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Chairman's Report to
the AGM for the 17 months to February 2018
I must first apologise on behalf
of the committee, for the delay in convening our Annual General Meeting.
It was with great sadness that
we heard of the loss to cancer of Roy Kneath, one of our committee members.
He was a much respected and well-known figure across Swansea and will be
sorely missed. In spite of his illness he had managed to attend our tour of
the Glynn Vivian Gallery in July with his daughter and was in good cheer.
The Executive on your behalf,
continues to be involved in a wide variety of issues which will impact the
City as well as providing our support to other like-minded interest groups.
These include the Swansea Built Heritage Group and The Friends of
Hafod/Morfa Copperworks.
In response to
the "Swansea City Area: Strategic Framework" document issued in February
2106, relating to the redevelopment of the St. David's and the Civic Centre
sites we canvassed the membership for their concerns. These were included in
a more detailed response to the consultation process in March 2017.
The City has
appointed Rivington Land as their development partners for the major
elements of the proposed redevelopment, the critical information that we
have repeatedly sought, has not been made public. These issues continued to
be pursued by Committee members at the information sessions in December 2016
and February 2017.
Although the
outline concept of the St. David's and LC car park redevelopment have been
approved by the Council, consultations and detailed planning applications
are to follow. We are to continue to press our concerns.
In addition to
the City Area Strategy, consultation and planning application responses on
behalf of the Society have been developed and submitted in respect of:-
1. The "Westway Improvement Scheme"
2. The Cross Lane student accommodation scheme on the Kingsway
3. The Castle Square development proposals.
4. The Special Planning Guidance consultation for H.M.O.'s
5. The student accommodation project on the former Unigate site
6. Plot A1, SA1 student accommodation scheme
7. The redevelopment of the Castle Cinema building
8. The planning application relating to the Mansion house
9. Proposals for commercialising Castle Square
The Blue Plaque
Scheme with Civic Society support has over the past year continued to
recognise important aspects of Swansea and its people with sixteen
individuals now recognised by plaques. Further plaques are planned, but with
the retirement of Richard Porch the organiser in the Council, there has been
a small delay.
For those who
were able to attend the Society's organised tour of the Glynn Vivian Gallery
following its lengthy redevelopment, it proved to be a most interesting and
informative visit. Our thanks go to the gallery management for their time
and consideration. We will be seeking to organise a further event(s) for the
coming year.
The Swansea
Civic Society was a member of the now defunct Civic Trust Cymru. A new Wales
wide organisation is being developed, provisionally called "Pride in Place".
Once fully developed we will review the benefit which may arise from future
membership.
Finally, I would
stress that the Civic Society only exists through the hard work and
commitment of its members. It is important that we encourage more people to
join us and to get involved at a time when a number of major projects are
imminent, which will impact our futures for years to come.
John Steevens
Chair to the Executive
March 2018
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