The Council of the City and County of Swansea is scheduled to convene on Thursday, 5 November 2026. Key discussions are expected to include the council's mid-term budget statement, a proposal to cease issuing casino licences, and amendments to the council's gambling policy.

Mid-Term Budget Statement

A verbal update on the council's financial position for the 2026/27 financial year is scheduled to be presented.

Proposal to Pass a New Resolution Not to Issue Casino Licences and Proposed Amendments to the Council's Gambling Policy

The council is set to consider the outcome of a consultation regarding a proposal to pass a new resolution not to issue casino premises licences. This decision would affect new casino applications, while existing licences would remain unaffected. The report highlights that Swansea has a higher than average level of deprivation, and research indicates a link between increased gambling and adverse consequences for disadvantaged groups. The council has previously passed similar resolutions in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023, with the current resolution expiring on 6 December 2026. The proposed amendments to the council's Gambling Policy would specify 7 December 2026 as the date on which the new resolution would take effect.

Minimum Revenue Provision Deferral

A report from the Director of Finance/Section 151 Officer outlines a proposal to defer the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) charge for the financial year 2026/27. This deferral is intended to provide short-term revenue budget flexibility while maintaining the council's long-term financial sustainability. The deferred MRP will be re-profiled over future years, rather than being permanently forgone. The report notes that this deferral will increase the council's Capital Financing Requirement and underlying borrowing need, requiring revisions to prudential indicators. The s151 Officer recommends a ten-year reprofiling of MRP to support the sustainable development principle established by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Amendments to Council Constitution - Scheme of Delegation & Terms of Reference relating to Licensing Functions

The Monitoring Officer has made amendments to the Council Constitution, specifically to the Scheme of Delegation and the Terms of Reference of the Statutory Licensing Committee and Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee. These changes, which took immediate effect on 16 October 2026, are a result of legislative changes, including those stemming from the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017. The amendments reflect new responsibilities for licensing certain special procedures performed in Wales.

Councillors' Questions

A significant portion of the meeting is allocated to councillors' questions, covering a wide range of topics.

• Business Rates Retention: Councillor Chris Holley and others have enquired about the arrangements for retaining business rates on properties built as part of the City Deal, including the amount received and how it is calculated. The Leader of the Council responded that the rates retention is a bespoke offer negotiated with the Welsh Government, calculated in arrears based on identifiable property growth, and shared 50/50. The figures for 2026/27 were a modest £117k in total, with Swansea receiving £54k.
• Social Housing and Immigration: Councillors Wendy Lewis and others have sought reassurance that divisive proposals to restrict access to social housing for certain groups will be rejected. The Cabinet Member for Transformation confirmed that Swansea Council rejects these proposals and allocates social housing based on need and eligibility, regardless of birthplace.
• Wood Waste at Recycling Sites: Councillors Lyndon Jones and others have asked about the review of the policy on not allowing wood to be deposited at council recycling sites. The Cabinet Member for Community (Services) stated that a formal review has not been undertaken, but officer advice remains that reintroducing wood waste skips would negatively impact the overall recycling offer due to previous complaints about skip unavailability and site access.
• Debenhams Redevelopment: Councillors Peter May and Stuart Rice have requested an update on the former Debenhams unit. The Leader of the Council reported that strip-out works are complete, and the owners of the adjoining Quadrant Shopping Centre have purchased the building. Discussions with prospective retail and leisure occupiers are at an advanced stage, with announcements expected soon.
• Council-Run Youth Services: Councillors Matthew Bailey and Brigitte Rowlands have enquired about plans to reintroduce council-run youth services within each electoral ward. The Cabinet Member for Children, People & Families explained that the council remains committed to youth support through the Evolve Youth Service and early intervention arrangements, operating a blended model of youth work. While there are no current plans for ward-based youth clubs in every electoral ward, the council is developing a dedicated Detached Youth Work Team.
• Dog Fouling and Fly-Tipping Enforcement: Councillors Sam Bennett and others have asked for data on fixed penalty notices and prosecutions for dog fouling and fly-tipping over the last three years. The Cabinet Member for Community (Services) provided figures showing 0 prosecutions for dog fouling, 3 fixed penalty notices issued, and 82 fixed penalty notices issued for fly-tipping, with 6 prosecutions in total. The Cabinet Member also indicated a review of the use of cameras at fly-tipping hotspots.
• Council Tax Reform: Councillors Mike White and others have asked for an update on the likely impact of Plaid Cymru's plans for fairer funding and council tax reform. The Leader of the Council expressed concern that the cake is not big enough and that the proposed changes create future uncertainty. While a deferral to 2032 by Plaid Cymru avoids immediate chaos, the current unfair system will remain in place.
• Mumbles Car Park Tariffs: Councillors Hannah Williams and others have questioned the disparity in car park charges between Mumbles and Swansea city centre. The Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure explained that the city centre tariff is a discounted offer to encourage footfall, while Mumbles faces challenges with overall parking capacity.
• Cockett Station Parking: Councillors Tony Fitzgerald and others have enquired about parking provisions for the proposed new Cockett station. The Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure stated that car parking considerations will be addressed during the detailed design stage of the project.
• School Closures: Councillors Lesley Walton and others have asked if there are any plans to close schools in Swansea, including Welsh-medium schools. The Cabinet Member for Education & Learning confirmed there are no such plans and highlighted the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) which aims to increase Welsh-medium education provision.
• Hospital Stays and Care Packages: Councillors Cheryl Philpott and others have asked why care packages are lost if someone is taken into hospital. The Cabinet Member for Adult Wellbeing clarified that care packages remain funded for the first 7 days in hospital, after which needs are reviewed before discharge.
• WRU Keystone Report: Councillors Matthew Jones and others have asked if the Leader agrees with the findings of the WRU's Keystone report. The Leader stated he does not agree with the report's findings or conclusions, disputing its methodology and process.
• Soft Plastic Collection: Councillors Kevin Griffiths and others have asked for an update on the success of the soft plastic collection trial and its potential city-wide rollout. The Cabinet Member for Community (Services) reported a positive reception to the trial, with high participation and material quality, but noted capacity constraints for a city-wide rollout.
• Council Leased Properties: Councillors Mike Day and others have requested a list of all properties leased by the council for operational purposes. The Leader of the Council stated that the council leases 25 assets for operational purposes.
• Swansea.com Stadium Sale Price: Councillors Chris Holley and others have asked when the public will be aware of the sale price of the Swansea.com stadium. The Leader of the Council indicated that terms have been agreed and legal procedures are progressing, with further details to be provided upon completion.
• Highway Repairs Backlog: Councillors Jeff Jones and others have asked about the current backlog for highway repairs. The Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure estimated the backlog to be approximately £70 million.
• Y Storfa Cafe Space: Councillors Peter Black and others have requested an update on the cafe space at Y Storfa. The Leader of the Council reported that discussions with the preferred tenant are progressing, with legal arrangements underway and preparatory works being planned.
• Slipway Bridge Floral Display: Councillors Peter Black and others have suggested using the remains of the slipway bridge for floral displays. The Cabinet Member for Community (Services) acknowledged the idea but noted that the structure was not designed as a horticultural feature and there is currently no identified revenue budget for its development and maintenance.
• Car Park Solar Panels: Councillors Lynda James and others have suggested providing roofing over ground car parks and utilising the roofing for solar panels. The Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure confirmed that the council is already progressing solar panel installations at multi-storey car parks and is exploring the feasibility of solar canopies at surface car parks.
• Marks & Spencer Site: Councillors Peter May and Stuart Rice have asked for an update on the Marks & Spencer site. The Leader of the Council advised that M&S has appointed property agents to consider options for their Oxford Street property, and council officers are working with them.
• Refuse/Recycling Collection Missed Collections: Councillors Lyndon Jones and others have asked about the number of missed refuse and recycling collections in the last year and how it compares to the previous year. The Cabinet Member for Community (Services) reported a missed collection performance of 0.24% in 2025/26, down from 0.28% in 2024/25.
• Felindre Site Redevelopment: Councillors Mark Tribe and others have enquired about plans for the redundant Felindre site, following the identification of Swansea Vale as a proposed new Park & Ride venue. The Leader of the Council stated that no decision has been made regarding a new Park & Ride, Swansea Vale has not been identified as a new location, and Felindre has never been considered as such. The Felindre Business Park is being marketed, with agreements for smaller units and discussions on other plots, though development is on hold due to nutrient issues in the Burry estuary.