Time is running out to have your say in this year’s staff survey. You and your teams have only until July 31 to complete the survey. It doesn’t take long to complete and it will make a difference to the way we work in the months and years ahead. It’s good to hear that many of you have already participated, either individually or – for the first time – as part of your team. We’ve been making great strides to ensure engagement with you is effective and consistent, but I know there’s more we can do and the survey findings will help point us in the right direction. So, if you’ve not yet had your say, please do it now.
On Wednesday our Cabinet and heads of service met to discuss our approach to governance and financial management to ensure that we continue to have robust and effective systems in place. We were fortunate to be joined by a guest speaker Max Caller, who is the lead commissioner at Birmingham Council and he was able to share his experience and wisdom. He was very complimentary about how we are currently managing the organisation regarding governance, which was good to hear.
On Tuesday I had the pleasure of attending two Swansea University graduation ceremonies at Swansea Arena. It was great to see the arena used for these kinds of things, promoting the city to visitors from across the UK. In addition, part of our regeneration strategy is to ensure that as many of our graduates continue to stay and work in Swansea to boost our economy and job creation opportunities.
Details are being announced early next week on how people can give feedback on proposals for a new public sector hub in the city centre, so please look out for it. The hub would be a workplace for some of us, including non public-facing staff currently based at Civic Centre. The hub would also accommodate workers from other public sector organisations too. There will be no changes for staff in the near future as construction would not start before the middle of next year. I’ll keep you updated.
Our reputation as a well-run organisation which focuses on the needs of the communities we serve always benefits when we get independent recognition from our peers. That’s why I’m pleased to see our Community Engagement team shortlisted for a second year running for an APSE award in the Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative category. Our team has transformed its ageing well work, using a more informal approach, and developing daily engagement activities like walking, movie afternoons and social cuppa catch-ups to name just a few. Well done to the team and good luck in the finals later in the year.
Another example of an independent endorsement is the Bronze award achieved by our Evolve Youth Services for the quality and impact of their work in schools and youth clubs under the Welsh Government’s Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales. Evolve helps young people change their lives for the better, so my thanks to all those involved for their commitment.
Finally, congratulations to Judith Porch for being elected a Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators. Judith works for our lifelong learning service and she’s famous for designing all of our Freedom of the City scrolls over the last 35 years, including people like Catherine Zeta Jones and Alun Wyn Jones. If, like me, you’ve seen them up close you’ll know what great works of art they are.
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