Goodbye really does mean goodbye this time, after this blog I hand back the reins to Phil Roberts who is returning to work on a phased basis from next week. I am delighted that he is ready to return as I am sure you all will be.
The last few weeks have been dominated by the EU elections. Our team did a fantastic job and all went smoothly. I must say a special thanks to Alison O’Hara who led the efforts in the final days and did a superb job. I have always enjoyed working with the team, it is a classic example of the strength of teamwork with all prepared to do whatever is needed, including providing massive quantities of sausage rolls and pasties to keep us going! (Thanks Sian).
Last week I was delighted to see the annual launch of the High 5 Awards take place at St Helen’s Primary school. The awards are in their eighth year and again are a testament to teamwork. Siany from Mumbles Pier was joined by our new ambassador James King from Ospreys, Cyril The Swan again created mayhem. These awards have recognised some incredible young people over the years and you can help by nominating, please visit this link. The awards are not just about recognition, important though that is, they have also helped to inspire other young people to push on with their personal goals.
Continuing with young people I am delighted to see that Clase Primary has been ranked Good and Excellent in an inspection published today. Congratulations to the staff and pupils. Colgate are running a competition where schools can win a playground made of recycled materials. Two of our schools, St David’s and Waunarlwydd are in the running. You can vote for them by going to this link.
In the distant past I was responsible for producing the Authority’s annual accounts and would struggle to get them completed by September. Ben Smith and the Finance team have worked with staff across the Council and completed the task by the end of May! This has been achieved with fewer resources and more complexity, well done to all. The accounts may be a mystery to most but they are an important aspect of corporate performance and a feature of financial control which is vital in delivering all of our services.
This week I attended my first (and last) meeting of the City Deal Joint Committee that brings together Leaders from the four local authorities and partners. There has been much controversy as a result of issues at Swansea University and in relation to a life sciences project in Llanelli, widely covered in the press. This meeting was to get matters back on track and to this end agreement was reached on new governance arrangements that will see each Authority contributing to the task rather than the (criticised) concentration of activity in Carmarthenshire. A crucial next step is Government approval (and money) for the early projects including Swansea City Centre. This is currently expected in the next two weeks. I hope so.
An element of this meeting was consideration of the revised proposal for the Tidal Lagoon. This has caused much hilarity in some quarters as the press focussed on the prospect of a floating village etc. The reality is that the project will only proceed if the basic technology of the lagoon can be afforded and funded and if public sector bodies agree to purchase the electricity. If that works then what floats where is an entirely different matter! The next phase is to seek to procure a partner with the skills and resources to deliver, funded by Welsh Government.
Finally a few words regarding my experience on returning. I have enjoyed it, and largely been made very welcome. Things have changed over the three years I was away. The challenges are much the same, though the scale and intensity have increased markedly.
It has been a pleasure to be reminded how many of you, provide excellent service whatever the circumstances and I wish you all well.
