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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Climate Change and Nature Recovery Service Transformation Committee held on 1 June 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Councillor Cyril Anderson introduced the “for information” report to provide an update on the development of the County Green Infrastructure Strategy; Working with Nature: Delivering Green Infrastructure across Swansea County. The Committee received an update on the Council’s ongoing work in relation to urban greening and green infrastructure. Members were thanked for inviting officers to present the report, and recognition was given to Penny and her team for their work in preparing the report. The following points were raised: • According to the 2021 Census, approximately 86.7% of Swansea residents lived within the urban areas of the county. • Urban greening was described as an important means of making places more liveable and environmentally resilient, whilst delivering a range of ecosystem services that benefited both residents and wildlife. • Reference was made to the Green Infrastructure Strategy for Swansea City Centre, adopted by the Council in 2021 and developed in partnership with Natural Resources Wales (NRW). o It was reported that the strategy had had a significant positive impact on the city centre. • The Committee heard that the Council and NRW were continuing their collaborative work and were developing a county-wide Green Infrastructure Strategy. Penelope Gruffyd, Landscape and Green Infrastructure Principal Officer, provided the context of the report. Members heard that green infrastructure comprised a network of natural and semi-natural features that connected urban spaces and provided a range of environmental, social and economic benefits. These included reducing flood risk through surface water management, improving air quality, supporting climate change adaptation, enhancing biodiversity, creating attractive spaces for recreation, improving physical and mental wellbeing, and contributing to economic growth and inward investment. An update was provided on achievements delivered since the adoption of the City Centre Green Infrastructure Strategy in February 2021. These included the installation of more than 16 green roofs across Swansea, ranging from large-scale schemes such as Amy Dillwyn Park, which incorporated Wales’ largest green roof, to smaller green roof installations on cycle shelters. Members were informed that Swansea was recognised as a national leader in the retrofitting of green roofs. The Committee noted the installation of multiple green roofs at the Biome development, including the UK’s first integrated bifacial photovoltaic and biodiverse green roof system. It was explained that this approach maximised opportunities for greening whilst improving solar panel efficiency through cooling provided by vegetation. Members also received an overview of other green infrastructure projects delivered across the county, including green walls, rainwater management systems, downpipe disconnectors, and 20 bioretention rain gardens installed in Sandfields as part of active travel schemes. Significant wildflower and tree planting projects had also been undertaken through initiatives such as the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature Grant and the Queen’s Green Canopy programme. The Committee was advised that skills development had formed an important part of the programme, with 47 green infrastructure training events delivered between 2021 and 2025 involving more than 624 participants from private, public and third-sector organisations. Biodiversity audits had also been carried out, establishing baseline data on species, plants and invertebrates within Swansea city centre. Members heard that a range of public engagement and educational resources had been developed, including an online city nature trail highlighting examples of green infrastructure and their benefits. An update was provided on the Council’s Artificial Grass Position Statement, which had been approved earlier in the year. The statement promoted sustainable alternatives to artificial grass on Council-owned land and raised awareness of environmental impacts associated with artificial lawns, whilst recognising their necessity in specific settings such as sports facilities and some educational environments. The Committee noted that Swansea had recently joined more than 30 partner organisations in becoming a recognised Biophilic City. Membership of the international network provided opportunities to showcase Swansea’s achievements, strengthen its reputation as a desirable place to live, work and visit, and benefit from global research, innovation and best practice through collaboration with other member cities. Looking ahead, officers outlined plans for a county-wide Green Infrastructure Strategy. The strategy would provide a high-level framework for protecting, enhancing and connecting green infrastructure across Swansea, supporting climate adaptation, nature recovery and community wellbeing. It would align national, regional and local policy and would be supported by existing plans and strategies, including the Local Development Plan, Wellbeing Plan and Local Nature Recovery Plan. Members were advised that the draft strategy had been developed through extensive engagement over a four-year period involving community groups, residents, private, public and third-sector organisations. The strategy had been prepared by a multidisciplinary steering group comprising officers from Swansea Council and Natural Resources Wales. It was noted that the existing City Centre Green Infrastructure Strategy would remain a standalone document focused on the central area but would be aligned with and incorporated within the wider county-wide strategy framework. The Committee was informed that the draft county-wide strategy was expected to be completed and published for consultation by the end of the current financial year. The Chair welcomed the update on the Green Infrastructure Strategy and expressed particular support for the bioretention rain gardens in Sandfields. Positive feedback had been received from local residents, schools and businesses, with the rain garden near St Helen’s School noted for its environmental and traffic management benefits. Committee members discussed: • The scheme outside the Westbourne, which was also highlighted as a well-used and valued community space. • Opportunities for further bioretention rain gardens and additional green roofs. • The Welsh Government Transforming Towns Grant scheme. Members heard that the scheme enabled private sector organisations seeking grant funding to incorporate green infrastructure into their projects. • Performance monitoring to understand the benefits arising from installed green infrastructure, including impacts on building performance and the microclimate of local spaces. • Green bus stops and green bike shelters. The Chair thanked the Committee for its previous support of the statement on artificial grass and expressed appreciation to the officer for the report.
The Climate Change and Nature Recovery Committee Work Plan was provided “for information”.
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