75 councillors represent 32 wards. The council's own meetings website
Labour majority. The leader is Rob Stewart (Labour). Every seat is up for election on Thursday 6 May 2027. The election guide has who holds the seats now and your ward.
Cabinet met on 15 October 2026 and made decisions on five substantive items. It also approved a revised design and smaller pre-construction budget for Gowerton School (Secondary), and committed a £2,962,397 Welsh Government grant to school repairs.
It noted a progress report from its Service Improvement, Regeneration & Finance Performance Panel and agreed changes to the membership of several scrutiny panels and working groups. It also considered its scrutiny letters and its work programme for the next meeting on 17 November.
The Scrutiny Inquiry Panel on the cost of living heard from Caroline Newman, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice for Swansea Neath Port Talbot, who answered questions sent to her in advance. The Panel also noted progress with its inquiry project plan. The discussion will feed into the Inquiry Findings Report, which returns to the Panel in November 2026.
The Scrutiny Working Group, a small group of councillors who check the council's work, looked at how Business Swansea, the council's business support team, helps local firms. After questioning officers, it made six conclusions and recommendations for the Cabinet Members, including on cash flow for grant applicants, first come, first served funding and feedback from unsuccessful applicants.
The Board heard updates on the five steps in its 2026/27 action plan and noted progress on the Assessment of Local Well-being due in May 2027, with each partner asked to prioritise it.
The Scrutiny Inquiry Panel on the cost of living heard evidence from the Council's employment support services. It noted a written response from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It agreed to meet again on 12 October and to visit a food bank in Blaenymaes in late October. The minute records no decision on the evidence itself. The Panel will weigh all the evidence when it agrees its conclusions.
The Planning Committee approved one application, to give the Council more time to submit plans for a new primary school at Garden Village, Swansea. The approval includes updated wording for three planning conditions and depends on a revised Section 106 agreement (a legal agreement with the developer). No interests were declared and the minutes of 8 September 2026 were approved.
The Panel looked at the Council's first-quarter 2026/27 budget monitoring, first-quarter performance and the Tourism Destination Management Plan update. The minutes record discussion only, and the Panel's follow-up letters ask Cabinet Members for written answers by 10 November.
The next council elections in Wales are on Thursday 6 May 2027. Every seat on every council is up for election.
Welsh Government. Closes 2 December 2026
Welsh Government. Closes 4 December 2026
Welsh Government. Closes 18 December 2026
Welsh Government. Closes 4 January 2027