Keeping Swansea’s Parks And Streets Spic And Span In Future

New commercial opportunities and closer partnership working with communities are being proposed to keep Swansea’s streets and parks spic and span in future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The proposals are among many being recommended by Swansea Council as it looks to deliver the services residents need in an ever-changing world. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Like many council departments, the parks and cleansing services are being carefully reviewed to make sure they’re fit for a future which will see less Government funding for councils, people living longer and greater opportunities being presented by new technology. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Other proposals being considered by Cabinet later this month include more targeted resourcing of litter collection crews and the exploration of sponsorship opportunities at Swansea’s parks and gardens. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Initially, it’s estimated the proposals would generate £485,000 in savings, building on the £1.4m worth of savings made by the parks and cleansing services since April, 2014. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If the proposals are approved, it’s being recommended they’re broadly delivered by a transformed, in-house service at the council, with a partnership option to be explored for the Singleton Botanical Gardens. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr David Hopkins, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, said: “As the world continues to rapidly change because of factors including less Government funding for councils and constant advances in technology, we’re determined to protect and enhance the services we deliver to residents and visitors. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This is why our parks and cleansing operation has been reviewed to establish potential income generating opportunities and savings, while continuing to meet people’s needs and aspirations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Part of our proposals involve closer partnership working with communities and friends groups to help keep our streets, beaches and parks clean as we look to encourage as many people as possible to show pride in our communities and beauty sports. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Residents will also be encouraged to take their litter home with them more than ever before.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Proposals to generate more income include the sale of wood by-products like woodchip and kindling, as well as marketing the use of expert tree inspection software to other organisations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Mark Child, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Healthy City, said: “Our staff have many years of experience, so it makes sense to use their expertise to consider revenue-generating innovations for the council that’ll help us make even more savings. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This is why, in addition to savings proposals, we’re also seeking Cabinet’s approval to start pursuing a number of income generating proposals, too. Innovative, commercially-minded ideas will help build on other successful initiatives we’ve introduced in recent years, including our wild flowers scheme and the Japanese knotweed treatment service for residents.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If approved by Cabinet, a public toilets review will also be carried out to develop a strategy in line with the new Public Health (Wales) Bill. Other proposals include a review of play sites to consider options for their future delivery. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Options for an urban camper van site could also be explored. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​