The Cabinet of Swansea Council met on Thursday, 15 October 2026, to discuss a range of important issues including the implementation of new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, the appropriation of land for a new special school, and significant investment in school repairs and maintenance. Key decisions included approving the use of Community Protection Notices and Closure Orders by housing and city centre management teams, appropriating land at Mynydd Garnllwyd Road for the new Ysgol Calon Lân, and committing nearly £3 million in additional Welsh Government funding for education repairs and maintenance.

Implementation of Community Protection Notices and Closure Orders

Cabinet approved the implementation of Community Protection Warnings and Community Protection Notices within the Housing Service and City Centre Management. This decision aims to provide additional tools to tackle anti-social behaviour, nuisance, exploitation, and safeguarding concerns. Authorisation will be given to trained officers within the Community Liaison Team and City Centre Management to issue these notices, with Legal Services supporting applications for partial and full Closure Orders where appropriate. Councillor Harrington stated that these powers are intended as a tool rather than a punishment straight away, with the preference being to encourage improved behaviour.

Appropriation of Land for Ysgol Calon Lân

The Cabinet agreed to appropriate land at Mynydd Garnllwyd Road for the construction of a new build for Ysgol Calon Lân, a special school for pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). Councillor Ben Smith, who moved the report, acknowledged the objections received regarding the loss of open space, ecological impact, traffic, and public access, but highlighted the mitigation measures and enhancements proposed. He stated that the land was allocated within the Local Development Plan for educational purposes. Councillor Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, seconded the report, emphasizing that the benefits of providing a state of the art school to our most vulnerable learners outweighed the impacts. The decision allows the land to be allocated for the new school, subject to planning and Welsh Government approval.

Gowerton School Redevelopment

A revised design strategy for the Gowerton School (Secondary) Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme Project was approved. Councillor Ben Smith, moving the report, explained that further surveys had revealed significant issues with the condition of Block A, the original grammar school building, making its refurbishment less viable than initially thought. The revised strategy involves demolishing Blocks A, B, and D and constructing a single new building. This approach was deemed to offer the strongest overall balance of deliverability, cost certainty, programme efficiency, accessibility and operational practicality, with an estimated risk reduction of £5.3 million. Councillor Rob Stewart supported the revised plan, noting that while retaining historic elements would have been preferable, the evidence clearly demonstrated that a new build was necessary to provide a modern facility capable of supporting modern learning. The pre-construction phase costs were revised to £2,523,285.

Welsh Government Additional Education Repairs and Maintenance Grant

Cabinet approved the commitment of an additional £2,962,397 from the Welsh Government for Education Repairs and Maintenance for the 2026-27 financial year. Councillor Ben Smith, moving the report, highlighted that this funding must be spent by 31 March 2027 and will support eligible capital works across the school estate. The proposed schemes, which are still being refined, may include roofing works at YGG Bryn Tawe and Cefn Hengoed Community School, toilet upgrades, new heating systems for four primary schools currently using oil-fueled boilers, and early design work for future projects. Authority was delegated to the Directors of Education and Place to prioritise schemes, and to the Directors of Finance and Education to substitute up to £1,533,800 of this grant with existing core capital funding if necessary, to ensure full utilisation of the grant within the required timescale.

Local Authority Governor Appointments

The Cabinet approved nominations for Local Authority Governor vacancies on School Governing Bodies. This included appointments to Knelston Primary School, Penclawdd Primary School, Pentrechwyth Primary School, Sea View Primary School, Sketty Primary School, Terrace Road Primary School, Ynystawe Primary School, Bishopston Comprehensive School, and Pentrehafod School. Councillor Ben Smith declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as a governor and had dispensation to speak but not vote. Councillor Andrew Williams also declared a personal and prejudicial interest and withdrew from the meeting.

Exclusion of the Public

Cabinet resolved to exclude the public from the meeting for subsequent agenda items, citing the likely disclosure of exempt information under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The Chief Legal Officer, Lucy Moore, provided a rationale for the exclusion, indicating that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosure for matters relating to individuals, financial or business affairs, consultations, legal privilege, and actions related to crime prevention.

Maritime Heritage Assets

The Cabinet noted and approved recommendations related to the Morfa Bascule Bridge project and the restoration of Lightship LV91 (Helwick). These projects aim to preserve nationally significant maritime and industrial heritage assets, contributing to Swansea's identity, visitor economy, and regeneration objectives. Councillor P M Black provided pre-decision scrutiny feedback on the Maritime Heritage Assets report.