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 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 Scrutiny Inquiry Panel on the Cost of Living, a group of councillors who examine council policy, took evidence from Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS). Its chief executive, Amanda Carr, answered questions on demand for support, gaps in services and the Poverty Truth Commission. No decisions were recorded, and the evidence will be used for the Panel's final findings report.
Summary when the minutes are published, usually a few weeks after the meeting.
The Scrutiny Inquiry Panel on the Cost of Living heard a report from the Cabinet Member and officers on how the cost of living has affected the Council's Revenues and Benefits Service. The Panel is still gathering evidence for its inquiry, and the minute records no decisions. The report and the discussion will feed into the inquiry's findings report, which the Panel will consider at the end of its evidence gathering.
The Panel considered a report from Swansea Council's Welfare Rights and Financial Inclusion Team on the cost-of-living pressures it sees. The minute records no decision; the report and discussion will feed into the Inquiry Findings Report.
The Scrutiny Inquiry Panel on Cost of Living met on 28 April 2026. Council officers from social services and the Anti-Poverty Team gave evidence on how cost-of-living pressures affect adult and child services. The Panel agreed to visit Craigfelen Primary School to look at how it reduces the cost of the school day.
The Scrutiny Inquiry Panel on the Cost of Living met on 13 April 2026. Education officers and the Cabinet Member for Education and Learning gave a briefing, based on a written report, on how the cost of living affects pupils, families and schools. The Panel also noted progress with its project plan and agreed it would like to visit a school that is good at reducing the cost of the school day. No conclusions were reached, as the evidence gathering is still under way.
The Panel heard a strategic overview of the cost of living and poverty in Swansea from officers, which will help shape the inquiry. The Panel also agreed the inquiry's Terms of Reference, Integrated Impact Assessment and call for evidence, and named organisations it wants to hear from.