The Scrutiny Performance Panel - Service Improvement, Regeneration and Finance met on Tuesday 11 June 2024 to discuss two Audit Wales reports concerning the use of brownfield land and the effectiveness of performance information. The panel also reviewed the draft work plan for the upcoming year.

Audit Wales Report: Sustainable Development – Making Best Use of Brownfield Land and Empty Buildings

The panel received an overview of the Audit Wales report, which examined how Welsh councils are encouraging the repurposing of vacant properties and brownfield sites. Matthew Brushett from Audit Wales and Tom Evans, Placemaking and Strategic Planning Manager for Swansea Council, presented the findings. The report made three recommendations to councils and two to the Welsh Government. While Audit Wales has requested the Welsh Government reconsider national strategies for monitoring brownfield sites, the report primarily focuses on improvements councils can make within the existing framework.

Concerns were raised by the panel regarding privately owned brownfield sites and the potential for additional costs compared to greenfield sites, which could deter developers. Council officers stated that Swansea Council employs a proactive approach with robust processes to maximise funding opportunities and foster collaboration, including detailed site viability analyses. The panel acknowledged Swansea Council's positive track record in regenerating brownfield sites, partly due to grant funding. They recommended that the council consider a more proactive approach to councillor involvement in identifying brownfield sites within wards as part of the Local Development Plan process.

Audit Wales Report: Use of Performance Information – Service User Perspectives and Outcomes

Rachel Harries from Audit Wales and Richard Rowlands, Strategic Delivery & Performance Manager for Swansea Council, presented the findings of this report. The Audit Wales report focuses on how the council utilises performance information, understands service user views, and measures the outcomes of its activities, as well as the information shared with senior leaders. A national summary report covering all 22 Welsh councils is due to be published in July.

Council officers welcomed the report and have responded by conducting a recent resident survey, participating in a Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) organised national resident survey, and incorporating more qualitative information to supplement existing quantitative measures. The panel expressed that a lack of consistency in performance measures makes comparing data over time difficult. They also noted that the Audit Wales report did not reference the scrutiny panel's own work in the area of performance.

Draft Work Plan 2024/25

The panel agreed to the draft work plan for the upcoming year.