South Wales Evening Post - 31 March 2006
Swansea Council's ruling coalition has lost its majority following the resignation of two city councillors.
Councillors Ray Welsby and Richard Lewis had been part of the Liberal Democrat-led coalition.
The Post revealed yesterday they were threatening to quit. Now they have done exactly that after failing to iron out differences with the leadership.
The pair have cited alleged secrecy and spiralling spending as major reasons for quitting the coalition.
Councillor Welsby is also unhappy at the prospect of transferring council houses out of the control of the local authority.
"We have made our decision to go and I am quite happy about that," said Councillor Lewis.
"Ray is very keen on fighting the council house sell-off and I agree.
"I think there have also been communication problems with some major decisions that have gone on.
"The cabinet has decided to keep some things private, whether that is for financial reasons or because they are controversial, I do not know."
Councilor Lewis, who was involved in a public spat two years ago after losing an automatic nomination to become Swansea's Lord Mayor, said he had kept quiet about a number of deals he had opposed, including the controversial Service@Swansea project that is reportedly going to cost at least £170 million.
The move means that the Liberal, Independent, Conservative (LIC) coalition that has been in power since ousting Labour in June 2004 holds just 34 of the council's 72 seats. Until now the coalition has held the same number of seats as opposition parties, but has been able to use a casting vote to break any deadlocks.
Despite losing majority control the LIC coalition says it remains confident of holding on to power.
Council leader Chris Holley denied the secrecy claims but admitted the decision would have an impact on the coalition.
He added yesterday: "It is going to make life more difficult, but that won't stop us carrying on with policies that will benefit Swansea. We will still be the largest group in the authority with 34.
"We will endeavour to keep on pushing forward with our plans. We already have consensus with parties on a lot of issues."
Councillors Welsby and Lewis were both part of Swansea's Independent Association during the 2004 elections, but both have since left that group as well.
Councillor Welsby said: "We do not get informed of what's taking place, decisions are made behind closed doors.
"I feel that it's been secretive and we're back to the old system where this should have been open government."
Labour Group leader David Phillips warned that more councillors could quit.
He said: "This is a principled stand by two individuals who clearly want nothing more to do with a Lib Dem-led coalition that deals in half-truths and is costing taxpayers millions in the process.
"I know that there are also equally principled people within the Swansea administration who may yet well follow their example."
