South Wales Evening Post - 13 November 2006
A furious row has erupted over plans to move vulnerable looked after children from West Cross to Blaenymaes.
Some councillors have claimed the children could be at risk because of the anti-social behaviour problems in parts of Blaenymaes.
Labour and the Lib-Dem-led Swansea Council administration have clashed over the plan, with Labour accusing the ruling group of making the move for "political expediency".
Former social services Cabinet Member John Davies said it was wrong to put looked after children in "a deprived environment".
Some 227 angry residents have signed a petition objecting to the relocation.Planning permission for the move has already been granted.
Councillor Davies said the young person's project in Blaenymaes had to be closed because of anti-social behaviour.
And Councillor June Burtonshaw told a meeting of the full council: "Is Blaenymaes a suitable area for these vulnerable youngsters?"
She added that the area did not have a bus service after 6pm because, the bus company said, of anti-social behaviour by young people.
Mrs Burtonshaw said costs for the new home had risen from £1 million to £1.4 million.
Non-aligned councillor Ray Welsby said: "We don't want to play politics with children's lives."
Defending the proposed move, social services Cabinet Member, Wendy Fitzgerald, said there was a "situation of overcrowding" at West Cross and the building was "not fit for purpose".
