As many of you will know, next week we have a big event in Swansea to reflect on how far we’ve come to highlight the people, projects and partnerships shaping a greener future for our city and region – and to sharpen our focus on the work still ahead.
Taking place at the Swansea Building Society Arena, the Green Economy Conference 2025 on Thursday November 13 has been designed to recognise the many individuals, businesses, community groups and public sector bodies across South West Wales who are helping to lead the transition to a greener, more resilient economy.
What makes this event so significant is the strong emphasis on collaboration — across councils, communities, universities, businesses and not-for-profit partners. It showcases how South West Wales can lead in the green economy transition.
We will look at renewable energy, sustainable construction, decarbonisation, investment, and green jobs and skills. A particular highlight this year is a dedicated Local Food Day, organised jointly by ourselves with Bwyd Abertawe, Swansea University and the Food and Drink Wales Cywain Programme.
Through talks and tastings, we will celebrate how our local food producers, restaurants and retailers are helping to build a sustainable regional economy, reduce emissions and connect communities.
With an exhibition, workshops and panels focused on key priority areas, this conference will be a powerful opportunity for us all to show how we are turning ambition into action.
Here in Swansea, we have set clear and ambitious targets. At the council, we’re aiming towards the Welsh Government collective target of net zero by 2030, and – by working with others across the City and County – we are committed to meeting our obligations to be a net zero city by 2050.
Our recently published Local Area Energy Action Plan sets out how energy in Swansea will be transformed — reducing reliance on fossil fuel heating, increasing renewable generation, improving buildings, decarbonising transport and engaging communities.
In parallel, our climate change and nature recovery strategy sets out workstreams and governance to make sure that every service of the council plays its part — from procurement and housing to transport, waste and green infrastructure.
To lead by example, we have introduced an internal Climate Change Champion initiative. This empowers staff across every service area to be ambassadors for behaviour change, learning and embedding climate and nature-positive thinking into day-to-day decisions.
A great example of what staff can do is the team at the Gorseinon Library and District Housing Office, who have reduced their energy bills by 40% thanks to a series of initiatives. Their work is a vivid example of how services can be catalysts for change and it shows that budget savings can be made alongside reduced carbon emissions with some simple behaviour changes.
Backed by Cabinet Members and the Unions, the Climate Change Champion initiative is being officially launched at Guildhall on January 28.
If you or your team would also like to become Climate Change Champions here at the council to help spread the word internally about the importance of environmentally friendly work practices, then please contact Jane Richmond, our project manager for strategic climate change.
This could lead to dedicated support and mentorship for your team in developing and delivering a carbon reduction project in future. At least one person in each service area is being encouraged to sign-up.
Thanks to our highways team this week for their work on the flooding. Heavy rainfall resulted in significant disruption and many roads were cleared and reopened as quickly as possible thanks to sustained efforts throughout the night.
Their prompt action helped keep the city moving and reminds us how climate impacts — such as intense rainfall and flooding — are already very real for our infrastructure and services.
I’m also delighted that the fireworks display at St Helen’s on Wednesday evening was yet again an outstanding success, so my thanks to the events team and all staff involved.
Looking ahead, the annual Swansea Christmas Parade takes place on Sunday November 23 – and we have a new route this year starting from the Guildhall.
Staff based in Guildhall should note there will be limited car parking in the rotunda area on Monday and Tuesday next week (November 10 and November 11) due to essential tree maintenance work that’s needed ahead of the parade, so please plan ahead.
Work also starts this month on a new green courtyard in the heart of Swansea city centre to honour our late colleague Huw Mowbray, a much-loved and highly respected officer whose vision and dedication helped transform the city’s landscape.
Mowbray Yard, which is part of the external enhancements for the 71/72 Kingsway scheme, is set to feature trees, planting and new street furniture, and will form part of the new pedestrian link between The Kingsway and Oxford Street.
Designed as a welcoming and relaxing space, it will offer greenery and calm in the heart of the city centre.
Our libraries service continues to perform excellently under the annual Welsh Public Library Standards.
Attendance at library events has increased by five per cent year-on-year, with virtual visits and e-issues up 75% compared to 2022-23. The full detail will be reported in due course and well done to all staff involved.
Often my blogs have raised the importance of identifying training needs through the annual appraisal process that all staff should have opportunities to learn. As such, it was great that this week our leadership team of directors and heads of service held a dedicated development day focused on evidence-based decision making — exploring how evidence, behaviour and culture shape the choices we make as an organisation.
The aim was simple: to strengthen our ability to use evidence confidently, challenge assumptions, and create a culture where decisions are open, balanced and informed.
As we tackle complex challenges such as climate change, budget pressures and transformation, these skills are essential. Strong, evidence-based leadership will help us make better decisions for our communities and for Swansea’s future.
I know everyone is busy but it’s important that we all make time for learning and development – otherwise we can’t develop new skills or get up to date on changing legislation and good practice. We intend to hold a similar session with our wider senior management team in the New Year, so remember if you have any ideas on training for you or your team please raise them with your manager.
With our staff survey due to close in a week, I’d like to remind all staff to please take part. We’ve already had close to 1,000 individual responses and many team-based responses too, but there’s still time to have your say.
Please head here to fill in the survey so we can act on your feedback. This is a way you can have your voice heard and help to introduce positive changes at the council.
Finally, I will meet with Glynne Jones later today – the outgoing Director of the Wales Office, ahead of his retirement next month.
You may remember one of my personal objectives agreed with Members is promoting the reputation of the council and collaborating with key partners. As such, it’s vital we maintain strong relationships with civil service colleagues in both the Welsh Government and UK Government so that the council continues to make the case for our city, secures the investment we need, and ensures the voice of local public services is heard in national decision-making.
I’ll be taking some time off next week, so my next blog will be in two weeks’ time.
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