Wild flowers contribute to council’s award shortlisting

SWANSEA’S stunning wild flower displays mean the council is in the running for a major award.

The scheme is one of a number that has led to the council being shortlisted for a Sustain Wales award in a ceremony being held at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium next month.

This year’s Sustain Wales awards, the first of their kind, are aimed at celebrating the fantastic work that individuals and organisations do under the umbrella of sustainable development.

Swansea Council planted a variety of wild flower seed mixtures at over 125 locations this year. Some of the locations to have benefited included part of Fabian Way’s central reservation, Normandy Road by the Liberty Stadium and the main road between Gorseinon and Pontarddulais.

Another scheme that’s contributed to the council being shortlisted is the on-going installation of new, energy-saving street lighting. More than 10,000 have already been installed as part of a three-year programme that started in 2013.

The council’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has also contributed to its shortlisting in the sustainable public sector category.

Cllr Mark Child, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy City and Wellbeing, said: “Here in Swansea, we have a vision of a safer, greener, smarter, fairer, healthier and richer city. Sustainable development is key to our progress, which is why it’s so pleasing that we’ve been recognised for our efforts.

“The wild flowers scheme has been a great success story. It has transformed roadside verges and roundabouts into colourful displays that lift people’s spirits while encouraging bees, butterflies, pollinators and wildlife. The scheme also prevents a decline in bio-diversity and combines with projects like our street light replacement programme to show how serious we are about sustainably developing our city for the benefit of residents, visitors and future generations.

“We hope all the work we’re doing will lead to a sustainable Swansea that’s fit for the future.”

Swansea Council has also been shortlisted in a number of different categories in the UK Public Sector Sustainability Awards. Guildhall has been shortlisted for best refurbishment project, the corporate building and property services department has been shortlisted for the waste award, and the council as a whole has been shortlisted for the sustainable local authority award. Morriston School has also been shortlisted in two categories – best refurbishment project and the innovation award.