The city centre is undergoing huge change and our new community services hub in the heart of Oxford Street is taking shape.
Y Storfa will offer the public easy access to a range of public services such as the West Glamorgan Archive Service, our main public library and non-council services such as Careers Wales and Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot. Another non-council tenant will be announced shortly.
I went to see progress on-site this week and the work is reinvigorating the former BHS building and bringing together key support services into a single accessible location. This will bring more people in the city centre and boost footfall businesses. Thank you to our corporate property officers and the wider council teams for all their work on this. When you walk through the city centre you can see the amount of redevelopment and investment taking place. Y Storfa is just one of the many projects nearing completion including 71-71 Kingsway, Albert Hall, Palace Theatre, the Biophillic Living Building (former Woolworth) and Princess Quarter. The changing face of the city centre is helping to promote Swansea and improve our reputation as a place to live, work and visit. On the other side of the city centre, work will soon be re-starting on unfinished parts of the Copr Bay development which includes the multi-storey car park and retail units opposite the Arena. This follows our original contractor going into administration and we’ve now got Andrew Scott Ltd on board on this important project. Thank you to all the staff involved in all of these projects.
I’ve started attending departmental meetings to get a better feel for what’s going on in each area of the council. This week I joined social services’ performance and financial management meeting which was a really thought-provoking experience given a lot of the discussion focused on the difficult financial position and the risks across the directorate. It was also a chance to hear more about the great work being done by staff. I’m happy to come along to any team meetings so please let me know if you want me to attend. This could link to team meetings you’re having to discuss the staff survey as I can join those discussions.
Just a reminder that the staff survey is live and we’ve already had a good response so please take the time to complete it as we will listen to what you say and act upon your feedback.
The General Election campaign is now in full swing – if you hadn’t noticed! After some confusion last week, the official pre-election period starts today so we need to be mindful of the restrictions we now face in work. The guidance is here, but if you have any doubt please speak to your manager. Preparations for the election are progressing and our elections team is making all the necessary arrangements for candidates, postal votes and polling stations as well as the count on election night. If you’re interested in working at a polling station please email electionstaffing@swansea.gov.uk. There’s no need to email if you’ve already been contacted.
Congratulations to a few of our “more mature” (but fit) employees who are part of the Swansea veterans’ football team who’ve won a league and cup double. The team is managed by Gary Lloyd in building services and includes Henrik Kowalski from building services and Dai Rees from highways all of which I played 5 a side with in my younger days!. Well done boys and if anyone is interested in joining you can contact Gary.
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