Next week’s elections are going to be like no other whether you’re working at a polling station or count or going out to vote.
The pandemic means we’ve had to introduce a series of changes to make it safe and workable for everyone.
Our 132 polling stations will look different with one-way systems, where possible, staff wearing face coverings and screens between them and voters. Those voting should bring their own pen or pencil, although there’ll be supplies on hand. Voters have QR codes on poll cards and our staff will be using iPads to register who comes in, rather than the old way where the poll clerk marked-off the register by pen. This should help to limit the time someone’s in the polling station.
And if all that wasn’t enough to plan for, we have a series of different elections and counts taking place with polls for the Senedd, Police and Crime Commissioner, by-elections in our Castle and Llansamlet wards and two community council by-elections in Mumbles.
There are counts on Friday at the LC for the Senedd Swansea East and Gower constituencies and Llansamlet by-election, and at the Brangwyn for the Senedd Swansea West and Castle by-election and then the PCC count two days later. Similar precautions will be taken at the counts to ensure the safety of staff, candidates and observers.
Thanks to Rhys Harries from our Housing and Public Health service for meeting with us on Wednesday to advise on safety and provide support during the verification and count process. Even without the pandemic this would have been a huge task, but our elections team and other services supporting them have been outstanding and meticulous in their planning. My thanks to everyone involved. Please remember to vote and encourage others to do the same.
Covid latest
The easing of restrictions means a number of our services and venues will be re-opening next week. Leisure centres, pools and gyms are among those that can re-open and our staff and partners have been busy putting in place new arrangements and safety measures, including limited visitor numbers. To give gym-users and swimmers the earliest possible chance of a return to action, Penlan is set to open at just a minute after midnight this Sunday night/Monday morning. More news in the coming days and weeks on locations such as our community centres and outdoor and indoor cultural service attractions.
The bank holiday may bring some more problems with large gatherings at the usual hotspots but we’re working closely with police to take the necessary action.
The infection rate is just above 21 per 100,000 which while pleasing is still the second highest in Wales so we just need to keep being sensible.
Management review
The independent senior management review is progressing with the interviews of key people now completed. I expect the report in a couple of weeks and then there’ll be discussions and consultation with those affected. The new structure has to take us through recovery, especially economic, education and social services as well as our transformation programme. And at the same time give us capacity to push ahead with regionalisation.
Good news
Our Building Services team has once again been shortlisted by APSE in the Best Performer for Building Maintenance. This is the ninth year in a row the service has been shortlisted in this category. The work areas include day-to-day maintenance, voids, gas servicing/maintenance and out-of-hours repairs. In many of the categories Building Services were the top performer in the UK which shows what a fantastic service they consistently provide. Good luck in the final.
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