Budget update
I know it’s a common theme for me to highlight the tough financial situation we face, but it’s the biggest issue facing us as a council and individuals as we strive to maintain and improve services. Each year is getting tougher and the decisions we have to make are becoming more difficult.
This week the directors and I have been locked in budget discussions with Cabinet. As I mentioned last week this is huge challenge for us, particularly considering the medium-term three-year budget projections. Next year alone we have to save £26 million. I’ve re-issued the spending restrictions so please take the necessary steps to help us reduce costs in the coming months.
We’ve been looking at every service we provide and there are difficult choices to be made. Over the coming weeks we’ll be working with the Cabinet to develop these discussions into specific budget proposals for consultation. Thanks to Ben Smith and Sarah Willis from Finance for their supporting work throughout the week. I know this is always a worrying time for staff and I’ll keep you updated as things progress.
Senior staff changes
Following the appointment of Sarah Caulkin as Interim Director of Resources, some further changes to the structure within Digital and Transformation Services have become necessary. Jo Harley has been appointed Head of Digital and Transformation Services on an interim basis to back-fill Sarah’s substantive role. Jo will now make some minor changes within Digital Services, creating development opportunities for some of the existing team leaders. While working as Director of Resources, Sarah will also continue with the duties of her previous role as Chief Transformation Officer, and that position will not be back-filled. This arrangement makes effective use of the current departmental budget and also makes a small saving which will help towards our cost reduction plans.
Great results
Design Print, our in-house graphic design and print team, and Tourism Development, in Cultural Services have been recognised in the annual Apcom UK awards for public sector print and communication managers. ‘Best use of Digital full colour’ showcased a commercial job by Design Print and ‘Best Cross Media’ recognised the brand development, management, design and execution of the Enjoy Swansea Bay campaign by our Tourism team. Design Print was also runner-up as ‘Team of the Year’ and took highly commended awards for environmental awareness and full colour litho printing.
Two of our initiatives have reached the final of the Go Awards Wales, Excellence in Public Procurement. Beyond Bricks and Mortar has been shortlisted under the Procurement Innovation in Government and Housing. A joint submission between Adult Social Care, the Procurement team and Beyond Bricks and Mortar is also shortlisted in Procurement Innovation in Social Care and Health Category. This is great news and well done to everyone involved.
One of our Flying Start projects has just had a fantastic inspection report from the CSSIW. Inspectors looked at four areas at the Seaview project and gave the following ratings:
- Excellent – Children’s Wellbeing
- Excellent – Environment
- Good – Care & Development
- Good – Leadership & Management
Inspectors noted that the areas with ‘excellent ratings’ were sector-leading and both of the ‘good ratings’ were on the cusp of excellent which is really pleasing. These results are important as I mentioned last week about the need for us all to help give children the best possible start in life. This is another great example of how we do this on the ground – well done to everyone involved. I’m delighted and proud of what you’ve achieved.
Continuing this theme, Mark Thompson, who leads St Helen’s Primary School, is attending the grand finale of the Pearson Teaching Awards in London this Sunday where he’s shortlisted for a Gold Award in the Headteacher of the Year category. There’s been a remarkable transformation at St Helen’s, both in its physical appearance and in pupil achievement and attendance. Mark was recognised for his exceptional leadership when he won the Welsh category earlier this year and I wish the very best of luck.
Congratulations to 1,534 children and young people who completed the 19th Summer Reading Challenge in our libraries. They were among more than 6,000 children who took part in events and is important as we bid for UK City of Culture. None of this would have been possible without the help of our library staff and 19 volunteers who worked a total of 433 hours.
Our commercial and parks teams are giving residents and businesses the chance to adopt flower beds in Victoria Park and Singleton Park’s Botanical Gardens. It’ll help us cut costs and generate income. Have a look here for more information.
Retirement
Sue Phillips, our Looked After Children’s Co-ordinator, is due to retire at the end of the month. Sue was a teacher for many years before taking up her current role, where she’s been a dedicated advocate for looked after children for over 16 years. I wish Sue well in her retirement. I regularly pay tribute to staff who’ve given long service or who are retiring. I don’t want to miss anyone out, so please let me know if a colleague is retiring.
Stormy weather
I would like to place on the record my thanks to the staff who responded to the challenges caused by last weekend’s bad weather. The storms caused a lot of damage and our teams responded magnificently to the calls for help from residents. A number of councillors have asked me to pass on their thanks. It looks like we may have a similar situation with Storm Brian this weekend so I hope we can respond in the same way to any problems it causes.
Halloween
We’ve worked with the Mark Jermin Stage School to organise a city centre event in the build-up to Halloween on Saturday October 28. You can find out more info about Spooks in the City here .
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