A quietish start to the year

Unfortunately not a great start to the year as I brought back an unwelcome guest from our lovely New Year mini cruise - a ghastly stomach bug!  So I missed a couple of meetings in the first week but did manage to attend a special one.  The first of many I am sure, we have started looking into the future for the Townhill Campus of UWTSD (formerly the Swansea Institute) now that they are building a new one on Fabian Way. Strictly speaking it's in Uplands ward but right on the corner with Townhill.  The next step will be to get together with those councillors, to take things further.

I got to both of my cabinet advisory committees.  In the one on Education, we continue to look at ways to help all pupils avoid ending up leaving school with nothing on the horizon, be it a job, further education, or maybe a positive decision to take a year out.  I don't think for one moment any of us on that committee believe we are going to completely eradicate this issue which has been around for decades (probably a lot longer!)  But we can at least make some contribution to helping those who do not neatly fit in with what the education system currently offers.

Two council meetings, the monthly one but also a 'special'.  I feel quite privileged to be around now that Swansea appears to be on the cusp of great things (even better if the Swans manage to stay up!)  We were there to vote on the City Deal which if it comes to fruition, will bring £millions, and lots of jobs, into the region.  And what a great opportunity for all councillors to agree unanimously.

Interesting end to the month, and another first albeit it in a 'non' sort of way.  We should have had another special council, but it was no longer required.  However to adhere to the constitution the meeting couldn't be cancelled as such, so we were just told not to go!

Les