Later today I’m heading to Mill Stream Way for the opening event of Cwtch Mawr’s new home. Cwtch Mawr is a much-needed multi-bank that plays a key role in supporting those in our communities who live with poverty every day. Cwtch Mawr was opened in Swansea by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has been the driving force behind establishing a network of multi-banks across the UK. In Swansea, we are partners in the initiative alongside Faith in Families, Amazon and a number of other businesses, agencies and voluntary organisations. Since its launch, more than 1,800 individuals, 689 families and 867 young people have been supported with more than 35,200 items delivered. The new centre is bigger than the old one and will serve Swansea and communities beyond our borders. In an ideal world, we would not need places like Cwtch Mawr, but unfortunately, we clearly do and I am proud that we are here for Swansea’s most vulnerable when they need us. My thanks to Jane Whitmore and the Enabling Communities and Tackling Poverty team, as well as our social services and housing teams, for helping ensure Cwtch Mawr reaches those most in need.
This week saw the first meeting of the InPhase Service Planning Board, which is developing a new service plan module using our performance management software, InPhase. The Service Planning Project is about turning strategy into action – giving teams a smarter, joined-up platform to plan, track, and deliver services with impact, all powered by real-time insights and ready for the 2026–27 cycle. The Project Board is made up of representatives from across the organisation, and they will be in touch shortly with more details on how you can share your views and get involved.
Appraisal season is still with us, and if you haven’t had yours yet, please speak to your manager right away. Appraisals are an opportunity for you to review the past year with your manager and look forward to your shared ambitions for the next 12 months. The deadline for completing appraisals is the middle of July, with the exception of school-based and some education teams who work on an academic year, so these need to be completed by the end of October.
It’s Armed Forces Day tomorrow, and if you are in the city centre in the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to show your support for those who serve, our veterans and their families. On Monday, I was proud to be in the audience for the Armed Forces flag-raising ceremony at Guildhall, part of our continuing recognition of their unique commitment to going in harm’s way to protect us and our country.
Congratulations to our regeneration team behind the revitalisation of the Palace Theatre on winning the regeneration & conservation prize in the Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW) Awards 2025. The judges recognised the innovative way we were able to save a derelict building on the brink of collapse, and not only restore and shine a light on many of the theatre’s original features but also enable its modern use as grade A offices.
My thanks this week also go to cleaner Michaela Harris, who works for our cleaning services at our high-rise flats. She stepped in to support a mum living in Clyne Court who feared her baby was not breathing after a choking incident. With great presence of mind, Michaela did all the right things to ensure the child was safe and reassure his mum. Well done, Michaela. Your actions were outstanding.
You know summer is here when the Wales Airshow countdown begins. It’s next weekend, July 5 and 6, so look out for the usual messages about road closures and changes to access to some of our car parks around the Civic Centre and Guildhall. My thanks to special events and all the council teams who make such an important event for Swansea go so well.
And finally, farewell to Teifion Davies, retiring today after 40 years working for the parks team in Clyne Gardens. You can read Teifion’s story here and I want to add my thanks and best wishes to those of his colleagues and all the friends he’s made there over the years.
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