More than just council meetings

Over the last few years Swansea Council have been able to provide many more

play areas. Townhill has certainly benefited, and it was lovely to attend the official opening of another one in the ward at Longridge.  We were joined by children who once given the go ahead obviously enjoyed trying out all the play equipment.

As well as my usual committee meetings, I attended two scrutiny working groups including one which looked at how we engage with the public.  These are usually take up just the one session – a snapshot of what’s happening at the time, and a chance to suggest any possible improvements.

It’s always good to react positively when prompted by a resident.  This was the case when one commented on Facebook which led to doing a street surgery along their road.  This is where we, as councillors, call on residents rather than where they come to us such as in the Phoenix Centre.  I’ve always found it a positive experience, as we are offering help, and reminding them how to get hold of us if they need it in the future.

Les

Another year comes to a close

It’s already a week into January so not too long an account going back to the start of November.

All the usual cropped up, including my monthly surgery, plus local policing, Audit, Trustees, and the Equality Board.  As well as that meeting, I’m also on its subcommittee which decides on the theme of the illumination of the Guildhall, using different coloured lighting to celebrate events such as Remembrance.  

Had two ‘trios’.  Just by chance General Licensing met three Friday’s in a row!  And also three bites if the cherry with the Friends of group.  Our AGM welcomed a new committee member, then attended a site visit to find out at long last how to lower the flag pole at the pond in order to check the camera, and as usual we had a stall at the Green Fair – good way of promoting our group and supporting the environment.

At the final council of the year all councillors responded to the traditional request to wear festive apparel and donate towards the Lord Mayor’s charities.  A colourful way to finish off 2024.

Les

Autumn Calling Again

Lots of regulars over the two months, including finally managing to attend the Hill Community Development Trust meeting in the Phoenix Centre after not being able to get to for a few months.  They do such good work for the community I feel only right that I do my bit to help support them.

Another ‘regular’ had a new twist, October’s council meeting.  I attend most meetings online but council is the one which I feel I should be there in person.  However I was actually having a few days away so joined via Teams, the system the council uses.  Interestingly even though miles away and in a caravan surrounded by mountains, the connection was fine, better in fact than it often is when in Swansea!

And pleased to be back on another ‘regular’, the Social Care & Tackling Poverty committee, which for some reason I was taken off this back in May.  This takes a proactive look at what we can do in this area, and I have always considered tackling poverty to be so important.

Although I’ve now been on the Governance & Audit committee for quite a while I still make the effort to get to any training that’s put on, and there’s been quite a few sessions lately.  There’s always something new to learn, or a subtlety that you’ve not spotted before.

The council has been able to provide more funding for one-off community initiatives to provide more skateboard parks across the city.  The Phoenix Centre currently has a small one which is looking pretty tired, so very pleased to attend a meeting to kick off plans for a brand new park.  

A special event I attended with Jeff and other members of Townhill’s Friends of Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden was a Thank You Afternoon Tea in the Brangwyn Hall.  There are lots of community groups across Swansea many of which are Friends of groups which have proved very successful over the years.  These volunteers have done sterling work, so only right their efforts have been recognised.

Les

Summer Season

 A busy July off an on, including attending an online session on the regional transport plan. 
As transport doesn’t just sit neatly within the boundaries of one local authority but of course  interconnects with others, this is taking the logical approach by viewing any plan for the future on a regional perspective.

Jeff came with me to the Family Funday at TOPIC House.  Members of Circus Eruption were there to entertain the children (& adults!).  Held in the garden partly to review how to make use of it for growing flowers & vegetables, it was well attended despite the on/off rain.  They even had a couple of goats!

To fit in with my Diversity Champion hat, I find it far easier to attend the LGBTQ+ Forum meetings now they are held online.  And this meeting was so positive it was well worth be there.

Other than that was the usual mix of other meetings & events, including Licensing, two committees which in part look at tackling poverty, and Governance & Audit training – we’ve been having quite a few sessions and whilst refreshers for me still very useful.

August, whilst normally a quieter month, still had some council work, starting with a Trustees meeting, but as it happens we do a lot now is by email.  The dedicated officer has been working hard at opening up access to more of the funding from legacies left in the past which have become dormant.  Two funds I’m especially pleased about both give one-off support to those financially struggling, usually families where it means both parents and children benefit.  It is so gratifying to be able to make even just a small difference, and I feel very fortunate that I am able to do so simply by being on this committee.

Les

From Council to Campaigning

May is the time we have the council’s annual general meeting (AGM), followed by the ceremonial council where the new Lord Mayor and their deputy get sworn in on the next day.  It always pleasantly surprises me how councillors rise to the challenge of carrying the Mayor’s duties, much of it as ambassador for the council out & about the people.

In May I also attended some of the ‘regulars’, such as Local Policing – still proving to be a great way of keeping in touch, and working with the police – the management team who run the Phoenix Centre who provide such a useful service to the community, and the Equality group who look at ensuring the council carries out its duties in an even handed manner.   

Then, like buses, no elections for ages then two come along!  Of course the one for the next regional Police Commissioner had been planned for some time, but the General Election came out of the blue as a snap decision by the then Prime Minister.  Early days for both so we will have to wait and see how they pan out.

Les

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