#CllrHayleyGwilliam

Two new councillors join Swansea Council Cabinet in reshuffle

Councillors Rebecca Fogarty and Andrew Williams will share the new post of Corporate Services following a mini‑reshuffle prompted by the temporary absence of long‑serving Cabinet Member Robert Francis‑Davies, who is taking leave due to ill‑health.

Job share approach

Council leader Rob Stewart said the move reflected Swansea’s commitment to flexible leadership and resilience.

“We all want to wish Cllr Francis‑Davies a speedy recovery during his temporary leave of absence.

In the meantime, I want to welcome Cllr Fogarty and Cllr Williams to their new roles. By introducing a second job share post, we are embracing new ways of working that support Cabinet Members and ensure we remain resilient and responsive to the needs of our residents,” he said.

It is the second job share arrangement within the Cabinet. The first, covering Community Services and Support, has been jointly held by councillors Cyril Anderson and Hayley Gwilliam for several years.

Portfolios divided

Under the new structure:

  • Cllr Fogarty will oversee the mayoralty, civic functions and commercial services, among other duties.
  • Cllr Williams will take responsibility for performance, including planning, public protection, performance monitoring, customer services and licensing.

Other Cabinet members will also see their portfolios adjusted:

  • Joint Deputy Leader Cllr David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Delivery, will add parks, sports development and inward investment to his existing responsibilities for health and safety and building control.
  • Joint Deputy Leader Cllr Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, will now also oversee residential inward investment and strategic housing delivery.
  • Council Leader Rob Stewart will work alongside Cllr Hopkins and Cllr Elliott King, Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, on tourism and regeneration, areas previously led by Cllr Francis‑Davies.
  • Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, will take on EV infrastructure and sports development, while also working with the Leader and Cllr Hopkins on community regeneration and suburban centres.

Focus on residents

Cllr Stewart said the reshaped Cabinet would ensure continuity and focus.

“Swansea Council is always here for the people of our city. We’ve re‑shaped the Cabinet and brought two new members on board to make sure we remain focussed on our residents’ priorities, delivering the services that touch their lives every day.”

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#CllrAndreaWilliams #CllrAndrewStevens #CllrAndrewWilliams #CllrCyrilAnderson #CllrDavidHopkins #CllrElliottKing #CllrHayleyGwilliam #CllrRebeccaFogarty #CllrRobStewart #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaCouncilCabinet

Councillors Rebecca Fogarty and Andrew Williams will share the new post of Corporate Services following a mini‑reshuffle prompted by the temporary absence of long‑serving Cabinet Member Robert Francis‑Davies, who is taking leave due to ill‑health.

City centre activities and events aim to cut risk of anti-social behaviour

A varied programme of events designed to engage young people and reduce anti-social behaviour in Swansea’s city centre will run throughout the school summer holidays.

Drop-in rugby sessions, social gatherings, barbecues, a police community day and an inter-generational music festival in St David’s Square are among the activities planned. The programme expands on last year’s City Chill initiative, which contributed to a significant drop in anti-social behaviour across the city centre and marina area during the summer break.

A key part of this year’s programme is the continuation of Tackle After Dark, a weekly evening session run by Ospreys in the Community, in partnership with South Wales Police and Swansea Council. Held at the Collaboration Station in the former Cranes Music store, the initiative has attracted around 30 young people each week since April.

Inspector Andrew Hedley said the programme is already making a difference. “We are pleased to support the ongoing partnership initiative with Swansea Council and Ospreys in the Community and have already seen the benefits of increased interaction between officers and those in attendance,” he said. “This is just one example of the significant engagement work ongoing over the summer which aims to provide young people with a safe environment and positive things to do, to reduce the chances of anti-social behaviour being committed.”

Councillor Hayley Gwilliam, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Support, said the Collaboration Station will be a hub of activity this summer. “Some people are often too quick to criticise young people today but they have come up with some great ideas and have shown energy and positivity as we have worked with partners to plan a summer of activities,” she said. “The offering at the Collaboration Station is in addition to hundreds of free and low cost activities for young people and families funded by the council across all areas of Swansea as part of our #HereForYouThisSummer campaign”.

Tom Sloane, head of community foundation at Ospreys in the Community, said the initiative is helping to build trust and promote respect. “Through initiatives like Tackle After Dark, we’re not only creating a safe and welcoming space for young people to connect and grow, but also showing how sport can play a powerful role in building trust, breaking down barriers, and promoting respect,” he said. “The engagement and enthusiasm we’ve seen week after week proves there’s a real appetite for opportunities that are inclusive, supportive, and community-driven.”

#antisocialBehaviour #CityChill #CllrHayleyGwilliam #CollaborationStation #HereForYouThisSummer #OspreysInTheCommunity #SouthWalesPolice #StDavidSSquare #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #TackleAfterDark

City Centre Activities

£400k funding boost brings free activities and meals to Swansea families this summer

The funding will help deliver hundreds of free and low-cost activities, from bushcraft and judo to arts, drama and community fun days — while also providing over 50,000 meals to school-aged children who need them.

The support forms part of Swansea Council’s #HereForYouThisSummer campaign, which also includes the return of free weekend bus travel from 19 July to 31 August, saving a family of four up to £20 a day.

Activities for all ages

The programme is designed to offer something for everyone. For children and young people, there will be opportunities to try rock climbing, surfing, cycling, cricket, play sessions and creative workshops. For older residents, the funding will support social and wellbeing activities to help reduce isolation and encourage community connection.

Successful applicants include community centres, primary schools, leisure providers, friends of parks groups, and grassroots organisations working across Swansea’s neighbourhoods.

Tackling food insecurity

The council’s Holiday Food Grant will ensure that children who might otherwise go hungry during the holidays receive nutritious meals. Cabinet Member for Wellbeing Cllr Alyson Anthony said:

“The school summer holidays should be an opportunity for all young people to relax and enjoy, but sadly for some families it can also be a time when their budgets are more stretched than ever.

“This year we are able to support more than 50 groups with funding so that they are able to provide food for those that need it — so there is one less thing for them to worry about.”

The food support builds on last year’s success, when more than 50,000 meals were provided to pupils during the summer break.

Building on last year’s success

The council says it was “really impressed” by the quality of applications received this year. Cabinet Member for Community Support Cllr Hayley Gwilliam added:

“Last summer more than 47,000 people took part in free or low-cost activities and we know how much this was valued.

“Along with partners we are proud to again be providing grants to some wonderful groups, charities and leisure providers to provide as many opportunities as possible to young people, families and older people.”

“In some instances where applications did not fully meet criteria, we are directing groups to other potential sources of funding they may be able to access.”

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Explore more community stories
Coverage of local initiatives, events and support programmes across Swansea Bay.

Who’s funding the support?

The Holiday Food Grant and free bus travel are funded directly by Swansea Council, while the COAST activities programme is supported by a partnership between the council, the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Welsh Government.

The full programme of activities and events will run throughout the summer holidays, with details available via the council’s website and social media channels.

#CllrHayleyGwilliam #Food #FoodGrant #freeBus #HereForYouThisSummer #SummerHolidays #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Swansea Council Summer food, travel and activity support

Council announces return of free buses and Summer activities fund

Swansea Council say there will be hundreds of free and low cost activities and events for families and older people across the city this summer, while it is also putting in place support to help to provide meals for school aged children that need it during the school holidays.

Free buses will also be returning on regular days in the school break as part of a package worth more than £500,000 to help residents make the most of the holidays under the council’s #HereForYouThisSummer campaign.

Groups, organisations and clubs can now apply to Swansea Council for funding to stage activities and events while those that work with young people are being encouraged to apply for grants so they can make food available. Funding applications are open until Sunday 15 June.

Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said: “Once again we are making a significant investment in supporting residents to make the most of the summer holidays.

“We know that school holidays can be an expensive time of year for hard pressed families so we will be working with some fantastic groups and organisations to ensure there are free or low cost activities as well as funding to provide meals for pupils who need it while the schools are on a break.

“Since we became the first council in Wales to make free buses available during the summer, Christmas and Easter school holidays there‘ve been more than one million journeys saving a family of four around £20 to enjoy a day out, so I’m proud that we are also running this scheme once again.”

Swansea Council is funding the Holiday Food Grant and free buses while the council, UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government are all contributing towards the COAST activities funding.

The council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Alyson Anthony, said: “Last summer more than 50,000 meals were provided to pupils while on school holiday and it made a real difference ensuring children did not go hungry. This is why we are funding this initiative once again.”

Cabinet Member for Community Support, Hayley Gwilliam, added: “Thanks to funding via COAST last summer we were able to support 164 projects to stage 2,387 different sessions that were attended by more than 47,000 participants.

“I’m delighted there is funding again this year for free or low cost activities for young and older people and these will range from sports, arts and drama to activity clubs and family fun days that bring communities together.”

#CllrAlysonAnthony #CllrHayleyGwilliam #CllrRobStewart #freeBus #HereForYouThisSummer #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Swansea Summer Support

Warm welcome and lots going on during visit to Swansea Space

The centre is one of 80 Swansea Spaces to receive funding this winter to help them continue and expand their provision so people can socialise, enjoy food and refreshments, as well as activities.

Run by the Pontarddulais Partnership, today Canolfan y Bont was serving warm drinks and breakfast rolls while representatives from Swansea Dementia Hwb and Swansea Care and Repair’s welfare benefits section were on hand to offer advice to those who needed it.

There was a Welsh language class, the café was open as well as the foodbank for emergency parcels.

Cath Evans from the Partnership said the idea behind the Swansea Space was to offer a warm welcome and friendship to anyone who wished to pop in.

Usually the Swansea Space runs over four sessions on Mondays and Fridays.

On a Monday they serve hot soup with bread and butter together with tea, coffee or squash and show a film if that’s what those attending wish to do.

Friday’s groups tend to focus on a chat with a cuppa and sometimes crafts including knitting, sewing, crocheting, paint by numbers, jigsaws and diamond art.

Canolfan y Bont is busy on other days of the week including the foodbank being open on Wednesdays.

Cath said: “Our Swansea Space runs year round and the funding we have received from Swansea Council and the Welsh Government over recent years helps us to expand what we do in the winter.

“As well as funding for the space we have also received money from the Direct Food Fund which helps keep the food bank going and allows us to provide supermarket vouchers for essentials to those that need them.”

Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Support, Hayley Gwilliam, said: “Canolfan y Bont is a brilliant example of somewhere providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere where people can meet up and socialise and it was clear today how much residents value what it does.

“But it is just one of 80 Swansea Spaces that have been funded in our communities this winter thanks to investment from our partners in Welsh Government.

“Swansea Council is also doing more than ever before to support residents thanks to our £650,000 #HereForYouThisWinter campaign.

“This has also seen financial backing for food banks and other emergency food support, meals for vulnerable pupils during the school holidays, free and subsidised activities for young and older people and direct help to families and individuals who were struggling with the cost Christmas.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#CanolfanYBont #CllrHayleyGwilliam #HereForYouThisWinter #JaneHuttMS #Pontarddulais #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaSpaces #warmSpaces

Swansea Council has teamed up with the Secret Bar and Kitchen for the initiative.

The toys are stored in a container by the venue and families are welcome to borrow what they wish free of charge, use them on the beach and then return them before they head for home.

Council cabinet member for Community Support, Hayley Gwilliam, said: “There are few better ways to play together as a family than visiting the coast and the Beach Library will hopefully encourage even more families to get out and about.

“In Swansea we are committed to providing low and no cost activities for all families and there are literally hundreds of things to do this summer, as well as free buses every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“Going to the beach can be an economical day out, especially important for families on a budget, but when the weather is good what can beat time spent playing on the sand?

“The Beach Library means that those that don’t have, or forget, their buckets and spades or bats and balls, can still enjoy their day.

“We are very grateful to the Secret for agreeing to host the library and for their generous donation of toys to get us started and all we’d ask of those using them is that they look after whatever they borrow and return them once they have finished playing with them.

“If there are families who have toys that are intact, not damaged, but they no longer use, then they are welcome to add them to the library and their donation would be appreciated.”

The Toy Library container, which was decorated by some of the 3,000 children who attended the free Play Day Celebration at the National Waterfront Museum early this month, will be open every day of the year.

Ryan Hole of the Secret Bar & Kitchen said: “At the Secret, supporting our local community is one of our key principles. We’re really grateful for the support we receive from the Swansea people, especially during the summer holidays where lots use the beach. 

“We’re proud to be working on this in collaboration with Swansea Council and it’s a pleasure to be able to provide the toys to allow families to use the beautiful Swansea Bay.” 

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/08/20/swansea-beach-library-to-loan-toys-to-families/

#beach #beachLibrary #CllrHayleyGwilliam #Swansea #SwanseaBeach #SwanseaCouncil #toys

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