South Wales Evening Post - 21 April 2006
Mike Witchell, Columnist
"MY legacy! My legacy!" screeched the Great Leader as he woke in a sweat from a nightmare which still seemed all too real in the cold light of day. With key allies starting to desert him, his flagship projects beginning to unravel, his judgement called into question, and whispers growing louder that he would be forced to step aside sooner rather than later, the outlook had seldom seemed bleaker.
"Now I know how Tony Blair must be feeling," muttered Swansea Council leader Chris Holley as he left home for County Hall.
True, he had seen off the immediate threat to his administration posed by the resignation of Independent members Richard Lewis and Ray Welsby, but his longer-term survival seemed to depend more on the feebleness of the opposition than the innate strength of his ruling coalition.
How had Labour group leader David Phillips described councillors Lewis and Welsby when they announced their decision to quit? Principled people making a principled stand."
He's changed his tune," mused Councillor Holley. "When we took over from his lot, he ranted and raved that we were a devil's cabal of crypto- fascists, racists, bigots and plain fools."
But if his political opponents had problems, so too had his ruling coalition, he reflected gloomily.Take mailto:Service@Swansea,the pioneering £170 million IT project intended to be a beacon of excellence for councils across the country.
It all seemed so simple when former council chief executive Tim Thorogood had explained the scheme to him with the help of some amazing computer modelling on his expensive new laptop.
Now Tim had departed with his £60,000 payoff after the row about his new garage at Rhossili, and contract negotiations with Capgemini, the company responsible for designing and installing mailto:Service@Swansea,were dragging on and on even as the price of the deal went up and up.
Worse still, another Capgemini project - a seven-year, £53 million IT deal with the Foreign Office to link the UK's 200 embassies and consulates worldwide, a project known as Prism - had recently been condemned by the Commons foreign affairs select committee as "a textbook failure", with the risks greatly underestimated and the potential benefits exaggerated."In the FCO's long history of ineptly implemented IT initiatives, Prism is the most badly designed, ill-considered one of the lot," one senior civil servant was reported as saying.
True, it was reported only by Private Eye magazine, but . . . Councillor Holley's mind moved quickly on to another cherished component of his political legacy, the rebuilding of Swansea Leisure Centre.
Now that really was a success story for the administration - or was it?
No sooner had he reached his office, taken off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves to get to work - he was determined to push ahead with another top priority part of Project Legacy, what to do about the abutments to the old Slip Bridge - than the council press officer, Dr Spin, was handing him a copy of the latest edition of Construction News, bible of the industry of the same name.
"Page eight, Chris. You'd better take at look," he said grim-faced. Councillor Holley soon saw why.
A straightforward report about the shortlist of bidders for the £25 million leisure centre revamp included the following quote from a source at one the five rival contractors, commenting on the Christmas 2007 deadline for completion of the project: "The council leader's head is on the block and the local newspaper is running a countdown.
"This is Swansea's Wembley."
Oo-er.
JOBS COULD BE CREATED
South Wales Evening Post - 19 April 2006
Reading about the £1.2 million paid out in Swansea councillors' allowances last year, the question that arises is why they can't operate with, say, 48 instead of 72 members - as some other cities of 250,000 do.
Not only could this save £400,000, but the money could be used instead to create about 30 worthwhile jobs in litter picking teams or people to visit the elderly to make sure they are receiving their benefit entitlements and keeping warm.
I certainly hope such a plan is in place before the next council elections and I would like to see all parties adopting the idea.
C Hopper, Woodville Road, Swansea
Reading about the £1.2 million paid out in Swansea councillors' allowances last year, the question that arises is why they can't operate with, say, 48 instead of 72 members - as some other cities of 250,000 do.
Not only could this save £400,000, but the money could be used instead to create about 30 worthwhile jobs in litter picking teams or people to visit the elderly to make sure they are receiving their benefit entitlements and keeping warm.
I certainly hope such a plan is in place before the next council elections and I would like to see all parties adopting the idea.
C Hopper, Woodville Road, Swansea
CUTS ARE NOT NEEDED
South Wales Evening Post - 18 April 2006
Throughout South Wales, particularly in Swansea and Cardiff, there is much talk of cuts in education provision, brought about by the "problem" of falling rolls. You would think that in authorities where the Liberal Democrats have a key role this could never happen.
After all, did they not campaign for a reduction in class sizes? Falling rolls are not a problem, they present an opportunity to make good on promises.
We need less money wasted on change for change's sake, on pointless paperwork and bureaucratic interference and more spent where it is needed, in the classroom and on pupils' needs.
Richard Jones, School Road, Glais, Swansea
Throughout South Wales, particularly in Swansea and Cardiff, there is much talk of cuts in education provision, brought about by the "problem" of falling rolls. You would think that in authorities where the Liberal Democrats have a key role this could never happen.
After all, did they not campaign for a reduction in class sizes? Falling rolls are not a problem, they present an opportunity to make good on promises.
We need less money wasted on change for change's sake, on pointless paperwork and bureaucratic interference and more spent where it is needed, in the classroom and on pupils' needs.
Richard Jones, School Road, Glais, Swansea
LIB DEMS GONE MAD!
South Wales Evening Post - 17 April 2006
Can anyone tell me what happened to the Liberal Democrat environmen- tal credentials? I have just checked the local election manifesto on their website.
This states: "We all want to see our environment protected on the local scale. Our parks and green spaces, trees, gardens and public squares: these shared spaces are vital to our everyday lives. Liberal Democrat Councillors can be trusted to fight for and improve our environment - both locally and globally."
Are our council leaders in Swansea really Liberal Democrats, or have they split to form their own "Destroy the Environment" party?
First, they seek to wreak environ- mental havoc on West Cross in trying to build a huge new primary school (YGG Llwynderw) in a totally unsuitable location.
Then, just when we think things cannot get any worse, we find out they are axing the school bus from September which takes my children to Bishop Gore. Are they completely crackers?
Do they really want cars for 25 more children (plus those from other areas affected by these budget cuts) adding to the congestion in De La Beche Road outside Bishop Gore School?
They would be better spending scarce resources on school transport than on consultants' fees trying to achieve the impossible.
Carol Crafer
Local resident and parent at Grange Primary and Bishop Gore Schools
West Cross Avenue, Swansea
Can anyone tell me what happened to the Liberal Democrat environmen- tal credentials? I have just checked the local election manifesto on their website.
This states: "We all want to see our environment protected on the local scale. Our parks and green spaces, trees, gardens and public squares: these shared spaces are vital to our everyday lives. Liberal Democrat Councillors can be trusted to fight for and improve our environment - both locally and globally."
Are our council leaders in Swansea really Liberal Democrats, or have they split to form their own "Destroy the Environment" party?
First, they seek to wreak environ- mental havoc on West Cross in trying to build a huge new primary school (YGG Llwynderw) in a totally unsuitable location.
Then, just when we think things cannot get any worse, we find out they are axing the school bus from September which takes my children to Bishop Gore. Are they completely crackers?
Do they really want cars for 25 more children (plus those from other areas affected by these budget cuts) adding to the congestion in De La Beche Road outside Bishop Gore School?
They would be better spending scarce resources on school transport than on consultants' fees trying to achieve the impossible.
Carol Crafer
Local resident and parent at Grange Primary and Bishop Gore Schools
West Cross Avenue, Swansea
TEACHING JOBS ARE AT RISK, WARN HEADS
South Wales Evening Post - 15 April 2006
A Shock warning has been sounded that teachers' jobs could be lost in Swansea. Worried head teachers in the city say a squeeze on school budgets will lead to a drop in standards.
Julian Doroszczuk, chairman of the Swansea Secondary Heads Finance Group, says head teachers in the county will have to scrimp and save to make ends meet.
Mr Doroszczuk, who is also head teacher at Birchgrove Comprehensive School, added yesterday: "My colleagues and I have been working with officers of the education department and councillors to attempt to overcome very significant financial difficulties arising from this year's budget settlement on schools.
"While we have been informed that the increase in overall education funding is 3.5 per cent, when the funding for services provided at the centre and specific grants are removed the scenario at individual schools' budget level is very different."
Head teachers fear that they could be left with a below-inflation increase of just 1.7 per cent on last year's settlement.
"This does not cover basic pay and price increases, let alone allow for any development of the curriculum and teaching resources or improvements to premises."
In February, the Post revealed that Swansea Council had sent a confidential letter to all head teachers asking for them to identify possible savings, including looking at the possibility of redundancies.
It now seems likely that some teachers will lose their jobs.
Mr Doroszczuk said: "The majority of secondary head teachers and their respective governing bodies are having major problems in setting individual school budgets that do not result in large numbers of teacher redundancies, a marked reduction in the curriculum offered, and overall decline in standards offered to the children of Swansea."
Labour education spokesman John Miles described the situation as "nothing short of scandalous".
Swansea Council's cabinet member for education Mike Day said that rising costs and Assembly-led savings meant schools faced a difficult time.
He said: "The council has been working with head teachers to consider ways of mitigating some of these problems. Additional funding has been provided to meet some of the extra energy costs, for example.
"Despite the council passing on any money received from the Assembly for schools and continuing to fund education above the indicative level recommended by the Assembly, I do recognise the problems faced by schools.
"We will need to continue to work together to ensure that, as far as possible, we are able to provide the educational experience for Swansea children that they deserve."
A Shock warning has been sounded that teachers' jobs could be lost in Swansea. Worried head teachers in the city say a squeeze on school budgets will lead to a drop in standards.
Julian Doroszczuk, chairman of the Swansea Secondary Heads Finance Group, says head teachers in the county will have to scrimp and save to make ends meet.
Mr Doroszczuk, who is also head teacher at Birchgrove Comprehensive School, added yesterday: "My colleagues and I have been working with officers of the education department and councillors to attempt to overcome very significant financial difficulties arising from this year's budget settlement on schools.
"While we have been informed that the increase in overall education funding is 3.5 per cent, when the funding for services provided at the centre and specific grants are removed the scenario at individual schools' budget level is very different."
Head teachers fear that they could be left with a below-inflation increase of just 1.7 per cent on last year's settlement.
"This does not cover basic pay and price increases, let alone allow for any development of the curriculum and teaching resources or improvements to premises."
In February, the Post revealed that Swansea Council had sent a confidential letter to all head teachers asking for them to identify possible savings, including looking at the possibility of redundancies.
It now seems likely that some teachers will lose their jobs.
Mr Doroszczuk said: "The majority of secondary head teachers and their respective governing bodies are having major problems in setting individual school budgets that do not result in large numbers of teacher redundancies, a marked reduction in the curriculum offered, and overall decline in standards offered to the children of Swansea."
Labour education spokesman John Miles described the situation as "nothing short of scandalous".
Swansea Council's cabinet member for education Mike Day said that rising costs and Assembly-led savings meant schools faced a difficult time.
He said: "The council has been working with head teachers to consider ways of mitigating some of these problems. Additional funding has been provided to meet some of the extra energy costs, for example.
"Despite the council passing on any money received from the Assembly for schools and continuing to fund education above the indicative level recommended by the Assembly, I do recognise the problems faced by schools.
"We will need to continue to work together to ensure that, as far as possible, we are able to provide the educational experience for Swansea children that they deserve."
COUNCIL INVITES AUTHORITIES TO JOIN FORCES TO TACKLE WASTE
South Wales Evening Post - 15 April 2006
Council leaders are hoping to solve the city's waste problem by teaming up with other local authorities in the area. Although Swansea Council has won the first stage in its fight to have the Tir John landfill site reopened, it is still facing a huge annual bill to deal with the city's 140,000 tons of waste.
Since the closure of Tir John last June, waste has had to be transported to landfills in Merthyr Tydfil and Pembrokeshire.It has added an extra £2.5 million to the annual cost. Now the council is looking at partnerships to help cut the cost of dealing with waste.
A motion adopted by the authority says that new links need to be looked at.
It says: "There are possible gains to be made through co-operating with other local authorities within South West Wales who are also having to deal with the issue of diminishing or zero landfill capacity.
"In light of this, the council resolves to invite the authorities within South West Wales to establish an all-party members' group, with the objective of creating a truly regional answer to the issue, particularly given the fact that the council is currently looking to procure waste management facilities."
Council leaders are hoping to solve the city's waste problem by teaming up with other local authorities in the area. Although Swansea Council has won the first stage in its fight to have the Tir John landfill site reopened, it is still facing a huge annual bill to deal with the city's 140,000 tons of waste.
Since the closure of Tir John last June, waste has had to be transported to landfills in Merthyr Tydfil and Pembrokeshire.It has added an extra £2.5 million to the annual cost. Now the council is looking at partnerships to help cut the cost of dealing with waste.
A motion adopted by the authority says that new links need to be looked at.
It says: "There are possible gains to be made through co-operating with other local authorities within South West Wales who are also having to deal with the issue of diminishing or zero landfill capacity.
"In light of this, the council resolves to invite the authorities within South West Wales to establish an all-party members' group, with the objective of creating a truly regional answer to the issue, particularly given the fact that the council is currently looking to procure waste management facilities."
£40,000 TO FIX CHAIN
South Wales Evening Post - 15 April 2006
Hard-up Swansea Council is preparing to splash out £40,000 on giving its mayoral chain a 2006 makeover. The glitzy chain, worn by the city's political figurehead to official functions, are in desperate need of attention after 130 year of use.
It is not yet clear exactly what the money is going on, although the chain will be cleaned as part of the renovation.
But the bill is expected to top £40,000.
Swansea Council announced an inflation-busting council tax increase this year, and made a string of budget cuts to help balance the books.
But it is now planning a full restoration and is looking for quotes from jewellers.
Council leader Chris Holley, who is next in line to be the city's Lord Mayor, said conserving the chain for future generations was important.
"The chains have served Swansea mayors and lord mayors of our community for generations, and their age is catching up with them," he said.
"With some tender, loving care the council hopes they can go on to be worn by generations of lord mayors.
"The current chains are priceless because of what they represent. They are part of the heritage of Swansea and it would not be right if they were lost to the city."
The chain was commissioned 131 years ago by former mayor Frank Ash Yeo, at a cost of around £80,000.
The gold, silver and platinum chain weighs in at around 4kg and is set with rubies and emeralds.
The chain has been worn by every serving mayor and lord mayor of Swansea since 1875.
However, Plaid Cymru's group leader Darren Price has questioned whether the £40,000 will be money well spent. He said: "I believe that the cost of repairing the mayor's chain is extortionate.
"£40,000 is a significant sum of money and I am calling on the administration to put the plans on hold.
"I appreciate that the chain has been a part of Swansea's civic history for over 130 years, but I would propose that the chain be placed in a glass cabinet to be on show in either the Guildhall or County Hall."
However, he did concede that the public should have a say on the chain's future.
"I am not calling for an expensive consultation such as we had with the Slip Bridge. The council could hold an informal poll in order to measure the level of support or opposition to the plans."
Spencer Morgan, who owns a busy city centre jewellers in Oxford Street, said he hoped any restoration work would be offered locally.
"I have not been contacted about carrying out repairs, even though we are on the doorstep," said Mr Morgan.
"I have a workshop in the city centre and expert staff who have all qualified from the School of Jewellery in Birmingham.
"The chains have a lot of local importance and so it would be nice if they could use local craftsmen to do the job."
A full history of the chains of office can be found at http://www.swansea.gov.uk/
Hard-up Swansea Council is preparing to splash out £40,000 on giving its mayoral chain a 2006 makeover. The glitzy chain, worn by the city's political figurehead to official functions, are in desperate need of attention after 130 year of use.
It is not yet clear exactly what the money is going on, although the chain will be cleaned as part of the renovation.
But the bill is expected to top £40,000.
Swansea Council announced an inflation-busting council tax increase this year, and made a string of budget cuts to help balance the books.
But it is now planning a full restoration and is looking for quotes from jewellers.
Council leader Chris Holley, who is next in line to be the city's Lord Mayor, said conserving the chain for future generations was important.
"The chains have served Swansea mayors and lord mayors of our community for generations, and their age is catching up with them," he said.
"With some tender, loving care the council hopes they can go on to be worn by generations of lord mayors.
"The current chains are priceless because of what they represent. They are part of the heritage of Swansea and it would not be right if they were lost to the city."
The chain was commissioned 131 years ago by former mayor Frank Ash Yeo, at a cost of around £80,000.
The gold, silver and platinum chain weighs in at around 4kg and is set with rubies and emeralds.
The chain has been worn by every serving mayor and lord mayor of Swansea since 1875.
However, Plaid Cymru's group leader Darren Price has questioned whether the £40,000 will be money well spent. He said: "I believe that the cost of repairing the mayor's chain is extortionate.
"£40,000 is a significant sum of money and I am calling on the administration to put the plans on hold.
"I appreciate that the chain has been a part of Swansea's civic history for over 130 years, but I would propose that the chain be placed in a glass cabinet to be on show in either the Guildhall or County Hall."
However, he did concede that the public should have a say on the chain's future.
"I am not calling for an expensive consultation such as we had with the Slip Bridge. The council could hold an informal poll in order to measure the level of support or opposition to the plans."
Spencer Morgan, who owns a busy city centre jewellers in Oxford Street, said he hoped any restoration work would be offered locally.
"I have not been contacted about carrying out repairs, even though we are on the doorstep," said Mr Morgan.
"I have a workshop in the city centre and expert staff who have all qualified from the School of Jewellery in Birmingham.
"The chains have a lot of local importance and so it would be nice if they could use local craftsmen to do the job."
A full history of the chains of office can be found at http://www.swansea.gov.uk/
FINAL COST OF PROJECT NOT KNOWN
© South Wales Evening Post - 15 April 2006
The final cost of Swansea Council's controversial e-Government project is still not known, it has emerged. The council has confirmed that it is still negotiating with IT firm Capgemini about the hi-tech initiative and is unable to give a definite figure for the scheme.
The total cost of the programme is thought to be somewhere around £170 million.I
nitial contracts were signed in January for the first phase of the multi-million pound scheme, known as Resource@Swansea, which will revolutionise the way human resources, payroll, finance and procurement departments work. But the council has now confirmed that it is still negotiating with Capgemini about stage two, Service@Swansea, which is designed to improve customer service for the city's residents.
The whole scheme has been dubbed Wales's most ambitious and exciting e-Government programme by supporters.
But critics have said they are worried about what they describe as its spiralling costs and have questioned whether it will deliver the promised efficiency savings.
Councillor Mary Jones, cabinet member for e-Government and top performance, confirmed that negotiations are continuing over costs.
She told a council meeting: "Council officers are currently working with Capgemini to find a solution that will enable the council to proceed with this project.
"A key issue will be ensuring that the cost is affordable over the 10 years of the programme and that the affordability problem of the early years is addressed.
"When this work has been concluded I will be able to confirm the final cost of the e-Government programme overall."
The final cost of Swansea Council's controversial e-Government project is still not known, it has emerged. The council has confirmed that it is still negotiating with IT firm Capgemini about the hi-tech initiative and is unable to give a definite figure for the scheme.
The total cost of the programme is thought to be somewhere around £170 million.I
nitial contracts were signed in January for the first phase of the multi-million pound scheme, known as Resource@Swansea, which will revolutionise the way human resources, payroll, finance and procurement departments work. But the council has now confirmed that it is still negotiating with Capgemini about stage two, Service@Swansea, which is designed to improve customer service for the city's residents.
The whole scheme has been dubbed Wales's most ambitious and exciting e-Government programme by supporters.
But critics have said they are worried about what they describe as its spiralling costs and have questioned whether it will deliver the promised efficiency savings.
Councillor Mary Jones, cabinet member for e-Government and top performance, confirmed that negotiations are continuing over costs.
She told a council meeting: "Council officers are currently working with Capgemini to find a solution that will enable the council to proceed with this project.
"A key issue will be ensuring that the cost is affordable over the 10 years of the programme and that the affordability problem of the early years is addressed.
"When this work has been concluded I will be able to confirm the final cost of the e-Government programme overall."
RIVALS MOCK NEW TRACK
South Wales Evening Post - 10 April 2006
It is with increasing dismay and despondency that once again I hear the new athletics track at Sketty Lane may not be immediately available for the forthcoming season.
I recall being informed it would be ready by 2005, then an end-of-season date last year, then a February 2006 date. Alas, we have still to get to use the facility. This is another appalling incident that reflects badly on Swansea in supporting sporting achievement.
Also, it serves to reinforce the already tainted image of Swansea in the eyes of its rivals and the public. When asked by people outside Swansea about this new track situation, they mockingly laugh at the delay - that hurts!
If Swansea Harriers have to cancel fixtures again this season, as they had to do last season, major questions will be asked by rival clubs as to whether Swansea is going to be a viable venue to be considered at all for fixture events.
To date, fixtures have been cancelled. Home revenue volumes can be critical for a club's financial status. Also, competing on home ground, encouraged by the home crowd, with increased local interest inevitably has a positive effect on a club's performance and membership.
Having been associated with Swansea Harriers for several years, I have seen many potential athletes fall by the wayside mainly due to lack of inspiration. The acute lack of high-class facilities is the key attributable factor. Within the past five years age group members have declined sharply - maybe two or three athletes developing through to the under-20 level each year.
This dearth of athletes over the past five years will have a profound effect on Swansea Harriers' performance, especially regarding hone based athletes - an influence that may take a considerable time to reverse.
Please can someone assert their authority, judgement and intelligence to expedite a solution to this problem.
Jeff Cooze,Tregof Village, Swansea Vale
It is with increasing dismay and despondency that once again I hear the new athletics track at Sketty Lane may not be immediately available for the forthcoming season.
I recall being informed it would be ready by 2005, then an end-of-season date last year, then a February 2006 date. Alas, we have still to get to use the facility. This is another appalling incident that reflects badly on Swansea in supporting sporting achievement.
Also, it serves to reinforce the already tainted image of Swansea in the eyes of its rivals and the public. When asked by people outside Swansea about this new track situation, they mockingly laugh at the delay - that hurts!
If Swansea Harriers have to cancel fixtures again this season, as they had to do last season, major questions will be asked by rival clubs as to whether Swansea is going to be a viable venue to be considered at all for fixture events.
To date, fixtures have been cancelled. Home revenue volumes can be critical for a club's financial status. Also, competing on home ground, encouraged by the home crowd, with increased local interest inevitably has a positive effect on a club's performance and membership.
Having been associated with Swansea Harriers for several years, I have seen many potential athletes fall by the wayside mainly due to lack of inspiration. The acute lack of high-class facilities is the key attributable factor. Within the past five years age group members have declined sharply - maybe two or three athletes developing through to the under-20 level each year.
This dearth of athletes over the past five years will have a profound effect on Swansea Harriers' performance, especially regarding hone based athletes - an influence that may take a considerable time to reverse.
Please can someone assert their authority, judgement and intelligence to expedite a solution to this problem.
Jeff Cooze,Tregof Village, Swansea Vale
TOILETS CUTBACK 'COULD POSE RISK TO YOUNG KIDS'
South Wales Evening Post - 6 April 2006
Planned cuts to spending on public toilets could lead to youngsters being put at risk, according to opposition councillors.
The warning follows a decision by Swansea Council leaders to cut running costs of public toilets by £100,000 a year. The council's director of environment Reena Owen has admitted that it could mean losing full-time toilet attendants.
In a letter to Labour's environment spokesman, Mike Hedges, she said: "The savings in this budget involve £100,000 in 2006/07 and to date two potential areas are being looked at.
"These are firstly to reduce the permanent staffing of certain facilities and utilise instead mobile cleansing arrangements.
"Discussions on the details here are being pursued with the staff concerned and a pilot is planned for May."
Councillor Hedges believes that if full-time attendants are cut it could leave young children at risk.
He said: "Over the weekend, I heard a member of staff say that if the changes went ahead then he would stop his own grandchildren from using unattended public toilets.
"As a parent, I am very concerned that these cuts are being imposed without the public first being consulted.
"The Lib Dem-run coalition needs to start listening to the people who provide the services."
Last month, the Post revealed that some public toilets, including at the Quadrant bus station, are being advertised on websites as good pick-up points for gay men.
The bus station facilities are among those which could lose their attendant.
Castle Ward councillor and Labour Group leader David Phillips said: "I'm naturally concerned this activity is going on in the city centre, in places where children and others who may be offended are going."
John Hague, cabinet member for environment, said that no final decision had been made about how to make the savings.
He said: "I met with the trade unions last week and there has been no decision yet.
"They have asked if we could go back and look at other suggestions to make the savings and I have agreed to do that.
"We are looking into the safety issues that were brought up with regard to attendants in toilets."
Planned cuts to spending on public toilets could lead to youngsters being put at risk, according to opposition councillors.
The warning follows a decision by Swansea Council leaders to cut running costs of public toilets by £100,000 a year. The council's director of environment Reena Owen has admitted that it could mean losing full-time toilet attendants.
In a letter to Labour's environment spokesman, Mike Hedges, she said: "The savings in this budget involve £100,000 in 2006/07 and to date two potential areas are being looked at.
"These are firstly to reduce the permanent staffing of certain facilities and utilise instead mobile cleansing arrangements.
"Discussions on the details here are being pursued with the staff concerned and a pilot is planned for May."
Councillor Hedges believes that if full-time attendants are cut it could leave young children at risk.
He said: "Over the weekend, I heard a member of staff say that if the changes went ahead then he would stop his own grandchildren from using unattended public toilets.
"As a parent, I am very concerned that these cuts are being imposed without the public first being consulted.
"The Lib Dem-run coalition needs to start listening to the people who provide the services."
Last month, the Post revealed that some public toilets, including at the Quadrant bus station, are being advertised on websites as good pick-up points for gay men.
The bus station facilities are among those which could lose their attendant.
Castle Ward councillor and Labour Group leader David Phillips said: "I'm naturally concerned this activity is going on in the city centre, in places where children and others who may be offended are going."
John Hague, cabinet member for environment, said that no final decision had been made about how to make the savings.
He said: "I met with the trade unions last week and there has been no decision yet.
"They have asked if we could go back and look at other suggestions to make the savings and I have agreed to do that.
"We are looking into the safety issues that were brought up with regard to attendants in toilets."
ATHLETES ARE HAMSTRUNG
Editorial Comment
South Wales Evening Post -6 April 2006
Amid all the excitement of the opening of the Liberty Stadium, Swansea's athletes have been pushed to one side and shamefully neglected. The athletics track on Sketty Lane was a vital part of the reorganisation of the city's sports facilities. But the sportsmen and women who were promised so much, and agreed to sacrifice their Morfa HQ in exchange, are still waiting three years on.
This should be a huge embarrassment to Swansea council - particularly in the week after the launch of Swansea Futures' expensive campaign to promote the city on the international stage.
The campaign, whose slogan adorns the front page of this newspaper, makes great play of the leisure opportunities in the city that lend themselves to a good work-life balance.
Don't tell that to Swansea Harriers, who have been forced into a nomadic existence after years as fine ambassadors for the city, bringing glory out of all proportion to the size of the team.
It is astounding that the council will not explain the "small niggles" that have beset the track, or the misunderstandings with UK Athletics. Athletics may not be as high profile as soccer in this city, but we all deserve that the track open without further delay.
South Wales Evening Post -6 April 2006
Amid all the excitement of the opening of the Liberty Stadium, Swansea's athletes have been pushed to one side and shamefully neglected. The athletics track on Sketty Lane was a vital part of the reorganisation of the city's sports facilities. But the sportsmen and women who were promised so much, and agreed to sacrifice their Morfa HQ in exchange, are still waiting three years on.
This should be a huge embarrassment to Swansea council - particularly in the week after the launch of Swansea Futures' expensive campaign to promote the city on the international stage.
The campaign, whose slogan adorns the front page of this newspaper, makes great play of the leisure opportunities in the city that lend themselves to a good work-life balance.
Don't tell that to Swansea Harriers, who have been forced into a nomadic existence after years as fine ambassadors for the city, bringing glory out of all proportion to the size of the team.
It is astounding that the council will not explain the "small niggles" that have beset the track, or the misunderstandings with UK Athletics. Athletics may not be as high profile as soccer in this city, but we all deserve that the track open without further delay.
COUNCIL IT HELPDESK MOVED TO SCOTLAND
South Wales Evening Post - 5 April 2006
Troubled Swansea Council staff who want advice on computer problems have to contact a helpdesk 500 miles away, it has emerged. Following an £83 million deal to hand over Swansea Council's IT provision to private firm Capgemini, staff at the council are now having to call up computer experts in Inverness.
Plaid Cymru councillor Darren Price has questioned the decision to move the IT helpdesk away from Swansea.
"I was shocked to find Capgemini, deliverers of the Service@Swansea scheme, had moved the helpdesk to the north east of Scotland," he said.
"Capgemini has, on a number of occasions, stated it is committed to Swansea, but I find moving an IT helpdesk hundreds of miles away from the city anything but commitment."
The council has claimed the move will ensure better service and save money.
However, Councillor Price says local workers should have been considered.
He added: "By providing this service from Inverness they have rejected the people of Swansea. Surely the service could have been provided in Swansea, thus supporting local jobs? It is hugely disappointing that the administration has let these jobs migrate.
"I have now asked the cabinet member for top performance, Mary Jones, to provide us with details of staffing levels and costs associated with the move. Local workers deserve answers."
But Councillor Jones dismissed the criticism.
She said the Inverness-based helpdesk employed 264 people and would provide round-the-clock coverage.
"The new helpdesk service is an important step for the council and its staff," she said.
"Capgemini will now be providing 24-hour support, seven days a week, for members and staff."
Troubled Swansea Council staff who want advice on computer problems have to contact a helpdesk 500 miles away, it has emerged. Following an £83 million deal to hand over Swansea Council's IT provision to private firm Capgemini, staff at the council are now having to call up computer experts in Inverness.
Plaid Cymru councillor Darren Price has questioned the decision to move the IT helpdesk away from Swansea.
"I was shocked to find Capgemini, deliverers of the Service@Swansea scheme, had moved the helpdesk to the north east of Scotland," he said.
"Capgemini has, on a number of occasions, stated it is committed to Swansea, but I find moving an IT helpdesk hundreds of miles away from the city anything but commitment."
The council has claimed the move will ensure better service and save money.
However, Councillor Price says local workers should have been considered.
He added: "By providing this service from Inverness they have rejected the people of Swansea. Surely the service could have been provided in Swansea, thus supporting local jobs? It is hugely disappointing that the administration has let these jobs migrate.
"I have now asked the cabinet member for top performance, Mary Jones, to provide us with details of staffing levels and costs associated with the move. Local workers deserve answers."
But Councillor Jones dismissed the criticism.
She said the Inverness-based helpdesk employed 264 people and would provide round-the-clock coverage.
"The new helpdesk service is an important step for the council and its staff," she said.
"Capgemini will now be providing 24-hour support, seven days a week, for members and staff."
