The Cabinet meeting of Swansea Council was scheduled to discuss a range of important issues, including performance monitoring, grant programmes, school reorganisations, and policy updates. Key topics included the Disabled Facilities and Improvement Grant Programme, a proposed new model for Specialist Teaching Facilities, and the amalgamation of Blaenymaes and Portmead Primary Schools. The Cabinet was also set to consider responses to a scrutiny inquiry into community assets, review the Quarter 3 performance monitoring report, and discuss the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Transition Year.

Local Authority Governor Appointments

The meeting was scheduled to discuss appointments to serve as Local Authority Governors on School Governing Bodies. The report outlined nominations recommended by the Director of Education in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Education & Learning for approval.

Quarter 3 2024/25 Performance Monitoring Report

This report was intended to provide an update on the council's performance for the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. It aimed to present corporate performance in relation to the council's well-being objectives, as set out in the Corporate Plan 2023/28, Delivering a Successful & Sustainable Swansea . The report included an overview of performance integrating progress against corporate plan steps, success measures, and performance indicators, along with an overall assessment by the Chief Executive.

Disabled Facilities and Improvement Grant Programme 2025/26

The report sought approval to include the Disabled Facilities and Improvement Grant schemes in the 2025/26 Capital Programme. It detailed various types of housing assistance aimed at helping homeowners and tenants carry out essential adaptations and repairs, with the goal of enabling residents to maintain independence at home. Assistance included Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), Discretionary Fast Track Adaptations Grants, Discretionary Disabled Facilities Loans, Council Tenant Adaptations, Homefix Loans, Care & Repair Western Bay Minor Adaptation Grants, Comfort, Safety, and Security Grants, Welsh Government Landlord Loans, and Welsh Government Owner Occupier Loans. The report highlighted a risk of insufficient funding to meet increasing demand for housing adaptations assistance.

Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Inquiry Panel into Community Assets Report

This report outlined the council's response to the recommendations made by the Community Assets Scrutiny Inquiry Panel. It presented an action plan for agreement, addressing issues such as the strategy for Community Asset Transfer (CAT), transparency in decision-making, the provision of a toolkit and webpage for the CAT policy, detailed information on running costs and duty of care for transferred assets, lease durations, declaration of interests, support for CAT recipients, collaboration with organisations like SCVS, facilitation of networks and case studies, establishment of consultation thresholds, training for councillors and community councils, and the appointment of a single point of contact for CAT. The report also addressed the process for reviewing the success of CATs and dealing with negative impacts.

Proposed New Model for Specialist Teaching Facilities (STFs) Across Swansea

The report indicated that no objections were received during the statutory notice period for the proposed new model for Specialist Teaching Facilities (STFs). It sought approval to redesignate 25 STFs, change the specialism of 3 STFs, open 5 new STFs, expand 4 STFs, and close 5 STFs in schools across Swansea, with a phased implementation beginning in September 2025. The proposal aimed to enhance the quality and standards of education, support predicted demand for places for those with complex needs, provide cost-effective provision, improve accessibility, and positively impact other services for pupils with disabilities and/or additional learning needs.

Proposal to Amalgamate Blaenymaes and Portmead Primary Schools

Approval was sought to consult on the proposal to amalgamate Blaenymaes Primary School and Portmead Primary School into a single primary school from September 2027. The plan involved using the existing school buildings initially, with a long-term vision to build a new school on land near the existing Blaenymaes Primary School by 2031. The amalgamation was presented as a key component of the regeneration of the area, aiming to provide fit-for-purpose educational facilities and wider community benefits. The report detailed the consultation process, financial implications, and legal requirements.

Adult Services Day Services Transformation

This report outlined a proposed model to transform internal Day Services, detailing the next steps and seeking agreement to make temporary moves permanent. The proposed new model for Day Opportunities included six types of support: Social and Community, Assessment, Employability/Well-being/Skills Development, Flexible Support, Day Activity, and Specialist Day Support. The report also addressed the repurposing of vacant buildings previously used for day services, including the permanent relocation of Maesglas SNS to Swansea Vale Resource Centre, the non-reopening of Ty Waunarlwydd Older People’s Day Service with its building to become an Independent Living Hub, and the permanent relocation of Toronto Place to Fforestfach Day Service.

Financial Procedure Rule 7 – Capital Allocation to Highway Infrastructure Assets 2025-26

The report sought to confirm the Capital Work Programme for highway infrastructure assets for 2025-26. It detailed the allocation of £3.468m for highway and infrastructure assets, along with additional capital funding of £3m approved in 2023/24 and a further £3m allocation for 2025-26 and 2026/27 funded from insurance reserves. The report also outlined Welsh Government funding for self-financed borrowing of £7,057k to address the backlog of highway works. The allocation of funds across various asset groups, including carriageways, footways, bridges, retaining walls, street lighting, and drainage, was detailed.

Unreasonable Customer Behaviour Policy

The report sought approval for an updated Unreasonable Customer Behaviour Policy. The policy outlines the council's approach to managing unacceptable or unreasonable behaviour from customers, aiming to resolve legitimate concerns while protecting staff, councillors, and service providers. It detailed a staged approach to action, including immediate actions, further service actions, and measures for threats to health and safety or potential criminal action. The policy also outlined the appeals process.

Financial Procedure Rule 7 – Local Transport Fund, Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Transformation Fund and Active Travel Fund Grants 2025/26

This report sought approval for funding applications for the Local Transport Fund (LTF), Resilient Roads Fund (RRF), Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Transformation Fund (ULEVTF), and Active Travel Fund (ATF) for 2025/26. It detailed the submitted bids totalling £6,624,500, covering projects such as the Swansea Bay & West Wales Metro, Northern City Link Sustainable Transport Corridor, A4118 Flood Alleviation Measures, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, and various Active Travel schemes including Clyne Common and core allocation projects. The report highlighted that while LTF, RRF, and ULEVTF funding was not yet allocated, Swansea had received a core allocation of £712,000 for ATF.

Appointment of Directors to the Joint Venture Co. for Swansea Bay Sports Park

Following previous approval to progress a new partnership agreement via a Joint Venture Company (JVCo) with Swansea University for the Sports facilities at Sketty Lane, the report sought approval to appoint two officers as Company Directors. This appointment was necessary to advance the strategy to the final stage of creating the Joint Venture Company. The report noted the current status of the Gateway strategy, the principles for the JVCo, and the final Gateway requirements.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund Transition Year

This report sought approval for the arrangements for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Transition Year 2025/26. It proposed extending existing anchor projects and third-party open call projects to December 2025 for delivery, with back-office and closure activities extending to March 2026. The report outlined the indicative programme breakdown of activities and budget, including allocations for Supporting Communities, Transforming County Place, Culture & Tourism, Rural, Supporting Business, Employability, General Open Call, and the Skills for Swansea Partnership project. It also noted the utilisation of capital allocation for specific projects.

Exclusion of the Public

The report considered whether the public should be excluded from specific items of business during the meeting. This was based on the likelihood of disclosing exempt information under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, subject to a public interest test where appropriate. The report identified specific item numbers and relevant paragraphs from Schedule 12A that would necessitate the exclusion of the public.

Castle Square Regeneration FPR7

This item was scheduled for discussion, with a report detailing the Financial Procedure Rule 7 aspects of the Castle Square Regeneration project. The report likely covered capital allocation, project costs, and financial implications related to the regeneration efforts.