GOWER
BNP 4.89%
Christian Party 2.11%
Conservative 24.49%
Jury Team 0.64%
Liberal Democrats 10.58%
No2EU: Yes to Democracy 1.33%
Plaid Cymru 15.28%
Socialist Labour 1.41%
Green 6.72%
Labour 20%
UKIP 12.47%
Total: 19,436
Turnout: 31.75%
SWANSEA EAST
BNP 9.49%
Christian Party 2.43%
Conservative 11.36%
Jury Team 0.59%
Liberal Democrats 11.83%
No2EU: Yes to Democracy 1.82%
Plaid Cymru 13.72%
Socialist Labour 2.37%
Green 4.43%
Labour 28.84%
UKIP 13.12%
Total: 13,882
Turnout: 23.4%
SWANSEA WEST
BNP 5.44%
Christian Party 1.96%
Conservative 17.16%
Jury Team 0.56%
Liberal Democrats 18.76%
No2EU: Yes to Democracy 1.34%
Plaid Cymru 10.96%
Socialist Labour 1.38%
Green 6.62%
Labour 20.76%
UKIP 11.22%
Total: 17,051
Turnout: 27.03%
Come and tell us what you think
SWEP - Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 07:58
This is Local Newspaper Week.
It is a seven-day celebration of the crucial role newspapers and their websites play in our communities.
Throughout the week we will be focusing on what your local newspapers (Evening Post, Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal) and websites (thisissouthwales, thisiscarmarthenshire, and thisisswansea) mean to you.
And we would love to know your thoughts on what you love about us, what you would not be without, what you enjoy the most and what you would like to see more of in the future.
We believe we have a vital part to play in the community, but we need your help and support to continue doing it.
Please post any comments you have below.
Also, if you have any pictures of you or colleagues reading one of our newspapers at work, home, or, perhaps, somewhere unusual, then please send them to paul.turner@swwmedia.co.uk.
Thanks!
Comments (26)
As "a vital part of the community" the post should be judged by the same standards as it expects from public bodies. Unfortunately it fails this test and has been in decline for years. Poor research, lack of knowledge of Swansea, lazy recycling of articles, tabloid headlines sensationalising stories, need I go on. Would like to see the reaction to this on the front page! My money is on. "Post readers tell us we are the best!"
Richard, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 13:13
What happened to the readers letter section, something I enjoyed reading.
Anne, Georgia, USA
commented on 12-May-2009 13:08
Another vote here for bringing back the letters page on the website. Also, I'd like to see Heather from Mumbles given her own column.
P.Lazarou, Bonymaem
commented on 12-May-2009 12:45
I agree that the same stories are recycled which is frustrating. It would be nice to see balanced coverage with regard to the NHS etc, the paper is quick to go to town on anything negative but rarely does the same for positive stories - they tend to be a statement of fact only (and no, I dont work for the NHS). I too am sick of seeing these poor victims pointing helplessly at some random item - 9 times out of 10 they only go to the Post in an attempt to get some money out of whoever they think is to blame - shame on you for reporting it - you are just encouraging them. The name Evening Post is a bit of a joke now too. The paper is printed overnight and available to buy in the morning so hardly the news of the day.I agree that if you are going to have a website - print the stories rather than the habit you have recently adopted of printing a couple of sentencesCant disagree with the comments about your building - its vile!
J, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 12:26
more stories about swansea and the areas around it.more decent reporters.try and put your advertising on just a few pages they seem to be on every page.i like the website though because you dont have to pay 40p every day for a load of adverts and poor reporting
geoff, mumbles
commented on 12-May-2009 10:34
Go back to broadsheet formula, print the paper on the morning of the day of publication or stop calling it The Evening Post (perhaps The Morning Post would be more appropriate) Bring back the Sporting Post printed on a Sat after the games and available to read by around 6.30pm
Steve, Neath
commented on 12-May-2009 10:28
Bring your price down! I haven't paid for the Evening Post for many years. The post is only a local rag and you charge the same prices as the daily papers. For shame!
Jim, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 10:23
I enjoy the E.P. and take a daily look at your web page. As stated by other readers though, it is a pity that the E.P. is now printed in England. The news isn't "news" when we get now as it used to be. I expect that down to economics, it's a shame though as the E.P. should be a "our" local rag
Gloria, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 09:11
If i want up to date news about Swansea i look at the BBC web site which is updated 24 hrs a day.Since the printing of the post t has moved out of Swansea the news in invariably stale.Who wants to read a supposedly evening paper at 7 am. When the post was printed in Adelaide st we had a number of editions throughout the day and of course the "Late night final".Sorry Northcliffe newpapers you do not provide an up to date source of news to West Wales.
Derek, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 03:43
i miss the local gossip from the various areas around neath.why is it that you only print favourablr comments from the web site in EP?
byron, neath
commented on 11-May-2009 21:08
I agree with Paul (West Cross).Please reinstate the "Readers Page",on the website,some really interesting comments made by citizen's who may be without web facillities.
roy r, swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 19:32
The EP website needs improving/upgrading.....if a website is available it must be functioning on a level with the paper. At the moment, you have cut the readers letters (!!) and you direct readers to look for additional details of newstories on the following day!! If you have a story to report, REPORT IT in full at the time. The EP, rather than keeping up with progress, has taken ten steps backwards. Oh and for goodness sake, reinstate a proper bereavements section so that we do not have to wade through dozens of identical announcements for the same person - all we need is to know that a death has occurred and the date and time of the funeral.
clarysage50, Somerset
commented on 11-May-2009 18:55
what you love about us: when you talk up the positives about Swansea Bay - positive news stories.what you would not be without: sports news esp. live text report onlinewhat you enjoy the most: as abovewhat you would like to see more of in the future: more stories that do not stereotype, do not judge, do not make a mountain out of a molehill ... and that do share good news! And finally...Sort your building out!
Anon, Sketty
commented on 11-May-2009 17:06
You used to have a lady writer who used to write loads of interesting articles and features about Swansea but I have not seen her writing in the Post for several months. Without such interesting articles I personally gave up reading the Post as I am not interested in paying money to read endless adverts and endless stories from estate agents talking rubbish about house prices and why they think Swansea is worth such silly asking prices. I want to read interesting articles about local people.
Bob, Sketty
commented on 11-May-2009 16:57
Could you please reinstate the "Readers' Letters" page on the website?
Paul, West Cross
commented on 11-May-2009 16:28
i would like to see more headline grabbers like that front page story you ran about the woman who bought a burger from macdonalds that was rare. now thats real reporting for you. keep up the good work EP.
steve, swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 16:07
Try and be less small-minded and parochial, the fact that some minor celeb once visited Caswell or had a Granny from Gowerton is not particularly newsworthy and does not mean that Swansea is somehow responsible for their success.
Glen, Margam
commented on 11-May-2009 15:26
Totally agree with B.S's point 3.The majority of the "hard done by" victims you write about are lazy good for nothings who don't work or do anything constructive with their lives. Then a brick comes through their window and they are on the front page of the Post pulling a ridiculous pose pointing at a brick. Come on Editors half of you must be educated????
SHA BUDGE, swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 14:57
A little more investigative journalism would be good.
caebrwyn, Llanwrda, Carms
commented on 11-May-2009 14:42
I always read the EP because it is the only paper that gives local news. However I feel there has been a marked decline in the standard of journalism over the past years. It seems like journalists are appealing to the tabloid readers by sensationalising stories and stirring up trouble between the tax payer and statutory organisations such as Swansea Council and NHS. Also, the EP is not truly up to date with local news as it once was due to the fact that it is printed overnight before the news of the day has actually happened.
DD, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 14:35
I totally agree with comments by Dav. The building is an eyesore and is in a prominent position in te city. You reported several years ago that the building was to receive a facelift? You've not mentioned anything since and so why haven't you done it? You quite rightly highlight the issues with the bus station but people see the great improvements taking place around the bottom end of the city centre and then see your building slap bang in the middle.
Martin, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 14:02
I totally agree with the comments of Dav,Swansea. The Evening Post building is an eyesore. It is in a prominent position and you reported some years ago that it was to undergo a facelift? You report, quite rightly, about the state of the bus station but when are you going to do something about your building?
Martin, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 13:45
A good source of local news but there are areas in which you can improve:1/ Avoid being melodramatic and over-using words such as 'SHOCK, HORROR, DRAMA, ORDEAL'. Just give us the news and we'll be the judge of how 'shocking' it actually is.2/ Avoid recycling the same news. Recently you've printed stories about swine flu and the lad off Britain's Got Talent almost every day and it's starting to get very tedious now as it was not major news in the first place.3/ Cut down on publishing 'victim stories' with pathetic people whinging about how they stubbed their toe & have to find someone to blame.4/ I find your celebrity column to be uninteresting and the sort of thing you'd expect from the worst of the tabloids.
B.S., Penllergaer
commented on 11-May-2009 13:32
more positive news about Swansea!
Angela, Sketty
commented on 11-May-2009 13:01
More attention to basic grammar would be top of my list
Matthew, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 12:59
It would be nice to see the Evening Post improve the aspect of its building as a key gateway landmark to the City.
Dav, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 12:38
This is Local Newspaper Week.
It is a seven-day celebration of the crucial role newspapers and their websites play in our communities.
Throughout the week we will be focusing on what your local newspapers (Evening Post, Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal) and websites (thisissouthwales, thisiscarmarthenshire, and thisisswansea) mean to you.
And we would love to know your thoughts on what you love about us, what you would not be without, what you enjoy the most and what you would like to see more of in the future.
We believe we have a vital part to play in the community, but we need your help and support to continue doing it.
Please post any comments you have below.
Also, if you have any pictures of you or colleagues reading one of our newspapers at work, home, or, perhaps, somewhere unusual, then please send them to paul.turner@swwmedia.co.uk.
Thanks!
Comments (26)
As "a vital part of the community" the post should be judged by the same standards as it expects from public bodies. Unfortunately it fails this test and has been in decline for years. Poor research, lack of knowledge of Swansea, lazy recycling of articles, tabloid headlines sensationalising stories, need I go on. Would like to see the reaction to this on the front page! My money is on. "Post readers tell us we are the best!"
Richard, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 13:13
What happened to the readers letter section, something I enjoyed reading.
Anne, Georgia, USA
commented on 12-May-2009 13:08
Another vote here for bringing back the letters page on the website. Also, I'd like to see Heather from Mumbles given her own column.
P.Lazarou, Bonymaem
commented on 12-May-2009 12:45
I agree that the same stories are recycled which is frustrating. It would be nice to see balanced coverage with regard to the NHS etc, the paper is quick to go to town on anything negative but rarely does the same for positive stories - they tend to be a statement of fact only (and no, I dont work for the NHS). I too am sick of seeing these poor victims pointing helplessly at some random item - 9 times out of 10 they only go to the Post in an attempt to get some money out of whoever they think is to blame - shame on you for reporting it - you are just encouraging them. The name Evening Post is a bit of a joke now too. The paper is printed overnight and available to buy in the morning so hardly the news of the day.I agree that if you are going to have a website - print the stories rather than the habit you have recently adopted of printing a couple of sentencesCant disagree with the comments about your building - its vile!
J, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 12:26
more stories about swansea and the areas around it.more decent reporters.try and put your advertising on just a few pages they seem to be on every page.i like the website though because you dont have to pay 40p every day for a load of adverts and poor reporting
geoff, mumbles
commented on 12-May-2009 10:34
Go back to broadsheet formula, print the paper on the morning of the day of publication or stop calling it The Evening Post (perhaps The Morning Post would be more appropriate) Bring back the Sporting Post printed on a Sat after the games and available to read by around 6.30pm
Steve, Neath
commented on 12-May-2009 10:28
Bring your price down! I haven't paid for the Evening Post for many years. The post is only a local rag and you charge the same prices as the daily papers. For shame!
Jim, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 10:23
I enjoy the E.P. and take a daily look at your web page. As stated by other readers though, it is a pity that the E.P. is now printed in England. The news isn't "news" when we get now as it used to be. I expect that down to economics, it's a shame though as the E.P. should be a "our" local rag
Gloria, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 09:11
If i want up to date news about Swansea i look at the BBC web site which is updated 24 hrs a day.Since the printing of the post t has moved out of Swansea the news in invariably stale.Who wants to read a supposedly evening paper at 7 am. When the post was printed in Adelaide st we had a number of editions throughout the day and of course the "Late night final".Sorry Northcliffe newpapers you do not provide an up to date source of news to West Wales.
Derek, Swansea
commented on 12-May-2009 03:43
i miss the local gossip from the various areas around neath.why is it that you only print favourablr comments from the web site in EP?
byron, neath
commented on 11-May-2009 21:08
I agree with Paul (West Cross).Please reinstate the "Readers Page",on the website,some really interesting comments made by citizen's who may be without web facillities.
roy r, swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 19:32
The EP website needs improving/upgrading.....if a website is available it must be functioning on a level with the paper. At the moment, you have cut the readers letters (!!) and you direct readers to look for additional details of newstories on the following day!! If you have a story to report, REPORT IT in full at the time. The EP, rather than keeping up with progress, has taken ten steps backwards. Oh and for goodness sake, reinstate a proper bereavements section so that we do not have to wade through dozens of identical announcements for the same person - all we need is to know that a death has occurred and the date and time of the funeral.
clarysage50, Somerset
commented on 11-May-2009 18:55
what you love about us: when you talk up the positives about Swansea Bay - positive news stories.what you would not be without: sports news esp. live text report onlinewhat you enjoy the most: as abovewhat you would like to see more of in the future: more stories that do not stereotype, do not judge, do not make a mountain out of a molehill ... and that do share good news! And finally...Sort your building out!
Anon, Sketty
commented on 11-May-2009 17:06
You used to have a lady writer who used to write loads of interesting articles and features about Swansea but I have not seen her writing in the Post for several months. Without such interesting articles I personally gave up reading the Post as I am not interested in paying money to read endless adverts and endless stories from estate agents talking rubbish about house prices and why they think Swansea is worth such silly asking prices. I want to read interesting articles about local people.
Bob, Sketty
commented on 11-May-2009 16:57
Could you please reinstate the "Readers' Letters" page on the website?
Paul, West Cross
commented on 11-May-2009 16:28
i would like to see more headline grabbers like that front page story you ran about the woman who bought a burger from macdonalds that was rare. now thats real reporting for you. keep up the good work EP.
steve, swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 16:07
Try and be less small-minded and parochial, the fact that some minor celeb once visited Caswell or had a Granny from Gowerton is not particularly newsworthy and does not mean that Swansea is somehow responsible for their success.
Glen, Margam
commented on 11-May-2009 15:26
Totally agree with B.S's point 3.The majority of the "hard done by" victims you write about are lazy good for nothings who don't work or do anything constructive with their lives. Then a brick comes through their window and they are on the front page of the Post pulling a ridiculous pose pointing at a brick. Come on Editors half of you must be educated????
SHA BUDGE, swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 14:57
A little more investigative journalism would be good.
caebrwyn, Llanwrda, Carms
commented on 11-May-2009 14:42
I always read the EP because it is the only paper that gives local news. However I feel there has been a marked decline in the standard of journalism over the past years. It seems like journalists are appealing to the tabloid readers by sensationalising stories and stirring up trouble between the tax payer and statutory organisations such as Swansea Council and NHS. Also, the EP is not truly up to date with local news as it once was due to the fact that it is printed overnight before the news of the day has actually happened.
DD, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 14:35
I totally agree with comments by Dav. The building is an eyesore and is in a prominent position in te city. You reported several years ago that the building was to receive a facelift? You've not mentioned anything since and so why haven't you done it? You quite rightly highlight the issues with the bus station but people see the great improvements taking place around the bottom end of the city centre and then see your building slap bang in the middle.
Martin, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 14:02
I totally agree with the comments of Dav,Swansea. The Evening Post building is an eyesore. It is in a prominent position and you reported some years ago that it was to undergo a facelift? You report, quite rightly, about the state of the bus station but when are you going to do something about your building?
Martin, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 13:45
A good source of local news but there are areas in which you can improve:1/ Avoid being melodramatic and over-using words such as 'SHOCK, HORROR, DRAMA, ORDEAL'. Just give us the news and we'll be the judge of how 'shocking' it actually is.2/ Avoid recycling the same news. Recently you've printed stories about swine flu and the lad off Britain's Got Talent almost every day and it's starting to get very tedious now as it was not major news in the first place.3/ Cut down on publishing 'victim stories' with pathetic people whinging about how they stubbed their toe & have to find someone to blame.4/ I find your celebrity column to be uninteresting and the sort of thing you'd expect from the worst of the tabloids.
B.S., Penllergaer
commented on 11-May-2009 13:32
more positive news about Swansea!
Angela, Sketty
commented on 11-May-2009 13:01
More attention to basic grammar would be top of my list
Matthew, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 12:59
It would be nice to see the Evening Post improve the aspect of its building as a key gateway landmark to the City.
Dav, Swansea
commented on 11-May-2009 12:38
City OAP called police over reports of MP expense claims
South Wales Evening Post - 11 May 2009
A Swansea pensioner was left so disgusted by "scandalous" expense claims by politicians that he complained to police.
Mel Poole, aged 66, rang police in Swansea to complain about Justice minister Jack Straw, who claimed expense payments for the full amount of council tax on his London home over four years, despite only having to pay half.
Mr Straw repaid the money last year when he was foreign secretary.
His complaint alleging criminal deception was forwarded to the Metropolitan Police, but he said they had refused to take it any further.
Mr Poole, of Glan Yr Afon Road, said: "I'm just trying to highlight that the taxpayer is fighting back. They're all at it, it's scandalous, and they've only given pensioners a 50 pence a week rise. It's disgusting."
A spokesman for the Justice Secretary said: "All claims made for Jack Straw's Blackburn home have been made in accordance with the rules of the Commons. It was also Mr Straw who spotted errors in the claims for council tax and alerted the authorities. He repaid the difference."
A Swansea pensioner was left so disgusted by "scandalous" expense claims by politicians that he complained to police.
Mel Poole, aged 66, rang police in Swansea to complain about Justice minister Jack Straw, who claimed expense payments for the full amount of council tax on his London home over four years, despite only having to pay half.
Mr Straw repaid the money last year when he was foreign secretary.
His complaint alleging criminal deception was forwarded to the Metropolitan Police, but he said they had refused to take it any further.
Mr Poole, of Glan Yr Afon Road, said: "I'm just trying to highlight that the taxpayer is fighting back. They're all at it, it's scandalous, and they've only given pensioners a 50 pence a week rise. It's disgusting."
A spokesman for the Justice Secretary said: "All claims made for Jack Straw's Blackburn home have been made in accordance with the rules of the Commons. It was also Mr Straw who spotted errors in the claims for council tax and alerted the authorities. He repaid the difference."
Editorial
South Wales Evening Post - 8 May 2009
Swansea has a new lord mayor. But does anybody outside the council care?
That is not meant to be an insult to the new lord mayor. Councillor Alan Lloyd has been a stalwart of Swansea Council for 42 years. Congratulations to him, and we hope that he and his wife have a wonderful year as Swansea’s first citizens.
And we are not criticising the office of lord mayor. It is important that we have a figurehead who can represent the city at important events.Add to that the large sums of money the lord mayor raises each year for his or her selected charity. Clearly there are still great benefits in the post.
But when hardly anyone bothers to vote in council elections any more, we cannot pretend that the mayor-making is of much interest in the lives of councillor Lloyd’s fellow citizens.
Most people would not know the difference between the lord mayor and the council leader. Perhaps it’s time to merge the roles with an elected mayor.
Swansea has a new lord mayor. But does anybody outside the council care?
That is not meant to be an insult to the new lord mayor. Councillor Alan Lloyd has been a stalwart of Swansea Council for 42 years. Congratulations to him, and we hope that he and his wife have a wonderful year as Swansea’s first citizens.
And we are not criticising the office of lord mayor. It is important that we have a figurehead who can represent the city at important events.Add to that the large sums of money the lord mayor raises each year for his or her selected charity. Clearly there are still great benefits in the post.
But when hardly anyone bothers to vote in council elections any more, we cannot pretend that the mayor-making is of much interest in the lives of councillor Lloyd’s fellow citizens.
Most people would not know the difference between the lord mayor and the council leader. Perhaps it’s time to merge the roles with an elected mayor.
Local paper is vital for us all
Have Your Say - South Wales Evenning Post - 20 April 2009
Your report [April 15] says that taxpayer-funded newspapers which are published and distributed free by council may be having a negative impact on independent newspapers (such as the Evening Post).
We then read the comments from spokesmen for the local authorities defending their role of communicating details of local services, policies and initiatives to local residents.
Of course, none of these council free-sheets carry a word of criticism of the local authorities. They are little more than propaganda outlets for the respective councils.
In a democracy a powerful independent and critical local press is essential. Howe else would we learn of the many questionable actions taken by our councillors and council officials and how would members of the public be able to voice their concerns and express opposition.
It is of great concern that because of the current economic crisis “50 or so newspaper titles are closing this year”. The people of West Glamorgan should support the Evening Post and other local newspapers. Should we lose them, our hold on democracy will be greatly weakened.
Name and address supplied
Your report [April 15] says that taxpayer-funded newspapers which are published and distributed free by council may be having a negative impact on independent newspapers (such as the Evening Post).
We then read the comments from spokesmen for the local authorities defending their role of communicating details of local services, policies and initiatives to local residents.
Of course, none of these council free-sheets carry a word of criticism of the local authorities. They are little more than propaganda outlets for the respective councils.
In a democracy a powerful independent and critical local press is essential. Howe else would we learn of the many questionable actions taken by our councillors and council officials and how would members of the public be able to voice their concerns and express opposition.
It is of great concern that because of the current economic crisis “50 or so newspaper titles are closing this year”. The people of West Glamorgan should support the Evening Post and other local newspapers. Should we lose them, our hold on democracy will be greatly weakened.
Name and address supplied
Travellers win battle to stay put
Editorial - 2nd April 2009
The outcome of a long court battle to evict two traveller families from a car park in the city’s enterprise park is not good for Swansea Council. The families are staying, and the council is left with red faces.
The cause of the embarrassment is a meeting between the families and council cabinet member John Hague. They reached a verbal agreement that the council would provide facilities if the families moved to another part of a car park.
Unfortunately, nobody told the rest of the cabinet, or the council’s lawyers, when they subsequently decided to seek a possession order for the entire enterprise park. A situation described by the judge as a failure on the part of councillors, officers, or both.
The council will attempt to salvage a little credit from the fact that the judge did allow the order to cover the rest of the enterprise park, which theoretically should deter any more travellers from camping there.
But even here there is a sting attached, with his references to the city’s overcrowded official sites, and its duty to provide enough temporary sites.
The outcome of a long court battle to evict two traveller families from a car park in the city’s enterprise park is not good for Swansea Council. The families are staying, and the council is left with red faces.
The cause of the embarrassment is a meeting between the families and council cabinet member John Hague. They reached a verbal agreement that the council would provide facilities if the families moved to another part of a car park.
Unfortunately, nobody told the rest of the cabinet, or the council’s lawyers, when they subsequently decided to seek a possession order for the entire enterprise park. A situation described by the judge as a failure on the part of councillors, officers, or both.
The council will attempt to salvage a little credit from the fact that the judge did allow the order to cover the rest of the enterprise park, which theoretically should deter any more travellers from camping there.
But even here there is a sting attached, with his references to the city’s overcrowded official sites, and its duty to provide enough temporary sites.
Sparks fly in council planning claim row
South Wales Evening Post - 1st April 2009
Security guards had to be called to escort a Swansea councillor out of a heated meeting.
There were cheers from the public gallery as Mawr representative Ioan Richard was led from the council chamber.
Things came to ahead towards the end of a 90 minute planning meeting to decide whether or not to grant permission to allow green waste and composting treatment to take place at Abergelli Farm, Velindre.
Mr Richard, who had earlier said that he was in favour of the controversial plan, ignored repeated calls to sit down and be quiet from deputy chair of the area one development control committee, Viv Abbott.
Sparks flew when Councillor Richard accused Councillor John Miles – who was against the proposal – of not have an “open mind”.
He said Councillor Miles’ son-in-law ran a pub from which the petition against the application had been launched.
Councillor Miles then turned the tables when he asked: ”How can Councillor Richard, who has access to that evidence and phoned people in Pontardulais and asked them why they signed the petition, have an open mind?”
Councillor Richard then caused uproar when he said: “I admit I have phone some petitioners up.”
Councillors voted to refuse permission.
Security guards had to be called to escort a Swansea councillor out of a heated meeting.
There were cheers from the public gallery as Mawr representative Ioan Richard was led from the council chamber.
Things came to ahead towards the end of a 90 minute planning meeting to decide whether or not to grant permission to allow green waste and composting treatment to take place at Abergelli Farm, Velindre.
Mr Richard, who had earlier said that he was in favour of the controversial plan, ignored repeated calls to sit down and be quiet from deputy chair of the area one development control committee, Viv Abbott.
Sparks flew when Councillor Richard accused Councillor John Miles – who was against the proposal – of not have an “open mind”.
He said Councillor Miles’ son-in-law ran a pub from which the petition against the application had been launched.
Councillor Miles then turned the tables when he asked: ”How can Councillor Richard, who has access to that evidence and phoned people in Pontardulais and asked them why they signed the petition, have an open mind?”
Councillor Richard then caused uproar when he said: “I admit I have phone some petitioners up.”
Councillors voted to refuse permission.
Statement
Title: Children’s Social Services in the City and County Of Swansea
Date: 24 March 2009
By: Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services
I made a statement on 3 March setting out my concerns about social services for children in the City and County of Swansea. They had been inspected by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate in March and April 2007 and again in December 2008. During the intervening period, the Chief Inspector had implemented the Protocol for responding to serious concern about Local Authority Social Services in respect of the authority.
However, whilst there had been some improvement, the overall judgement in 2008 remained the same as in the 2007 inspection. Its services remained inconsistent and the prospects for improvement remained uncertain. It was clear that leadership at corporate and political level had not been sufficient during the period when the protocol had been in place.
In my statement I indicated then that I was considering making an Order under Section 84 of the Children Act 1989 declaring the Authority to be in default of certain of its functions in relation to the provision of social services for children, and directing it to take certain action. I also indicated that I was considering establishing an Intervention Board to provide robust external challenge to the authority in order to drive the improvements necessary.
I had met that morning with the Deputy Leader and Social Services Portfolio Holder to inform them of this and had written to the authority by way of confirmation attaching the Draft Order and Terms of Reference for the Intervention Board. In that letter, I provided the authority with an opportunity to respond to my proposal within 2 weeks.
On Monday 9 March I met, at their request, with the Leader, Deputy Leader and representatives of the other political groups on the Council. They all indicated to me that they were committed to improving children’s social services in the authority and that they would work together to provide the unified leadership that is required to achieve this and that they would write to me to confirm their position on this.
I have received a letter from the authority’s Chief Executive. In this he expresses the authority’s disappointment that I saw the Intervention Board as the way forward. They had hoped that I would have been more confident that the improvements achieved to date would have continued and been consolidated.
However, the authority recognised why I was considering this action in view of the report on the December 2008 Inspection by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate. The authority was pleased that, in all that I had said, I had recognised the hard work of front line staff. I wish to repeat that recognition again now and I am sure you would all endorse this.
The letter makes it clear that the authority will embrace the opportunity to work with the Intervention Board, recognise that the action I am considering would be focused purely on ensuring continued improvement and that all the political parties support this position.
The authority also confirms that it will ensure high level corporate support, at officer and member level, for the process, and that it is working towards the establishment of an Overview and Scrutiny Board which will have a dedicated focus on Children’s Social Services.
The authority reports that it has also developed its existing involvement with the Welsh Local Government Association and the Social Services Improvement Agency. Both have indicated that they are keen to support the authority on the improvement agenda.
The authority is already working on a draft action plan to tackle the areas of improvement identified in CSSIW’s report and in the Draft Order which I shared with them. One of the first tasks of the Intervention Board will be to consider this.. The CSSIW report of the inspection will be formally presented to the authority and published on 31 March.
I have now given careful consideration to the response I have received and am pleased to see that the authority has provided me with a response setting out the wish to embrace the opportunity to work with the Intervention Board.
I have given due weight to this alongside my determination that social services for children should not fall and remain below acceptable standards and the fact that the City and County of Swansea has failed by the December 2008 inspection to make sufficient progress to tackle the issues identified by CSSIW’s inspection in 2007 and to bring about the necessary improvement in these services.
Consequently, I have decided to make the Order under Section 84 of the Children Act 1989, declaring the authority in default of certain of its functions in relation to the provision of children’s social services and directing it to take all necessary action to secure without further delay that all the statutory duties imposed by or under the Act are consistently performed to an adequate standard.
I have met again with the Leader and Deputy Leader and Leaders of the other political parties in the authority this morning to inform them of this and have passed them a copy of the Order. I have also written to the authority with the formal Order which I have signed.
I have also initiated arrangements to establish the Intervention Board which will be made up of a chair drawn from outside social services and local government together with a current or past Director of Social Services, Head of Children’s Social Services, local authority Chief Executive and elected member in local government with experience in social services matters.
I propose that the Intervention Board will be in place as quickly as arrangements can be finalised to secure the high calibre of Board members which I wish to see.
Its composition is vitally important given the fact that the Board will have powers to require the Authority to take all reasonable steps to fulfil its responsibilities, to provide robust external challenge, to report to overview scrutiny boards on progress being made by the authority and to report to me on the authority’s progress at regular intervals which I shall determine.
I shall write to Members of this Assembly, informing them of the establishment of the Intervention Board and of its membership once these arrangements are finalised.
I wish to impress upon the City and County of Swansea that I consider the making of this Order, the first time that such an order is issued in respect of a local authority in Wales, and the establishment of the Intervention Board, to be a very serious step to take.
In doing so, I wish to emphasise that the responsibility for bringing about the improvements needed is not affected – it remains with everyone of the members of the authority who are elected to ensure that Swansea can provide social services capable of safeguarding and responding to the needs of the children and young people of Swansea and of supporting their families. I must stress that strong political and corporate leadership is essential if social services for children are to be improved at the pace at which that is needed.
I shall be keen to receive reports from the Intervention Board on the progress it considers the authority is making, as I will from the authority itself, and will ask the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales to inspect children’s social services in the City and County of Swansea again in January 2010 or earlier if this becomes necessary.
I hope that all members of the Assembly, of whatever political persuasion, will recognise that the steps I am taking are motivated by the wish to see the necessary improvement in children’s social services in Swansea. The need to do so should transcend party politics and I expect the authority as a whole to work together to bring this improvement about.
Date: 24 March 2009
By: Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services
I made a statement on 3 March setting out my concerns about social services for children in the City and County of Swansea. They had been inspected by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate in March and April 2007 and again in December 2008. During the intervening period, the Chief Inspector had implemented the Protocol for responding to serious concern about Local Authority Social Services in respect of the authority.
However, whilst there had been some improvement, the overall judgement in 2008 remained the same as in the 2007 inspection. Its services remained inconsistent and the prospects for improvement remained uncertain. It was clear that leadership at corporate and political level had not been sufficient during the period when the protocol had been in place.
In my statement I indicated then that I was considering making an Order under Section 84 of the Children Act 1989 declaring the Authority to be in default of certain of its functions in relation to the provision of social services for children, and directing it to take certain action. I also indicated that I was considering establishing an Intervention Board to provide robust external challenge to the authority in order to drive the improvements necessary.
I had met that morning with the Deputy Leader and Social Services Portfolio Holder to inform them of this and had written to the authority by way of confirmation attaching the Draft Order and Terms of Reference for the Intervention Board. In that letter, I provided the authority with an opportunity to respond to my proposal within 2 weeks.
On Monday 9 March I met, at their request, with the Leader, Deputy Leader and representatives of the other political groups on the Council. They all indicated to me that they were committed to improving children’s social services in the authority and that they would work together to provide the unified leadership that is required to achieve this and that they would write to me to confirm their position on this.
I have received a letter from the authority’s Chief Executive. In this he expresses the authority’s disappointment that I saw the Intervention Board as the way forward. They had hoped that I would have been more confident that the improvements achieved to date would have continued and been consolidated.
However, the authority recognised why I was considering this action in view of the report on the December 2008 Inspection by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate. The authority was pleased that, in all that I had said, I had recognised the hard work of front line staff. I wish to repeat that recognition again now and I am sure you would all endorse this.
The letter makes it clear that the authority will embrace the opportunity to work with the Intervention Board, recognise that the action I am considering would be focused purely on ensuring continued improvement and that all the political parties support this position.
The authority also confirms that it will ensure high level corporate support, at officer and member level, for the process, and that it is working towards the establishment of an Overview and Scrutiny Board which will have a dedicated focus on Children’s Social Services.
The authority reports that it has also developed its existing involvement with the Welsh Local Government Association and the Social Services Improvement Agency. Both have indicated that they are keen to support the authority on the improvement agenda.
The authority is already working on a draft action plan to tackle the areas of improvement identified in CSSIW’s report and in the Draft Order which I shared with them. One of the first tasks of the Intervention Board will be to consider this.. The CSSIW report of the inspection will be formally presented to the authority and published on 31 March.
I have now given careful consideration to the response I have received and am pleased to see that the authority has provided me with a response setting out the wish to embrace the opportunity to work with the Intervention Board.
I have given due weight to this alongside my determination that social services for children should not fall and remain below acceptable standards and the fact that the City and County of Swansea has failed by the December 2008 inspection to make sufficient progress to tackle the issues identified by CSSIW’s inspection in 2007 and to bring about the necessary improvement in these services.
Consequently, I have decided to make the Order under Section 84 of the Children Act 1989, declaring the authority in default of certain of its functions in relation to the provision of children’s social services and directing it to take all necessary action to secure without further delay that all the statutory duties imposed by or under the Act are consistently performed to an adequate standard.
I have met again with the Leader and Deputy Leader and Leaders of the other political parties in the authority this morning to inform them of this and have passed them a copy of the Order. I have also written to the authority with the formal Order which I have signed.
I have also initiated arrangements to establish the Intervention Board which will be made up of a chair drawn from outside social services and local government together with a current or past Director of Social Services, Head of Children’s Social Services, local authority Chief Executive and elected member in local government with experience in social services matters.
I propose that the Intervention Board will be in place as quickly as arrangements can be finalised to secure the high calibre of Board members which I wish to see.
Its composition is vitally important given the fact that the Board will have powers to require the Authority to take all reasonable steps to fulfil its responsibilities, to provide robust external challenge, to report to overview scrutiny boards on progress being made by the authority and to report to me on the authority’s progress at regular intervals which I shall determine.
I shall write to Members of this Assembly, informing them of the establishment of the Intervention Board and of its membership once these arrangements are finalised.
I wish to impress upon the City and County of Swansea that I consider the making of this Order, the first time that such an order is issued in respect of a local authority in Wales, and the establishment of the Intervention Board, to be a very serious step to take.
In doing so, I wish to emphasise that the responsibility for bringing about the improvements needed is not affected – it remains with everyone of the members of the authority who are elected to ensure that Swansea can provide social services capable of safeguarding and responding to the needs of the children and young people of Swansea and of supporting their families. I must stress that strong political and corporate leadership is essential if social services for children are to be improved at the pace at which that is needed.
I shall be keen to receive reports from the Intervention Board on the progress it considers the authority is making, as I will from the authority itself, and will ask the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales to inspect children’s social services in the City and County of Swansea again in January 2010 or earlier if this becomes necessary.
I hope that all members of the Assembly, of whatever political persuasion, will recognise that the steps I am taking are motivated by the wish to see the necessary improvement in children’s social services in Swansea. The need to do so should transcend party politics and I expect the authority as a whole to work together to bring this improvement about.
Investigation into tram report ‘gift’
South Wales Evening Post - 7 March 2009
An investigation has been launched into how a feasibility study into a £500 million tram system landed at Swansea Council.
The council’s chief legal officer is now looking at how a seemingly free study from engineers Laing O’Rourke came before a council committee.
The controversial study hit the headlines last month after the council’s environment, regeneration and culture overview board discussed the possibility of bringing the trams systems to Swansea and the surrounding area and looked at the Laing O’Rourke study.
Laing O’Rourke believes the scheme would cost£521 million to deliver. It carried out the free feasibility study as a personal gift to Councillor Holley.
At the time Councillor Holley said: “I was offered a free estimate after a conversation with the engineers when they were working on the LC.
“It certainly wasn’t a case of I’ll scratch your back and you’ll scratch mine”.
Now Swansea Council’s monitoring officer David Daycock is to look into whether rules were broken after questions were raised over the affair.
Swansea Council’s chief executive Paul Smith confirmed an investigation had been launched.
He said: Questions have been asked regarding how the council procured the feasibility study through Laing O’Rourke. I have asked the council’s monitoring officer to look into the circumstances and report back to me.”
Councillor Holley said: “The chief executive has had a number of inquiries about how we came about this study. I have been told that the monitoring officer wants to ask me about how we had this so-called feasibility study”.
Tory Group leader Rene Kinzett said: “The fact senior officers are now investigating the circumstances that led to the report being done for “free” for the leader, then the same report ending up being considered by an official committee of council, is a serious matter.
“It is worrying to think that it’s acceptable to accept a free gift of a report that could have cost tens of thousands of pounds if purchased on the open market.
“It raises important questions relating to ethical procurement, legal and administrative regulations and the political and professional judgement of Mr Holley.
“It beggars belief he thinks he thinks it’s fine to ride roughshod over the council’s normal procurement rules and leave the council open to risk of being seen to owe an outside company a favour.
Interviews are expected to begin on Monday.
We Say… (editorial)
Best laid plans …
It must have seemed a good idea at the time. Council finances are tight, every penny counts and here is a well respected company willing to carry out some research – for nothing.
A feasibility study into bringing trams back to Swansea – and no critical headlines about wasting tens of thousands of pounds on a far-off dream when there are still potholes in our streets waiting to be filled.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out like that.
Council leader Chris Holley is now facing an inquiry into whether he broke any legal rules or ethical guidelines by asking engineers Laing O’Rourke to carry out the study as a personal favour.
Councillor Holley is quick to point out that the free estimate was for him, not the council. But as a private citizen, he would not be looking into building a £521 million tram system.
While there is no suggestion that there was anything untoward on either side in his dealings with Laing O’Rourke, this episode has not shown Councillor Holley’s professional judgement in the best light.
An investigation has been launched into how a feasibility study into a £500 million tram system landed at Swansea Council.
The council’s chief legal officer is now looking at how a seemingly free study from engineers Laing O’Rourke came before a council committee.
The controversial study hit the headlines last month after the council’s environment, regeneration and culture overview board discussed the possibility of bringing the trams systems to Swansea and the surrounding area and looked at the Laing O’Rourke study.
Laing O’Rourke believes the scheme would cost£521 million to deliver. It carried out the free feasibility study as a personal gift to Councillor Holley.
At the time Councillor Holley said: “I was offered a free estimate after a conversation with the engineers when they were working on the LC.
“It certainly wasn’t a case of I’ll scratch your back and you’ll scratch mine”.
Now Swansea Council’s monitoring officer David Daycock is to look into whether rules were broken after questions were raised over the affair.
Swansea Council’s chief executive Paul Smith confirmed an investigation had been launched.
He said: Questions have been asked regarding how the council procured the feasibility study through Laing O’Rourke. I have asked the council’s monitoring officer to look into the circumstances and report back to me.”
Councillor Holley said: “The chief executive has had a number of inquiries about how we came about this study. I have been told that the monitoring officer wants to ask me about how we had this so-called feasibility study”.
Tory Group leader Rene Kinzett said: “The fact senior officers are now investigating the circumstances that led to the report being done for “free” for the leader, then the same report ending up being considered by an official committee of council, is a serious matter.
“It is worrying to think that it’s acceptable to accept a free gift of a report that could have cost tens of thousands of pounds if purchased on the open market.
“It raises important questions relating to ethical procurement, legal and administrative regulations and the political and professional judgement of Mr Holley.
“It beggars belief he thinks he thinks it’s fine to ride roughshod over the council’s normal procurement rules and leave the council open to risk of being seen to owe an outside company a favour.
Interviews are expected to begin on Monday.
We Say… (editorial)
Best laid plans …
It must have seemed a good idea at the time. Council finances are tight, every penny counts and here is a well respected company willing to carry out some research – for nothing.
A feasibility study into bringing trams back to Swansea – and no critical headlines about wasting tens of thousands of pounds on a far-off dream when there are still potholes in our streets waiting to be filled.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out like that.
Council leader Chris Holley is now facing an inquiry into whether he broke any legal rules or ethical guidelines by asking engineers Laing O’Rourke to carry out the study as a personal favour.
Councillor Holley is quick to point out that the free estimate was for him, not the council. But as a private citizen, he would not be looking into building a £521 million tram system.
While there is no suggestion that there was anything untoward on either side in his dealings with Laing O’Rourke, this episode has not shown Councillor Holley’s professional judgement in the best light.
Can’t hide from the awful truth
Editorial
Swansea’s social services department is failing the children of Swansea.
In a damning and extremely disappointing announcement, Assembly Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas says that despite “special measures” being put in place in 2007, the department is still performing below “acceptable standards”.
Special measures were introduced two years after the death of Aaron Gilbert. Toddler Aaron died at the hand of his mother and step-father. The evil pair were punished in the courts, but the net was thrown wider and the local authority came in for huge criticism.
The minister is threatening to send in a hit squad if Swansea Council doesn’t come up with a small miracle in two weeks. Since it hasn’t managed to improve in the last 18 months, it’s unlikely to show a sea change in the next fifteen days, so we can assume that the hit squad is on the way.
When the team arrives, there will be nowhere left to hide. For the sake of the city’s vulnerable children, party politics must be pushed aside and everyone concerned must be completely pushed aside and everyone concerned must be completely open and honest about what has gone wrong and what needs to be done to put it right.
New team to head ‘failing’ kids unit
South Wales Evening Post - 4 March 2009
An Assembly team is expected to be parachuted in to tackle Swansea’s failing social services department.
Assembly Minister Gwenda Thomas announced the possible move after a damning report on the department’s child services wing.
She says the Council is still failing the city’s children and action needs to be taken.
The department has been “under special measures” since an investigation sparked by the high profile death of baby Aaron Gilbert in 2005.
Now a team from the Assembly is likely to be sent in to take the service by the scruff of the neck and give direction to moves to improve services.
Mrs Thomas, the minister for Social Services, said one course of action could be to set up an intervention board to ensure children’s services in Swansea were “improved quickly and dramatically”.
If she decides to take that action, it will be the first time such a measure has been taken against a Welsh local authority.
She told the Assembly: “Its services remain inconsistent and prospects for improvement are uncertain.
“I am not prepared for social services for children to fall and remain below acceptable standards, and consider that the City and County of Swansea has failed to make sufficient progress to tackle the issues.
“I am aware of the fact that this is the first occasion when such an order might be issued in respect of a local authority in Wales, but feel that the circumstances are such that I must give very serious consideration to doing so”.
The failings in the department were highlighted in a report into Aaron’s death.
It criticised the department and put it under special measures with a remit to improve quickly.
But despite council reports that things were improving, Mrs Thomas has decided more action is needed.
She said she had written to Swansea Council outlining areas which need specific improvement. It has until March 18 to respond with plans to improve the department.
But if Mrs Thomas is not satisfied, she will set up an intervention board, consisting of a current or past director of social services, head of children’s social services, local authority chief executive and elected member in local government with experience of social services matters, as well as a lay chairman or woman.
In the statement, Mrs Thomas made clear blame for the service’s failings lay with the leadership, not the frontline staff, who she praised for their hard work under difficult circumstances.
She also said she wanted to see politics put aside for the sake of the children, urging all councillors to become “corporate parents”.
She said:”This leadership has not been adequate during the period when the protocol has been in place and there have been concerning examples of delay in tackling improvement areas an in establishing an improvement board to promote this work.
“There has also been evidence of insufficient coherence and focus across the authority, and I call upon all members of the authority, of whatever political complexion, to fulfil their responsibilities as a corporate parent for the children in its care,” she added.
Andrew Davies, AM for Swansea West, called the report a “sobering moment” for Swansea Council.
“I hope the further two weeks that the leadership of Swansea Council and the senior management of social services have been given by the minister will focus their attempts to turn this vital service around.
“We all have to work together to address the serious concerns highlighted by the Inspectors report and the Minister’s statement about Children’s Social Services in Swansea and to improve social services provision in our city”.
An Assembly team is expected to be parachuted in to tackle Swansea’s failing social services department.
Assembly Minister Gwenda Thomas announced the possible move after a damning report on the department’s child services wing.
She says the Council is still failing the city’s children and action needs to be taken.
The department has been “under special measures” since an investigation sparked by the high profile death of baby Aaron Gilbert in 2005.
Now a team from the Assembly is likely to be sent in to take the service by the scruff of the neck and give direction to moves to improve services.
Mrs Thomas, the minister for Social Services, said one course of action could be to set up an intervention board to ensure children’s services in Swansea were “improved quickly and dramatically”.
If she decides to take that action, it will be the first time such a measure has been taken against a Welsh local authority.
She told the Assembly: “Its services remain inconsistent and prospects for improvement are uncertain.
“I am not prepared for social services for children to fall and remain below acceptable standards, and consider that the City and County of Swansea has failed to make sufficient progress to tackle the issues.
“I am aware of the fact that this is the first occasion when such an order might be issued in respect of a local authority in Wales, but feel that the circumstances are such that I must give very serious consideration to doing so”.
The failings in the department were highlighted in a report into Aaron’s death.
It criticised the department and put it under special measures with a remit to improve quickly.
But despite council reports that things were improving, Mrs Thomas has decided more action is needed.
She said she had written to Swansea Council outlining areas which need specific improvement. It has until March 18 to respond with plans to improve the department.
But if Mrs Thomas is not satisfied, she will set up an intervention board, consisting of a current or past director of social services, head of children’s social services, local authority chief executive and elected member in local government with experience of social services matters, as well as a lay chairman or woman.
In the statement, Mrs Thomas made clear blame for the service’s failings lay with the leadership, not the frontline staff, who she praised for their hard work under difficult circumstances.
She also said she wanted to see politics put aside for the sake of the children, urging all councillors to become “corporate parents”.
She said:”This leadership has not been adequate during the period when the protocol has been in place and there have been concerning examples of delay in tackling improvement areas an in establishing an improvement board to promote this work.
“There has also been evidence of insufficient coherence and focus across the authority, and I call upon all members of the authority, of whatever political complexion, to fulfil their responsibilities as a corporate parent for the children in its care,” she added.
Andrew Davies, AM for Swansea West, called the report a “sobering moment” for Swansea Council.
“I hope the further two weeks that the leadership of Swansea Council and the senior management of social services have been given by the minister will focus their attempts to turn this vital service around.
“We all have to work together to address the serious concerns highlighted by the Inspectors report and the Minister’s statement about Children’s Social Services in Swansea and to improve social services provision in our city”.
Website Comment
Just to put this in perspective the Inspector's report acknowledges that on all the performance factors Social Services has improved over the last two years. Their concern is that it is not improving fast enough.
The Management of Children's services has changed since the original report and there is a new Director in place. The other concern in the report is that across all parties there has not been the joint working needed to push forward improvements.
They imply that Councillors have been too concerned with scoring political points rather then putting the interests of children first. I think that is a valid criticism and I hope that as a result all parties will now come together on a joint working group to deal with this issue.
Peter, Swansea
commented on 04-Mar-2009 14:29
The Management of Children's services has changed since the original report and there is a new Director in place. The other concern in the report is that across all parties there has not been the joint working needed to push forward improvements.
They imply that Councillors have been too concerned with scoring political points rather then putting the interests of children first. I think that is a valid criticism and I hope that as a result all parties will now come together on a joint working group to deal with this issue.
Peter, Swansea
commented on 04-Mar-2009 14:29
STATEMENT BY THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT
Title: Children’s Social Services In Swansea
Date: 3 March 2009
By: Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services
I provided a statement in June 2007 on the findings and implications of the review of children’s social services in the City and County of Swansea that had been carried out in March and April of 2007 by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate. That review had found that there were serious concerns in core areas of service provision and, in view of these, the Chief Inspector decided to apply the Protocol for responding to Serious Concern about Local Authority Social Services in respect of the authority.
The protocol remains in place and, over the last 18 months, the Inspectorate has set improvement targets for the authority and monitored the extent to which progress was being made. The Assistant Chief Inspector has held meetings at regular intervals with the Chief Executive and other senior Directors to review the position and the Inspectorate has written numerous times on matters requiring attention and to confirm expectations of the improvements that needed to be made.
A further Inspection of children’s social services in Swansea was undertaken in December 2008. The Report will be published in April but its findings have been reported to me. In summary, whilst there has been some improvement, the overall judgement on children’s social services remains the same as that following the 2007 inspection. Its services remain inconsistent and the prospects for improvement remain uncertain.
I have met with the Leader of the authority and the social services portfolio holder on 3 occasions, since the 2007 inspection report and I have made clear my expectation that significant improvement in services was required and that 18 months should be sufficient for this to be achieved.
The findings of the recent inspection are disappointing. There have been some improvements. However, progress has been limited and patchy and, in the view of the CSIW, children are still not being well served.
The initial response made by the authority to the concerns raised by the CSIW as a consequence of the 2007 inspection was inadequate. Despite making progress subsequently in relation to workforce issues and recently in performance management, concerns about the authority’s approach to planning and partnership, commissioning, resources, leadership and culture, corporate and political support and scrutiny remain and leave the authority uncertainly placed in respect of its prospects for improvement.
I have concluded that the scale of improvement in Swansea has been insufficient, given the considerable investment of time and assistance the Inspectorate has provided since invoking the Protocol. Moreover, that level of intervention cannot be sustained indefinitely.
Take that help away, and the risk is too great that the current position – highly unsatisfactory as it still is – will deteriorate further.
At this point, I should like to recognise, as Inspectors have done, the dedication and commitment of the authority’s front line staff who strive, often in difficult circumstances, to provide services capable of responding to needs and of safeguarding the children and young people of Swansea and of supporting their families. I am sure you would all wish to join me in doing so. They must however be supported by authority wide support and strong corporate leadership if their hard work is to be effective and if the improvements required of children’s social services in Swansea are to be achieved.
This leadership has not been adequate during the period when the protocol has been in place and there have been concerning examples of delay in tackling improvement areas and in establishing an Improvement Board to promote this work. There has also been evidence of insufficient coherence and focus across the authority and I call upon all members of the authority, of whatever political complexion, to fulfil their responsibilities as a corporate parent for the children in its care. The role of the corporate parent is to seek for children in public care the outcome every good parent would want for their own children and I set out the responsibilities which this entailed in my letter of September 2008 to all elected members of local authorities in Wales.
I am not prepared for social services for children to fall and remain below acceptable standards, and consider that the City and County of Swansea has failed to make sufficient progress to tackle the issues identified by the 2007 Inspection and to bring about the necessary improvements in those services.
I have therefore met this morning with the Deputy Leader and Social Services Portfolio Holder to inform them that I am considering making an Order under Section 84 of the Children Act 1989 declaring them in default of certain of their functions in relation to the provision of children’s social services, and directing them to take certain action. I am today writing to the authority to confirm this and providing them with an opportunity to respond to this proposal within 2 weeks. I shall also be advising the Welsh Local Government Association of this.
The authority’s response will be assessed against my determination that children’s social services in Swansea are improved quickly and as a priority. In moving to issue such an order, I am keen that it ensures that the responsibility for bringing about the improvement needed remains with the members of the authority who are elected to do this work.
I intend to put in place an Intervention Board to provide robust external challenge to the authority in doing so. I would make appointments to that Board which should include a Chair drawn from outside social services and local government, a current or past Director of Social Services, Head of Children’s Social Services, local authority Chief Executive and elected member in local government with experience in social services matters.
The Intervention Board will have substantial powers to require the Authority to take all responsible steps to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities, to provide robust external challenge to the authority at political and officer level, to report to overview scrutiny boards on the progress being made by the authority and to report to me on the authority’s progress at regular intervals which I shall determine.
I am aware of the fact that this is the first occasion when such an order might be issued in respect of a local authority in Wales but feel that the circumstances are such that I must give very serious consideration to doing so.
I shall write to members of this Assembly informing them of the action I take following the opportunity to provide a response which I have offered to Swansea.
Date: 3 March 2009
By: Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services
I provided a statement in June 2007 on the findings and implications of the review of children’s social services in the City and County of Swansea that had been carried out in March and April of 2007 by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate. That review had found that there were serious concerns in core areas of service provision and, in view of these, the Chief Inspector decided to apply the Protocol for responding to Serious Concern about Local Authority Social Services in respect of the authority.
The protocol remains in place and, over the last 18 months, the Inspectorate has set improvement targets for the authority and monitored the extent to which progress was being made. The Assistant Chief Inspector has held meetings at regular intervals with the Chief Executive and other senior Directors to review the position and the Inspectorate has written numerous times on matters requiring attention and to confirm expectations of the improvements that needed to be made.
A further Inspection of children’s social services in Swansea was undertaken in December 2008. The Report will be published in April but its findings have been reported to me. In summary, whilst there has been some improvement, the overall judgement on children’s social services remains the same as that following the 2007 inspection. Its services remain inconsistent and the prospects for improvement remain uncertain.
I have met with the Leader of the authority and the social services portfolio holder on 3 occasions, since the 2007 inspection report and I have made clear my expectation that significant improvement in services was required and that 18 months should be sufficient for this to be achieved.
The findings of the recent inspection are disappointing. There have been some improvements. However, progress has been limited and patchy and, in the view of the CSIW, children are still not being well served.
The initial response made by the authority to the concerns raised by the CSIW as a consequence of the 2007 inspection was inadequate. Despite making progress subsequently in relation to workforce issues and recently in performance management, concerns about the authority’s approach to planning and partnership, commissioning, resources, leadership and culture, corporate and political support and scrutiny remain and leave the authority uncertainly placed in respect of its prospects for improvement.
I have concluded that the scale of improvement in Swansea has been insufficient, given the considerable investment of time and assistance the Inspectorate has provided since invoking the Protocol. Moreover, that level of intervention cannot be sustained indefinitely.
Take that help away, and the risk is too great that the current position – highly unsatisfactory as it still is – will deteriorate further.
At this point, I should like to recognise, as Inspectors have done, the dedication and commitment of the authority’s front line staff who strive, often in difficult circumstances, to provide services capable of responding to needs and of safeguarding the children and young people of Swansea and of supporting their families. I am sure you would all wish to join me in doing so. They must however be supported by authority wide support and strong corporate leadership if their hard work is to be effective and if the improvements required of children’s social services in Swansea are to be achieved.
This leadership has not been adequate during the period when the protocol has been in place and there have been concerning examples of delay in tackling improvement areas and in establishing an Improvement Board to promote this work. There has also been evidence of insufficient coherence and focus across the authority and I call upon all members of the authority, of whatever political complexion, to fulfil their responsibilities as a corporate parent for the children in its care. The role of the corporate parent is to seek for children in public care the outcome every good parent would want for their own children and I set out the responsibilities which this entailed in my letter of September 2008 to all elected members of local authorities in Wales.
I am not prepared for social services for children to fall and remain below acceptable standards, and consider that the City and County of Swansea has failed to make sufficient progress to tackle the issues identified by the 2007 Inspection and to bring about the necessary improvements in those services.
I have therefore met this morning with the Deputy Leader and Social Services Portfolio Holder to inform them that I am considering making an Order under Section 84 of the Children Act 1989 declaring them in default of certain of their functions in relation to the provision of children’s social services, and directing them to take certain action. I am today writing to the authority to confirm this and providing them with an opportunity to respond to this proposal within 2 weeks. I shall also be advising the Welsh Local Government Association of this.
The authority’s response will be assessed against my determination that children’s social services in Swansea are improved quickly and as a priority. In moving to issue such an order, I am keen that it ensures that the responsibility for bringing about the improvement needed remains with the members of the authority who are elected to do this work.
I intend to put in place an Intervention Board to provide robust external challenge to the authority in doing so. I would make appointments to that Board which should include a Chair drawn from outside social services and local government, a current or past Director of Social Services, Head of Children’s Social Services, local authority Chief Executive and elected member in local government with experience in social services matters.
The Intervention Board will have substantial powers to require the Authority to take all responsible steps to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities, to provide robust external challenge to the authority at political and officer level, to report to overview scrutiny boards on the progress being made by the authority and to report to me on the authority’s progress at regular intervals which I shall determine.
I am aware of the fact that this is the first occasion when such an order might be issued in respect of a local authority in Wales but feel that the circumstances are such that I must give very serious consideration to doing so.
I shall write to members of this Assembly informing them of the action I take following the opportunity to provide a response which I have offered to Swansea.
Councillors enjoy big pension perk
South Wales Evening Post - 3 March 2009
Dozens of councillors have joined a subsidised pension scheme, as well as receiving their allowances.
In total, 27 Swansea, 50 Carmarthenshire and nine Neath Port Talbot councillors are currently participating in the publicly-funded local government pension scheme.
The scheme's website describes it as "heavily subsidised" by the employer, and a valuable financial reward.
Councillors who sign up pay at least six per cent of their allowance, guaranteeing them a secure pension which keeps pace with the cost of living, plus a lump sum payment on their retirement.
Participants can choose to retire aged 60 and receive benefits immediately, although they may be reduced.
They can also, with the council's consent, retire at the age of 50 and receive benefits immediately.
Councillors contacted by the Post have defended the pension provision. However, some people feel public sector pensions are enough of a drain on taxpayers' money as it is.
Leader of Swansea Council Chris Holley said the pension scheme was recommended by an independent Welsh remuneration panel, with councils adopting it after 2004.
Councillor Holley, who is participating in the scheme, said his colleagues worked harder than ever.
"I feel that councillors are grossly undervalued compared to MPs and AMs," he said.
"Some councillors I know represent quite difficult wards, and are available to the public 24 hours a day."
Another long-serving councillor, Ioan Richard, explained that he had lost out on pension entitlements from previous jobs over the years, because of his public service.
"Why can't we have a pension? Everyone else can," he said.
A spokesman for the authority said councillors did not receive a "final salary" pension scheme — offered to its officers — but a more modest "career average pay" benefit instead.
Carmarthenshire has the fifth highest number of councillors participating in the pension scheme out of all the councils in England and Wales who responded to questions from campaign group The TaxPayers' Alliance. Carmarthenshire's director of resources, Roger Jones, echoed Councillor Holley by citing the recommendations of the independent remuneration panel.
"It is a matter for individual councillors to decide whether they wish to join the scheme," he said.
The TaxPayers' Alliance was critical of pension schemes for serving councillors, claiming their pay should be a reimbursement rather than a conventional, pensionable wage.
The Welsh Local Government Association hit back, saying it was vital to reward councillors appropriately to encourage good candidates to step forward.
Councillor Holley added: "I think groups like the TaxPayers' Alliance believe we just sit around and drink coffee all day."
(Editorial)
THE number of councillors joining their own council pension schemes is a surprise: 50 in Carmarthenshire, 27 in Swansea, and nine in Neath Port Talbot.
Councillors’ pensions are not final salary — where the size of the pension is decided by the salary received when someone finishes work — but on an alternative scheme that works out a person’s average earnings over the length of time employed. Councillors do contribute to their pensions, but there is also a contribution from taxpayers’ cash.
It is all too much for the Taxpayers’ Alliance pressure group, but perhaps it is an inevitable consequence of the changing role of our councillors. There are fewer doing it as well as a full-time nine-to-five job.
With concerns about whether many councillors have the necessary skill and competence to do the job must come an acceptance that, to attract the right calibre of candidate for election, we need to offer the right level of financial security.
If we want professional politicians to run our county halls, we have to pay for it — including pensions.
Dozens of councillors have joined a subsidised pension scheme, as well as receiving their allowances.
In total, 27 Swansea, 50 Carmarthenshire and nine Neath Port Talbot councillors are currently participating in the publicly-funded local government pension scheme.
The scheme's website describes it as "heavily subsidised" by the employer, and a valuable financial reward.
Councillors who sign up pay at least six per cent of their allowance, guaranteeing them a secure pension which keeps pace with the cost of living, plus a lump sum payment on their retirement.
Participants can choose to retire aged 60 and receive benefits immediately, although they may be reduced.
They can also, with the council's consent, retire at the age of 50 and receive benefits immediately.
Councillors contacted by the Post have defended the pension provision. However, some people feel public sector pensions are enough of a drain on taxpayers' money as it is.
Leader of Swansea Council Chris Holley said the pension scheme was recommended by an independent Welsh remuneration panel, with councils adopting it after 2004.
Councillor Holley, who is participating in the scheme, said his colleagues worked harder than ever.
"I feel that councillors are grossly undervalued compared to MPs and AMs," he said.
"Some councillors I know represent quite difficult wards, and are available to the public 24 hours a day."
Another long-serving councillor, Ioan Richard, explained that he had lost out on pension entitlements from previous jobs over the years, because of his public service.
"Why can't we have a pension? Everyone else can," he said.
A spokesman for the authority said councillors did not receive a "final salary" pension scheme — offered to its officers — but a more modest "career average pay" benefit instead.
Carmarthenshire has the fifth highest number of councillors participating in the pension scheme out of all the councils in England and Wales who responded to questions from campaign group The TaxPayers' Alliance. Carmarthenshire's director of resources, Roger Jones, echoed Councillor Holley by citing the recommendations of the independent remuneration panel.
"It is a matter for individual councillors to decide whether they wish to join the scheme," he said.
The TaxPayers' Alliance was critical of pension schemes for serving councillors, claiming their pay should be a reimbursement rather than a conventional, pensionable wage.
The Welsh Local Government Association hit back, saying it was vital to reward councillors appropriately to encourage good candidates to step forward.
Councillor Holley added: "I think groups like the TaxPayers' Alliance believe we just sit around and drink coffee all day."
(Editorial)
THE number of councillors joining their own council pension schemes is a surprise: 50 in Carmarthenshire, 27 in Swansea, and nine in Neath Port Talbot.
Councillors’ pensions are not final salary — where the size of the pension is decided by the salary received when someone finishes work — but on an alternative scheme that works out a person’s average earnings over the length of time employed. Councillors do contribute to their pensions, but there is also a contribution from taxpayers’ cash.
It is all too much for the Taxpayers’ Alliance pressure group, but perhaps it is an inevitable consequence of the changing role of our councillors. There are fewer doing it as well as a full-time nine-to-five job.
With concerns about whether many councillors have the necessary skill and competence to do the job must come an acceptance that, to attract the right calibre of candidate for election, we need to offer the right level of financial security.
If we want professional politicians to run our county halls, we have to pay for it — including pensions.
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