Council has appointed to the post of Deputy Chief Executive.
We had a strong field of candidates for this post and following a rigorous process, Adam Hill, currently Assistant Director of Business Services at the University of the West of England, was appointed. Adam, who will be joining us in December, brings a wealth of experience in local government, higher education, private and third sectors and fills the final place on the Corporate Management Team following the recent senior management review.
I’m sorry I couldn’t mention this last week, but we had to wait for the formal side of the process to be completed and Adam has since accepted the offer.
The focus of the Deputy CEO’s work will include
- Working with the Section 151 officer to develop sustainable financial strategy
- Strengthening corporate grip and preventing silo working
- Working with the Chief Transformation Officer to drive transformation, digital services and commercialism
- Managing audit and regulation
- Addressing workforce relations and skills issues
- Working with the Monitoring Office on good governance
- Providing formal cover for me when I’m absent
I know that Adam will look forward to meeting as many of you as possible when he joins us so let’s give him a warm Swansea welcome.
We’re also completing the senior management line-up in the Place directorate. This week we shortlisted for three Heads of Service posts – Housing and Public Health, Property Services and Building Services. We expect all of these roles to be filled by the end of September.
Budget
Detailed work on next year’s budget will be ramped up next week as CMT start in-depth discussions on savings requirements and proposals to meet the anticipated gap in the Council’s finances. I’ve mentioned previously this will not be an easy process and discussions with Cabinet will then take place over the next three weeks. I know this will be a worrying time for staff but we’ll do our best to minimise job losses and to protect services. I’ll keep you informed as this work progresses.
Life-saver
Ceri Saunders, secretary at Sea View Primary, recently saved a young boy from drowning in the sea. After diving in to rescue him, both she and the boy were airlifted to hospital after emergency crews pulled the pair out of the water off Blue Pool near Broughton Bay. Thankfully, both have recovered and our thanks go to Ceri for this brave and selfless effort.
Minister visit
Home Office Minister Baroness Williams came to Swansea this week to see the great work we’re to help people settle in Swansea under the Vulnerable People Relocation Scheme. The UK-wide scheme is one of the ways that Swansea and others help to resettle refugees. We’ve managed to re-settle 30 families during the past two years. Thank you to everyone involved.
Long service
Colleagues in Cultural Services are saying good bye to Belinda Richards from the parks lettings team, who’s retiring after 30 years. We wish her well for the future.