Communities across city reap unseen rewards of huge investments
The huge investment in improved schools, upgraded housing and vital regeneration projects across Swansea is directly benefitting job seekers, local businesses, school pupils, charities and communities in often unseen ways thanks to an award winning scheme run by the council.
Swansea was the first authority in Wales to introduce community benefit clauses into all its contracts under its Beyond Bricks & Mortar initiative and the impact has been far-reaching.
It means that contractors commit to providing work experience, training, apprenticeships or a mixture of all three to help people into work.
In has seen more than 22,000 weeks of target recruitment and training supporting more than 550 individuals within the last five years.
Contractors, where possible, also commit to using local firms and businesses to provide materials and services keeping as much money as possible within the local economy.
On major schemes they will also hold 'Meet the Buyer' open events to give all suppliers an opportunity to be involved.
With the two City Deal funded projects alone - Copr Bay and 71/72 Kingsway - almost £25m has been spent with businesses in the SA postcode to date and a further £27m in the rest of Wales.
Depending on the project - contractors may also donate their time, services and materials to support the surrounding community.
This has seen new kitchens and toilets installed across a number of community centres and care homes across Swansea, landscaping at schools, the upgrading of public toilets, painting and decorating of community buildings such as St Phillips Community Centre in Swansea and help for charities such as Matthew's House which benefitted from refurbishment works.
Contractors have also been working with local schools by entering the classroom to pass on their knowledge and skills, along with site visits, careers days and direct donations of materials for bug hotels, bird and bat boxes and even refurbished laptops that were no longer needed.
Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Service and Performance David Hopkins said: "I'm extremely proud of our Beyond Bricks & Mortar scheme and the benefits it has brought to Swansea.
"When people see a new school being built, homes being refurbished or major projects such as the new Swansea Arena then many of the benefits are obvious.
"What they may not be aware of is the knock-on effects of the community benefits which have helped many thousands of individuals, along with the local economy and businesses.
"The scheme has ensured we put local communities and local people right at the centre of our thinking as we continue to invest in Swansea."