The world is changing rapidly and technology increasingly shapes the way in which we live and work. We’re on the edge of fifth generation technology and we’re uniquely positioned to redesign and reshape our city through the City Deal and related projects. The technology is complex but the principles are simple. The benefits must be for our citizens, our businesses and to those we provide services to. There’ll be impacts on every service area and we must understand and deal with the consequences of technological change on equality, security and privacy.
On Monday we held a seminar for senior councillors and officers on the subject of Smart and Connected Cities to increase awareness of policy advisers and policy makers. Mike Galvin, an expert in this field, is working on the digital strand of the City Deal and highlighted the potential of 5G technology. Darren Topham, from our technology partner Gartner, described the top five most disruptive developing technologies including artificial intelligence, wearable devices, visual personal assistants and bots. Infosys then explained the Internet of Things and the technology that supports it, how this might help to make a Smart City and what Swansea might look like five years from now.
Julie Snell, from Bristol is Open, explained how Bristol, the UK’s leading Smart City, is putting this technology into practice. We’ll be having further discussions with colleagues over the bridge to embed their learning into our plans.
We’re hoping to roll-out this programme to more councillors, officers and our partners. All the presentations can be found here.
Thank you to all who attended, but particularly to Rhys Curtis, our innovation officer, who worked tirelessly on this event.
Budget latest
The draft budget proposals are published in a report for Cabinet next week. We’ll be spending more than £400 million on services, including extra cash for social services and education as well as funding the national 2% pay award for staff. We’ve also had to identify savings of £28 million which will impact on services and staff. I know this is a really difficult time for staff who are affected, but I want to reiterate my commitment to avoiding compulsory redundancies where we can. That’s why managers are being urged to work with staff and workshops involving staff and the unions have been set up to explore options. I am still involved in eleventh hour discussions on education grant funding !!!
This is the most difficult budget I’ve ever been involved in and although there’s no doubt over the challenges we face, I want to thank everyone for continuing to do a great job in very testing circumstances.
Music festival
The Brangwyn Hall hosted the Schools Day for the Abertawe Festival of Young Musicians. The hall was packed and I managed to catch a few songs during the primary school showcase including my young friends from the Penyrheol School of Rock. All the schools demonstrated the commitment to music and the arts that characterised our City of Culture bid, nurturing young talent and having fun. Thanks to all involved in staging and taking part in this fantastic event.
Blaenymaes School
Children’s Commissioner Sally Holland visited Blaenymaes School following an invite from its Rights Respecting Ambassadors in Year Six. Sally asked them to launch an intergenerational group and last week she worked with the school council and ambassadors on a proposal for a gardening group with older people in the community.
Sally was impressed with a number of initiatives at the school and said, “It’s very exciting that Blaenymaes are starting an intergenerational project, which will offer a real opportunity to promote positive relationships between the oldest and youngest members of this community.”
Wellbeing
I mentioned last week that the Big Wellbeing Event on January 31 at the Brangwyn and George Hall for staff, councillors, partners and foster carers. It was a huge success and 627 signed into the event though we know far more actually attended. My thanks to everyone involved.
I’ve moved
I’ve moved down the corridor to Room 208 in the Guildhall. Thanks to staff in Facilities and ICT who moved me rapidly and painlessly to the room I originally occupied 14 years ago!
Well done
Congratulations to headteacher Jeff Bird, the staff, governors, parents and the wider community at Bishopston Comprehensive School on their recent Estyn inspection. The school was judged to be excellent in all five categories. The inspectors commented, “Leaders at Bishopston Comprehensive School have established an ethos whereby pupils develop outstanding social, learning and life skills. Learning experiences meet the needs of pupils exceptionally well and teaching supports pupils to reach high standards.”
The Dylan Thomas Centre has been named in the shortlist of the ‘Best Family Venue’ category, of the Fantastic for Families Awards. The winner will be announced on March 1. Congratulations to the team and let’s hope it’s a double celebration on St David’s Day
Open Day
Swansea mosque is taking part in the national #VisitMyMosque to give the local community an insight on Sunday, February 18.
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