Chief Exec's Blog

It’s not only the Chancellor Rachel Reeves who has been working on budgets this week. It’s been a busy week for us too, with Cabinet and CMT completing our initial budget review, taking into account the UK Government’s budget and the Welsh Government’s draft budget.

Overall, thanks to prudent financial management and solid in-year budget control across the Council, we are reasonably well-placed to weather the challenges we face.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be developing proposals for Cabinet and Council to consider in the New Year once we have a clearer idea of the funding we’ll receive from the Welsh Government. We’ll also be meeting with trade unions to outline our current position and assumptions, and there will be an opportunity for staff and the public to have their say before a final decision is made in March. My thanks to everyone who has helped us reach this important stage.

There’s a real sense of excitement as Y Storfa prepares to open its doors to the public on Monday. Staff are working hard on the finishing touches to the city centre hub that will be home to many of our customer-facing services. Apart from the Swansea Registry Office, the Civic Centre will close to the public later today.

Y Storfa is a new chapter in the history of the council, transforming the way we operate to offer our residents effective and efficient services. It will also be a boost to the city centre, helping to increase footfall and support retailers and other businesses for years to come. My thanks to all involved in this project – and there are a lot of you – and I wish you luck for Monday.

This week also sees the launch of our new Tension Monitoring Form, which gives staff a simple way to share concerns or observations that could point to rising tensions in our communities. Whether it’s rumours, hate incidents, or changes in public attitudes, spotting these early means we can work with partners to prevent problems and offer reassurance. If you notice anything, please use the form. Together, we can help keep Swansea a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

I’m delighted to share some fantastic news about our Falls Response Project, developed in partnership with Swansea Bay University Health Board. This initiative, led by Amy Jenkins from our adult services commissioning team and inspired by an original idea by one of our occupational therapists, Francesca Omand, has just won a prestigious health service improvement award.

By empowering carers to support people who have fallen at home, we’re reducing unnecessary ambulance callouts and hospital admissions, and making sure people get the right care at the right time. Congratulations to everyone involved. This is a brilliant example of council-inspired innovation making a real difference, so my thanks and well done to all involved.

We’re also proud of our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which is all about supporting serving personnel, veterans, and their families. The Forces in Mind Trust’s latest report highlights the positive impact of the Covenant by organisations like ours in making sure veterans and their families are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives. My thanks go to our Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Wendy Lewis, Spencer Martin and all our other teams who help make a difference for our veterans every day.

Finally, it’s brilliant to hear that the Christmas Parade has been named the best council-organised outdoor event in Britain at the National Outdoor Events Association Awards 2025. It’s something we have always believed, but it’s great to have an official endorsement from an organisation as prestigious as the NOEA.

We all know that it’s only been possible to achieve this award-winning success by sheer hard work, dedication and skilful delivery by our teams. And to prove the point, last Sunday’s parade was again a fantastic show and many residents were quick to say well done on social media to all involved. I’d like to add my thanks and congratulations to theirs.

Y Storfa, the new city centre home for many of our frontline services is throwing open its doors to the public on December 1. This flagship project brings new life to a key location, supporting local businesses and making the city centre a more welcoming destination for everyone. I’m proud of what we have achieved together, and I want to thank the many staff from across the council – whether you’ve been involved in planning, moving, or preparing services – for getting this critically important project over the line.

Our public-facing services that’ll call Y Storfa home include the Central Library and the West Glamorgan Archives Service. Also there will be teams from the Contact Centre, Client Services, Revenues and Benefits, Employability, Housing Options, Housing Support and Lifelong Learning. It’s a great pre-Christmas gift to the people of Swansea which will be appreciated for years to come increasing footfall and viability for the wider city centre.

Congratulations to our adult social services teams for all their hard work ensuring that our region has hit ambitious Welsh Government’s ambitious targets for reducing the length of stay of patients in local hospitals. The issue is popularly known as ‘bed-blocking’ and hitting the targets is good news for patients who don’t have to wait too long to leave hospital when they’re well enough to go home. It’s also great for our local Health Board because it frees-up beds for those who do need them. Our health and care services will of course continue to be under extraordinary pressure during the winter. But I hugely appreciate your commitment, resilience and hard work. You should be very proud.

This year’s staff survey closed last Friday and I want to thank everyone who took the time to have their say and for the managers who helped facilitate team sessions in the workplace. Together with heads of service and directors we will be assessing what you’ve said, discussing the issues you’ve raised and taking action in response. I’ll keep you updated over the coming weeks and is a further step to try and improve our communication with staff across all parts of the council.

On Wednesday 78 members of staff were celebrating their success at Gower College Swansea’s annual Higher Education Graduation Ceremony. Their achievements are a personal career milestone, and I congratulate all them on a great set of results. By investing in learning and development, we are building a workforce with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver excellent services for our communities. Higher Education qualifications empower our staff to innovate, lead, and adapt, ensuring we continue to thrive in a changing world.

Wednesday was #WorldChildrensDay which we marked with a fantastic event at the National Waterfront Museum celebrating the voices, rights and achievements of our communities’ children. It was a colourful and vibrant occasion and my thanks to our teams for making it such a success.

Well done to our staff at The Western Bay Adoption Service (WBAS) for an excellent Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspection. Inspectors noted how our teams consistently put children’s needs first with thorough assessments, robust safeguarding, and a trauma-informed approach at every stage. This achievement reflects our team’s dedication and professionalism, and I thank them for their continued commitment.

Praise this week is also due to Phil Morcom of our market team who rescued an elderly couple’s shopping lost at Swansea Market. When they learned Phil had found it, the grateful couple described him as a ray of light in a dark world. I can’t say well done better than that.

Don’t forget today is your last chance to have a say in our public survey about the future of the many parks and open spaces that we look after every day. If you want to help shape what they’ll look like for future generations, please act now.

And finally, it’s that time of year when the festive season really kicks off with tonight’s opening of Waterfront Winterland, the weekend’s city centre Victorian Fayre and Sunday’s Christmas Parade. All of that and free bus travel in Swansea for the weekend too. A big thank you to the many staff who are making it memorable for tens of thousands of visitors and their families.

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.

Thousands more people will soon be working in Swansea city centre – a major step forward for the city’s regeneration and a clear sign of growing business confidence in Swansea.

This increase in footfall is vital. It will help support existing traders, create new opportunities for shops, cafés and services, and attract further investment in the months and years ahead.

We know our residents want a vibrant city centre with more places to shop, work, and spend time, but – like many other cities across the UK – Swansea faces the ongoing challenge of changing retail habits and the rise of online shopping, which means the traditional city centre model needs to evolve.

That’s why these latest developments are so important.

Office space at our 71/72 Kingsway development is already 80% let, and positive talks are ongoing about the remaining space at the scheme. Travel and leisure company TUI recently celebrated their official opening there, joining financial firm Futures First and flexible workspace provider IWG, who have also signed-up. More tenants will be announced soon – another sign of confidence in the city’s direction.

Later this year, we’ll also see the opening of Y Storfa – our new community services hub at the former BHS building on Oxford Street. This major project will bring together a range of council and partner services under one roof, including a new Central Library, the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Housing Options, Housing Support, the Contact Centre, and Revenues and Benefits.

These developments matter. When businesses consider where to invest, numbers count – from city centre footfall to office occupancy. That’s why the regeneration schemes delivered by the council, our partners, and the private sector are so crucial to Swansea’s future.

It’s also been a productive week or so for regional collaboration. The Welsh Government has now approved a regional transport plan for South West Wales, and new local energy plans have been announced for each local authority in the region. These will play a key role in supporting our journey towards net zero.

With Christmas fast approaching, plans are already in motion for another fantastic festive season. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the officers involved in last year’s Christmas Parade. Thanks to their hard work, the council has been shortlisted for the Event of the Year Award in the local authority category at the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) Awards 2025. Good luck to all involved!

Our annual fireworks display is also taking place at St Helen’s on Wednesday (November 5), helping to further reinforce the importance of events to Swansea’s success.

Congratulations to Maggie Bassett from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bryn y Môr, who was one of five UK finalists in the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education, shortlisted in the Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year category.

A special mention also to Viv Rees from our legal team, who will retire on November 14 after 40 years of service. Viv’s dedication and professionalism have made a lasting impact, and she will be greatly missed by her colleagues. I wish her a long and happy retirement.

The council has evolved enormously since Viv joined in 1985, but one thing has never changed – the vital contribution of our staff. Your ideas, feedback, and daily commitment are what keep improving our services and make Swansea a great place to live and work. This is why I’d like to remind all staff to take part in this year’s staff survey so that your views can help shape the next phase of improvements across the council.

The expectation is that all staff will have the opportunity to participate in the staff survey – either online through this link or as part of a team session with their managers, who are all obliged to hold a team brief to discuss the staff survey.

If you are a manager, then please ensure this takes place and – for employees who haven’t heard anything – please speak to your manager so that it’s diarised. The deadline for staff survey completion is mid-November, so I look forward to receiving your feedback shortly.

Finally, it was with great sadness that we recently learned of the passing of David Daycock, a former head of legal here at the council. Dave was a trusted colleague and a good friend to many. My deepest condolences go to his family and friends.

The first phase of our work on the budget proposals for the next financial year were completed this week, following a meeting of CMT and Cabinet. The UK financial outlook is challenging and there’s the usual uncertainty due to the Chancellor’s budget coming soon and its impact on Welsh Government and local authority funding. In Swansea we’ve completed the review of directorate budgets, with further work on capital budgets and the Housing Revenue Account to come in November. Our overall assessment is that we’re in a fairly positive position to manage the financial challenges we’ll be facing in the coming months. Council will set the budget in March and between now and then you’ll have a formal chance to have your say on the proposals. I will keep you posted in the meantime.

A key part of our work to stay on course budget-wise is our transformation strategy, Successful and Sustainable Swansea. The strategy sets out how we’re changing the services you deliver every day so that they are modern, meet the expectations of residents and deliver the financial savings we need to keep the budget on track. Find out more about progress here. It’s supported by a transformation board of officers and Cabinet members which meets quarterly to monitor progress. The latest meeting was yesterday. I’m pleased to say that, thanks to your efforts, good progress is being made, and the plan is broadly where it needs to be. Challenges are being addressed around homelessness and social services due mainly to rising demand for services that all councils face. There’s also good evidence to show our work on other strands including digital transformation, regeneration, schools waste services and More Homes are delivering results for staff and residents. My thanks to all of you for helping make the difference in our communities every day.

Congratulations to our Community Engagement Team, CMET and all other council staff who helped support this summer’s Chill City youth engagement project in the city centre. They staged almost 100 events and activities that helped contribute to a reduction in anti-social behaviour in the city centre during the school summer holidays for the second year running. You can read more about that here. Working with police and more than 60 other partners it saw the initiative shortlisted for the Best Problem Solving in Partnership Award at this week’s South Wales Police Awards held at the Brangwyn Hall. Although we did not win, to be nominated as a Top Three finalist was a great achievement. Well done to all involvement.

My thanks to all the teams who helped deliver this summer’s IRONMAN 70.3 event. Our latest economic impact assessment revealed this week shows it contributed more than £4.3m to the local economy, boosting jobs, tourism and hospitality businesses. It’s a significant increase on last year and adds further endorsement of its growing popularity in Swansea and far beyond that enhances our reputation for delivering great events.

As our Central Library staff continue their work on the big move to Y Storfa, they’ve been praised by the people they serve. One message from a member of the public read: “In your Civic Centre base you gave us book recommendations, a kind smile – and so much more. We look forward to the new library opening!”  Y Storfa, complete with the new library and a range of other public services, is due to open before Christmas and my thanks to all the teams who are working to ensure this complex operation goes well.

Well done to our cleansing teams who are currently on their annual rounds clearing tonnes of autumn leaves from our roads and paths to keep traffic on the move and drains as free from blockages as possible.

And, finally, if you’re in the city centre tomorrow it’ll be almost impossible to miss Spooks in the City events and Swansea Market’s ‘Terror at the Market Garden’. My thanks to all the teams involved in ensuring they’ll be a spectacular success.