South Wales Evening Post - 7 July 2006
Swansea Council leaders have been accused of lacking openness. More than half of the people who expressed an opinion said that the transparency of cabinet decisions has become worse in the past 12 months.
Around 25 per cent thought it was getting better, with a similar number saying nothing has changed.
When the Liberal-Independent-conservative coalition came to power in 2004, one of the key promises was to provide open local government.
However, it is clear that most people feel council leaders have failed to keep this promise.
One respondent said: "The council seems to operate in too much secrecy, just like its predecessor, despite its promise to be more open after taking power."
The style of leadership in the city has also come under fire, with 40 per cent of respondents saying it has got worse in the past 12 months.
"I believe the current council has lost its way with external consultants and excessive spending at the cost of basic services," added the respondent.
Council leader Chris Holley said: "I'm disappointed that a number of people feel we do not engage with them, but what we said we would do, we will do.
"It is unfair to judge us after just two years. The previous administration had 30 years to change the way council works and didn't manage it.
"We are trying to change the way it works.
"I think some of the things that happen have been unavoidable. All local authorities use consultants."
