© South Wales Evening Post - 31 January 2006
Oh dear! Just what conclusions can you draw from the news of further delays to the flagship city centre shopping project at the old David Evans store? The developers behind the project, Thurleigh Estates, and Swansea Council both shrug their shoulders in a gesture which suggests, "nothing to do with us, mate".
Meanwhile, just two high street names have signed on the dotted line and the banner on the front of the building declares there are seven units up for grabs.
Council leader Chris Holley is confident the development will progress and lift the city. But it is difficult to share that confidence until we see hard hats moving onto the site.
DELAY OVER DAVID EVANS PLAN SLATED
© South Wales Evening Post - 31 January 2006
The £30 million re- development of Swansea's landmark David Evans store has been held up, the Post can reveal today. Work had been scheduled to start early in the new year on razing the old House of Fraser building to the ground to make way for a showpiece new retail scheme.
But nobody is now saying when work will start.
Project developers Thurleigh Estates and Swansea Council both deny they are to blame for any hold up.
But the popular budget £1 store currently occupying the site on a short lease looks like staying put for some time to come.
Thurleigh initially responded to inquiries about progress by saying it was still waiting for planning consent before they could get the scheme underway.
However, Swansea Council today dismissed the claim saying there was no reason why work on the £30 million project could not begin immediately.
In a further twist, the developers then issued a new statement blaming "commercial processes" for the slow- down adding that it was perfectly normal.
Thurleigh announced last year that work would begin in the new year.Questions were raised about that time frame earlier this week when it became apparent there were no signs of activity at the site.
Two upmarket retailers, Zara and Slater Menswear, have already agreed to move in.
Thurleigh's director Graham Drake initially told the Post: "Although we had a committee resolution in December, we are still waiting for bits and pieces such as planning consent to be put in place.
"It is taking us longer than anticipated, but when we have been given the all-clear we will commence demolition."
Swansea Council immediately dismissed that statement.
A spokesman said: "Thurleigh Estates submitted a planning application on October 14, 2005 and this was approved by the full council on the December 13.
"There are no further planning issues with this development," he added.
Following that clarification Thurleigh changed their reasons for the delay, saying that it was now down to commercial processes, but insisted the scheme was still on track.
A spokeswoman for the company said: "Our agents are now in discussions with a number of potential retailers to occupy the remaining units.
"There are a number of commercial processes that we need to complete before we can demolish what is a valuable asset.
"Progress is good but it has taken longer than expected, which is not unusual for a scheme of this size and complexity."
Neither side could say when demolition work was likely to begin, although Thurleighs' spokeswoman said: "Demolition will take place as soon as is reasonably possible."
Council leader Chris Holley said he remained confident there were no problems with the development.
"Thurleigh has already attracted two major retailers to this site and I understand that its agents are in discussions with other retailers."This development will be a massive boost to our retailers in Swansea and it will be a springboard to attract further investment.
"News of the possible delay comes after years of work on a big city centre revamp came to nothing.
The much smaller David Evans redevelopment proposal is seen as a more realistic way forward.
The move can't come quickly enough for other city centre traders, who have been waiting patiently for fresh blood to be injected into the centre after the 15-year wait for the doomed Castle Quays project, centered on the same site.
Peter Birch, of the Oxford Street Traders group, said today: "Swansea desperately needs the input of major retailers and we would like to see something happening.
"We have been told all sorts will happen but have seen nothing concrete, no new developers.
"There is a lot of talk but there has been nothing."
The £30 million re- development of Swansea's landmark David Evans store has been held up, the Post can reveal today. Work had been scheduled to start early in the new year on razing the old House of Fraser building to the ground to make way for a showpiece new retail scheme.
But nobody is now saying when work will start.
Project developers Thurleigh Estates and Swansea Council both deny they are to blame for any hold up.
But the popular budget £1 store currently occupying the site on a short lease looks like staying put for some time to come.
Thurleigh initially responded to inquiries about progress by saying it was still waiting for planning consent before they could get the scheme underway.
However, Swansea Council today dismissed the claim saying there was no reason why work on the £30 million project could not begin immediately.
In a further twist, the developers then issued a new statement blaming "commercial processes" for the slow- down adding that it was perfectly normal.
Thurleigh announced last year that work would begin in the new year.Questions were raised about that time frame earlier this week when it became apparent there were no signs of activity at the site.
Two upmarket retailers, Zara and Slater Menswear, have already agreed to move in.
Thurleigh's director Graham Drake initially told the Post: "Although we had a committee resolution in December, we are still waiting for bits and pieces such as planning consent to be put in place.
"It is taking us longer than anticipated, but when we have been given the all-clear we will commence demolition."
Swansea Council immediately dismissed that statement.
A spokesman said: "Thurleigh Estates submitted a planning application on October 14, 2005 and this was approved by the full council on the December 13.
"There are no further planning issues with this development," he added.
Following that clarification Thurleigh changed their reasons for the delay, saying that it was now down to commercial processes, but insisted the scheme was still on track.
A spokeswoman for the company said: "Our agents are now in discussions with a number of potential retailers to occupy the remaining units.
"There are a number of commercial processes that we need to complete before we can demolish what is a valuable asset.
"Progress is good but it has taken longer than expected, which is not unusual for a scheme of this size and complexity."
Neither side could say when demolition work was likely to begin, although Thurleighs' spokeswoman said: "Demolition will take place as soon as is reasonably possible."
Council leader Chris Holley said he remained confident there were no problems with the development.
"Thurleigh has already attracted two major retailers to this site and I understand that its agents are in discussions with other retailers."This development will be a massive boost to our retailers in Swansea and it will be a springboard to attract further investment.
"News of the possible delay comes after years of work on a big city centre revamp came to nothing.
The much smaller David Evans redevelopment proposal is seen as a more realistic way forward.
The move can't come quickly enough for other city centre traders, who have been waiting patiently for fresh blood to be injected into the centre after the 15-year wait for the doomed Castle Quays project, centered on the same site.
Peter Birch, of the Oxford Street Traders group, said today: "Swansea desperately needs the input of major retailers and we would like to see something happening.
"We have been told all sorts will happen but have seen nothing concrete, no new developers.
"There is a lot of talk but there has been nothing."
POLITICAL ROW AT COUNCIL OVER CHINA TRIP
South Wales Evening Post - 25 January 2006
Another political storm is brewing at Swansea Council over a globe-stretching freebie trip. An investigation has been demanded after claims of a cover-up following a trip to China in October worth thousands of pounds.
Labour councillors are calling for action after Councillor John Newbury, the cabinet member for finance, travelled to Nantong, China, for the World Mega City Development conference.
A Swansea Council spokesman confirmed Mr Newbury attended the conference but said that the trip had been paid for by the Nantong Government.
But Labour claim Mr Newbury should have entered the trip on the hospitality register councillors use to keep track of their interests. It is understood gifts from the trip have been logged.
The row follows a question to council in December which asked about economic links between Swansea and China.
The response confirmed a delegation had travelled to China in September but made no reference to Mr Newbury's visit.
A spokesman for the Lib Dem, Independent and Conservative coalition said the trip was political and not economic and therefore not covered by the terms of the question.
He confirmed that Mr Newbury had entered the gifts he received in the hospitality register and that the trip itself was part of official business.
He said: "He was invited as a senior councillor to go on this trip to represent the council."
But a Labour group spokesman dismissed the claim the trip was political.
He said Labour found it hard to conceive that the government of Nantong would invite the cabinet member for finance and pay for a 12,000 mile round trip for no reason.
Labour councillors are now calling for an investigation into the reasons for the trip and why it has not been entered in the hospitality register.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The cabinet member for finance has attended a conference in Nantong at the invitation of the Nantong Government.
"All fares and expenses were paid for by the Nantong government."
Another political storm is brewing at Swansea Council over a globe-stretching freebie trip. An investigation has been demanded after claims of a cover-up following a trip to China in October worth thousands of pounds.
Labour councillors are calling for action after Councillor John Newbury, the cabinet member for finance, travelled to Nantong, China, for the World Mega City Development conference.
A Swansea Council spokesman confirmed Mr Newbury attended the conference but said that the trip had been paid for by the Nantong Government.
But Labour claim Mr Newbury should have entered the trip on the hospitality register councillors use to keep track of their interests. It is understood gifts from the trip have been logged.
The row follows a question to council in December which asked about economic links between Swansea and China.
The response confirmed a delegation had travelled to China in September but made no reference to Mr Newbury's visit.
A spokesman for the Lib Dem, Independent and Conservative coalition said the trip was political and not economic and therefore not covered by the terms of the question.
He confirmed that Mr Newbury had entered the gifts he received in the hospitality register and that the trip itself was part of official business.
He said: "He was invited as a senior councillor to go on this trip to represent the council."
But a Labour group spokesman dismissed the claim the trip was political.
He said Labour found it hard to conceive that the government of Nantong would invite the cabinet member for finance and pay for a 12,000 mile round trip for no reason.
Labour councillors are now calling for an investigation into the reasons for the trip and why it has not been entered in the hospitality register.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The cabinet member for finance has attended a conference in Nantong at the invitation of the Nantong Government.
"All fares and expenses were paid for by the Nantong government."
TOP COUNCIL BOSS'S DEPUTY FACING QUIT CASH PROBE
South Wales Evening Post - 6 January 2006
Another top boss at Swansea Council is at the centre of an official inquiry, it emerged today.
The council's chief executive Tim Thorogood is due to find out on Monday if he will be suspended following complaints about a planning application at his Rhossili home.
An inquiry has been launched into those claims to see if the £120,000-a-year chief executive broke planning rules.
Now it has emerged that his deputy Bob Carter is also at the centre of an investigation.
Mr Carter was given the role of acting chief executive because of the investigation into Mr Thorogood.
Now the council's external auditor PriceWaterhouse Cooper is understood to be probing the retirement package agreed for Mr Carter, who is due to leave in April.
It is not known whether Mr Carter himself will be investigated.
The inquiry, by the council's independent auditor, is expected to focus on who agreed the package offered to Mr Carter. The investigation was launched after a query from Labour leader David Phillips. He had written to Mr Thorogood before the storm over his Rhossili home erupted.
Mr Thorogood has not been at work since the accusations were made public, so the letter was handed to the council's monitoring officer.
Councillor Phillips confirmed he had sent a letter regarding the acting chief executive, but refused to give details of the content.
However, a letter from the council's legal chief, David Daycock, seen by the Post, confirm that Councillor Phillips's letter has been passed on for investigation.
It says: "In view of the serious nature of the questions set out in your letter, and that the chief executive and the deputy chief executive are directly involved in the matters referred to, I have forwarded the letter to Mr Ian Howes of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, as auditors to investigate the issues raised."
A council spokesman said: "The council has received questions from Councillor David Phillips in relation to the senior management review considered by council.
"Since the questions would normally be answered by officers who are affected by the review, it has been decided the council's external auditors would be best placed to deal with Councillor Phillips's questions."
Another top boss at Swansea Council is at the centre of an official inquiry, it emerged today.
The council's chief executive Tim Thorogood is due to find out on Monday if he will be suspended following complaints about a planning application at his Rhossili home.
An inquiry has been launched into those claims to see if the £120,000-a-year chief executive broke planning rules.
Now it has emerged that his deputy Bob Carter is also at the centre of an investigation.
Mr Carter was given the role of acting chief executive because of the investigation into Mr Thorogood.
Now the council's external auditor PriceWaterhouse Cooper is understood to be probing the retirement package agreed for Mr Carter, who is due to leave in April.
It is not known whether Mr Carter himself will be investigated.
The inquiry, by the council's independent auditor, is expected to focus on who agreed the package offered to Mr Carter. The investigation was launched after a query from Labour leader David Phillips. He had written to Mr Thorogood before the storm over his Rhossili home erupted.
Mr Thorogood has not been at work since the accusations were made public, so the letter was handed to the council's monitoring officer.
Councillor Phillips confirmed he had sent a letter regarding the acting chief executive, but refused to give details of the content.
However, a letter from the council's legal chief, David Daycock, seen by the Post, confirm that Councillor Phillips's letter has been passed on for investigation.
It says: "In view of the serious nature of the questions set out in your letter, and that the chief executive and the deputy chief executive are directly involved in the matters referred to, I have forwarded the letter to Mr Ian Howes of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, as auditors to investigate the issues raised."
A council spokesman said: "The council has received questions from Councillor David Phillips in relation to the senior management review considered by council.
"Since the questions would normally be answered by officers who are affected by the review, it has been decided the council's external auditors would be best placed to deal with Councillor Phillips's questions."
Council's deal worth millions to talk to public
Western Mail - Jan 2 2006
A Council has signed a multi-million-pound contract to computerise its links with the public.
Swansea City and County Council has brought in IT firm Capgemini to mastermind a £170m change in the way the council operates and delivers its services.
The £170m will be spent over the next 10 years.
The council wants the 10-year contract to save the authority £42m over the next decade by introducing new IT systems and more efficient working practices.
Also, the council will be putting into the project £52m from its existing IT budget over the next 10 years and £32m from its reception and contact staff budget.
The council will plough in £3m a year over 10 years as its contribution.
Swansea City and County Council said it had signed an £80m plus deal with Capgemini for the first phase of the project.
A spokesman said, "In this first phase Capgemini will design and build new IT systems and help introduce more efficient working practices.
"In addition to designing and building the new IT systems, Capgemini will also run them on an outsourced basis for the next 10 years, along with the majority of the council's existing IT systems."
The second phase, which is expected to roll out later, aims to transform customer access to services via a new call centre, new face-to-face contact centre, extended opening hours and internet services.
Last year, IT workers at the council went on strike for two months over the plan to bring in an outside IT contractor to design and operate the new computer services and transfer them to the private sector.
Union leaders said they were concerned that other council departments might also be "outsourced" to private companies and that this could lead to job losses.
But the strike was called off after assurances were given.
"This will signal a new era for the people of Swansea," said the council.
A Council has signed a multi-million-pound contract to computerise its links with the public.
Swansea City and County Council has brought in IT firm Capgemini to mastermind a £170m change in the way the council operates and delivers its services.
The £170m will be spent over the next 10 years.
The council wants the 10-year contract to save the authority £42m over the next decade by introducing new IT systems and more efficient working practices.
Also, the council will be putting into the project £52m from its existing IT budget over the next 10 years and £32m from its reception and contact staff budget.
The council will plough in £3m a year over 10 years as its contribution.
Swansea City and County Council said it had signed an £80m plus deal with Capgemini for the first phase of the project.
A spokesman said, "In this first phase Capgemini will design and build new IT systems and help introduce more efficient working practices.
"In addition to designing and building the new IT systems, Capgemini will also run them on an outsourced basis for the next 10 years, along with the majority of the council's existing IT systems."
The second phase, which is expected to roll out later, aims to transform customer access to services via a new call centre, new face-to-face contact centre, extended opening hours and internet services.
Last year, IT workers at the council went on strike for two months over the plan to bring in an outside IT contractor to design and operate the new computer services and transfer them to the private sector.
Union leaders said they were concerned that other council departments might also be "outsourced" to private companies and that this could lead to job losses.
But the strike was called off after assurances were given.
"This will signal a new era for the people of Swansea," said the council.
