South Wales Evening Post - 14 November 2006
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley:
I was disappointed to read yesterday's Opinion column regarding the proposed children's home at Blaenymaes.
It didn't merely question the decision to locate the children's home in Blaenymaes, it also did a great disservice to the people of Blaenymaes.
It is also regrettable that some councillors have condemned Blaenymaes as a "notorious area".
Blaenymaes has had its share of problems but these are no worse than many other areas. However, the whole community has joined together and taken positive action to bring real improvements for the people who live there.
There has been a huge amount of good work achieved through partnership working.The Blaenymaes, Portmead, Penplas Development Trust has brought together a large number of community groups and projects to have a major impact in the community.
For instance, Cafe Arc is a community cafe set up by volunteers and has created jobs.The Penplas Family Centre provides support services and daily drop-in facilities, including parent and toddler groups, a crèche, after-school club and basic skills training.
Spark, a registered charity, provides a range of activities such as kids' club, youth and holiday activities and free childcare.
Tan Dance tackles social, physical and mental issues through dance and attracts hundreds of people each year.
As a result of these kinds of projects, more people are involved in community projects, more adults have educational qualifications, local employment has increased, health and well-being has improved, and crime and anti-social behaviour has fallen.
But yesterday's Opinion column failed to acknowledge any of this work and the positive results it has brought.
Instead, it chose to condemn Blaenymaes and effectively write the community off forever more.
When choosing the new location for the children's home, the council looked at several sites and Blaenymaes was the most appropriate.
The children are some of the most vulnerable in our society and it is essential we provide the best possible facilities for them.The new children's home, unlike the current site at West Cross, will be purpose-built for the children's needs and will be fit for purpose. Importantly, it will include two emergency beds which we don't currently have.
The support, care and facilities will be among the best in the country to ensure our vulnerable children receive all the help and support they require to help them rebuild their lives.
I hope the Evening Post and some councillors will afford the same level of support to Blaenymaes as it continues to improve its community and reputation.
Councillor Chris Holley, Leader of the City and County of Swansea
Your Views
Why was Blaenymaes the most appropriate place, Councillor Holley? Just like Morriston is the most appropriate place for a gypsy site and St Thomas is the most appropriate for a sewage works? Pull the other one.
G.R. Evans, Bonymaen
I don’t believe for a minute that Chris Holley even took the trouble to write this letter. I am sick of the spin and lies that come out of council. And that goes for all parties.
Jemma, Swansea
I think that the Evening Post were spot on with their comments on how poorly Swansea Council have handled this issue. Perhaps Councillor Holley should be a bit more sensitive about the children in his care than his own offended feelings.
Peter Lamnea, Hafod
Chris Holley is a man who says what he believes and believes what he says and god help anyone who disagrees with him. When the Lib-Dem led Coalition Members voted on moving the Children’s home from West Cross to Blaenymaes they voted unanimously in favour of the move. They have no interest in the welfare of these vulnerable children. Their only interest is "self interest".
Lis Davies, Dunvant
Cheap politics from Mr Holley, I'm afraid. The only people condemning Blaenymaes are his crowd at County Hall. It's time they packed up and moved on.
Phil Johns, Blaenymaes
Councillor Holley has been caught up in another gimmick to court popularity with one vested interest group at the expense of vulnerable children. For all his indignation, he would be better served in looking closely at the message rather than the messenger.
Alison Creedy, Swansea
Someone who finally speaks some sense! I agree totally with Mrs Thomas - where is this evidence? The Evening Post should look into this and print any they find. I fear they may have a hard job finding any!!!
Miss A Evans, Swansea
After reading the original article regarding the move of the children's home to Blaenymaes I queried whether any consultation had taken place with the looked after children of Swansea as to where they wish to live and as to what facilities they would like. Once again after reading the follow up article by Councillor Chris Holley there is still no mention whatsoever of any views of the children and young people who are directly involved in this situation. I am not querying whether Blaenymaes or West Cross are the appropriate areas for a children's home but simply where would the looked after children and young people like to live. Where is the evidence that Swansea City and County have adhered to the UN's Convention on the Rights of a Child which states that a child has the right to be consulted on their views and those views must be respected. I fear this has not taken place and once again the Care system appears to be failing to meet even the basic needs of the most vulnerable children in Swansea who deserve to have much more than just their basic needs met. Many looked after children have already been failed by the people who should support them the most which is how they enter the Care system in the hope of being 'rescued'. Unfortunately, many looked after children continue to be failed by this poor system. Please begin to not just listen to looked after children but to show evidence that their wishes are acted upon.
Mrs Thomas, Swansea
