My New Year’s resolution is to restart doing this blog every month but this last one in 2022 is a brief rundown of the last three months! I thought I’d hone in on things I’ve been involved in other than the usual meetings …
October
You may recall the serious incident which occurred last year on the border of Townhill and neighbouring ward Castle. I’ve always felt it’s easy to overlook streets on the edge of any ward, and since then we have been looking carefully at ideas to improve both the look & feel of the area but always in consultation with local residents. One initiative has been put forward by a group representing forces veterans to develop a community growing project. A site visit included a helpful discussion with group organisers, leading to an agreement for it to go ahead. So watch this space for that scheme and others that are slowly but surely making progress.
For various reasons I haven’t always got there but this month I managed our Friends of group’s monthly litter pick at the pond & picnic area. Just to remind you the group was originally was set up a few years ago to combat individuals from outside the area dumping their rubbish there. Along with the community food garden at the bottom of the hill, this has been a real success, all thanks to a core of brilliant volunteers whose enthusiasm has kept up the good work ever since.
November
Over the years the ward has had a number of changes to police personnel so it’s not been that easy to develop a good working relationship with them. But through having for a while an inspirational female PCSO things have definitely been looking up. Even though she’s moved on to pastures new, since the newest local policing inspector has come on board there’s been a continued sense of a better relationship. We are now having regular meetings, and met with two new female PCSOs who both seem keen to get stuck in.
Over the last few months I have been involved in preparing for the launch of Unity over Division Charter which the full council voted for late 2021, in part to develop an even better partnership between council staff, councillors and unions Unite, Unison & GMB, alongside all other organisations such as Peace Mala. As the council’s Diversity Champion I had the privilege of attending the launch, opened with remarks by Leader Cllr Rob Stewart, included the reading of the charter followed by the signing ceremony, and closing comments by Lord Mayor Cllr Mike Day. But the stars of the event were the pupils of Hafod Primary School with their brilliant Peace Mala inspired performance.
December
Unfortunately I couldn’t attend myself but I’m pleased to see all the hard work done by other councillors and officers come to fruition with the declaration at SwanseaStadium.com of Swansea as a Human Rights City, the first in Wales. Attended by First Minister Mark Drakeford, our Leader Cllr Rob Stewart summed it up when he said “there is a real determination for Swansea to be a city where everyone is equal, where everyone understands they have human rights and responsibilities, what they are, and where we all respect the rights of others.”
But for me the highlight of the year was definitely attending the ceremonial council to award Kev Johns the Freedom of the City. For various reasons this had been delayed for quite some so it felt good to at last recognise the best advert we have for Swansea!
Les
