated as a result of the recent development at Hazel Court.

Mr J Williams made representations on behalf of the petitioners.

RESOLVED that the petition be noted and the location added to the Council’s waiting list for residents parking to be investigated once the necessary funding became available.

25. HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT POLICY FRAMEWORK

The Environment Cabinet Member reported on the need to adopt the Highway and Transport Policy Framework for delivery of services and to ensure the Authority discharged its statutory duty and delivered improvements in accordance with its Corporate Plan.

RESOLVED that the Policy Framework be adopted.

26. GYPSY TRAVELLER POLICY

The Environment Cabinet Member reported on the proposal to adopt the Gypsy Traveller Policy. It was outlined that the Draft Gypsy Traveller Policy was presented to Council in December 2008 and Council had agreed to adopt the policy as a basis for consultation, which had now been completed. Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

He advised that the consultation exercise had not identified any significant issues and that the proposal was to present the original draft policy. It was further proposed that the action plan for implementation of the strategy be finalised and submitted to Cabinet for approval. Progress on the action plan would be monitored by the Officer Working Group with periodic reports to the Gypsy Traveller Member Liaison Forum.

An amendment was moved by Councillor R Francis-Davies, seconded by Councillor P M Matthews to defer the matter.

The amendment was lost.

The substantive motion was then put and carried.

RESOLVED that:

(1) the Gypsy Traveller Policy be adopted;

(2) the required funding be provided in future budgets.

27. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES/OUTSIDE BODIES

The Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Democracy reported that the Council, at its Annual Meeting on 11th May 2009, had agreed membership of the various Committees/Boards as reflected in the list submitted by the political groups. He indicated that the groups shown had since submitted further minor changes/nominations which were outlined. He also referred to an addendum to the report which had been prepared since the Council papers had been published.

RESOLVED that the following changes be approved:

Area 1 Development Control Committee

Remove Councillor P M Black as Voting Member and appoint as Non- voting Member.

Remove Councillor J B Hague as Non-voting Member and appoint as Voting Member.

Appoint Councillor R C Stewart as Voting Member; remove as Non- voting Member.

Remove Councillor P R Hood-Williams. Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

West Glamorgan Archives Committee

Remove Councillor C L Philpott and appoint Council P N Meara.

Joint Consultative Committee

Remove Councillor D P Tucker and appoint Councillor D Price.

Gower Countryside Forum - Sustainable Development Fund Panel

Appoint Councillor K E Marsh.

Outside Bodies

Swansea Bay Port Health Authority

Remove Councillor C L Philpott and appoint Councillor P N Meara.

Mid and West Wales Fire Authority

Remove Councillors G Seabourne and G Phillips and appoint Councillors B J Hynes and E T Kirchner.

South West Wales Regional Waste Management Committee

Remove Councillor J E Burtonshaw and appoint Councillor W E A Jones.

28. CORPORATE ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR PROPERTY ASSETS 2009/10

The Cabinet Member for Finance submitted a report which considered the Draft Asset Management Plan 2009/10. He outlined that the Corporate Asset Management Plan formed part of the Strategic Policy Framework of the Council and linked to the Council’s mission and core aims identified in the Council’s Improvement Plan 2008/11.

The Asset Management Plan also identified priority actions for 2009/10.

RESOLVED that the Corporate Asset Management Plan for 2009/10 be adopted. Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

29. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY SCHEME

The Cabinet Member for Business Improvement and Efficiency reported the Council’s first integrated Equality and Diversity Scheme which built on the Council’s previous Equal Opportunities Policy and Equality Schemes - replacing these to provide a single scheme. The scheme also addressed other aspects of Equality to meet current legislation.

RESOLVED that the Equality and Diversity Scheme and supporting documentation be adopted.

30. REVIEW OF SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORT

The Head of Communications reported the findings, conclusions and recommendations resulting from the recent Scrutiny Review by the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Board into Social Services Transport and the outcomes following its admission to Cabinet for decision.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

31. REVIEW OF DOOR TO DOOR RENT COLLECTIONS

The Head of Communications reported the findings, conclusions and recommendations resulting from the recent Scrutiny Review by the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Board into the Review of Door to Door Rent Collections and the outcome following its submission to Cabinet for decision.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

32. RESPONSE TO REFERRAL OF NOTICE OF MOTION - UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN - STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION

RESOLVED that the report be withdrawn.

33. COUNCILLORS’ QUESTIONS UNDER COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 15

15 Councillor questions were submitted under Council Procedure Rule 15. The relevant Cabinet Members responded by way of written answers. Supplementary questions were dealt with in the allotted time and the relevant Cabinet Member responded. Minutes of Council of the City & County of Swansea (18.06.09) Cont’d

34. COMMON SEAL

RESOLVED that the Common Seal be affixed to any necessary documents to bring into effect any decisions taken at this meeting.

The meeting ended at 7.33 p.m.

CHAIRMAN

S: Council - 18 June 2009 (JEP/KL) 23.06.2009