Swansea Council named UK’s most sustainable public sector organisation

It’s official – Swansea Council is the most sustainable public sector organisation in the UK.

The council won the top prize – the platinum award – at the Public Sector Sustainability Awards in London, beating off competition from councils, health boards and other public sector organisations across the length and breadth of the country.

Run by IPSEM (The Institute of Public Sector Estates Management), the awards have been acknowledging outstanding achievements in the public sector for the last three years.

Swansea Council also won two other categories – most sustainable local authority and best refurbishment project for Guildhall. The council was runner-up in the best waste recycling category as well as the innovation category for the refurbishment of Morriston Comprehensive School.

In April next year, the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act comes into force in Wales. The first law of its kind in the world, it will ensure that public bodies consider sustainable development in every decision, from setting budgets and procuring goods to decision-making and setting strategies.

Cllr Clive Lloyd, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Transformation and Performance, said: “Swansea is leading Wales in preparing for the act coming into force. In Swansea, we all want a safer, greener, smarter, fairer, richer city, and we know that a ‘business as usual’ approach isn’t enough to realise our goal. Sustainable development is about getting the best out of all our resources today, while making sure we have plenty of resources for tomorrow. It’s a key way of working, so we’re proud to be leading Wales by embedding sustainable development as one of our central organising principles.

“Our outstanding performance at the Public Sector Sustainability Awards reflects the commitment and hard work of staff from a large number of council departments who’ve contributed to a team Swansea approach. They deserve huge credit because they’re helping deliver a more sustainable city for residents and future generations.”

Council departments to have contributed to the success include the sustainable development unit, recycling, parks, housing renewals and adaptations, housing energy efficiency, housing business planning, corporate energy, corporate building and property services, planning policy, food and growing, public lighting, the Gower AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) unit, planning policy, nature and conservation, the Gower transport unit and the neighbourhood environment action teams.

Initiatives praised included the popular wild flower scheme, the keep it to three recycling campaign and the efforts of community groups in regenerating local parks.

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Next Generation Services, said: “Recognition should be given to the efforts and hard work of all our staff who have achieved this prestigious award.

“The Government’s Carbon Plan says that if the UK is to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, then all sectors have to be more energy efficient. It’s hugely encouraging that we’re setting the benchmark for other organisations here at this council.

“With housing, energy and corporate building and property services within my next generation services cabinet portfolio, I am immensely proud of this accolade which is truly well deserved. Swansea is leading the way with its approach to creating sustainable service delivery for our future generations.”

The council, the first local authority in Wales to develop sustainable development reporting, also has a sustainable development policy that guides work to deliver sustainable outcomes for the city’s communities. Its performance against priority areas identified in the policy is reported every year.