Swansea Council convened on Thursday, 5 September 2024, approving several notices of motion and making amendments to the Council Constitution. Key decisions included supporting voluntary action to discourage the use of flying rings on council-owned beaches, advocating for the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap, and urging the reinstatement of Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.

Notices of Motion Approved

The Council considered and approved several notices of motion, reflecting significant public interest and council policy directions.

Voluntary Action on Flying Rings at Council Owned Beaches

A notice of motion was approved to support voluntary action in discouraging the use of flying rings at council-owned beaches. This initiative aims to protect seals, particularly younger ones, from becoming entrapped in these discarded items, which can cause severe injury and death. The motion also supports a national campaign for a UK-wide ban and requests the Leader to write to the Welsh and UK Governments to advocate for this. The beaches covered by this voluntary action include Swansea Bay, Bracelet Bay, Limeslade Bay, Rotherslade Bay, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay, and Port Eynon Beach. This action aligns with the council's biodiversity duties and commitments to nature recovery.

Two Child-Benefit Cap

The Council resolved to support the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap. Research indicates that this policy affects a significant number of children in the UK, with 4,866 children in Swansea households currently impacted. The motion highlighted that scrapping the cap could lift a substantial number of children out of poverty. An amended motion was approved, instructing the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister, expressing the Council's belief that the two-child limit should be scrapped as soon as public finances permit. The Leader was also instructed to write to all MPs covering the Swansea area, asking for their public support for ending the cap when financially feasible.

Winter Fuel Payment for Many Swansea Pensioners

A notice of motion was approved concerning the Winter Fuel Payment. An amended motion, proposed by the Labour Group, acknowledged the UK's financial situation, attributing it to the previous government's economic mismanagement. While recognising the need for immediate action due to a £22 billion deficit, the motion welcomed the new UK Labour Government's commitment to the pension triple lock and increasing pension credit uptake. The amended motion urged the new UK Government to reinstate Winter Fuel Payments in full for Swansea pensioners or to take alternative supportive actions once the financial situation allows.

Devolution of Crown Estate to Wales

The Council confirmed its support for the campaign to devolve the management of the Crown Estate and its assets in Wales to the Welsh Government. The motion, proposed by Councillor Chris Evans and seconded by Councillor Rob Stewart, stated that funds raised should be used to support the social needs of the Welsh people. The Leader was asked to write to the Welsh Government to outline this support and encourage the devolution of the Crown Estate as a matter of urgency.

Governance and Administrative Decisions

The Council also addressed several governance and administrative matters.

Amendments to Council Constitution and Budget Policy Framework

Amendments to Article 4 of the Council Constitution and the Budget Policy Framework were approved. These changes aim to simplify and improve the Council's constitutional and financial governance. Specific amendments included adjustments to the wording regarding the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Strategy and the Air Quality Action Plan, and the addition of the Youth Justice Plan to the list of policies adopted by the Council. The Budget Policy Framework was also amended to align budget heads with Directorates rather than Cabinet Member portfolios, which are subject to change.

Recruitment of a Community / Town Councillor to the Standards Committee

Community Councillor Mark Parkinson of Pennard Community Council was appointed as the Community / Town Councillor representative to the Standards Committee. His term of office is set to end at the next Local Government Election in May 2027.

Membership of Committees

Amendments to the membership of various Council Bodies were approved. These changes included the deletion of Councillor P R Hood-Williams from the Chief Officers Disciplinary Committee and the addition of Councillor M H Jones to the Community / Town Councils Forum. Councillor L V Walton was added to the Social Care & Tackling Poverty Strategic Transformation Committee, replacing Councillor J E Pritchard.

Annual Reports

The Governance & Audit Committee Annual Report 2023/24 and the Democratic Services Committee Annual Report 2023-2024 were presented for information. These reports outlined the work undertaken by each committee during the respective municipal years.

Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests

Councillor F D O’Brien declared a Personal Interest in Item 13, Councillor Questions - 12 . Councillor S J Rice declared a Personal & Prejudicial Interest in Item 13, Councillor Questions – 5 & 9 .

The Council also approved the minutes of the previous meeting and received written responses to questions asked at the last Ordinary Meeting of Council. Announcements were made by the Presiding Member and the Leader of the Council, and there were no public questions raised.