South Wales Evening Post - 30 November 2005
Three Swansea councillors who yesterday voiced concerns about proposals to close Dylan Thomas School have been accused of cashing in on the shock U-turn. Lib Dem councillors Rene Kinzett, Peter May and Keith Morgan broke ranks and called for a rethink over the plans - a day before such a move was announced.
Labour group leader David Phillips said: "These three appear to have got wind of the intended U-turn and thought they could cash in on the situation by publicly changing their tune in advance.
"All three voted in council against Labour and Plaid Cymru entreaties to halt the merger.
"For them to now claim that they were listening to staff and parents all along seems to me just plain hypocrisy."
He described the move as political opportunism of the worst kind and felt that the public would not be impressed.
But Councillor Peter May dismissed the suggestion saying he was not aware of the plans and that he had told residents weeks ago he did not approve.
He said: "I voiced my concern about this about three weeks ago. When parents asked me I told them what my stance was.
"It is not us making political gain but Labour who have been holding public meetings and leafleting.
"In the end the decision would have been made by a Labour minister in Cardiff anyway."
Councillor Kinzett also said he did not know about the U-turn plans and that his comments were timed to coincide with the decision coming before cabinet.
He said: "It is not opportunism to listen to people, my views have been shaped by the consultation process."
COUNCIL RIFT ON DYLAN THOMAS CLOSURE PLANS
South Wales Evening Post - 29 November 2005
Three Swansea councillors have broken ranks and attacked proposals to close a city school. Lib Dem councillors Keith Morgan, Peter May and Rene Kinzett have all voiced concern about the possibility of closing Dylan Thomas School in Cockett and merging it with Bishop Gore, it has emerged.A report putting forward recommendations on the future of schools in the city is due to be completed within the next week.It is expected to back the merger plans which have proved unpopular with both parents of pupils at the schools and residents living around Bishop Gore, worried about the implications of increasing pupil numbers.Now the three Lib Dem councillors have added their voices to the calls for a rethink.Cockett councillor Keith Morgan has called for Dylan Thomas to stay open.He said: "I cannot see how the closure of Dylan Thomas school makes any sense, educationally or financially."The school's sense of community has fostered a positive learning environment for a wide range of pupils. I hope that the school can continue to serve the local community."Swansea Council has been forced to look at ways of saving money and identified surplus places in some city schools as a waste of money and resources, sparking the merger plans.Councillor Kinzett also raised concern over the move.He said: "I cannot support a proposal which involves spending large amounts of money converting the Bishop Gore site, when the schools reorganisation plans were supposed to save the authority money to spend on front-line education services."The council has been left with the big problem of what to do with the excess places in our local schools - we have too many classrooms and places for the number of pupils coming into our schools."This is leading to a situation where the council is spending money on keeping empty desks, rather than on books and teachers."The education department should go back and rethink its proposals."Council leader Chris Holley said the views of everyone involved would be considered in finding a way forward.He said: "The results of the secondary consultation are being taken into consideration and I am sure that Mike Day and his colleagues are examining the results of the consultation."Councillor Peter May, a governor of Brynmill School, one of Bishop Gore's feeder primary schools, said: "I hope the council will listen to these concerns and abandon the proposals to close Dylan Thomas."One parent of a Dylan Thomas pupil added today: "I am pleased they are speaking up."I just hope it has not come too late.''Labour leader David Phillips said: "They were happy to support the merger when they thought that parents, staff and pupils would be a pushover."Now they are just running scared and still playing politics in the process."This is not an education department plan - it is a proposal by the cabinet, and Rene Kinzett is its spokesman."
Your Views
Thanks Katy, it never occured to me that a controversial attempt to close Dylan Thomas school by a Lib Dem controlled council and a humilating climbdown following a popular campaign of protest was actually a device to "shaft" Labour. Incredible insight.
Jeff Margetson, Swansea
It appears that Labour have been well and truly shafted here. From remarks of David Phillips, it appears, perversely that they wanted the school to close for their own political gain. People are not stupid. Long Live Dylan Thomas.
Katy Moon, Sandfields
The three of them dont have the bottle to go up against the cabinet and lose money. They knew about the u-turn and wanted to get advance publicity.
Gethin Edwards, Waunarlydd
The attempt to close Dylan Thomas school was made by the cabinet and Rene Kinzett is their spokesman. He must have knwo beforehand that there was going to be a u-turn. The other two are just following him as fellow opportunists.
Alun Bowen, Gorseinon
John Matthews of Tycoch is right. Democracy in Swansea has never seen anything quite like it - it stinks of opportunism at the expense of kid's education.
Martin Bassett, Newton
It's obvious that the three councillors knew what going to happen and thought they would gt in first. Shabby stuff indeed.
Deb Thomas, Swansea
What a refreshing change. A Council has listened to consultation and 3 Councillors. Its a shame we didn't have this group when these same schoolchildren were putting their lives at risk by using a dangerous Leisure Centre.
Rachel Gonce, Uplands
I'm happy that the Lib Dems have listened and not whipped the 3 Councillors who spoke out. Democracy in Swansea has never known anyting like it.
John Matthews, Tycoch
If the Lib Dems wanted to make a point then Councillor Claire Waller would have spoken. She is governor in both Dylan Thomas and Bishop Gore if she can get to meetings on time.
Ken Davies, Cwmgwyn
How can there be a rift. No decision has been made. I thought that this was the point of a consultation.
Jane Culo, Cockett
Surely, the main thing is that the school didn't shut. I also understand that the Assembly have the final say, not the Council. So whats all the fuss about 3 people saying what they think?
Sonia Davies, Cockett
Very poor form from these 3 politicians. I have more respect for the ones that stuck with their plans, consulted and have decided against their own plans following consultation. Surely taht's the point of consultation? (It's just a shame that the culture makes people think the process is phoney.)
Sketty Resident, Sketty
Rene Kinzett tried to pull the same stunt over Mayals school by leaking good news and got caught out out. Now he is trying to do the same thing in Cockett. He is not on the side of anyone except himself.
Linda Bassett, Newton
These councillors are not speaking their minds, they are only interested in saving their own political skins. It was Liberal Democrats who wanted to close the school not Labour.
Martin Evans, Blackpill
I'm surprised at people condemning Councillors for speaking their mind. Are they disapointed that the school is not to shut. Would they rather it did shut for Labour to gain political points?
Barry Figo, Sketty
Surely, the main thing is that the school didn't shut. I also understand that the Assembly have the final say, not the Council. So whats all the fuss about 3 people saying what they think?
Sonia Davies, Cockett
Surely, the main thing is that the school didn't shut. I also understand that the Assembly have the final say, not the Council. So whats all the fuss about 3 people saying what they think?
Sonia Davies, Cockett
I wasn't aware of any decision being made. The three councillors have a right to a view just like any other citizen. Well done for sticking your heads above the parapet, (unlike the last lot!!)
John Farley, Tycoch
These people are just playing politics with our childrens education. They did it when they started talking about closing the school and they are doing the same thing now that parents have seen them off. We are not fooled.
Leighton Johns, Gowerton
Sorry Mr Farley, but unlike other citizens, these three councillors had inside knowledge which they have tried to use for political advantage. I am a parent of children attending Dylan Thomas school and I have received a today letter telling me that the plans have been abandoned.
K Cameron, Ravenhill
Three Swansea councillors have broken ranks and attacked proposals to close a city school. Lib Dem councillors Keith Morgan, Peter May and Rene Kinzett have all voiced concern about the possibility of closing Dylan Thomas School in Cockett and merging it with Bishop Gore, it has emerged.A report putting forward recommendations on the future of schools in the city is due to be completed within the next week.It is expected to back the merger plans which have proved unpopular with both parents of pupils at the schools and residents living around Bishop Gore, worried about the implications of increasing pupil numbers.Now the three Lib Dem councillors have added their voices to the calls for a rethink.Cockett councillor Keith Morgan has called for Dylan Thomas to stay open.He said: "I cannot see how the closure of Dylan Thomas school makes any sense, educationally or financially."The school's sense of community has fostered a positive learning environment for a wide range of pupils. I hope that the school can continue to serve the local community."Swansea Council has been forced to look at ways of saving money and identified surplus places in some city schools as a waste of money and resources, sparking the merger plans.Councillor Kinzett also raised concern over the move.He said: "I cannot support a proposal which involves spending large amounts of money converting the Bishop Gore site, when the schools reorganisation plans were supposed to save the authority money to spend on front-line education services."The council has been left with the big problem of what to do with the excess places in our local schools - we have too many classrooms and places for the number of pupils coming into our schools."This is leading to a situation where the council is spending money on keeping empty desks, rather than on books and teachers."The education department should go back and rethink its proposals."Council leader Chris Holley said the views of everyone involved would be considered in finding a way forward.He said: "The results of the secondary consultation are being taken into consideration and I am sure that Mike Day and his colleagues are examining the results of the consultation."Councillor Peter May, a governor of Brynmill School, one of Bishop Gore's feeder primary schools, said: "I hope the council will listen to these concerns and abandon the proposals to close Dylan Thomas."One parent of a Dylan Thomas pupil added today: "I am pleased they are speaking up."I just hope it has not come too late.''Labour leader David Phillips said: "They were happy to support the merger when they thought that parents, staff and pupils would be a pushover."Now they are just running scared and still playing politics in the process."This is not an education department plan - it is a proposal by the cabinet, and Rene Kinzett is its spokesman."
Your Views
Thanks Katy, it never occured to me that a controversial attempt to close Dylan Thomas school by a Lib Dem controlled council and a humilating climbdown following a popular campaign of protest was actually a device to "shaft" Labour. Incredible insight.
Jeff Margetson, Swansea
It appears that Labour have been well and truly shafted here. From remarks of David Phillips, it appears, perversely that they wanted the school to close for their own political gain. People are not stupid. Long Live Dylan Thomas.
Katy Moon, Sandfields
The three of them dont have the bottle to go up against the cabinet and lose money. They knew about the u-turn and wanted to get advance publicity.
Gethin Edwards, Waunarlydd
The attempt to close Dylan Thomas school was made by the cabinet and Rene Kinzett is their spokesman. He must have knwo beforehand that there was going to be a u-turn. The other two are just following him as fellow opportunists.
Alun Bowen, Gorseinon
John Matthews of Tycoch is right. Democracy in Swansea has never seen anything quite like it - it stinks of opportunism at the expense of kid's education.
Martin Bassett, Newton
It's obvious that the three councillors knew what going to happen and thought they would gt in first. Shabby stuff indeed.
Deb Thomas, Swansea
What a refreshing change. A Council has listened to consultation and 3 Councillors. Its a shame we didn't have this group when these same schoolchildren were putting their lives at risk by using a dangerous Leisure Centre.
Rachel Gonce, Uplands
I'm happy that the Lib Dems have listened and not whipped the 3 Councillors who spoke out. Democracy in Swansea has never known anyting like it.
John Matthews, Tycoch
If the Lib Dems wanted to make a point then Councillor Claire Waller would have spoken. She is governor in both Dylan Thomas and Bishop Gore if she can get to meetings on time.
Ken Davies, Cwmgwyn
How can there be a rift. No decision has been made. I thought that this was the point of a consultation.
Jane Culo, Cockett
Surely, the main thing is that the school didn't shut. I also understand that the Assembly have the final say, not the Council. So whats all the fuss about 3 people saying what they think?
Sonia Davies, Cockett
Very poor form from these 3 politicians. I have more respect for the ones that stuck with their plans, consulted and have decided against their own plans following consultation. Surely taht's the point of consultation? (It's just a shame that the culture makes people think the process is phoney.)
Sketty Resident, Sketty
Rene Kinzett tried to pull the same stunt over Mayals school by leaking good news and got caught out out. Now he is trying to do the same thing in Cockett. He is not on the side of anyone except himself.
Linda Bassett, Newton
These councillors are not speaking their minds, they are only interested in saving their own political skins. It was Liberal Democrats who wanted to close the school not Labour.
Martin Evans, Blackpill
I'm surprised at people condemning Councillors for speaking their mind. Are they disapointed that the school is not to shut. Would they rather it did shut for Labour to gain political points?
Barry Figo, Sketty
Surely, the main thing is that the school didn't shut. I also understand that the Assembly have the final say, not the Council. So whats all the fuss about 3 people saying what they think?
Sonia Davies, Cockett
Surely, the main thing is that the school didn't shut. I also understand that the Assembly have the final say, not the Council. So whats all the fuss about 3 people saying what they think?
Sonia Davies, Cockett
I wasn't aware of any decision being made. The three councillors have a right to a view just like any other citizen. Well done for sticking your heads above the parapet, (unlike the last lot!!)
John Farley, Tycoch
These people are just playing politics with our childrens education. They did it when they started talking about closing the school and they are doing the same thing now that parents have seen them off. We are not fooled.
Leighton Johns, Gowerton
Sorry Mr Farley, but unlike other citizens, these three councillors had inside knowledge which they have tried to use for political advantage. I am a parent of children attending Dylan Thomas school and I have received a today letter telling me that the plans have been abandoned.
K Cameron, Ravenhill
LIB-DEMS WARN OF SERVICE CUTS
South Wales Evening Post - 24 November 2005
Liberal Democrat Councillors in Swansea have warned the Assembly's budget settlement will mean cuts in front-line services, unless ministers rethink their plans. The Assembly last month announced the local government settlement - the amount it will be giving to local councils to help them provide services such as schools, old people's homes and road maintenance.
Assembly ministers hailed the five per cent increase from last year's settlement to Swansea Council as "generous". However, people who run local services have painted a very different picture.
Liberal Democrat councillor Rene Kinzett, Swansea's deputy cabinet member for finance, said: "The Labour Assembly Government has given Swansea five per cent with one hand, but taken one per cent off all budgets across all services with the other.
"The Labour government's plan to force all local councils to slash one per cent off all budgets this year has not been taken into account. The actual figure for Swansea's settlement increase is more like four per cent.
"It is also very unfair, because councils in England have been allowed to reinvest the efficiency savings they make back into front-line services. In Wales, the Assembly government has just taken one per cent from councils and will not let us decide how best to reinvest those savings."
Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor, Peter May, deputy cabinet member for housing and social services, said: "These cuts will have a marked effect on the services we deliver. An arbitrary one per cent cut across all council services will inevitably mean cuts in front-line services."
We are calling on the Labour-run Assembly government to let us reinvest the efficiency savings we make to save local services from disastrous
Liberal Democrat Councillors in Swansea have warned the Assembly's budget settlement will mean cuts in front-line services, unless ministers rethink their plans. The Assembly last month announced the local government settlement - the amount it will be giving to local councils to help them provide services such as schools, old people's homes and road maintenance.
Assembly ministers hailed the five per cent increase from last year's settlement to Swansea Council as "generous". However, people who run local services have painted a very different picture.
Liberal Democrat councillor Rene Kinzett, Swansea's deputy cabinet member for finance, said: "The Labour Assembly Government has given Swansea five per cent with one hand, but taken one per cent off all budgets across all services with the other.
"The Labour government's plan to force all local councils to slash one per cent off all budgets this year has not been taken into account. The actual figure for Swansea's settlement increase is more like four per cent.
"It is also very unfair, because councils in England have been allowed to reinvest the efficiency savings they make back into front-line services. In Wales, the Assembly government has just taken one per cent from councils and will not let us decide how best to reinvest those savings."
Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor, Peter May, deputy cabinet member for housing and social services, said: "These cuts will have a marked effect on the services we deliver. An arbitrary one per cent cut across all council services will inevitably mean cuts in front-line services."
We are calling on the Labour-run Assembly government to let us reinvest the efficiency savings we make to save local services from disastrous
MASSIVE BILL IF E-DEAL IS AXED
23 November 2005
Swansea taxpayers could face a bill for millions if the council's deal with IT firm Capgemini falls through, it has been claimed.The council is believed to have been given an ultimatum by the firm to agree a deal before Christmas or it will pull out, according to County Hall sources. Both the council and Capgemini strongly dismissed the claim.But if the company was to walk away it could leave Swansea liable to a huge bill from Capgemini for work already done and still needing a way of delivering its e-Government programme - the drive to modernise council systems and practices in a bid to create millions in efficiency savings and improve access to the council through call and drop-in centres.A report giving permission for the deal with Capgemini to be done was due to go to cabinet tomorrow, but has been put back.It is understood Independent members of the Lib-Dem, Independent and Conservative coalition have voiced concerns and asked for more information.But according to a source on the LIC coalition-linked Inside Swansea website there are serious risks if the deal does not go through.He said: "The cost of not proceeding will run into millions of pounds in terms of the money payable to Capgemini for work already done. It is also the case that if we do not proceed we will still need to replace systems and equipment that is slowly grinding to a halt."That will also cost millions. Walking away from this project is not an easy option."A deal to transfer council IT staff to Capgemini was to be agreed by July, but has still not been signed.A spokesman for Swansea Council, asked about the fears the council could be slapped with a huge bill, said: "Cabinet chose Capgemini as its preferred partner a year ago and since then a lot of detailed work has been done by both partners on the scope, the terms and the conditions of the contract."Before cabinet makes a final decision on whether or not to proceed with the contract it is appropriate that it is briefed on the implications of its decision in terms of value for money and the long-term effect on improving services to the people of Swansea."As with all projects of this size and scope, it is for cabinet to make a choice about the next steps."Capgemini and the council are committed to the e-Government programme and claims that a deal must be agreed by Christmas are not true."Council leader Chris Holley said Capgemini was the council's preferred partner for delivering the e-Government programme and that the council would push ahead with the deal.He said the council had to modernise and that doing so would help attract more business to the city."The Government are telling us that we have to go down the road of e-Government and are telling us through the Gershon review (investigation into possible efficiency savings in local and central government) that we have to make efficiency saving," he said.
Swansea taxpayers could face a bill for millions if the council's deal with IT firm Capgemini falls through, it has been claimed.The council is believed to have been given an ultimatum by the firm to agree a deal before Christmas or it will pull out, according to County Hall sources. Both the council and Capgemini strongly dismissed the claim.But if the company was to walk away it could leave Swansea liable to a huge bill from Capgemini for work already done and still needing a way of delivering its e-Government programme - the drive to modernise council systems and practices in a bid to create millions in efficiency savings and improve access to the council through call and drop-in centres.A report giving permission for the deal with Capgemini to be done was due to go to cabinet tomorrow, but has been put back.It is understood Independent members of the Lib-Dem, Independent and Conservative coalition have voiced concerns and asked for more information.But according to a source on the LIC coalition-linked Inside Swansea website there are serious risks if the deal does not go through.He said: "The cost of not proceeding will run into millions of pounds in terms of the money payable to Capgemini for work already done. It is also the case that if we do not proceed we will still need to replace systems and equipment that is slowly grinding to a halt."That will also cost millions. Walking away from this project is not an easy option."A deal to transfer council IT staff to Capgemini was to be agreed by July, but has still not been signed.A spokesman for Swansea Council, asked about the fears the council could be slapped with a huge bill, said: "Cabinet chose Capgemini as its preferred partner a year ago and since then a lot of detailed work has been done by both partners on the scope, the terms and the conditions of the contract."Before cabinet makes a final decision on whether or not to proceed with the contract it is appropriate that it is briefed on the implications of its decision in terms of value for money and the long-term effect on improving services to the people of Swansea."As with all projects of this size and scope, it is for cabinet to make a choice about the next steps."Capgemini and the council are committed to the e-Government programme and claims that a deal must be agreed by Christmas are not true."Council leader Chris Holley said Capgemini was the council's preferred partner for delivering the e-Government programme and that the council would push ahead with the deal.He said the council had to modernise and that doing so would help attract more business to the city."The Government are telling us that we have to go down the road of e-Government and are telling us through the Gershon review (investigation into possible efficiency savings in local and central government) that we have to make efficiency saving," he said.
NO CONFIDENCE VOTE IN ROW OVER COUNCIL PENSIONS Be the first reader to comment on this story
CHRIS DAVIES10:00 - 22 November 2005
Around 1,000 council staff have delivered a vote of no confidence in Swansea's chief executive Tim Thorogood, with union leaders warning strike action could be next.It follows a row between council staff and management over changes to the pension plan. Union leaders say the council has told them to accept the deal on offer or it will be forced on them.That would mean every council employee being technically sacked, their contract terminated and staff then being rehired under new terms, a move dismissed by the council at this stage.Jeff Baker, of Unison, said the council was holding a gun to employees' heads and forcing them into action. The vote was taken at a meeting of council staff at the Brangwyn Hall yesterday.He said: "There were 1,000 staff and all unions were represented and in the process of the debate there was a vote of no confidence in the chief executive. They saw this pension reduction as the latest issue in the way Tim Thorogood is running authority industrial relations - he is seen as the driving force behind these negotiations."A report to council on Thursday is expected to call for staff to accept the terms or have them forced on them.The controversial changes involve pension cash paid to council staff who are made redundant, meaning less money.A sliding scale reflecting how long an employee has been with the council has been put to staff.Mr Baker said: "The authority sold it to the public as wasteful golden handshakes. It may be the case for the top bosses but for most staff it isn't."Why are they insisting on pushing this through for the next financial year? The only reason we can see is that there is going to be redundancies in the near future. There is a possible hidden agenda."A spokesman for Swansea Council said the policy affected a tiny minority of staff and the current situation was unaffordable.He said: "Last year, £2.8 million was paid in added years awards to 77 council employees, including teaching staff."This money had to be diverted from services, not the pension fund, and places a huge strain on the council's finances. This is unsustainable and could lead to services being reduced in order to meet the cost of added years payments."We believe this policy provides reasonable redundancy protection while balancing the interests of the council tax payers of Swansea."Mr Baker said: "If there is no improvement in the current offer or there is no attempt to negotiate, our members are prepared to ballot for industrial action. All unions have agreed on that."
CHRIS DAVIES10:00 - 22 November 2005
Around 1,000 council staff have delivered a vote of no confidence in Swansea's chief executive Tim Thorogood, with union leaders warning strike action could be next.It follows a row between council staff and management over changes to the pension plan. Union leaders say the council has told them to accept the deal on offer or it will be forced on them.That would mean every council employee being technically sacked, their contract terminated and staff then being rehired under new terms, a move dismissed by the council at this stage.Jeff Baker, of Unison, said the council was holding a gun to employees' heads and forcing them into action. The vote was taken at a meeting of council staff at the Brangwyn Hall yesterday.He said: "There were 1,000 staff and all unions were represented and in the process of the debate there was a vote of no confidence in the chief executive. They saw this pension reduction as the latest issue in the way Tim Thorogood is running authority industrial relations - he is seen as the driving force behind these negotiations."A report to council on Thursday is expected to call for staff to accept the terms or have them forced on them.The controversial changes involve pension cash paid to council staff who are made redundant, meaning less money.A sliding scale reflecting how long an employee has been with the council has been put to staff.Mr Baker said: "The authority sold it to the public as wasteful golden handshakes. It may be the case for the top bosses but for most staff it isn't."Why are they insisting on pushing this through for the next financial year? The only reason we can see is that there is going to be redundancies in the near future. There is a possible hidden agenda."A spokesman for Swansea Council said the policy affected a tiny minority of staff and the current situation was unaffordable.He said: "Last year, £2.8 million was paid in added years awards to 77 council employees, including teaching staff."This money had to be diverted from services, not the pension fund, and places a huge strain on the council's finances. This is unsustainable and could lead to services being reduced in order to meet the cost of added years payments."We believe this policy provides reasonable redundancy protection while balancing the interests of the council tax payers of Swansea."Mr Baker said: "If there is no improvement in the current offer or there is no attempt to negotiate, our members are prepared to ballot for industrial action. All unions have agreed on that."
SERVICE CUTS FEARED TO COVER COSTS OF E-GOVERNMENT PLANS Be the first reader to comment on this story
CHRIS DAVIES10:00 - 22 November 2005
Concerned council staff are worried schools and social services could pay the price to deliver Swansea's e-Government programme, according to union leaders.They say there is a growing fear among staff that Swansea's education and social services budgets could be cut should something go wrong with the controversial mailto:Service@Swanseascheme. It follows claims in yesterday's Post that senior council managers and councillors are concerned about the affordability of the scheme aimed at making the council more efficient and about plans to borrow millions of pounds to deliver it.Jeff Baker, of union Unison, said IT staff had originally raised the issue but now others had voiced concerns to him.He said: "We welcome at long last that the scheme is being questioned. We always predicted it would be expensive."We get reports from front-line staff and senior managers but they are all very careful about putting their heads above the parapet."Social services and education are concerned. The thinking is that they will bear the brunt of this if it goes pear-shaped."A council spokesman said: "We are not diverting funds from services to pay for e-Government. In fact, we can make efficiency savings which can be reinvested into front-line services."The council has assured employees there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of mailto:Service@Swansea.Mr Baker said staff were worried that pressure to deliver mailto:Service@Swanseawas putting a strain on council finances. He said: "If they don't watch it, it will be close to meltdown."Mary Jones, cabinet member for top performance and e-Government, said: "The e-Government programme will generate millions of pounds in savings and pay for itself."We don't have a choice. Even without e-Government we would still need to replace our ICT systems and improve customer access."
CHRIS DAVIES10:00 - 22 November 2005
Concerned council staff are worried schools and social services could pay the price to deliver Swansea's e-Government programme, according to union leaders.They say there is a growing fear among staff that Swansea's education and social services budgets could be cut should something go wrong with the controversial mailto:Service@Swanseascheme. It follows claims in yesterday's Post that senior council managers and councillors are concerned about the affordability of the scheme aimed at making the council more efficient and about plans to borrow millions of pounds to deliver it.Jeff Baker, of union Unison, said IT staff had originally raised the issue but now others had voiced concerns to him.He said: "We welcome at long last that the scheme is being questioned. We always predicted it would be expensive."We get reports from front-line staff and senior managers but they are all very careful about putting their heads above the parapet."Social services and education are concerned. The thinking is that they will bear the brunt of this if it goes pear-shaped."A council spokesman said: "We are not diverting funds from services to pay for e-Government. In fact, we can make efficiency savings which can be reinvested into front-line services."The council has assured employees there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of mailto:Service@Swansea.Mr Baker said staff were worried that pressure to deliver mailto:Service@Swanseawas putting a strain on council finances. He said: "If they don't watch it, it will be close to meltdown."Mary Jones, cabinet member for top performance and e-Government, said: "The e-Government programme will generate millions of pounds in savings and pay for itself."We don't have a choice. Even without e-Government we would still need to replace our ICT systems and improve customer access."
DUO ARE REPORTED FOR LOOKING AT PRIVATE FILES
South Wales Evening Post - 22 November 2005
Plaid Cymru's group leader on Swansea Council has reported two colleagues to the authority's monitoring officer for allegedly looking through private files. But Darren Price's complaint has been laughed off by People's Representative member Ioan Richard and Liberal Democrat Keith Morgan.
He wants the pair to go before the standards committee or an independent security investigation to be launched.
The row is over an incident which councillor Richard mentioned that he and councillor Morgan had just been looking at a copy of councillor Price's surgery leaflet.
"These leaflets are only stored in two places - one is kept in my private file within the members' support unit, while the other is held by the staff at members' support," said Councillor Price.
"Both are private files.
"The fact that these two councillors have gone into one of these files is serious.
"I believe the two have breached the councillors' code of conduct and general moral rules accepted by society."
Councillor Richard said the matter was prompted by Plaid's call for bilingual signs at Liberty Stadium. But he said its leader had shown hypocrisy by having his surgery leaflet in English only.
He said he showed Councillor Morgan the original one by asking a members' support employee to get it from the file.
"It is a record of the surgeries held for the public by councillors. He is embarrassed because it was in English only, said Councillor Richard.Councillor Morgan, who left Plaid Cymru last spring, said: "It is not a private mater."
A council spokesman confirmed the complaint would be considered by the monitoring officer.
Plaid Cymru's group leader on Swansea Council has reported two colleagues to the authority's monitoring officer for allegedly looking through private files. But Darren Price's complaint has been laughed off by People's Representative member Ioan Richard and Liberal Democrat Keith Morgan.
He wants the pair to go before the standards committee or an independent security investigation to be launched.
The row is over an incident which councillor Richard mentioned that he and councillor Morgan had just been looking at a copy of councillor Price's surgery leaflet.
"These leaflets are only stored in two places - one is kept in my private file within the members' support unit, while the other is held by the staff at members' support," said Councillor Price.
"Both are private files.
"The fact that these two councillors have gone into one of these files is serious.
"I believe the two have breached the councillors' code of conduct and general moral rules accepted by society."
Councillor Richard said the matter was prompted by Plaid's call for bilingual signs at Liberty Stadium. But he said its leader had shown hypocrisy by having his surgery leaflet in English only.
He said he showed Councillor Morgan the original one by asking a members' support employee to get it from the file.
"It is a record of the surgeries held for the public by councillors. He is embarrassed because it was in English only, said Councillor Richard.Councillor Morgan, who left Plaid Cymru last spring, said: "It is not a private mater."
A council spokesman confirmed the complaint would be considered by the monitoring officer.
COUNCIL SET TO BORROW £14M
South Wales Evening Post - 21 November 2005
Swansea Council is to ask the Assembly for permission to borrow £14 million to deliver its Service@Swansea plans.
It is thought to cost the authority around £2 million in interest alone. Details of the plans are understood to be part of a draft report that has split the Lib Dem, Independent and Conservative coalition that controls the council.
The report was to give chief executive Tim Thorogood power to approve the deal with Capgemini, the company chosen to help deliver the council's e-Government programme. But there has been growing concern over the deal, with staff and officers voicing worries.
There are also understood to be cracks in the LIC coalition over the controversial move. Independent councillors are understood to be unhappy with the plans and have asked for more information, according to a source within the group.Conservative councillor Paxton Hood-Williams said he was not aware of any problems.
A source at Swansea Council said senior management now had concerns about the affordability of the scheme.
He said: "Service@Swansea is a black hole that is sucking staff and resources away from front-line services. No-one believes in it any more." The source claimed that although quoted costs for the scheme had not changed, it was not going to be delivering what was originally expected.
He said plans to develop a 150-seat call centre in County Hall for the scheme would not be part of the first phase, and plans to relocate the library and create a new website and automated complaints handling service were now on the back-burner.
He said the cabinet will only be signing up to a "first phase" in which the ICT contract and council staff are transferred to Capgemini.
He said: "The council will be paying millions to have the same people sat at the same desks in County Hall providing the same service but through a private company."Nothing else is affordable."
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The issues raised are about steps that are entirely consistent with normal business practice on projects of this size. However, the claims being made are not accurate.
"As is commonly the case in projects of this size, some capitalisation will take place to fund the e-Government programme. This was always part of the detailed business plan, is no surprise and does not affect the overall £100m cost of the project over its lifetime."
He said the "back of office" part of the project had to be in place before the "front of office" things like a call and contact centre could be developed.
Mary Jones, cabinet member for Top Performance and e-Government, said the scheme was the most exciting and ambitious project of its kind planned by any local authority in Wales.
She said: "Swansea is leading the way on this, and over the lifetime of the project, e-Government will pay for itself.
"The real benefit is that it will help meet the council's ambition to be a top performing authority, delivering the services council taxpayers want."
Swansea Council is to ask the Assembly for permission to borrow £14 million to deliver its Service@Swansea plans.
It is thought to cost the authority around £2 million in interest alone. Details of the plans are understood to be part of a draft report that has split the Lib Dem, Independent and Conservative coalition that controls the council.
The report was to give chief executive Tim Thorogood power to approve the deal with Capgemini, the company chosen to help deliver the council's e-Government programme. But there has been growing concern over the deal, with staff and officers voicing worries.
There are also understood to be cracks in the LIC coalition over the controversial move. Independent councillors are understood to be unhappy with the plans and have asked for more information, according to a source within the group.Conservative councillor Paxton Hood-Williams said he was not aware of any problems.
A source at Swansea Council said senior management now had concerns about the affordability of the scheme.
He said: "Service@Swansea is a black hole that is sucking staff and resources away from front-line services. No-one believes in it any more." The source claimed that although quoted costs for the scheme had not changed, it was not going to be delivering what was originally expected.
He said plans to develop a 150-seat call centre in County Hall for the scheme would not be part of the first phase, and plans to relocate the library and create a new website and automated complaints handling service were now on the back-burner.
He said the cabinet will only be signing up to a "first phase" in which the ICT contract and council staff are transferred to Capgemini.
He said: "The council will be paying millions to have the same people sat at the same desks in County Hall providing the same service but through a private company."Nothing else is affordable."
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The issues raised are about steps that are entirely consistent with normal business practice on projects of this size. However, the claims being made are not accurate.
"As is commonly the case in projects of this size, some capitalisation will take place to fund the e-Government programme. This was always part of the detailed business plan, is no surprise and does not affect the overall £100m cost of the project over its lifetime."
He said the "back of office" part of the project had to be in place before the "front of office" things like a call and contact centre could be developed.
Mary Jones, cabinet member for Top Performance and e-Government, said the scheme was the most exciting and ambitious project of its kind planned by any local authority in Wales.
She said: "Swansea is leading the way on this, and over the lifetime of the project, e-Government will pay for itself.
"The real benefit is that it will help meet the council's ambition to be a top performing authority, delivering the services council taxpayers want."
CONTENT INQUIRIES CAUSE REPORT TO COME OFF AGENDA
South Wales Evening Post - 21 November 2005
Swansea Council has put back the Service@Swansea report after questions from the Post.The report had been due to be tabled at a special cabinet meeting in County Hall on Thursday but that has now been cancelled after inquiries about its content. An authority spokesman denied a special meeting had been planned for Thursday.
But a council employee confirmed a meeting had been planned and the controversial e-Government report was due to be dealt with.
She said: "There is no special cabinet meeting this week. It has been put back. The e-Government report was meant to be on but it's not going now."
The report would have given approval for the deal between the council and Capgemini, the authority's preferred partner for Service@Swansea and its e-Government programme. The scheme will see a number of council IT staff transferred to the private company and will develop one-stop shops for taxpayers' queries.
It is expected to cost around £100 million during its 10-year life.Swansea Council says the scheme will generate millions in efficiency savings.The move has already caused controversy.
Last year worried IT staff went on an eight-week strike until guarantees were given by city leaders.
Swansea Council has put back the Service@Swansea report after questions from the Post.The report had been due to be tabled at a special cabinet meeting in County Hall on Thursday but that has now been cancelled after inquiries about its content. An authority spokesman denied a special meeting had been planned for Thursday.
But a council employee confirmed a meeting had been planned and the controversial e-Government report was due to be dealt with.
She said: "There is no special cabinet meeting this week. It has been put back. The e-Government report was meant to be on but it's not going now."
The report would have given approval for the deal between the council and Capgemini, the authority's preferred partner for Service@Swansea and its e-Government programme. The scheme will see a number of council IT staff transferred to the private company and will develop one-stop shops for taxpayers' queries.
It is expected to cost around £100 million during its 10-year life.Swansea Council says the scheme will generate millions in efficiency savings.The move has already caused controversy.
Last year worried IT staff went on an eight-week strike until guarantees were given by city leaders.
PARENTS RECEIVE TORRENT OF ABUSE
South Wales Evening Post - 18 November 2005
Campaigners opposed to the opening of a new Welsh primary school in Swansea have been subjecting parents to a torrent of abuse, it has been alleged.
Mothers dropping their children off at Ysgol Granradd Gymraeg, Llwynderw's temporary site in Bishop Gore School, have been verbally abused by West Cross residents, they say. Parents say the authority has a duty to support them and their right to offer education in Welsh to their children.
A purpose-built Welsh medium school has been earmarked for West Cross House.
It has been promised by 2008 - three years later than originally promised.
But residents of West Cross are worried about a possible traffic increase at the site.
Ysgol Llwynderw parent Gareth Jones attacked the authority for its lack of support.
"Not one of our elected councillors has ever been to the school," he said.
"By the time the school opens, it will have been in a temporary location for six years.
"That was not the timetable when we decided to believe councillors and send our children there.
"My seven-year-old son comes to me and asks why English schools are getting swimming pools, football pitches and rugby pitches. It's not fair.
"Since the school opened, there have been just two press releases supporting it - and one of these was sent out three years ago.
"Throughout the negative publicity, there has been nothing from the council to defend the school and that is not right.
"Parents have been treated with aggression by other people - verbal abuse from residents accusing us of wanting to close schools.
"One person refused to sign a petition in West Cross about moving the school to the area and was subjected to a torrent of abuse.
"The council has to start promoting the school and ensuing its pupils are treated fairly.
"Having a Welsh medium school for my child is my statutory right - it shouldn't have to be a battle."
Councillor Mike Day, cabinet member for education, admitted more could be done to help promote the school.
"We want to avoid repeating what has happened with the temporary location, which has been far from ideal," he said.
"We are mindful of the fact that we need to support the school in its current unsatisfactory position.
He continues: "I am meeting with the governing body to go through various issues and we will look at ways the council can help."
Campaigners opposed to the opening of a new Welsh primary school in Swansea have been subjecting parents to a torrent of abuse, it has been alleged.
Mothers dropping their children off at Ysgol Granradd Gymraeg, Llwynderw's temporary site in Bishop Gore School, have been verbally abused by West Cross residents, they say. Parents say the authority has a duty to support them and their right to offer education in Welsh to their children.
A purpose-built Welsh medium school has been earmarked for West Cross House.
It has been promised by 2008 - three years later than originally promised.
But residents of West Cross are worried about a possible traffic increase at the site.
Ysgol Llwynderw parent Gareth Jones attacked the authority for its lack of support.
"Not one of our elected councillors has ever been to the school," he said.
"By the time the school opens, it will have been in a temporary location for six years.
"That was not the timetable when we decided to believe councillors and send our children there.
"My seven-year-old son comes to me and asks why English schools are getting swimming pools, football pitches and rugby pitches. It's not fair.
"Since the school opened, there have been just two press releases supporting it - and one of these was sent out three years ago.
"Throughout the negative publicity, there has been nothing from the council to defend the school and that is not right.
"Parents have been treated with aggression by other people - verbal abuse from residents accusing us of wanting to close schools.
"One person refused to sign a petition in West Cross about moving the school to the area and was subjected to a torrent of abuse.
"The council has to start promoting the school and ensuing its pupils are treated fairly.
"Having a Welsh medium school for my child is my statutory right - it shouldn't have to be a battle."
Councillor Mike Day, cabinet member for education, admitted more could be done to help promote the school.
"We want to avoid repeating what has happened with the temporary location, which has been far from ideal," he said.
"We are mindful of the fact that we need to support the school in its current unsatisfactory position.
He continues: "I am meeting with the governing body to go through various issues and we will look at ways the council can help."
SQUARE OR PIAZZA FOR UNIFLOC SITE
South Wales Evening Post - 17 November 2005
Demolition of the Unifloc building could give Swansea a chance to create a new square or piazza, according to Labour councillors.
They have welcomed the start of work today to tear down the 1950s building. There has been talk of the land being used as a car park, but Labour councillors are hoping it will be transformed into a feature for Adelaide Street and visitors to Morgans Hotel and Swansea Museum.
A spokesman for the Swansea Labour group said: "There has always been a desire to provide a square or piazza in Adelaide Street.
"There is unlikely to be enough money available to do that now, but it could be an opportunity for the future.
"This is good news for Swansea."The demolition and clearance of the site was part of a regeneration package that we were developing in partnership with the WDA.
"We are very pleased that the present administration did not end up dropping the idea."
Demolition of the Unifloc building could give Swansea a chance to create a new square or piazza, according to Labour councillors.
They have welcomed the start of work today to tear down the 1950s building. There has been talk of the land being used as a car park, but Labour councillors are hoping it will be transformed into a feature for Adelaide Street and visitors to Morgans Hotel and Swansea Museum.
A spokesman for the Swansea Labour group said: "There has always been a desire to provide a square or piazza in Adelaide Street.
"There is unlikely to be enough money available to do that now, but it could be an opportunity for the future.
"This is good news for Swansea."The demolition and clearance of the site was part of a regeneration package that we were developing in partnership with the WDA.
"We are very pleased that the present administration did not end up dropping the idea."
LESS HYPE, MORE ACTION
South Wales Evening Post - 17 November 2005
Council leader Chris Holley keeps referring to the redevelopment of the former David Evans store as "a massive vote of confidence in the city centre." But as welcome as this project may be, it is fairly modest in comparison with others around the country, including the work that is about to transform Carmarthen town centre.
In terms of floor space, the overall package is only just bigger than what was done to the former Co-op building across the road in Oxford Street, which was completed several years ago.
Councillor Holley is no doubt comforted that something is at last happening but he should not let his sense of relief stop him from being more honest with himself, or with us.
We are still losing more shops from the city centre than we are presently gaining and the absence of any future schemes means that the trend is likely to continue.
The bottom line is that a lot more effort is needed and Swansea Council has to stop the hype and start delivering.
Phil Martens, Hen Llys, High Street, Swansea
Council leader Chris Holley keeps referring to the redevelopment of the former David Evans store as "a massive vote of confidence in the city centre." But as welcome as this project may be, it is fairly modest in comparison with others around the country, including the work that is about to transform Carmarthen town centre.
In terms of floor space, the overall package is only just bigger than what was done to the former Co-op building across the road in Oxford Street, which was completed several years ago.
Councillor Holley is no doubt comforted that something is at last happening but he should not let his sense of relief stop him from being more honest with himself, or with us.
We are still losing more shops from the city centre than we are presently gaining and the absence of any future schemes means that the trend is likely to continue.
The bottom line is that a lot more effort is needed and Swansea Council has to stop the hype and start delivering.
Phil Martens, Hen Llys, High Street, Swansea
COUNCIL FACE DEMANDS OVER SANCTUARY DEAL
South Wales Evening Post - 15 November 2005
Swansea Council's ruling administration is facing fresh demands to come clean about the deal to sell off the Pool Sanctuary. Labour councillors want the ruling coalition to reveal why it has agreed to a £25,000 sweetener in an effort to find someone to take on the lease for The Kingsway site.
The Post revealed last week that the authority has agreed a six-month rent-free period for the company taking on the £50,000-a-year location.
The company will put down £12,500, three months rent, before any deal is signed.
The council claims the deal will allow Dutchy's Entertainment, the company which plans to reopen the former pool hall as a nightclub, to completely refurbish the property.
Labour leader David Phillips said: "We know that at least one cabinet member abstained from voting, so there must have been some concerns at the time.
"The cabinet members behind the document now need to make their position clear."
Swansea Council has been keen to re-let the property since abandoning plans to use it as an Activa gym.
The pool hall was leased by the former Labour-controlled council in May 2004, but was dropped two months later by the new Lib Dem-led coalition who labelled it unsuitable.
A spokesperson for Swansea's ruling Lib Dem-led administration group said: "All the normal securities and guarantees will be written into any contract regarding the sub-leasing of the Pool Sanctuary building in order to protect the local council taxpayers' interests.
"The council's property advisers marketed the Pool Sanctuary lease widely and, based on this top quality commercial advice, the council has now entered into discussions to draw up contracts with a company who wish to use the building as a nightclub."
Swansea Council's ruling administration is facing fresh demands to come clean about the deal to sell off the Pool Sanctuary. Labour councillors want the ruling coalition to reveal why it has agreed to a £25,000 sweetener in an effort to find someone to take on the lease for The Kingsway site.
The Post revealed last week that the authority has agreed a six-month rent-free period for the company taking on the £50,000-a-year location.
The company will put down £12,500, three months rent, before any deal is signed.
The council claims the deal will allow Dutchy's Entertainment, the company which plans to reopen the former pool hall as a nightclub, to completely refurbish the property.
Labour leader David Phillips said: "We know that at least one cabinet member abstained from voting, so there must have been some concerns at the time.
"The cabinet members behind the document now need to make their position clear."
Swansea Council has been keen to re-let the property since abandoning plans to use it as an Activa gym.
The pool hall was leased by the former Labour-controlled council in May 2004, but was dropped two months later by the new Lib Dem-led coalition who labelled it unsuitable.
A spokesperson for Swansea's ruling Lib Dem-led administration group said: "All the normal securities and guarantees will be written into any contract regarding the sub-leasing of the Pool Sanctuary building in order to protect the local council taxpayers' interests.
"The council's property advisers marketed the Pool Sanctuary lease widely and, based on this top quality commercial advice, the council has now entered into discussions to draw up contracts with a company who wish to use the building as a nightclub."
£25,000 DEAL FOR NIGHTCLUB SITE SWEETENER
South Wales Evening Post - 11 November 2005
A £25,000 sweetener was used in the deal to find someone to take on the Pool Sanctuary site in Swansea, the Post can reveal today.
Documents seen by the Post show that Swansea Council agreed a six-month rent-free period for the company taking on the £50,000-a-year lease for The Kingsway site. This, it says is so that Dutchy's Entertainment, the company which plans to open the former pool hall as a nightclub, can refit the property to meet its needs.
Club bosses are planning to open the doors next month, although legal agreements have yet to be completed.
Details of the deal have been revealed in a confidential council report seen by the Post.
Swansea Council has been keen to re-let the property since abandoning plans to use it as an Activa gym.
The pool hall was leased by the former Labour-controlled council in May 2004, but dropped two months later by the new Lib Dem-led coalition, being labelled unsuitable.
An investigation into the deal - which saw the council pay more than £62,700 for an empty building for 12 months - is now underway.
Dutchy's Entertainment now plans to open the pool hall as Klub Kaos next month.
The report says that Netech Computing is underwriting the lease to the nightclub.
The computer company is listed as being based at 26 Kelvedon Drive in Ipswich - a residential address of Lee Merritt and family - rather than a financial backer.
A call to the company redirects you to SMS Direct - a bulk text messaging company.The council is also taking the unusual step of seeking a guarantor for the deal.
The Post asked the council about the unusual move, the reliability of the backers Netech and the decision to pay the company's £25,000 rent for six months.
A spokesman at Swansea Council said: "Following a commercially confidential report to cabinet, officers were authorised to proceed with agreeing a sub-lease on the Pool Sanctuary with a preferred bidder.
"The property has been widely marketed by Poolman Harlow on behalf of the council, and the council is now completing the legal agreements with a company that Poolman Harlow have recommended to us.
"The documentation will contain all reasonable financial protections for the council."
A £25,000 sweetener was used in the deal to find someone to take on the Pool Sanctuary site in Swansea, the Post can reveal today.
Documents seen by the Post show that Swansea Council agreed a six-month rent-free period for the company taking on the £50,000-a-year lease for The Kingsway site. This, it says is so that Dutchy's Entertainment, the company which plans to open the former pool hall as a nightclub, can refit the property to meet its needs.
Club bosses are planning to open the doors next month, although legal agreements have yet to be completed.
Details of the deal have been revealed in a confidential council report seen by the Post.
Swansea Council has been keen to re-let the property since abandoning plans to use it as an Activa gym.
The pool hall was leased by the former Labour-controlled council in May 2004, but dropped two months later by the new Lib Dem-led coalition, being labelled unsuitable.
An investigation into the deal - which saw the council pay more than £62,700 for an empty building for 12 months - is now underway.
Dutchy's Entertainment now plans to open the pool hall as Klub Kaos next month.
The report says that Netech Computing is underwriting the lease to the nightclub.
The computer company is listed as being based at 26 Kelvedon Drive in Ipswich - a residential address of Lee Merritt and family - rather than a financial backer.
A call to the company redirects you to SMS Direct - a bulk text messaging company.The council is also taking the unusual step of seeking a guarantor for the deal.
The Post asked the council about the unusual move, the reliability of the backers Netech and the decision to pay the company's £25,000 rent for six months.
A spokesman at Swansea Council said: "Following a commercially confidential report to cabinet, officers were authorised to proceed with agreeing a sub-lease on the Pool Sanctuary with a preferred bidder.
"The property has been widely marketed by Poolman Harlow on behalf of the council, and the council is now completing the legal agreements with a company that Poolman Harlow have recommended to us.
"The documentation will contain all reasonable financial protections for the council."
ASSEMBLY TO REVIEW SCHOOL CLOSURE PLAN
South Wales Evening Post - 11 November 2005
The threat of closure which hangs over a village school is to be reviewed by the Assembly.
Parents of children attending Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg, Garnswllt, hope the Assembly intervention could lead to a reprieve for the school.
The school is just one of those that face abolition next year, along with Dylan Thomas school in Cockett, under Swansea Council's revamp of school provision.
Swansea Council wanted the pupils from YGG Garnswllt to move to either YGG Bryniago or YGG Felindre.
It said that, with around 10 pupils at the school, it was not financially viable.
But the school said this figure would have risen to 15 by Christmas.Campaigners have also claimed that the journey to other schools would be too dangerous during bad weather, and are calling for a risk assessment to be carried out.
Last Friday was the final day of official consultation over the plans for closure, during which parents were able to register their opposition, automatically triggering a review by the Assembly.
Now, staff, parents and pupils are waiting to hear when the review will be undertaken.
Chairman of the board of school governors, Gareth Davies, said: "We are annoyed because we do not feel that every avenue for the school has been considered.
"In fact, we are unhappy and upset at the way the whole thing has been dealt with.
"Hopefully the Assembly will overturn this decision."
The school has the support of South West Wales Conservative AM Alun Cairns, who is also backing calls for the Assembly to adopt a small schools fund which would provide extra funding for local authorities to keep smaller rural schools open.
Mr Cairns said: "There is no doubt that Garnswllt school offers a unique form of education.
"There is no doubt that the journey to Felindre would be tortuous through the winter months and I have asked the local authority to conduct a risk assessment of the mountainous route."
A decision from the Assembly is expected at the end of March.
A council spokesman maintained the decision to close the school was made after considering alternatives.
"In each case, however, the very small number of pupils attending the school site rendered options impractical," he said.
"The concerns raised about the walking route to YGG Felindre and YGG Bryniago were fully reflected in the report, which was considered by cabinet in August.
"Under the existing policy, free transport is provided where a pupil has to travel more than two miles to their nearest appropriate school".
The threat of closure which hangs over a village school is to be reviewed by the Assembly.
Parents of children attending Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg, Garnswllt, hope the Assembly intervention could lead to a reprieve for the school.
The school is just one of those that face abolition next year, along with Dylan Thomas school in Cockett, under Swansea Council's revamp of school provision.
Swansea Council wanted the pupils from YGG Garnswllt to move to either YGG Bryniago or YGG Felindre.
It said that, with around 10 pupils at the school, it was not financially viable.
But the school said this figure would have risen to 15 by Christmas.Campaigners have also claimed that the journey to other schools would be too dangerous during bad weather, and are calling for a risk assessment to be carried out.
Last Friday was the final day of official consultation over the plans for closure, during which parents were able to register their opposition, automatically triggering a review by the Assembly.
Now, staff, parents and pupils are waiting to hear when the review will be undertaken.
Chairman of the board of school governors, Gareth Davies, said: "We are annoyed because we do not feel that every avenue for the school has been considered.
"In fact, we are unhappy and upset at the way the whole thing has been dealt with.
"Hopefully the Assembly will overturn this decision."
The school has the support of South West Wales Conservative AM Alun Cairns, who is also backing calls for the Assembly to adopt a small schools fund which would provide extra funding for local authorities to keep smaller rural schools open.
Mr Cairns said: "There is no doubt that Garnswllt school offers a unique form of education.
"There is no doubt that the journey to Felindre would be tortuous through the winter months and I have asked the local authority to conduct a risk assessment of the mountainous route."
A decision from the Assembly is expected at the end of March.
A council spokesman maintained the decision to close the school was made after considering alternatives.
"In each case, however, the very small number of pupils attending the school site rendered options impractical," he said.
"The concerns raised about the walking route to YGG Felindre and YGG Bryniago were fully reflected in the report, which was considered by cabinet in August.
"Under the existing policy, free transport is provided where a pupil has to travel more than two miles to their nearest appropriate school".
SUPERIOR QUALITY OF SMALL SCHOOLS JUST MYTH - MINISTER
South Wales Evening Post - 10 November 2005
There is no evidence that children do better in small schools, Education Minister Jane Davidson has claimed. She said the idea that children thrive in small schools was used by lobbyists.
But she had been told by the chief inspector of schools in Wales that it was "not necessarily the case".
"It's not on the basis of whether or not a school is small or large that a school gets good results," she said yesterday.
"It's often used as a lobbying tool, but I have never had evidence in Wales from the chief inspector that the small schools do better than larger schools."
Ms Davidson was giving evidence to the Assembly Education Committee.
Yesterday the Assembly approved a Liberal Democrat motion to protect small schools. As a result, the Assembly Government must establish a fund to keep them open.
Local education authorities' school closure plans have met protests across Wales.
But Ms Davidson insisted Wales had a problem with a decreasing number of pupils.
"It's not Assembly policy that people have their children later - it's a fact," she said.
"There will be some schools with very small populations and there will be some schools in the same local authority that will be overcrowded, and that's because the location of schools now probably needs to be different from the location of schools in the 19th Century when they were built.
"Schools should only be closed for sound educational reasons, she said.
"I want to see the best kind of community benefit, which is why we will not allow finance to drive the agenda, but education to drive the agenda."
She said an audit report had demonstrated "once you get below 90 pupils per school, the costs start increasing".
"You could have heard, this weekend, directors of education talking about the fact that if you have a situation, whereby you are paying five times the cost for an individual but you are not getting five times better education out of it, it's a clear issue for all of us to address," she added.
Education chiefs will be expected to present up-to-date statistics on pupil numbers, she told AMs.
There is no evidence that children do better in small schools, Education Minister Jane Davidson has claimed. She said the idea that children thrive in small schools was used by lobbyists.
But she had been told by the chief inspector of schools in Wales that it was "not necessarily the case".
"It's not on the basis of whether or not a school is small or large that a school gets good results," she said yesterday.
"It's often used as a lobbying tool, but I have never had evidence in Wales from the chief inspector that the small schools do better than larger schools."
Ms Davidson was giving evidence to the Assembly Education Committee.
Yesterday the Assembly approved a Liberal Democrat motion to protect small schools. As a result, the Assembly Government must establish a fund to keep them open.
Local education authorities' school closure plans have met protests across Wales.
But Ms Davidson insisted Wales had a problem with a decreasing number of pupils.
"It's not Assembly policy that people have their children later - it's a fact," she said.
"There will be some schools with very small populations and there will be some schools in the same local authority that will be overcrowded, and that's because the location of schools now probably needs to be different from the location of schools in the 19th Century when they were built.
"Schools should only be closed for sound educational reasons, she said.
"I want to see the best kind of community benefit, which is why we will not allow finance to drive the agenda, but education to drive the agenda."
She said an audit report had demonstrated "once you get below 90 pupils per school, the costs start increasing".
"You could have heard, this weekend, directors of education talking about the fact that if you have a situation, whereby you are paying five times the cost for an individual but you are not getting five times better education out of it, it's a clear issue for all of us to address," she added.
Education chiefs will be expected to present up-to-date statistics on pupil numbers, she told AMs.
INCINERATOR BOSSES BID FOR CASH
South Wales Evening Post - 10 November 2005
Bosses at a controversial incinerator have been trying to woo councillors from Swansea and Carmarthenshire in a bid to raise extra cash, it emerged today. It comes after the company behind the plant in Crymlyn Burrows went into administration with debts of £40 million.
The original company, HLC (Neath Port Talbot), that developed the centre was put into administration because of rocketing debts.
Members of the South West Wales Regional Waste Group Members' Forum visited the plant for talks with the company yesterday.
But they were greeted by placard-carrying protesters opposed to more councils using the site.
The Crymlyn Burrows waste facility has been at the centre of a number of rows over its incinerator and allegations of air pollution.Residents living nearby have fought a long battle against the site.
They have been vocal in complaining of smells and voicing concern about alleged toxic fall-out from it.
Mike Ryan, chairman of the Stop The Incinerator Committee, led the protest which saw 30 people make a stand outside the plant.
He said: "We had a lot of residents down there. It was a good show for the middle of the week when everybody is at work. We put our points to the councillors and they took our concerns seriously.
"All we wanted to do was explain what has been happening here.
"We don't believe the incinerator is working properly and can cope with the waste it has from Neath Port Talbot, let alone start taking waste from other areas."
Swansea Council has been forced to seek a new solution to its waste problem after the Environment Agency shut down the Tir John landfill site.
The authority is appealing against the decision, but is pushing ahead trying to find alternative plans. Some of the city's annual 120,000 tonnes of rubbish has been transported to the Trecatti site in Merthyr Tydfil.
But it can only take half the city's waste, and another home for the other 60,000 tonnes had to be found, with a Haverfordwest-based company winning the contract.
The council is looking at a number of ways to deal with the waste. Ideas suggested include opportunities to increase local recycling.
A local resident said: "This issue won't be going away.''
Bosses at a controversial incinerator have been trying to woo councillors from Swansea and Carmarthenshire in a bid to raise extra cash, it emerged today. It comes after the company behind the plant in Crymlyn Burrows went into administration with debts of £40 million.
The original company, HLC (Neath Port Talbot), that developed the centre was put into administration because of rocketing debts.
Members of the South West Wales Regional Waste Group Members' Forum visited the plant for talks with the company yesterday.
But they were greeted by placard-carrying protesters opposed to more councils using the site.
The Crymlyn Burrows waste facility has been at the centre of a number of rows over its incinerator and allegations of air pollution.Residents living nearby have fought a long battle against the site.
They have been vocal in complaining of smells and voicing concern about alleged toxic fall-out from it.
Mike Ryan, chairman of the Stop The Incinerator Committee, led the protest which saw 30 people make a stand outside the plant.
He said: "We had a lot of residents down there. It was a good show for the middle of the week when everybody is at work. We put our points to the councillors and they took our concerns seriously.
"All we wanted to do was explain what has been happening here.
"We don't believe the incinerator is working properly and can cope with the waste it has from Neath Port Talbot, let alone start taking waste from other areas."
Swansea Council has been forced to seek a new solution to its waste problem after the Environment Agency shut down the Tir John landfill site.
The authority is appealing against the decision, but is pushing ahead trying to find alternative plans. Some of the city's annual 120,000 tonnes of rubbish has been transported to the Trecatti site in Merthyr Tydfil.
But it can only take half the city's waste, and another home for the other 60,000 tonnes had to be found, with a Haverfordwest-based company winning the contract.
The council is looking at a number of ways to deal with the waste. Ideas suggested include opportunities to increase local recycling.
A local resident said: "This issue won't be going away.''
LIBRARY PLANS ARE ALMOST INVISIBLE
South Wales Evening Post - 4 November 2005
If you turned it into a book, it would be one of the shortest available for borrowing at Swansea Library. The project to move the library from its city centre home in Alexandra Road to County Hall on the seafront is still sketchy, as revealed by our story on page 27.
The lack of a feasibility study, a timetable for the work and any pros and cons for the move is somewhat disconcerting - especially as the project is on track for completion by December 2007.
Swansea Council's ruling coalition has always put great store by "transparent" local government.
This plan isn't so much transparent as downright invisible!
If you turned it into a book, it would be one of the shortest available for borrowing at Swansea Library. The project to move the library from its city centre home in Alexandra Road to County Hall on the seafront is still sketchy, as revealed by our story on page 27.
The lack of a feasibility study, a timetable for the work and any pros and cons for the move is somewhat disconcerting - especially as the project is on track for completion by December 2007.
Swansea Council's ruling coalition has always put great store by "transparent" local government.
This plan isn't so much transparent as downright invisible!
CONSULTANTS BILL COULD BE EVEN BIGGER
South Wales Evening Post - 3 November 2005
Swansea's massive consultants bill of almost £4 million could be even bigger than first thought, it has emerged.
The council has confirmed figures included in a freedom of information document given to the Post do not tell the full story. It said the report did not include every consultant's charge for the 14-month period and that further sums could be added on to the huge £3,943,963 total.
A council spokesman explained that the report had been compiled within the time and £450 cost limits under the authority's freedom of information regulations which meant that the figures put forward were not a complete picture.
The spokesman said: "If you require any further information then this would have to be charged for and I would expect that this could take a further 72 working hours which would cost approximately £2,000."
The information given to the Post contained a number of six figure sums paid to companies and a list of 44 firms in a variety of industries from public relations and legal advice to property and public art.
The Labour Party claims the figure of almost £4 million could be much higher still - up to half as much again - with a number of well known engineering, commercial and PR consultants which have worked for the council in the past 14 months not mentioned.
A Labour spokesman said: "From what we can see, the sketchy response from the council's PR department is something of a dog's breakfast.
"For example, how can you state a company has received half a million pounds of public money in fees without giving an idea of what the sum was spent on?"
He added that Davis Langdon Everest, the firm advising on the new Swansea Leisure Centre, had not been included.
But this was explained by Rene Kinzett, a spokesman for the Lib Dem, Independent and Conservative coalition, who said that the cost of bringing DLE onboard was part of the £25 million leisure centre budget and that just under £5 million of that was being spent on a variety of professional fees for things like consultants, legal services, architects and others.
He added: "The £4 million quoted in the freedom of information response is around 0.5 per cent of the council's overall annual budget.
"I would imagine if you were to ask a private company what they spent on consultants it would be a lot more than 0.5 per cent of their annual budget."
Swansea's massive consultants bill of almost £4 million could be even bigger than first thought, it has emerged.
The council has confirmed figures included in a freedom of information document given to the Post do not tell the full story. It said the report did not include every consultant's charge for the 14-month period and that further sums could be added on to the huge £3,943,963 total.
A council spokesman explained that the report had been compiled within the time and £450 cost limits under the authority's freedom of information regulations which meant that the figures put forward were not a complete picture.
The spokesman said: "If you require any further information then this would have to be charged for and I would expect that this could take a further 72 working hours which would cost approximately £2,000."
The information given to the Post contained a number of six figure sums paid to companies and a list of 44 firms in a variety of industries from public relations and legal advice to property and public art.
The Labour Party claims the figure of almost £4 million could be much higher still - up to half as much again - with a number of well known engineering, commercial and PR consultants which have worked for the council in the past 14 months not mentioned.
A Labour spokesman said: "From what we can see, the sketchy response from the council's PR department is something of a dog's breakfast.
"For example, how can you state a company has received half a million pounds of public money in fees without giving an idea of what the sum was spent on?"
He added that Davis Langdon Everest, the firm advising on the new Swansea Leisure Centre, had not been included.
But this was explained by Rene Kinzett, a spokesman for the Lib Dem, Independent and Conservative coalition, who said that the cost of bringing DLE onboard was part of the £25 million leisure centre budget and that just under £5 million of that was being spent on a variety of professional fees for things like consultants, legal services, architects and others.
He added: "The £4 million quoted in the freedom of information response is around 0.5 per cent of the council's overall annual budget.
"I would imagine if you were to ask a private company what they spent on consultants it would be a lot more than 0.5 per cent of their annual budget."
2,800 DAYS OFF SICK AT COUNCIL
South Wales Evening Post -1 November 2005
Stressed-out Swansea council workers took the equivalent of 2,800 days off sick in August alone.
But the picture is likely to be much worse than that when those off work for only a few days are included in the equation. Figures shown to councillors illustrate the extent of the problem within the authority.
It employs around 11,000 people but stress and depression, among other issues, have taken their toll.
Officers were asked to look into the numbers and causes of sickness, with many of the cases regarded as long term. The council definition of that is being off for 20 days or more - in effect for at least a month.
And in August that category alone clocked up 2,861 days of absenteeism.
On top of that comes employees away from work for any lesser period of time. No figures were available for that category ahead of this afternoon's corporate services performance review board.
But the report - ordered by board members - indicates the level of concern among the authority's decision-makers.
Stress has been an issue in the council for some time and it remains the leading cause of long-term sickness.
The sample month of August saw it account for 17 per cent of days lost by long-term absentees - a total of 486.5 days.
Depression contributed a further 254 days - nine per cent - but that was less of a problem than backache.
Back pain meant 342.5 days were lost during the month - 12 per cent.Around 75 per cent of all days lost within the council are down to stress and back pain.
Stress was at its worst in the chief executive's department, accounting for 22 per cent of long-term sickness there.
Social services and housing came next on 19 per cent, followed by the regeneration department on 15 per cent.
Back injuries are the main cause in the environment department - 18 per cent - and account for 11 per cent in social services and housing.
"Stress is seen as one of the major factors in the increased level of absence, with around half of council employees citing it as the reason for absence," said the authority's health and safety manager John Maudsley.
Stressed-out Swansea council workers took the equivalent of 2,800 days off sick in August alone.
But the picture is likely to be much worse than that when those off work for only a few days are included in the equation. Figures shown to councillors illustrate the extent of the problem within the authority.
It employs around 11,000 people but stress and depression, among other issues, have taken their toll.
Officers were asked to look into the numbers and causes of sickness, with many of the cases regarded as long term. The council definition of that is being off for 20 days or more - in effect for at least a month.
And in August that category alone clocked up 2,861 days of absenteeism.
On top of that comes employees away from work for any lesser period of time. No figures were available for that category ahead of this afternoon's corporate services performance review board.
But the report - ordered by board members - indicates the level of concern among the authority's decision-makers.
Stress has been an issue in the council for some time and it remains the leading cause of long-term sickness.
The sample month of August saw it account for 17 per cent of days lost by long-term absentees - a total of 486.5 days.
Depression contributed a further 254 days - nine per cent - but that was less of a problem than backache.
Back pain meant 342.5 days were lost during the month - 12 per cent.Around 75 per cent of all days lost within the council are down to stress and back pain.
Stress was at its worst in the chief executive's department, accounting for 22 per cent of long-term sickness there.
Social services and housing came next on 19 per cent, followed by the regeneration department on 15 per cent.
Back injuries are the main cause in the environment department - 18 per cent - and account for 11 per cent in social services and housing.
"Stress is seen as one of the major factors in the increased level of absence, with around half of council employees citing it as the reason for absence," said the authority's health and safety manager John Maudsley.
