Swansea Council reaffirms City of Sanctuary status in social cohesion vote

Council votes for sanctuary and cohesion

At last night’s full council meeting, councillors supported a Notice of Motion on social cohesion, with only two votes against. The motion reaffirmed Swansea’s commitment as a City of Sanctuary, supporting asylum seekers and refugees, and directly addressed recent controversy around claims made about Seaview School’s religious education classes.

The vote saw Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors united, with senior Tory councillor Lyndon Jones backing the motion alongside his group. Reform councillor Francesca O’Brien, who represents Mumbles, opposed the motion, along with one independent councillor.

Reform voices opposition

Cllr Francesca O’Brien, elected as a Conservative in 2022 before joining Reform UK earlier this year, said she voted against because she wanted to represent “working families in Swansea” concerned about illegal immigration.

“It’s clear that this Council believes if you want to put an end to illegal immigration, you’re a racist. I’m proud to give a voice to people across my ward and across the whole of Swansea who think our laws matter, our borders matter, and our safety matters.”

A Reform UK Wales spokesperson added:

“The Tories have left the playing field on illegal immigration. The only party left that’s talking sense on these issues is Reform UK.”

Conservative backing contrasts with Senedd stance

Swansea’s Conservative councillors supported the motion, despite their Senedd leader Darren Millar previously opposing the Welsh Government’s “Nation of Sanctuary” policy. Locally, the group aligned with Labour and Liberal Democrat colleagues to reaffirm Swansea’s sanctuary status.

Council responds to Seaview School controversy

The motion followed weeks of tension around Seaview Primary School, after claims circulated online about its religious education classes. Swansea Bay News previously reported how the Council issued a formal rebuttal, describing the allegations as “misinformation” and stressing that the school’s teaching complied fully with the national curriculum.

Councillors said last night’s motion was designed to counter the spread of false claims and to reinforce Swansea’s commitment to community cohesion.

Campaigners hail anti‑racism stance

Local group Stand Up to Racism Swansea welcomed the vote, describing it as “a defence of the Nation of Sanctuary supporting asylum seekers and refugees.” In a statement, they said the motion was brought specifically to oppose “racist Islamophobic lies about Seaview School” and praised councillors for condemning hate.

The group reported that two members of the public gallery walked out during the debate, shouting obscenities, after councillors backed the motion.

Calls for action on social media hate

Earlier in the meeting, the Green Party’s Cllr Chris Evans asked the Leader to press the UK Government to hold social media companies accountable for failing to deal with far‑right hate and misinformation. He suggested councils should be able to join class action lawsuits to recover costs of dealing with unrest caused by online content.

Responding, Labour’s Cllr Rob Stewart the Leader of Swansea Council said he would write to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, urging legislative measures to make platforms jointly liable with content creators. He warned that algorithms amplifying harmful content were “undermining social cohesion and placing additional strain on local services.”

Swansea’s journey as a City of Sanctuary

Swansea first declared itself a City of Sanctuary in 2010, becoming only the second city in the UK to adopt the title. The decision was rooted in a desire to make the city a place of welcome for people fleeing war and persecution, and it quickly grew into a wider movement.

Over the past 15 years, schools, faith groups, charities, and community organisations have joined together under the sanctuary banner. From English language classes to cultural festivals, the aim has been to weave hospitality and inclusion into everyday life. Supporters say the designation has helped Swansea build a reputation for compassion, while also challenging prejudice and misinformation.

By reaffirming its sanctuary status last night, councillors sought to restate those values in the face of recent controversy, reminding residents that Swansea’s identity as a City of Sanctuary is not just a title but a lived commitment to community and solidarity.

What it means for Swansea

The motion reaffirms Swansea’s identity as a City of Sanctuary, a designation first adopted 15 years ago. Supporters say it strengthens the city’s commitment to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers, while also sending a clear message against misinformation and hate.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Council hits back at misinformation on religion lessons
Swansea Council previously responded to claims about Seaview School’s religious education classes earlier this autumn.

Swansea councillor Francesca O’Brien joins Reform UK
The Mumbles councillor defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK earlier this year.

#asylumSeekers #CityOfSanctuary #FrancescaOBrien #IllegalImmigrants #misinformation #NationOfSanctuary #NoticeOfMotion #politics #ReformUK #refugees #religiousEducation #SeaviewPrimarySchool #StandUpToRacism #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Reform councillor and Tommy Robinson allies back ‘completely untrue’ RE claims

A Reform UK councillor chaired a meeting at which a Welsh far-right hate group spread ‘untrue’ claims about religious education, a Swansea primary school has claimed.

Reform councillor Francesca O’Brien chaired the meeting alongside members of Voice of Wales – a group designated as a hate organisation by Hope Not Hate, with links to the former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson. The meeting centred on entirely unsubstantiated allegations that pupils at Sea View Community Primary School had been forced to pray on Muslim mats and recite Islamic prayers. The school has said the accusations are ‘untrue’.

Reform councillor and Tommy Robinson allies back ‘completely untrue’ RE claims, humanists.uk

#FrancescaOBrien #hateGroup #Schools #Swansea #TommyRobinson #VoiceOfWales

Council hits back at misinformation about religion lessons at Swansea primary school

The allegations — repeated in a parents’ meeting and later on GB News — suggested pupils had been asked to pray on Muslim mats, recite verses from the Quran, and that Christianity was being sidelined in lessons.

Council insists lessons are balanced

In a detailed statement, the authority said pupils were not being asked to take part in Islamic prayers or rituals, and that Christianity remains central to the school’s curriculum.

“We have a strong ongoing relationship with our local churches. We have regular visits and our pupils participate in major Christian festivals with them including Christmas, Easter and the annual Harvest Festival.

This was the first time someone of the Islamic faith from our local mosque was invited to the school.

It is untrue to claim pupils were told they would all be Muslim by the time they get to Year Six or that they were taught Islamic prayers.

We pride ourselves on being a school where everyone is treated with dignity, tolerance and respect. Like all schools in Wales we are required to include religious studies as part of our curriculum. Lessons and assemblies mainly reflect the broad traditions of Christian belief but we also try to give our pupils a basic understanding of the world’s other major religions.”

How the claims spread

Concerns were first raised in a parents’ meeting at Mayhill Community Centre on 7 October, attended by Reform UK councillor Francesca O’Brien. The event was promoted on Facebook and supported by members of the controversial far‑right group Voice of Wales.

Following the meeting, GB News broadcast an interview with Cllr O’Brien in which she repeated parents’ claims that children had been asked to pray on Muslim mats and recite Quranic verses, and that Christianity was not being given equal weight.

On 9 October, Nation.Cymru reported on the controversy, describing O’Brien as having “teamed up” with Voice of Wales — a characterisation she disputes.

Council leader condemns “false and dangerous” claims

Council leader Rob Stewart welcomed the release of Swansea Council’s statement, warning that false claims put staff and communities at risk.

“Deliberately spreading false information is both dangerous and deplorable. It puts our teachers and members of our communities at risk. It’s not acceptable. False malicious information needs to be called out. Those deliberately spreading false information need to be called out.”

In a separate post, he added:

“Serious questions for ex‑Tory now Reform councillor Francesca O’Brien to answer. Is she now working with the far‑right? Her failure to correct misinformation is deplorable.”

O’Brien: “I was giving parents a voice”

Cllr O’Brien has rejected suggestions that she is aligned with any group, insisting she was approached directly by parents and agreed to listen to their concerns.

“I don’t believe welcoming a meeting with parents who’ve raised genuine concerns is inciting hate,” she said. “I made it very clear I wasn’t there as the local councillor. Parents felt they needed to be heard, and that’s what I did.”

She also disputed the Nation.Cymru description of her having “teamed up” with Voice of Wales, saying she works independently and was not acting in partnership with any organisation.

What happens next

The council has urged any parents with questions about the curriculum to raise them directly with their child’s school, rather than relying on social media claims. Officials say they will continue to provide clear information about how Religion, Values and Ethics is taught under the Curriculum for Wales.

The row highlights how quickly local concerns can escalate once amplified online and in national media. For now, Swansea Council insists its focus remains on ensuring pupils receive a balanced education that reflects both Wales’ Christian traditions and an understanding of other world faiths.

Related Articles

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  Former deputy leader of the Welsh Conservatives in Swansea announced her defection to Reform UK, saying the party offered “the only chance to break up the Labour/Plaid consensus in Cardiff Bay.”
• Cllr Francesca O’Brien says ‘business as usual’ after joining Reform UK
  Following her move to Reform UK, O’Brien told constituents she remained focused on local issues and her role as councillor, despite the political shift.
• Llanelli councillor clashes with Reform and Conservative figures over Nation of Sanctuary policy
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#Christianity #CllrRobStewart #curriculum #featured #FrancescaOBrien #Islam #Mayhill #Muslim #RE #ReformUK #religion #ReligionValuesAndEthics #religiousEducation #RVE #SeaviewPrimarySchool #SwanseaCouncil #VoiceOfWales

Painted utility boxes bring colour and conversation to Mumbles

Ten new designs across the ward

The initiative, commissioned by Team Mumbles councillors Francesca O’Brien and Will Thomas and delivered by Swansea‑based artists Fresh Creative Co., follows on from a first batch of murals in Newton that proved hugely popular with residents.

Cllr Francesca O’Brien said the project had been shaped by community feedback:

“Since we were elected to Mumbles Ward in 2022, it’s something we wanted to continue. Given the positive feedback we received on the first batch, we knew using our budget towards another ten boxes and designs would be welcomed. We’ve tried to cover the whole ward, and residents have loved seeing them ‘pop up’ and being designed by the artist. Will and I have enjoyed coming up with ideas, including Cinders nightclub, local sports clubs, wildlife and more.”

Cllr Will Thomas added:

“In our latest batch of public artworks we’ve added some boxes with a nod to the village’s history that will hopefully spark fond memories and conversation for both locals and visitors.”

Local landmarks and memories

The new designs include references to much‑loved community touchstones such as Cinders nightclub, local wildlife, and sports clubs. One of the first to be unveiled is on Higher Lane in Langland, with more set to appear in the coming weeks.

On social media, Cllr O’Brien teased:

“👀 Next batch of boxes are primed and ready to be painted. Incoming 10 new ones… Watch this space. One has already appeared on Higher Lane 🙌”

Part of a city‑wide movement

The Mumbles project is part of a wider wave of street art on utility boxes across Swansea and beyond, with Fresh Creative Co. also delivering designs in Sketty, Mayals, Sandfields, Clydach, Dunvant, Killay and Pontardawe.

Themes range from daffodils and acorns to Swansea City FC legends, local industry, and tributes to miners and community history. In Pontardawe, recent boxes have celebrated the town’s folk festival, twinning links with Locminé, and even the old bridge guarded by a Welsh dragon2.

Fresh Creative Co. says the aim is to “uplift and engage” communities, reduce vandalism, and bring colour to everyday spaces.

Community pride

The murals have already become talking points, with residents stopping to take photos and share memories. Councillors say they hope the initiative will continue to grow, adding character to streets while celebrating Mumbles’ unique identity.

#Art #CindersNightclub #CllrWillThomas #FrancescaOBrien #FreshCreativeCo #HigherLane #Langland #Mumbles #mural #Newton #streetArt

Cllr Francesca O’Brien says ‘business as usual’ after joining Reform UK

Swansea’s first Reform UK councillor, Francesca O’Brien, has told residents it will be “business as usual” despite her recent party switch.

In a Facebook video posted days after confirming her defection from the Welsh Conservatives, Cllr O’Brien highlighted recent community events and pledged to continue working closely with her two Mumbles ward colleagues.

She said she wanted to reassure residents that “community is always going to be before politics for me” and that her “unwavering support and dedication to the role” would not change.

Community projects in focus

In the video update, Cllr O’Brien described attending the official opening of the upgraded Southend Play Park, part of the Mumbles sea defence works, alongside the council leader. She also visited Langland Bay to launch a new toy library funded by Team Mumbles, aimed at giving families free access to beach toys over the summer and beyond.

“We’ve got some really exciting projects in the pipeline that we’re continuing to work on… we are still here and we’re still going to be working as part of a team,” she said.

Why she switched parties

As reported by Swansea Bay News earlier this week, Cllr O’Brien said she joined Reform UK because she believed it was the only party capable of “breaking up the Labour‑Plaid consensus in Cardiff Bay” and creating a government that “understands the concerns of ordinary people”.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she described the move as “a gamble” but said she had “never seen a party that engages like this across generations” and wanted to be part of shaping its policies.

She insisted she had not broken trust with voters who elected her as a Welsh Conservative in 2022, saying: “Irrespective of party politics my heart is in the community and delivering for them.”

Political reaction

Her defection means Reform UK now has 16 councillors in Wales, including two in Carmarthenshire. Mumbles’ other two councillors, Will Thomas and Angela O’Connor, remain with the Welsh Conservatives.

Opponents have criticised Reform UK’s policy platform, with Welsh Labour’s Julie James MS describing the prospect of a Reform government in Wales as a “disaster”. Cllr O’Brien said she understood some residents would be disappointed but stressed her focus remained on local priorities.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea councillor Francesca O’Brien joins Reform UK
First Reform UK councillor in Swansea pledges to continue representing Mumbles residents.

Reform UK wins Llangennech by‑election securing second seat on Carmarthenshire County Council
Party builds local government presence in South West Wales.

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#FrancescaOBrien #Mumbles #ReformUK #SouthendGardens #SwanseaCouncil #WelshConservatives

Mumbles’ Underhill Hub to close after just two years amid financial pressures

The Underhill Hub, a flagship community facility in the heart of Mumbles, will close on Saturday 12 July, following confirmation that the Underhill Management Company (UMC) is entering creditors’ voluntary liquidation. The closure comes just two years after the facility opened and is attributed to unsustainable financial burdens—chief among them an unexpectedly high business rates bill.

The Mumbles Community Association (MCA), the charity that owns the site, expressed deep regret in a joint statement with UMC, calling the closure a “difficult and heartbreaking decision.”

Financial Overhead Forces Liquidation

The key issue behind the closure was a surprisingly high Rateable Value (RV) assigned by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in August 2024. The initial RV of £100,000—later reduced to £74,500—resulted in rates bills of £93,000 over two years, despite some relief. “The level of business rates has been quite simply unsustainable,” said the UMC Directors. “Although we received some relief, the final bill still exceeded £56,000.”

MCA had anticipated eligibility for charitable rate relief, but due to the facility being operated by UMC—a private limited company wholly owned by MCA—it did not qualify. “The structure was created to reclaim VAT, a requirement imposed by HMRC,” explained the Trustees. “It was a financial mechanism, not a commercial strategy.”

A Hub for Local Sport and Community Life

Since its opening, the Underhill Hub has served as a home base for several local organisations, including Mumbles Rangers Football Club, Mumbles Rugby Football Club, and Swansea Cricket Club. These groups used the all-weather pitch, changing rooms, and social spaces for training, matches, and community events. The facility also hosted local fitness classes, youth programmes, and social gatherings, becoming a cornerstone of community life in Mumbles.

In a heartfelt statement, Mumbles RFC shared their concern: “We are aware of the recent sharing of a note regarding the insolvency of UMC and the temporary closure of The Community Hub and we feel deeply saddened by this development. The dedicated staff who have supported our club and the community through their work at the Hub are at the forefront of our minds during this difficult time.”

The club added that they are actively working with stakeholders to secure their future at Underhill Park: “As an independent club that uses the facilities, we are actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to understand the implications and to proactively find a way forward for our home at Underhill Park. At this time, we remain confident that we will continue to have access to the facilities for the upcoming season and are committed to keeping our members informed as the situation evolves.”

Local Leaders Respond

Mumbles County Councillor Francesca O’Brien also responded to the news via Facebook, stating: “We (Team Mumbles) are saddened & disappointed to learn of the recent news regarding MCA/UMC and Underhill this evening. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and as ever, we will provide as much support as possible to all involved. We will keep you posted as and when we can.”

Meanwhile, Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart expressed his sympathy and outlined the council’s efforts to support the facility: “We were very sad to hear this news. Swansea Council has been working closely with Underhill Management Company and we’ve done everything we legally can to help them overcome their financial difficulties. Unfortunately, the company has decided to go into creditors’ voluntary liquidation. While this is regrettable, it gives the opportunity for others to come forward to manage the facilities.”

He added reassurance for local clubs and groups: “The pitches are used throughout the year and we know that a number of clubs and groups will be worried about whether they can continue to use these pitches in the meantime. We are working through a number of options to ensure local teams and groups can continue to use the pitches while the process of finding a new permanent management solution is found for the Underhill facilities.”

Immediate Closure, Uncertain Future

The Hub, changing rooms, and all-weather pitch will be closed to the public from July 13. A liquidator will be appointed to manage the winding-up process. MCA is currently engaging with funders and potential partners in the hope of reopening the facility under a new operator.

Despite the setback, the UMC Directors remain hopeful: “We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Underhill and truly devastated that it has come to this. The dream is not over. We will do everything we can to see these much-needed community facilities reopened.”

Community Gratitude

In their final message, MCA and UMC offered sincere thanks: “We would like to thank all of our supporters—funders, volunteers, customers, and local businesses—who helped bring the vision of Go Underhill to life. Your belief in the project sustained us.”

Next Steps

While this chapter closes, conversations are underway to ensure the facility’s long-term future. Swansea Council’s involvement, along with the commitment of local clubs and community leaders, offers hope that Underhill Park will continue to serve the people of Mumbles.

For updates, visit the Go Underhill official website and follow Swansea Bay News for ongoing coverage.

#CllrRobStewart #community #featured #FrancescaOBrien #GoUnderhillProject #Mumbles #MumblesRangersAFC #MumblesRFC #Swansea #UnderhillHub