So now we know, the European Elections go ahead on the May 23 and the European flag will not fly on civic buildings across Wales on Europe Day! It’s now full steam ahead, postal votes are on their way to electors and will start returning next week. We’re expecting around 30,000 postal votes in Swansea. Nationally there are concerns around protests and disruption which would threaten the integrity of the vote. I attended a police-led contingency planning event this week that explored a number of potential scenarios. I’m very clear that the integrity of the election is massively important, but very conscious of the responsibility for the safety of our staff. There’s no specific local intelligence which is of concern but it does no harm to plan.
The extent to which people are increasingly able to share their experiences in terms of mental health issues nationally and locally can only be positive. Next week is Mental Health Awareness week. I’m delighted to see our Stress Management and Counselling team has created an online programme of mental health and counselling resources for our employees. I hope people will make use of this resource.
Physical activity is of great importance throughout life but it’s especially good to see young people active and enjoying! So congratulations to Alison Williams and the children of Penyrheol Primary School at their recent participation in the Big Pedal 2019. Well done all.
In more mundane, yet important, matters Corporate Management Team dealt with a few key issues this week. Firstly a report on performance in Adult Social Care was presented by Deb Reed (Head of Service) and Dave Howes (Director). Whilst there are obvious pressures on delayed transfer of care and provision of domiciliary care packages, I was pleased to see the service clearly has a good understanding of its strengths and weaknesses and is actively working to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.
We also started preparations for the coming budget round (surely the point at which I lose readers!). We of course need to address our overspends from last year, deliver our savings planned for this year and prepare for further future savings. Swansea is no different to other local authorities in facing demand pressures and falling cash. Tough though it is, it’s imperative we work continuously on this agenda in the belief that planning our way through it is not only a duty but our best chance of protecting vital services.
The other hardy perennial issue rearing its head again this week is the tensions around regional working in both ERW and the City Region. Government policy is set on extending regional working and we continue to try and be positive whilst some of our friends continue to threaten to withdraw. Nobody said it would be easy!
Following the national innovation award at the House of Lords, our corporate health and safety team has again been recognised for outstanding performance. The team has been shortlisted for awards in H&S large organisation of the year, H&S training and wellbeing at tonight’s South & West Wales Occupational Safety Group awards. Good luck tonight!
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