I recently had the opportunity to discuss rough sleeping with the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James AM. Many years ago I watched a TV play called Cathy Come Home which made a significant impression and led me to study housing in more depth. I probably thought at the time that this poor reflection on our society would at some point be consigned to the dustbin of history and that no-one would have to sleep rough or choose to do so because it was less risky than the alternatives. In retrospect this was a naïve view and, if anything, the problem has escalated to a level that I wouldn’t have imagined possible all those years ago.
Every November a snapshot of rough sleepers is taken. Last year the figures on one night were 18 in Swansea, 64 in Cardiff, 14 in Newport and 24 in Wrexham. The Swansea figure had dropped slightly from the previous year (21) but is fairly consistent year-on-year. It gives some idea as to the extent of rough sleeping in each area, but the bald figures don’t reflect the complexity of the challenges some rough sleepers face.
Our housing team are working hard with partners to address the issue and I’m grateful for their continuing commitment and hard work. I’ve been discussing issues with Councillor Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Homes, Energy & Service Transformation and Joint-Interim Deputy Leader, and our Head of Housing & Public Health, Mark Wade. We’ll consider what more can be done to tackle rough sleeping and raise some issues that I hope the Welsh Government will help us with along with our partner agencies in the third sector, health service and police. But we are under no illusions that this is a problem many have wrestled with and it persists and sadly deepens, particularly in our cities.
Regional working
On Tuesday the Leader and I attended the Regional Working Scrutiny Inquiry Panel, chaired by Councillor Lyndon Jones. The panel produced a report in June last year with a number of helpful recommendations so they were keen to see what actions we’ve taken since. It is pleasing that almost all have been completed and the remainder are in progress. Since the report was published the details of the Welsh Government proposals for improved collaboration and the operation of Joint Committees have become clearer and I’ve had a number of informal discussions with the Minister and civil servants as well as with regional colleagues in South West Wales. A Bill is likely to be published in November which will set out the Welsh Government’s plans.
South West Wales has a strong tradition of collaboration between the councils of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath & Port Talbot:
- The efficient and effective administration of hundreds of millions of pounds of European structural fund programmes.
- A shared economic regeneration strategy that identified the key economic challenges, drivers and sectors for the region.
- A regional learning and skills partnership and observatory
- A regional transport body via SWWITCH
- The submission and approval of a case for City Region status to the Welsh Government
- The submission and approval of a growth deal to support the City Region
- A Joint Committee to implement the City Deal
I advised the panel that it’s this “four council footprint” that represents the greatest potential for collaboration and this also reflects the view of all the Council members I’ve spoken to. I hope we can reach an agreement with the other three councils about how we can best work together to provide better services to the people of South West Wales.
Shwmae Su’mae
Mae Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae’n gyfle gwych i annog pobl i ddefnyddio’r Gymraeg yn fwy. Hyd yn oed os nad ydych chi’n siarad llawer o Gymraeg, mae dechrau sgwrs trwy ddweud ‘Shwmae’ yn rhoi’r hyder i bobl ddefnyddio’r iaith yn fwy. Cynhaliwyd nifer o fentrau – aeth y Cyfarwyddwr Addysg, Nick Williams, i ymuno â phlant Ysgol Gynradd y Crwys ddydd Mawrth i’w gweld yn mwynhau defnyddio’u Cymraeg ar ddiwrnod Shwmae Su’mae.
Roedd tîm rhaglen Partneriaeth Ranbarthol Gorllewin Morgannwg wedi dathlu trwy fwyta pice ar y maen a defnyddio propiau swigod siarad. Creodd Llyfrgell Townhill arddangosfa llyfrau Cymraeg i annog dysgwyr, a chynhaliodd llyfrgell Carchar Abertawe ddiwrnod o siarad Cymraeg â’r carcharorion trwy gymorth gan swyddog y carchar sy’n siarad Cymraeg.
Mwy am Ddiwrnod Shwmae Su’mae: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/staffnet/article/53607/Shwmae-Sumae
Swansea 50
A few weeks ago I mentioned the exhibition at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery to celebrate 50 years of Swansea receiving city status. This week I visited the exhibition which was a brilliant display of artistic talent from Wales City of Culture.
The main exhibition contains some important works which reflect a variety of artistic styles and images of Swansea through the ages. Thanks to Karen MacKinnon and her team for making me feel so welcome. It’s also good to see the Glynn Vivian has joined British Art Network and will share expertise and research across UK cultural organisations.
Last weekend I also visited the exhibition to celebrate 50 years of Swansea Music at Swansea Museum, only to find some of my records and embarrassing photographs on display.
Being a museum exhibit certainly reminds you of your age. Thanks to Amina Abu-Shahba, our Cultural Community Co-ordinator, for inviting me and to all involved in creating this memorable celebration. I hope you can visit these great exhibitions and continue to celebrate our 50th birthday.
Sad news
Last weekend we lost one of our most experienced and distinguished local politicians, honorary Alderman Alan Lloyd. Alan was the ward councillor in Townhill and Castle communities, with almost 45 years of continuous service and he was also the Mayor of Swansea (1980/81) and Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea (2009/10). He also served on many national and international bodies, representing Swansea and Wales across the globe. I have many fond memories of his dry wit in the Council chamber but also of his support in difficult times. Our best wishes go out to his family, particularly to his son, Councillor Clive Lloyd, who has taken a break from his duties as Deputy Leader.
C’mon Wales
Good luck to the Welsh rugby team against France this weekend. Let’s hope the dream is still alive next weekend. There’ll be no blog next week as I’ll be on leave; unfortunately not in Japan.
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