The first round of budget discussions between CMT and Cabinet took place this week. Ben Smith, our chief finance officer, set out the likely forward financial position for the next three years although we’ll have a clearer picture in three weeks’ time when the Welsh Government announces the provisional financial settlement for local government. The UK government has already indicated that it will be providing some funding towards teacher pay increases in Wales which is a good start. We’ll continue discussing the detailed options for balancing the budget over the next two weeks and making it clear to the Welsh Government that the service pressures we’re facing, particularly in social care, need to be recognised in the settlement. In the meantime we’re discussing a number of options to avoid compulsory redundancies, including looking at staff terms and conditions. This is a conversation that we’ll have with staff as soon as we can.
Apse success
I’m delighted that we’ve had great success at this year’s Apse Awards with our Corporate Building Service winning the Best Workforce Initiative Award. The service has undergone a major staff training and development programme, creating future capacity and skills for the team. To win this UK-wide award in such a prestigious competition is fantastic achievement and one we can all be proud of. And on top of this we were also shortlisted in three other categories – construction and building services; environmental health, trading standards and regulatory services and best innovation and demand management. Congratulations to all the staff involved and thank you for all your hard work.
LDP
Thank you to all the staff who’ve put in a huge amount of work to progress our Local Development Plan (LDP), the blueprint for where and how land will be developed across Swansea over the next 10 years. It’s been a very long and complex process with lots of competing demands, so it’s excellent news that we’ve now reached the point where the planning inspectors appointed to ‘examine’ the plan have said no further public hearings are required. We now hope to put the plan before Council for final approval early next year.
Emergency help
Staff now have a new resource to help them plan for emergencies and business continuity. Our emergency management service’s web pages are now live, providing a range of guidance and advice on issues such as flooding and terrorism and links to other agencies. Further information will be added in the coming weeks. The links are
Internal: http://www.swansea.gov.uk/staffnet/emergencymanagement
External: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/emergencymanagement
Estyn
Congratulations to Craigfelen and Cwmrhydyceirw primary schools and Bishopston and Olchfa comprehensives who’ve all been invited to attend Estyn’s annual awards due to their excellent school inspection reports. They’ll be presented with a framed certificate recognising the hard work and commitment behind their achievement by Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams.
Saddle up
Staff can get a 50% discount off the popular Santander bike rental scheme that’s recently been launched. The scheme has already clocked up 2,000 rentals from people making the most of the cycles along the waterfront and beyond. To take advantage of the discount go here https://www.santandercycles.co.uk/pricing
Get involved
Staff can take part in a ground-breaking production as part of the World War One centenary. Artist Marc Rees’ production, Now the Hero, begins on Swansea beach and culminates in a participatory feast in the Brangwyn. It’s staged from September 25 to 29 and Marc’s looking for adult community performers to play family and friends at the wedding party. If you’d like to participate please contact, Ami Marsden community@nowthehero.wales
Benches
You may have seen some of our park benches featuring stunning artwork depicting a World War One soldier and poppies. The benches have been painted by a local artist to commemorate the 100th anniversary of WW1. Councillors have used their environmental improvements grants to fund the cost for benches in their own wards. Some have recently been completed around the rotunda at the Guildhall
10k
Our annual 10k takes place this Sunday and I’d like to thank our staff who’ve put in a huge amount of effort to prepare for this highly-regarded event. Also, good luck to any staff who’ll be running.
