Promising Projects and more

As well as the usual meetings progress has been made on a couple of projects:
 - Firstly the tired play area in front of the Phoenix Centre has had a complete overhaul, with a vastly improved surface and lots of play equipment.  The three of us local councillors attended the official opening ceremony in March, with lots of children making good use of what’s on offer.
 - The second ongoing project is to green up Graiglwyd roundabout and now the funding has been confirmed it’s definitely going ahead.  The idea is to ensure plants & trees are low maintenance whilst still making the area more attractive.

This is now my 5th year as the representative from Governance & Audit on to a sub-committee, where I help prepare the Annual Governance Statement, a very wordy lengthy report aiming to show that the council’s work has been carried out properly.  Over the years I have developed a key role as I seem to be very good at spotting date errors!

Other events and meetings in brief:
 - wore something purple to council in early March to recognise International Women’s Day
 - attended two sessions so far looking at future development across the city
 - went online for the local policing meeting, which has always been a very useful way of being kept uptodate on police activity in the ward, and to raise any issues face to face
 - at my March surgery in the Phoenix Centre met up with the latest PCSO recruited to the area

Les

New Beginings

Fairly quiet on the standard meetings front in January but a couple of events to mention …

Firstly, although disappointed I wasn’t able to get to the event myself, I always support recognising Holocaust Day.  From feedback I’ve had the session went very well with inspirational speakers still reminding us of the importance not to forget this damning part of history.

I also attended a briefing on the future for the council’s local development plan, a hefty document taking into account all issues around future developments in particular housing.  Since then I have also joined the working group looking at this in more details.   

February has made progress on two environmental projects in the offing, and which I certainly hope both take off …

As I’ve mentioned before we’ve been looking at making improvements to the roundabout off Graiglwyd Road, and in February had a drop-in session in the Phoenix Centre.  The response was really encouraging with not a single negative comment.  The funding is there, and the plans are being finalised, so it’s all looking promising.

And also as mentioned previously, regarding the goats grazing project, the Community Farm in Swansea has suggested that we make use of an area along the Hillside corridor.  They would organise the project, and train any volunteers who express an interest in taking it on.

Towards the end of the month it was good to see what some of the young people, who attend Dylan Thomas Community School where I am governor, can contribute doing their bit out in the community.  Flip the Streets is an organisation which tries to combat hate messages such as used in graffiti, and as part of it got some pupils together to do a mural aimed at discouraging this kind of behaviour.

Les

2023 draws to a close

 I attended a smattering of briefings & training sessions including one on personal safety which is sadly is becoming increasingly important.  Triggered initially by the awful murder of MP Jo Cox, more and more politicians are being targeted so obviously it’s sensible to be aware of our surroundings, and follow simple rules like avoiding dark areas, not being on our own.   
Another was on cyber training, highlighting the potential issues should any of us fall foul to a cyber attack.  An example was given as to how this had happened to an authority in England, and its far reaching consequences which were still being felt three years on.  
And the Unity over Division Awareness session was extremely helpful for me as Diversity Champion.  It gave me a lot more clarity as to why the council had signed up to this pledge, my role in applying it, and how it applies to all staff, in particular how to recognise comments which are not banter and that they need to be challenged.

I went to the usual council meetings although the December one was brightened up considerably with all the Christmas jumpers.  I of course stuck to my black ‘Bah Humbug’ hat!

I’m very pleased to say that our monthly meetings with the local policing team still prove very worthwhile, and it was also useful to get together with a new PCSO at my last surgery in December.  Long may this really positive set up between councillors and the police continue.

The Friends of group again attended the Green Fare in November.  It seemed a lot busier than in previous years, and Guess the Weight of our own grown vegetable, this year a pumpkin, proved a winner yet again.

I think one of the loveliest events of the year is the Lantern Parade which is a walk from & around the Phoenix Centre.  In the weeks leading up to it children of all ages make lanterns with paper and a simple stick frame with a light inside.  It is so effective, and it’s always a pleasure joining them at the start.


Les

Autumn Calling

Across the ward there have been quite a few proposals cropping up over the last two months.  We’ve been told of a possible solution to the ongoing parking issues around Seaview School, and we’ve had one meeting with another planned to consider using a grant to help green up Graiglwyd Roundabout and possibly around the shop railings opposite.  Maybe the most and most interesting is the idea of setting up a goat project – early stages as no actual site been suggested for Townhill yet so watch this space!

That time of year again for Dylan Thomas Community School’s governors AGM, a fairly short and sweet affair.  And managed to get to monthly litterpick and general tidy up at the pond in October, a nice sunny afternoon.

The highlight at October’s surgery was spotting football manager Harry Redknapp in the café at the Phoenix Centre.  Apparently he is doing a grass roots football documentary, and it was good to see how he took time with anyone who approached him.  I’m sure lots of visitors to the centre will now be proud owners of Harry Redknapp Selfies!

And I’ve attended most of my usual committee meetings including council, licensing, and the one which often has the longest agenda, Governance & Audit - definitely an endurance test this last one!

Les

Summer Season

 As mentioned in previous blog here’s two month’s worth ie for July & August …

July saw all the usual committee meetings come and go including our monthly Friends of group meeting.  All chuffed to bits on hearing that we had been awarded the Green Flag Community Award for the 5th year running.

These ‘regulars’ were followed by a handful of one-offs including …
 - attending a school governors meeting to confirm the permanent appointment of head Paul Davies at Dylan Thomas Community School, who in my humble opinion has been doing an inspirational job there.  So well pleased that he’s not going anywhere!
 - participating in Licensing Safeguarding training online which was very interesting, and especially important for emphasising the role of our committee in making sure that taxi drivers across the city are ‘fit & proper’.

In contrast August has been quieter partly as we were away for a lot of it, but also as not many meetings are held in this month.  However I had a licensing sub committee meeting, which generally start with a briefing then the applicants join the meeting.  It should have started at 9.15, but because of technical issues finally got off the ground at 11.15, and in the end was almost a formality as the main issue had been sorted out between applicant and officers in the interim.  If only they were all so straightforward! 
In addition I still held my monthly surgery in the Phoenix Centre – don’t usually get many takers but like to think it’s worth it as people get to see me out in the community.  And went to an excellent fun day also in the Phoenix Centre.  Claim to fame that day?  See photo of me with Lee Trundle, ex Swans footballer, now excellent ambassador for the club.

Les

Rather than trying (and failing!) to do these every month I’m now going to give bi-monthly a go.  Fingers crossed!  So just had a look at the meetings and other activities I’ve attended over the last couple of months and quite surprised at how many and how varied they have been:

the ‘regulars’
- Governance & Audit Committee, and its subcommittee the Strategic Governance Group
- Financial Inclusion Steering Group, organisations across Swansea, alongside the council, supporting residents so they can get the financial and any other help they are entitled to
- Local Policing
- General Licensing, to consider taxi licences
- Statutory Licensing Subcommittee, to consider varying a venue’s licence agreement
- Council Annual General Meeting
- catch-up meeting with housing staff and our ward local area co-ordinator
- Surgeries, Phoenix Centre Café, to meet any residents who want to raise an issue
- Governors Meeting, Dylan Thomas Community School, usual term meeting
- Hill Community Development Trust, supporting the Phoenix Centre management team
- Equalities Board, takes a broad look at the work of the council to ensure a diverse and open culture
- Trustees, where we now have a pot of money which we can use to help those affected by domestic violence
- Corporate Services and Financial Resilience STC, to work on providing a stable financial future for the council

and not so 'regular'
- two site visits Site visits, Waun Wen Road, to confirm the environmental improvements we will be making, and Pantycelyn Road to agree traffic measures for the new housing development
- Phoenix Fun Day, another great day out with activities for all the family
- member briefing on Chief Officer Job Evaluation Scheme (a bit ‘dry’!)
- Co-production training (my current pet project)
- Ceremonial Council, to elect Lord Mayor

and finally two events in my capacity as Diversity Champion, namely to get a better understanding on refugees, and an excellent event to look at the progress and discuss an action plan to continue the work being done as a Human Rights City.

Les

Spring Catch Up

 I was hoping to do these blogs every month as promised, but as you can see that didn’t work. As I get older time seems not just to pass quickly but disappears altogether!  

So to keep this round up reasonably short I’ll stick to some of the stuff I’ve been involved with outside my regular statutory meetings.

Starting with a real success story, our local police monthly meetings are really going well, and its so much better now we see the local inspector on a regular basis.

My ward colleagues and I are very pleased with the improvements made down the ravine - see left - in improving the pathway so it’s now both cycle and footpath.  Building on this we are now getting involved in various environmental initiatives such as ‘Wild about our Ward’ and looking at planting more trees where appropriate.  And of course the Mayhill pond still gets its regular monthly TLC session every second Sunday.  

One of my pet interests is co-production where representatives from both organisations and residents are involved, on an equal basis and from the outset, in developing a policy, or solving an issue etc.  As a council we are at early stages and appreciate that it will take some time to set this up, to ensure we get it right.

I have also attended two regular meetings, one each at the Phoenix Centre, and Mayhill community Centre.  All three of us are keen to show and give support to those running these centres, particularly as the volunteers & paid staff all work so hard.

But have to mention one council meeting where we debated the budget, possibly the longest I’ve ever been at 4 and a half hours!

Les