On December 20 we will find out what our Welsh Government revenue support grant settlement will be for the next financial year. Although we already have a good understanding of what’s needed to ensure jobs and services are maintained, it’s an important moment because the amount we get will help finalise spending plans and savings targets. A report setting out budget proposals, taking into account the Welsh Government settlement, is due to go to Cabinet on January 12 to be followed by a round of consultation before a final report to Cabinet in February and a Full Council decision in March. I will keep you posted on progress.
This week I had a catch-up with Swansea’s new Chief Superintendent for South Wales Police, Chris Truscott. We had a very useful discussion and it was good to see lots of agreement on joint issues, particularly around policing the city centre. It was very pleasing to be briefed on his plans to put high-visibility police officers on the street to enforce the rules, tackle anti-social behaviour and help promote a safe, welcoming city centre. More than £150m has been committed to city centre regeneration with projects like the Arena, 71/72 Kingsway and Y Storfa, and next year work starts on re-vamping Castle Square Gardens. All this effort has encouraged a rise in private-sector investment too. The police’s work will help us challenge the narrative about anti-social behaviour in the city centre. It will also complement what we and our partners are already doing to support vulnerable people, the growing city centre community, businesses, shoppers and visitors alike. My thanks to all those involved in continuing this important work.
Congratulations this week to teams in Social Services for scooping honours for four projects in the first-ever Wales Safer Community Awards. The Local Area Co-ordination team (pictured) won in the Equalities, Inclusion and Cohesion category and there were highly-commended honours for the CMET panel, the ‘Flip the Streets’ art project and the Safer Swansea Christmas chalet initiative. Find out more about their success stories here.
Earlier this week I visited the lunchtime Together at Christmas event at Brangwyn Hall for the vulnerable, isolated and homeless. Organised by JR Events in partnership with the Council and partners it’s become a Christmas tradition in its own right, supported by teams from the council, volunteers, Cabinet members and councillors. This year more than 500 meals were dished up to those who came along. My thanks to all those involved.
It’s always pleasing to get external praise for council initiatives, especially for one as valuable as last winter’s Swansea Spaces project. An in-depth study by Swansea University says Swansea Spaces made a striking difference to those who used the service, helping foster social connections, alleviate loneliness and promote wellbeing. It’s exactly what we hoped it would achieve and this year we’ve invested £500,000 in similar schemes supporting community food, neighbourhood activities and warm spaces. My thanks to all staff involved in projects like this which make such a noticeable difference to the lives of the people they touch.
Finally, through this blog, I try and highlight the great work that’s done by our staff across the Council. I will continue to do so as I think it’s more important than ever to showcase staff achievements in increasingly challenging circumstances. So please keep the good news stories coming.
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