I was fortunate last weekend to witness what a brilliant job was done by our staff at this year’s Wales Airshow. It is a showcase for the city, its businesses, communities and our reputation as a council delivering results for all. A big thank-you to the special events team and the wider cultural services department for organising the event. But also well done to the highways team, our litter teams and all those others working behind the scenes too. It is a brilliant example of one council working together for the people we serve. This Sunday we’ll be hosting Ironman 70.3, the third year in succession we’ve hosted an event officially regarded as the best of its kind in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. My thanks in advance to all who are involved in making sure it goes well. These events matter because it’s estimated that together with last month’s World Triathlon Para Series, Ironman attracts more than 20,000 visitors generating £2m a year for local businesses.
Our armed forces have a special place in Swansea communities and this year we were proud to host Wales Armed Forces Day and a special Veterans Village at the airshow. The day included a signing ceremony for the Armed Forces Covenant, renewing our commitment to the armed forces family. On Wednesday the Lord Mayor hosted a unique gathering of some of the last living veterans who served in World War II. Nine local veterans with a combined age of over 900 years attended the informal tea along with their families and carers. It was an opportunity for the council to thank them for their service. The day was a great success, appreciated by those who attended. I’m grateful to all involved for organising it.
At the start of this week it was great to attend the opening of new sports and community facilities at Cefn Hengoed Community School and Leisure Centre. It has been a long and complex project with our teams in education, building and cultural services working closely with a range of funding partners to deliver this £7.5m investment. Pupils and staff are delighted with the outcome and leisure centre membership has risen by 300% since the work was completed.
Economic development is one of our top priorities. On Wednesday the Leader and I met with the Republic of Ireland’s Consul General for Wales, Denise McQuade. We had a wide-ranging discussion about a range of themes including skills, renewables, transport and regional development and agreed on a commitment to work together to further enhance our economic links. I’ll keep you posted on developments. Also this week the Leader and I were pleased to be asked to present to Swansea University’s board to showcase the latest news on the City Deal, regeneration and projects including Blue Eden. The university is a key partner in achieving our City Deal aspirations and, alongside its students, it contributes tens of millions of pounds every year to the Swansea economy, particularly in the city centre.
Well done to our award-winning indoor market’s staff this week for helping transform the job prospects of local teenager Bobby Taylor. Bobby joined them for three months of work experience and he says it’s helped him learn new skills that will stand him in good stead for his future career. We’re a learning organisation and I’m proud of the hundreds of young people we’ve supported into work experience, apprenticeships and jobs over the years, of which Bobby is the latest example. We all wish Bobby well in the world of work.
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