This is my fourth report to you the community in my position as Chair, and I have to say that it has been a great pleasure for me to serve this community and help with the staff and all community representatives, to direct improvements in line with the ethos of Community regeneration.

It has not been an easy journey, and I can assure everyone that my own skill base and knowledge has increased significantly and I am grateful for the support I have been given by not only the staff, but importantly by my fellow Board members.

These members have continued to serve the Trust and therefore the community during a very difficult period, when they could have chosen to spend their time and add their skills and knowledge in other directions. All of this was given freely.

We have now established a community initiative that is well established and whilst we still assume continuing grant support from the various agencies, this is envisaged at a reducing level going forward.

We have a comprehensive business plan for the next three years, but it is a plan that is flexible and mobile in that it can be adapted to changing demands and financial impact.

The last year has seen many changes and the Board members and staff have needed to apply themselves to ensuring that any decisions made have been soundly based and bring benefits to the community.

We decided to take over the running of the nursery from Sharon, and this has required close monitoring. With a new name and increased marketing we have improved the position month by month and recent figures indicate that more children are joining and helping to make the unit self sustaining. We still need more children and as the best advertising is by word of mouth we would ask everyone to spread the word that we have this attractive facility and our rates are also very attractive.

We have looked at all our income streams and reviewed our rentals to bring them in line and still be competitive.

The outdoor facilities whilst well used are still not running at capacity and we have attracted new users and will continue to identify potential new users particularly for the low take up periods.

The rental of our rooms has continued at a good level and many organisations use us for their meetings. They bring in substantial income but there is still room for improvement. I am particularly keen to see more use made for community activities e.g. education and training and health initiatives.

Our staff has changed and I am delighted to see the efforts made by our community development officers in arranging activities across the hill and working with our partners.

I would now wish to record my personal thanks to the Chief Executive and his staff for their support to me and for their efforts on behalf of the community.

This year’s community day at the centre was a great success and on Wednesday night I was privileged to attend The Hill Community Awards event at the Fairfield Club. What a wonderful evening. So well organised and the whole of the community were represented. Congratulations to Jo Philipart and all her team.

To have known and worked with our partners at Topic house has been a humbling experience, and this years unveiling of the memorial garden was yet again another success. Where would we be without Topic, and we must ensure that funding is in place to continue this initiative.

The Young people have made a significant contribution to the community and this was identified and rewarded at the Community awards.

I would like to see more intergenerational activities taking place as I feel sure we can set the standard for the whole of Swansea, with the young helping the older population and the older population giving of their life’s experiences and knowledge, whilst also feeling safer in their community.

I am now delighted to advise you that as a result of all the activities and grant income received, and disciplines that we have had in place in respect of cost control, the Trust, for the first time in its short history has made a surplus of £5603 on its trading activities. This is a remarkable performance when we consider the dreadful position the Trust found itself in at 2003.

Not only was 2006 a good year but there is every indication that 2007 will deliver a surplus but we need to ensure that we are reimbursed for the use of our facilities particularly when we continue to carry the costs.

These surpluses can then be invested in the community and reduce our grant dependency.

Finally this is my last year as Chair as it is time for a change for me and time for someone else to take the Trust forward with the new challenges. I was hopeful that our negotiations with the City and County of Swansea would have been completed by this time but that has not as yet happened.

With that in mind my proposal to you is that Derek Gregory be made Chair designate, which will allow Derek to work with me to ensure a smooth handover. In succession I propose that when I step down later this year, Simon Tse be appointed as Chair designate to work closely with Derek.

Thank you all for your support to me and I reiterate what a great honour it has been to have been chair and to work with such a marvellous group of people.

The Hill is safe in your hands.

Roy Phelps