On Monday we welcomed the panel judging the UK City of Culture 2021 competition.
It was an opportunity for the panel to ask questions and see the city for themselves. The panel is chaired by Phil Redmond the creator of Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks. He was keen to know the city’s story and how the UK City of Culture might make a difference to our fortunes. He didn’t give us any assessment of our chances, although he told the press about how they’re better this time round. The visit ended with a meeting in our fantastic Glynn Vivian Art Gallery with Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, who’s been hugely supportive of our bid.
We’ll now be working on our presentation to the panel which will take place in Hull in December. Thanks to all involved in arranging the visit and the developing our bid.
The Leader and I then hot footed it to the Liberty Stadium to meet the representatives of Skyline, the developers behind the Kilvey Hill gondola and luge project. Our teams in Planning and Economic Development are offering advice and support to try and secure the project. We’re not the only site in the running but they’re clearly impressed and interested in the potential the city offers. We’ll continue our negotiations and keep you updated.
Budget
On Tuesday we continued discussions with Cabinet on the budget following announcements by Welsh Government on grant reductions in the coming year. This followed a week of discussions last week which were challenging but necessary. Again we made good progress and we’re close to having a detailed set of proposals for consultation.
Meetings with Ministers
On Wednesday the Leader and I were in Cardiff for discussions with Ministers on the City Deal and local government reform. It’s becoming very clear that councils need to come up with a workable proposal for regional collaboration or the Welsh Government will likely impose change. There’s consensus emerging in our region for the retention of two “growth deal” footprints – Swansea Bay and Growing Mid Wales – for economic development, transport and planning.
For education and skills there’s consensus over aligning skills to the two regional learning partnerships and the growth deals. We also want to better connect our skills ambition to school improvement collaboration. Health and social care collaboration is less clear, apart from our support for the change to the ABMU boundary, but we’ll have to do more work to understand the issues relating to the region’s three health boards. I hope to report to the next WLGA regional partnership board in November.
Making Waves
The Leader and I met with Mark Shorrock, CEO at the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon to discuss progress, or the lack of it, with the UK Government. The Love the Lagoon campaign is having a real impact at a national level and my thanks go to everyone who’s helped to organise it and contribute to it. Our Communications team has done an excellent job and the next few weeks will see us push even further to get the project delivered. On Monday the Leader and I will be heading to London to meet UK Government for some critical discussions. In the meantime, you can make your voice heard through the Love the Lagoon campaign.
Tony Colburn
Sadly, former Councillor Tony Colburn passed away this week. Tony had previously served as Oystermouth councillor for nine years and was a dedicated ward member who served on a number of committees and boards. Tony will be sadly missed and my best wishes go to his wife Mary and family.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton received an Honorary Doctorate at Swansea University in recognition of her commitment to promoting the rights of families and children. So it was really appropriate the former First Lady met children and staff from Blaenymaes Primary, one of our Rights Respecting Schools. Ethan King-pill and Courtney Hurford (Rights Respecting ambassadors) and Lola Poole (an Anti-Bullying ambassador) presented her with the school mascot, Rhodri. They told her she could talk to Rhodri if she had any problems and, whilst Hillary may have been thinking that the current President needs it more than she does, she was clearly delighted by the gift. The staff accompanying the pupils were Helen Spencer, family inclusion officer, and Mark Dennis, headteacher and they sent me my favourite photograph of the year.
Congratulations
Llanrhidian Primary School has been recognised at an awards ceremony celebrating the very best in education in Wales. Head teacher Donna Caswell and deputy head Rebecca Jones were at the Estyn Awards where the school was highlighted for developing a culture of continuous improvement that offers all pupils the very best opportunities. The award follows a rare double excellent inspection report achieved by the school earlier this year.
Farewell
We’re saying goodbye to several long-serving colleagues this month. Dave Picken, Divisional Trading Standards Officer, is retiring after more than 30 years. Dave’s expertise and support for vulnerable people will to be missed. His pursuit of lost causes is also demonstrated by his unswerving support for Shrewsbury Town FC.
Suzanne Collins started working with us as a receptionist in 1998 and was also part of the first customer service agents to welcome customers to the new Contact Centre. Suzanne moved to the Democratic Services team in 2008 and has been working more recently in Income and Finance.
Barbara Cameron, unit manager at Llanfair House, is leaving after 27 years and will be sorely missed by service users and colleagues. Happy retirement to you all and thanks for your long and dedicated service.
I am on leave for most of next week so my next blog will be on November 10.
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