The outgoing chief executive of Swansea Council said he had aimed to make the city look better since taking on the role and hoped he hadn't let the authority down. Phil Roberts was appointed in 2016 after many positions within the council and has worked alongside former and current leaders Chris Holley, David Phillips and Rob Stewart over the years.
He said he understood the political ambition was to improve the look of and change Swansea when he accepted the chief executive post. "I hope in that context that I have not disappointed the council," he said, addressing a meeting of full council.
The father-of-three said he had the utmost respect for council leaders given that the role was, in his view, "a thankless challenge". Mr Roberts said he had enjoyed working with the current leader, Cllr Stewart, who shared "a passion and ambition" with his predecessors to make Swansea better. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
READ MORE: A 13-year-old boy has died after going for swim with other children in the River Tawe at Morriston
He said he had been the lowest and highest paid officer of the council during his long career. "The chief executive job is no more difficult than other council jobs, provided you have got the right team around you," said Mr Roberts. "Being chief executive has been a real privilege, particularly so in the city you grew up in and love."
He said it was important that as a non-political appointee he had served all councillors "without favour". He said: "I hope that has been my style." Staff, said Mr Roberts, were the council's biggest resource and they had in his view really come into their own during the Covid pandemic.
Cllr Stewart listed Mr Roberts' many roles in the public and private sector over the years after being educated at Olchfa School, Sketty, Bath University and the London School of Economics. "He has discharged the responsibility of chief executive with honour and has led on many key initiatives," said Cllr Stewart. I have always found Phil to be a huge ally and a huge support to me as leader." He also described Mr Roberts, a grandfather-of-six, as a very talented musician who had played in a number of bands.
Opposition leader Cllr Chris Holley said Mr Roberts, generally speaking, had had "a great influence on the council". Conservative leader Cllr Lyndon Jones said he had been a "great choice" as chief executive and had done a great job, particularly during the pandemic. Uplands Party leader Cllr Peter May said Mr Roberts had always been very supportive, and would be missed by everyone. You can read more stories about Swansea here.
According to published council accounts from 2020-21, Mr Roberts' total remuneration for the year was £152,671. Martin Nicholls is the council's new interim chief executive, pending the appointment of a permanent one. Mr Roberts also thanked his family for their support, given the amount of time he had spent at work as chief executive. He said he felt public finances were facing difficult times and that the economy was "in trouble".
Find out about things going on where you live:
