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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Deputy council leader to run first 10k for Parkinson’s UK
Cllr Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, is taking on the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k to raise funds and awareness after her Parkinson’s diagnosis.

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

Deputy council leader to run first 10k for Parkinson’s UK

Cllr Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, will join thousands of runners at the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k on Sunday 14 September. The 52‑year‑old has already raised £2,400 towards her £3,000 target.

Her diagnosis came around three years ago after she began experiencing pain in her left shoulder and a tremor in her right hand. She was referred to Dr Ffion Thomas, a neurologist and Parkinson’s specialist at the Gorseinon Parkinson’s clinic, who confirmed the condition.

“When I was diagnosed, it was odd because relief replaced frustration,” said Cllr Williams. “I knew all along because my mum also had Parkinson’s, so the diagnosis meant I could get the right treatment. The prescribed medication has made an encouraging difference — the tremor has calmed, and my emotional well‑being is better.”

As part of her treatment plan, Cllr Williams was advised to exercise more. She now runs every other day, weightlifts and does high‑intensity interval training.

“It’s been a game‑changer,” she said. “It hasn’t just improved my fitness — it’s also improved my mood and overall resilience.”

The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k, organised by Swansea Council since 1981, attracts around 5,500 participants each year across its main race, junior 1k and 3k events, wheelchair race and mascot race. The scenic route takes runners along Swansea’s waterfront.

Cllr Williams said she’s looking forward to the atmosphere on race day:

“As well as the fundraising, this is also about visibility and contributing to Parkinson’s UK in their mission to find a cure. The council’s events team does a superb job in organising the event every year. It benefits from an electric atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to experiencing the buzz of taking part.”

She also plans to run a half‑marathon next summer to continue her fundraising journey.

More information about the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is available at www.swanseabay10k.com. Donations to Cllr Williams’ fundraising can be made here.

#AdmiralSwanseaBay10k #CllrAndreaLewis #CllrAndreaWilliams #ParkinsonSUKCymru #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

New reusable cup scheme launches in Swansea city centre to cut single‑use waste

The 2GoCup initiative, run jointly by Swansea Council’s Swansea Project Zero team and Swansea Business Improvement District (BID), allows customers to pay a small deposit for a durable, reusable cup. The cup can be returned to any participating business for a refund or swapped for a fresh one.

The scheme is designed to reduce the thousands of disposable coffee cups thrown away in the city centre each week, helping Swansea meet its sustainability targets.

Nine businesses have already signed up, including Socialdice / Pinatas, Little Man Coffee at Founders, The Storyteller, First Call Coffee, The Cwtch, The Anchor, Café Ark, Hello Asia and Kardomah, with another seven to be announced soon. Local employers Swansea.com and Peter Lynn and Partners have also purchased cups for staff.

Cllr Andrea Williams, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation at Swansea Council, said:

“The 2GoCup scheme is an exciting and practical way to help us on our journey to becoming a net zero city by 2050. Every small change adds up, so by reducing single‑use waste, we’re protecting our environment, keeping the city cleaner, and supporting our local businesses. We’re proud to help fund this initiative and look forward to seeing more businesses join in.”

Andrew Douglas, Swansea BID Manager, said:

“Swansea is a city that looks to the future, and our businesses are proud to be leading the way on sustainability. The 2GoCup model makes it simple for customers to choose greener options without any added hassle, and the positive early response has been fantastic to see. We’re excited to build on this momentum in the months ahead, expanding the scheme and encouraging people to explore new coffee shops across the city — boosting trade for our BID businesses while supporting a more sustainable Swansea.”

Kieran Ivett, owner of Wind Street’s Socialdice and Pinatas, added:

“I’m extremely passionate about this scheme. It’s already delivered fantastic results in Ireland, and I’m confident it will not only inspire visitors to make more sustainable choices but also give businesses the chance to connect with new customers. The idea is straightforward, and I believe people coming into the city will embrace it; all while playing their part in protecting the environment.”

Launched in Ireland in 2018, 2GoCup has expanded across the UK and Ireland. The cups are made from durable, BPA‑free materials, designed for multiple uses, and are fully recyclable at the end of their life.

#2GoCup #BusinessImprovementDistrict #CaféArk #cafe #CllrAndreaLewis #CllrAndreaWilliams #coffee #coffeeShop #FirstCallCoffee #FoundersCo #HelloAsia #Kardomah #LittleManCoffee #ProjectZero #Recycling #reusableCup #Socialdice #Swansea #SwanseaBID #SwanseaCouncil #TheAnchor #TheCwtch #TheStoryteller #zeroWaste