We continue to see strong progress in delivering our shared priorities – from major regeneration projects and cultural investment to community safety, housing and workforce development.
Yesterday, we welcomed an announcement from the UK Government about their plans for a £20m investment to support the transformation of the Civic Centre site.
This is an important step forward in our ambitions to reimagine one of the city’s most prominent locations, so my thanks to all officers involved in this project and the funding bid.
Working alongside our development partner Urban Splash, we are developing proposals that would bring a vibrant mix of uses to the site.
At the heart of the vision is a next-generation aquarium — an innovative attraction combining digital technology with real aquatic environments to create an immersive and evolving visitor experience.
New homes, cafés, bars, workspaces, leisure facilities, and a saltwater lido also form part of the proposals, with a formal planning application to be submitted later this year.
This focus on regeneration and placemaking is mirrored in the continued success of the Swansea Building Society Arena, which has now welcomed more than one million visits since opening four years ago this month.
Developed by the council, the arena is important not just as an entertainment venue, but also as a key driver of economic activity in the city.
In yesterday’s Green the City: Adapting to Climate event at Urban HQ in the city centre, it was announced that Swansea is now a Biophilic City, thanks to a successful joint application for the status from the council, Natural Resources Wales and Swansea University.
Joining a global network that includes cities such as San Francisco, Singapore and Vancouver, this designation reflects the long-term commitment of the council and partners to embed nature into our urban environment – enhancing biodiversity, supporting wellbeing and strengthening our green and blue infrastructure.
On that note, it’s very encouraging to say that we’ve now agreed a scheme with a company called Batri to transform the former Tir John landfill site into a solar farm of national significance. This is the first phase of a major renewable energy project in Swansea led by DST Innovations that will also include a tidal lagoon, a high-tech battery manufacturing plant, a data centre, floating solar and a renewable energy transport hub. It’s taken a long time to get to this stage but there will be more detail on the overall proposals in the coming months.
On Wednesday, I attended the stakeholder launch of the Building a Better Dyfatty project at the Palace Theatre. This programme, agreed as the Public Services Board’s flagship project for 2026–28, adopts the Clear, Hold, Build approach to deliver sustained improvements in the area.
Working in conjunction with South Wales Police and supported by a wide range of partners, the focus will be on coordinated action – combining enforcement with prevention, safeguarding and long-term community support.
Housing also remains a central priority. Earlier this week, I joined Cllr Andrea Harrington – Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation – Director of Place Mark Wade, and Head of Housing and Public Protection Carol Morgan on a visit to a Persimmon Homes development in Garden Village, where new council homes are being delivered through a planning 106 agreement. This is an important way of increasing our housing stock and ensuring that growth benefits our communities, so we’ll continue to explore all opportunities to grow our housing stock and to create hundreds of new council homes for local people.
Supporting our workforce is equally important. This is why monthly webinars, delivered in partnership with Gower College Swansea, are now underway to help managers better understand and utilise apprenticeship pathways. These sessions are designed to broaden awareness of the diverse opportunities available and to strengthen our approach to developing talent across the organisation.
You can book your place here at the next webinar of this kind, which is being held on Thursday March 26.
Last Friday night saw the inaugural Together WeCare Awards at the Brangwyn Hall. Delivered by WeCare.Wales in partnership with ourselves and Neath Port Talbot Council, the event was a fitting celebration of the dedication and professionalism of those working across social care, childcare and early years. My thanks go to all involved in making the evening such a success, including Teresa Mylan-Rees in our Child and Family Services department.
Today we say thank you and farewell to Richard Rowlands – our Strategic Delivery and Performance Manager – who retires after 30 years’ service. Richard has made a lasting contribution to the council across a range of roles, always bringing professionalism, reliability and a strong sense of purpose.
On behalf of us all, I wish him a long and happy retirement.
Finally, it was with sadness that I learned this morning that Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams died yesterday after a short period of illness. Paxton had served as a Councillor for 22 years, representing the communities of Three Crosses and Upper Killay. He also served as Lord Mayor in 2024/2025 and was the long-standing Chair of the Child and Family Services Scrutiny Performance Panel.
Our thoughts are with Paxton’s wife, Patricia, and his family.
Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams – Rural Anchor Advisory Group Member
The External Economic Regeneration Team has worked with Paxton over a long period of time. His work in supporting the rural communities of Swansea cannot be underestimated, he was a valued longstanding member of the various advisory groups which have guided and supported the rural funding streams delivered by our department. His support to officers has been of immeasurable value, and we are deeply saddened to hear this news.
There are certain people in life who help sustain and progress our society and the values we hold dear, Paxton was one of those people.