I’m very proud to say that this afternoon I headed over to Kingsway for the official opening of 71/72 Kingsway – our brand-new high-tech business venue. As most of you will remember the site used to be home to the Oceana nightclub and before that it was a cinema. Now it’s a truly landmark building, a powerful statement of our confidence – and business confidence generally – in the future of a city centre with a vibrant, forward-thinking future. We have already got two major signings as tenants – flexible workspace provider IWG will take up about 20,000 square feet at the development, with travel and leisure company TUI taking up approximately 7,000 square feet. Their presence further cements our ambition that 71/72 Kingsway will be a catalyst for increasing footfall and supporting retail business.
Many individuals and teams have contributed to this success story, and I want to thank them all, especially Lee Richards, Catrin Kim and Elizabeth Morris. It has been an amazing journey. Congratulations to everyone who’s helped see this vital project through. It’s yet more evidence of our reputation as a council that delivers for its residents and businesses.
Yesterday I accompanied the Leader to Baglan in Port Talbot for the official opening of another regional business landmark – the High Value Manufacturing digital factory hub launched by CATAPULT. It’s a research and innovation centre open to manufacturers across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, supporting them to improve how they do things. The investment is another vote of confidence in our partnership approach to protecting and creating jobs for Swansea people.
Sticking with the jobs theme, we have a well-deserved reputation for the quality of our apprenticeships and the gateway they offer to a lifetime of fulfilling employment. And it’s probably fair to say that Nigel Williams, our head of corporate building services (pictured right), has been a great advocate for apprenticeships across the service. So, it was great to see Gower College Swansea present him with a unique Apprentice Employer Champion award at its Apprenticeships Awards event on Monday. It is a fitting tribute, for Nigel who started his career as an apprentice plumber and is retiring in two weeks after 19 years with Swansea and over 30 years with local government. Congratulations Nigel, and good luck in your retirement.
The awards event at the Liberty also saw one of our apprentices, Isaac Fabb, pick up the Exemplary Apprentice award. You can read more about Isaac here, but it’s clear that his apprenticeship experience with us changed his life – and his family’s too. If you know anyone who may be interested in an apprenticeship with us, we are currently recruiting. I am keen to expand the programme and similar initiatives across all areas of the Council as part of our workforce strategy.
Following on from my blog last week about staff survey feedback, I’ve another update about things we’re doing as a result of your views about being kept informed about corporate activity and actions. On Wednesday, 100 new starters attended an induction session with our corporate management team where myself, directors and chief legal officer Debbie Smith offered an overview of our services and responded to questions.
In addition, our manager briefing pack will be getting a refresh and we’ll be looking make internal communication engaging with video and images. There will also be more opportunities to have your say, including adding extra commenting and discussion opportunities on staffnet. We’ll also be talking to you more regularly about our transformation programme. Not all the changes will happen straight away, but you should start to see progress on staffnet, in the staff newsletter and elsewhere in the coming weeks. Please let me know what you think.
Congratulations this week to Liam Davey, who has been given a bravery award by South Wales Police for his courage in trying to save the life of a woman set on fire by her husband outside Singleton Hospital in 2023. You can read more about Liam’s story here.
I have regularly updated you on the budget process so want to confirm that Cabinet is meeting on February 20 to discuss its final budget proposals which will go to Full Council for a final decision on March 6. You can find copies of the revenue and capital budget reports here. It’s always a difficult time to turn the budget around with late decisions made by Welsh and UK governments, so my thanks to Ben Smith, our director of finance, Sarah Willis and Liz Rees for all of their hard work in getting it over the line.
I promised I’d let you know when I had details of the memorial service celebrating the life of Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Wendy Fitzgerald, who sadly passed away recently. If you wish to go along to pay your respects, it’s taking place at 1.15pm tomorrow, Saturday, at St David’s Church in Swansea Road, Penllergaer.
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