CMT will be recommending to Cabinet and Council it’s time to review Sustainable Swansea and develop a new refreshed programme for the next five years.
As an organisation we’ve progressed transformation at a rapid pace over the last five years through our commissioning, commercialism and digital workstreams and this gives us a strong foundation for the future. But our approach now needs to be refined given the impact of legislative and financial drivers for change.
Adam Hill, our Deputy Chief Executive, will be leading this work over the coming months. I have no doubt that the elements of the revised programme will be similar to those we have pursued since 2013, but as I see it the key drivers for the next five years are:
- Continued austerity – irrespective of the current barrage of election promises the prospects for the UK economy remain uncertain and this will be crucial in determining the share of the cake that goes to councils. We must continue to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
- Regional working – the Welsh Government has in my view produced the first coherent strategy to improve and standardise collaboration between councils. The key for us will be to determine what is best done at a regional level and what is better delivered locally. As the capital city for South West Wales we must step up to the plate and drive this agenda forward for the region.
- New powers – including a general power of competence that will give us much greater freedom and flexibility in what we have the power to do. This has the prospect to open up a more radical and ambitious programme of commercialisation.
- Citizen engagement – in some ways the relationship between local authorities and citizens is old fashioned and paternalistic. Improving engagement and partnership, focusing on co-production and community resilience are central to a renewed relationship with our citizens. In the light of the proposal to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds for the next elections I think we may need to fundamentally change our approach to engagement and involvement.
- Digital development – the nature and patterns of work are changing for many people as are the ways in which we all access services from public and private sector agencies. Whilst recognising the challenges of digital exclusion this feels like an unstoppable force in society and all organisations must adapt to it or become obsolete. We are no exception.
I’ll keep you up to date with how this develops as it will set the medium term direction of the organisation for all of us. CMT will be very keen to hear the thoughts and ideas of staff before anything is determined.
CMT continued its work to finalise next year’s budget. However, due to the General Election we don’t expect the final settlement figures from Welsh Government until 25 February so the timetable is tight.
CMT also discussed progress on performance in adult social care with a comprehensive report from Deb Reed, Interim Head of Adult Services. Good progress is being made in this critical service area and although risks remain, CMT was reassured by the report. Alex Williams will be returning to the substantive role next week and I would like to place on the record my personal thanks to Deb for the great work she has done in Adult Services during Alex’s absence.
Swansea Central
As I mentioned last week the Council has entered into a contract with Buckingham for the building of the Phase 1 Swansea Central scheme. This week I met directors of the company to hear their views on the project and the City. It’s clear they are impressed by Swansea as a place and by the Council as an organisation that delivers.
Work has started in earnest on site and over the coming months there will be a good deal of activity in the car park next to the LC as the development takes shape. I know they will attempt to minimise disruption as far as possible, particularly over the Christmas period on which our city traders rely. It’s also great to see the development has generated lots of media interest and UK-wide media exposure has included these stories in Music Week, IQ Magazine and Property Week. I expect that more will follow.
Elections
I attended the Wales Electoral Co-ordination Board on Monday to share with colleagues from local councils, the police, Welsh Government and the Electoral Commission progress on preparations for the UK Parliamentary election on December 12.
The main area of concern seemed to be the possible impacts of poor weather conditions on access to polling stations and count venues and I’ve spoken to Huw and Alison in our elections team about our specific arrangements to make sure staff can get to and from their stations safely.
Thanks to everyone who is helping out with the receipt of postal votes in the Guildhall at the moment. I suspect they’ll be busier than ever this time round.
Awards
Well done to David Price-Deer and the team behind the Wales National Airshow who scooped the best large event at the 2019 Swansea Bay Tourism Awards.
I hope they pick up more awards next year for their fantastic work all year round that puts the city on the national and international tourism map.
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