A Time to Remember

Probably the most important event I attended in November was the Remembrance Service in St Mary's.  I found it quite moving in that it was actually on the 11th, and also very privileged to be there.

As well as regular committee meetings - Council, Poverty PDC which looks at how to tackle financial hardship, HCDT Board who run the Phoenix Centre, amongst others - this month included a special one to discuss issues around parking across the city, with the starting point broadly being 'too many cars and not enough spaces' (nothing new there!).  Some good suggestions came out of it, which are to be further investigated, and will definitely help if they can be put in place.

But the main focus of the month was certainly the Friends of group, with a committee meeting, the AGM, and having a very successful stall at the Green Fayre.  Thanks to a good core of volunteers the picnic area around the pond, just down the Black Road from Creidiol in Mayhill, has improved no end, and the community food garden keeps 'growing' with more to come.  If you get the chance do go and have a look, and you can follow it's progress on the Facebook page, Friends of Mayhill Washing Lake and Community Food Garden.

Les

Yet another varied month

Another month where I spent more time on things other than standard committee meetings, such as :

- had two site visit to Gors Playing Fields, aiming to tackle the problem of people driving their bikes across them - second one in the rain!  Hopefully blocking off one of the gaps that they get through will help resolve the issue 

- attended a very interesting meeting with both my ward colleagues looking at how & where it might be possible to introduce cycle routes in Townhill; the Welsh Government have made a pot of money available trying to encourage people to cycle as part of being more active

- went to the Ceremonial Council where we voted to give Karl Jenkins, currently the most performed living composer in the world, the Freedom of the City; he began his acceptance speech by pointing out that the last time he was at the Guildhall he got a parking ticket!

- as well as Mayhill, now support another Friends of
group, this one being of the Ganges Field, AKA
Pentyla Playing Fields; went to their fundraising do, and also had a very pleasant stroll round the field on Sunday morning, taking in the planted wild flowers which were doing well, whilst others decided where they were going to plant daffodil bulbs for the spring 

- and being concerned about youth engagement in the area around the Phoenix Centre I took part in a very good community brainstorming session on the issue; sounds so obvious but probably best thing to come out of it was in agreeing that to provide the right activities for young people is to ask them what THEY want!

And finally just blowing my own trumpet, as well as getting to some of my usual meetings such as Licensing, Poverty Policy etc I spoke at full council probably only the third time I've done so.  My mantra is don't bother saying something unless it's worth saying - there are plenty of others who do so no need to add to them! - but I was inspired to comment on a particular topic.  I think my words went down well.

Les

Want to be a councillor? Learn Bingo!

Many of you will know of the Phoenix Centre, where Townhill Library is based, and which boasts a number of conference rooms, an IT suite, an all weather pitch, nursery, plus a good value-for-money cafe, especially the breakfasts!  But as with all centres like these it is always faced with the challenge of making sure it is sustainable, without relying on grants.  As well as the normal monthly meeting of the trust which runs it, we also had a couple of others, one with the police to look at what additional support they could give, partly to address antisocial behaviour by young people.  I'm sure this will lead to a better and more positive relationship between the centre management & local police which has to be good.
 

The Friends of group looking after Mayhill Pond is still going strong, and on the second Sunday we did our regular litter pick and general tidy.  I finally tackled the drain on the Black Road, which had been blocked with wild flowers, and made a start on clearing the weeds in the gutters there.  Will need to keep at this for a few more Sundays as it's surprising just how entrenched the weeds are, considering how little soil they manage to grow in.

As well as my usual stint in the Phoenix Centre, I also did another surgery at TOPIC House, but with a difference.  At the same time as being available for any issues people wanted to raise, I enjoyed half hour spent with the regular visitors playing Bingo!

As for other formal meetings, quite light this month, with just Poverty PDC and council. Definitely not the case next month, as two in the first week! 

Les

Different Bits and Pieces

Not such a busy month and with a smattering of different council related events.

I was invited to join the residents who attend St Nicholas Church Hall every Thursday for their Strawberry Tea.  As well as being made very welcome this included lots of strawberries, lots of cream and lots of cakes - yummy!

Had a special council meeting specifically to appoint (or not) an Assistant Deputy Chief Executive who would also be Director of Resources.  These don't occur that often but like the joke about buses tend to come all at once, as there'd been one less than a month before.  Whilst this is the last stage in the process - the Appointments Committee do a lot of the work getting it down to a final shortlist - it's still good to know that the whole council has a say in deciding who will fill such vital council officer positions.

We met up with officers to look at traffic speeding issues on one the of main roads running through Townhill.  The area has benefitted a lot of the past few

years with a number of safety measures, but as with everything else there's always more that can be done, particularly when having to counter the bad habits of some drivers.  I know not everyone will agree but personally I think humps are a good idea and on the whole do work.  But of course it's sensible to use a number of different measures - speed limits, pinch points, paint work, islands etc.

My final council meeting of the month was another 'special' where Audit Committee was considering one document, but an important one as it serves as an overview to effectively and efficiently the whole council works.  For me this was one of those very worthwhile meetings which did more in just half hour than some achieve when lasting hours!

Les

A month of committees

July was a bit unusual as it had all my regular committees bar one, Trustees, so here's a flavour of what cropped up at each of them ... 

General Licensing - the usual mix of taxi related cases to decide on; some issues come up frequently so part of our remit is to compile new guidance to ensure we deal with them as consistently as possible.

Audit - our usual meeting was preceded with training on Governance, and  Financial Management & Accounts; both short, but very much to the point and very useful.

Student Liaison - as well as the usual round-up from all partners, such as the universities, police etc, we made further progress in setting up a parking Task & Finish group; it's aim is to address the age old problem of too many cars and not enough spaces!

Poverty Policy Development - included a very interesting presentation on Truth Commissions, broadly a collaboration of all those either affected or involved in trying to alleviate poverty; we then had a discussion as to whether or not to introduce one in Swansea.

Full council - with a presentation from Swansea Carers; this organisation provides support for those who often selflessly spend many hours looking after someone else in their family.

Democratic Services - looking in particular at it's annual report and a draft Social Media Guidance; this should prove very helpful so that councillors can get to grips with the dos and don'ts, both generally and from a legal perspective.

Amongst other council related activities I was pleased to attend the AGM of one of our community centres, where a new enthusiastic committee was elected.  So much better when the community itself helps in their own community.


Les

Variety - always the spice of life

Totally different start to the month with me going to a presentation giving a flavour of things to come in the city centre.  This is all part of the City Deal project which some of you may have heard of.  The frustrating part is just how long all this takes to really get started, but with developments now happening on the Kingsway - yes, I know for some it just seems like we are tinkering with it yet again but I think (hope!) things will now begin to get moving, and it will be worth all the upheaval in the end. 

In the same week met Townhill's newly appointed Local Area Co-ordinator, whose role it will be to support those who may feel isolated, excluded, have challenges such as through a disability.  These posts appear to have really taken off in other areas and should be a helpful asset in our ward.

Had one very busy afternoon/evening one Tuesday, with Audit squeezed in the middle. Fortunately my meetings - all 7 of them! - were in the Guildhall building, and with a break between each one wasn't quite as bad as it might sound.

Had a very useful site visit mid month with my fellow councillors & relevant council officer, to discuss how to resolve the issue of grass verges which have been damaged through contractors working in the vicinity.  We came up with a couple of suggestions, and now waiting to see how the local residents feel before we progress anything further.

The Friends of group really does go from strength to 
strength. Of course there are the odd setbacks but at 
our Big Lunch on Sunday 24th the picnic & pond area looked really wonderful.  
 
And we are keeping to our regular litter pick so the next one coming round again, this Sunday 8th July from 2pm.

Les

A Good Feel Factor month

Attended a great Pride event on the 5th May, well supported by shoppers and staff as we paraded through the city centre streets down to the National Waterfront Museum.  Lovely weather for it, and vibrant with colour.

May is the month for the annual council AGM but also when the new Lord Mayor gets sworn in.  at Ceremonial council.  This includes a lot of 'pomp & circumstance' which I wouldn't want all year round but it makes a welcome change to have both outgoing and incoming mayors wearing their regalia.  And when they are proposed often some very interesting facts come to light about the person (fortunately all above board!)

I can't usually get there but I managed to attend this month's Friends of Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden ...
   The picnic area being far more welcoming than it has ever been, we are looking forward to our Big Lunch on Sunday 24th June.  And we are working on providing an Information Board with the history of the pond.
   Over the last few months the garden has, amongst other things, gained another raised bed, and anyone in the surrounding area is welcome to come and make use of either beds to grow fruit & veg.  And we have now started calling it the Hillside CFG.

With other meetings I've been to both 'regulars' such as Licensing, and also one-offs, such as  attending a review of how Communities 1st has made a difference over Townhill.  I'm pleased to say that residents present had a lot of positives to say, so even though it has now been phased out it appears to have done some good.


Les

Not just meetings

Came back from our Easter break and got stuck in straightaway with what is now our regular monthly litter pick in & around the pond picnic area, Mayhill.  Hoping that by doing this we might help discourage those who drop litter - I know we've got a long way to go but we'll keep trying!

Had a useful update on what projects there are to help get people ready for employment, not just in Townhill ward but across Swansea.  I was really  pleased to hear some inspiring success stories, such as the person who was totally lacking in confidence, but with the right support not only got a job placement but was then given taken on permanently.

Two special events this month which I was privileged to attend ...

- the opening of the long awaited new health centre, Mountain View, which has replaced the old surgery on Penygraig Road, which now incorporates the Family Centre, whose existing building on Mayhill Rd would cost too much to repair, and a pharmacy;
 
- the service in St Mary's to recognise 100 years of the RAF - quite poignant for me as my Dad was in the RAF, ground crew.
 
And had all the usual monthly committee meetings and an unexpectedly long full council - the length of the agenda can be very misleading - which finally finished just before 9pm!

Les

Leading up to Easter

In early March we had the most important council meeting of the year - the Budget!  Of course necessary as all local authorities are required by law to agree a balanced budget, but definitely heavy going at nearly 4 hours.

As with other councillors I hold a regular monthly surgery where any resident can drop in to raise an issue that they need help with.  As I hold it in the Phoenix Centre it also gives me an opportunity to touch base with the staff there.  And some of you may be interested in going to see the old photos of Townhill, Mayhill & Gors which they currently have on show in the cafe.

With the Friends of group (Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden) we have started a regular litter pick both in the immediate area around the pond just down from the corner of Creidiol & Nicander, and the grass above and around.  This takes place every second Sunday of the month from 2 til 3pm - all welcome.

Rest of the month was quite busy with the 'regulars' and another full council, possibly the shortest on record at less than an hour!!!  Then off for a break & a rest over Easter.

Les

Quite a range for one month

Full Governors' meetings are generally once a term, and I find it frustrating when it clashes with something else so that I cannot attend.  Without being at these meetings it's easy to lose track, and even any real understanding of what's happening.  So I was pleased to be able to go to February's meeting, and pleasantly surprised that I was still 'on the ball' with most of it.

Also attended briefing on Japanese Knotweed - a plant which whilst quite pretty unfortunately can take over whole areas if left unchecked.  This is not helped by the fact it has no real natural predators, and to get rid of it takes a lot of time & money.  However it can be controlled and sometimes that is the best option.

I was invited to a Scrutiny Focus Group where as councillors we were being asked for 'good' and 'bad' about how Swansea carries scrutiny out.  The process the council has adopted over the last few years has been held up as role model, but even so we managed be objective and included issues that still had to be addressed as well as what has been working well.

And very pleased to go to the re-opening ceremony of Townhill Library after it's refurbishment. Now recognised as more integral to the Phoenix Centre I can certainly see both continuing to offer a good range of services to the local community.  

Les

The Months Fly By

December seems a very long time ago and as Christmas approached my meetings did tail off.  But it's well worth mentioning the community event which is held every year and that's the Lantern Parade.  Very simple idea - make a sort of 'Chinese' lantern with a light inside (non flammable) and walk round the streets allowing them to glow in the dark, with the optional carol sung from time to time.  Albeit only a light flurry, but as if by magic it actually snowed!

And at our last full council meeting before Christmas all got in the spirit of the season wearing suitable attire to raise money for local charities.

January has included all my 'standard' committee meetings bar Audit, and again I attended a Scrutiny Working Group, this time looking at Swansea's roads.  There has been a scheme running for quite a while, whereby the council has promised to deal with potholes within 48 hours of being notified - by officers, councillors, and public alike.  This appears to have worked quite well, still ongoing.

Another meeting of note has to be a 'special' for our Friends of Mayhill Washing 'Lake' and Community Food Garden.  One advantage of forming a constituted group is that we can now apply for grants, and have been successful with one of them.  So we met and had an excellent session to discuss how to progress the food garden, as in how best to make use of the money.  So good to see this coming together.

Les