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

New Year, and a new promise!

A new year and a new promise which I will do my best not to break, and that is I aim to restart doing this blog every month.  So a brief review of January (even if mid February already!) …

Quiet first week then a fair few meetings in the second week, the ‘usual suspects’ including Audit & Council.  But a bit of variety followed with two briefings which couldn’t have been more different.

The first was on Crimestoppers, which I’ve only just realised how useful it is, being accessible both online or phone and completely anonymous.

The other was about how our officers tackle damp & mould in our council properties.  Lots of myths about this problem and quote often tenants can help themselves but as always it’s getting that message across which is the main stumbling block.

And on the last Friday of the month I was privileged to attend Holocaust Memorial Day, with truly amazing presentations given by pupils from across schools in Swansea.  As long as they remain that passionate I feel reassured that those who suffered because of that atrocity which took place all those years ago will not be forgotten.

Les

End of the Last Quarter 2022

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