South Wales Evening Post - 31 October 2006
Swansea Council bosses could have done more to stop the city's showpiece £27 million stadium losing so much cash in its first year, according to a new report.
The Liberty Stadium recorded losses of £780,000 during its first season and had to have a £2.3 million loan from the council written off.
Council auditors PriceWaterhouseCooper have criticised mistakes by stadium management and senior councillors for not acting quickly enough to limit losses.
Councillor Gerald Clement, a director of stadium management company StadCo, said things had improved.
The PWC report was heavily censored before being released to the public.
This means details of how cash was spent in the first year of operation, and how Swansea Council uses its controlling stake on the board, remain secret.
Councillors John Hague and Gerald Clement are Swansea Council's representatives on the stadium's management committee, and Councillor Clement said mistakes had been ironed out.
The report said some of the problems resulted from the loss of StadCo's chief executive within months of the stadium opening but said more could have been done to prevent first-year losses.
It said: "It is possible that some of the losses made by SSMC in 2005/6 could have been avoided if there had been proper management information presented to the board at an earlier stage and on an ongoing basis."
The report goes on to say: "Authority members who are directors at SSMC should monitor closely the financial position of SSMC in future, by means of monthly management information reports covering both financial and non-financial information such as attendance levels.
"Where necessary they should ensure that failures to provide this information are addressed as a matter of priority."
Much of the report has been blacked out. Sections that cannot be read include stadium spending figures as well as details of Swansea Council's ability to outvote other directors, from the Ospreys and Swansea City FC.
Labour Group leader David Phillips accused council leaders of not protecting the city's interests in the stadium.
Councillor Phillips said: "This report from the council's external auditors makes very plain that the council's directors failed to ask for financial and management information and did not pursue its absence because they did not see it as a priority.
"Of most concern, however, is the auditors' unequivocal opinion that had they sought this information some of the company's losses could have been avoided."
Councillor Clement said that mistakes were made but lessons had been learned.
He said: "We have recognised the accounting processes were not sufficiently robust. We have also got a new chief of financing.
"Things happened and we spotted them and tidied up the process but this doesn't happen over two days.
"Everyone involved in the stadium is confident we have got it right now."
TRADERS TO SUE OVER ROADWORKS
South Wales Evening Post - 31 October 2006
Kingsway traders are set to take legal action against Swansea Council over disruption caused by months of roadworks in the area.
Firms have already approached solicitors about the possibility of launching a legal case against the authority.
Brian Brown, of the Mark Jermin Salon, said he knew of three businesses that were taking action, and that more would follow.
"I will be doing it as well," said Mr Brown.
"I am going to see my solicitor and will be sending a letter to Swansea Council.
"Businesses up here have suffered terribly since work started, and we do not think the council has done anywhere near enough to help us.
"We have been pacified by council officers, but nothing helpful has ever materialised.
"Some businesses are really suffering, and I am afraid some might not survive."
Mr Brown said the final straw for many traders came during a weekly meeting with council officers and contractors.
He said: "We go to this meeting every week to discuss ways to improve things, but at the last meeting no-one from Dawnus (the contractors) turned up. We all just walked out.
"We are all suffering so badly, and they could not be bothered to come and meet us or even tell us why they were not there."
Some traders have stopped paying business rates in protest, according to Mr Brown.
He said: "The council offered us a 25 per cent reduction, but that is nowhere near enough to cover the amount of money we have been losing since the roadworks began.
"We were not informed of how big these works would be.
"We have had our electricity cut off three times, and the scheme has cost me thousands of pounds in lost revenue."
Swansea Council has disputed traders' claims that they have lost power three times, and say it has only happened twice.
Dawnus has not commented on the traders' complaints.
A spokesman for the council said: "The council is sympathetic to the concerns of traders in The Kingsway area.
"They have been advised by the authority that they may be eligible to have their business rates payments suspended for a period of time."
Kingsway traders are set to take legal action against Swansea Council over disruption caused by months of roadworks in the area.
Firms have already approached solicitors about the possibility of launching a legal case against the authority.
Brian Brown, of the Mark Jermin Salon, said he knew of three businesses that were taking action, and that more would follow.
"I will be doing it as well," said Mr Brown.
"I am going to see my solicitor and will be sending a letter to Swansea Council.
"Businesses up here have suffered terribly since work started, and we do not think the council has done anywhere near enough to help us.
"We have been pacified by council officers, but nothing helpful has ever materialised.
"Some businesses are really suffering, and I am afraid some might not survive."
Mr Brown said the final straw for many traders came during a weekly meeting with council officers and contractors.
He said: "We go to this meeting every week to discuss ways to improve things, but at the last meeting no-one from Dawnus (the contractors) turned up. We all just walked out.
"We are all suffering so badly, and they could not be bothered to come and meet us or even tell us why they were not there."
Some traders have stopped paying business rates in protest, according to Mr Brown.
He said: "The council offered us a 25 per cent reduction, but that is nowhere near enough to cover the amount of money we have been losing since the roadworks began.
"We were not informed of how big these works would be.
"We have had our electricity cut off three times, and the scheme has cost me thousands of pounds in lost revenue."
Swansea Council has disputed traders' claims that they have lost power three times, and say it has only happened twice.
Dawnus has not commented on the traders' complaints.
A spokesman for the council said: "The council is sympathetic to the concerns of traders in The Kingsway area.
"They have been advised by the authority that they may be eligible to have their business rates payments suspended for a period of time."
IS IT A DEAD END FOR BENDY BUSES PLAN?
South Wales Evening Post - 30 October 2006
Swansea's multi-million pound bendy bus scheme could be heading into a dead end, according to one city businessman.
Brian Evans owns Oystermouth Square in Mumbles - the proposed site for the massive 18.7-metre-long buses to turn around and begin the return leg of their journey.
But he has said that no buses, bendy or otherwise, will be allowed on the land in coming years due to problems with the site and a dispute with the council.
Swansea Council insists alternative plans are available.
The bendy bus scheme, or Swansea Metro, would see the extra long buses running from Mumbles to Morriston stopping off at key sites in the city along the way.
Work on The Kingsway to create a one-way system also includes preparations for the new buses.
The project is expected to be introduced in stages with the first buses being rolled out in 2008.
According to a council spokesman, work on the final leg of the route into Mumbles is not expected to start until 2008.
Mr Evans has criticised Swansea Council for claiming the scheme is fine and has launched a stinging attack on the entire project.
He has called for Swansea Council to go public with how they intend to turn around the bendy buses when they reach Mumbles.
Mr Evans has also challenged the council to reveal what public support the scheme has.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said sites had been identified to accommodate the bendy bus.
Mr Evans said: "I have written to Anthony O'Sullivan (head of transportation and engineering) saying that the buses would not be welcome on the square for many years and that they had to look for an alternative.
"Those buses coming to Mumbles would be a disaster, they are too big for Mumbles. They are not designed for these roads.
"They are kidding the people, things aren't fine with the use of Oystermouth Square - if they were they would be turning there now.
"I think that they are hoodwinking the people of Mumbles that they have somewhere else to turn. But where is it?
"Some of the buses they have now have problems turning here."
A spokesman for the council said: "The council believes that Oystermouth Square is an ideal turning point for the route into Mumbles.
"If the site is not available to us then we will look at other sites."
Mr Evans also raised questions about the suitability of the scheme and whether Swansea Council had properly thought out its plans
.He said: "Have they done traffic assessments? Did it include turning in Oystermouth Square? Do you know anybody that has been asked if they have a wish for the bendy bus?
"Don't you think that it is time they put their cards on the table?
"Why are we being presented with such a destructive force without any consultation on it?"
A council spokesman said that city centre businesses were given a three-day presentation on the scheme and gave positive feedback.
Chris Holley, the leader of Swansea Council, said: "We have had one of the top international companies, Ove Arup, to do the engineering work for this and it will turn in Oystermouth.
"Whether Mr Evans want to be part of that is up to him but he has to remember that he doesn't own all the land there.
"There is a design brief out for Oystermouth and if he wants to be part of it, so be it."
Swansea's multi-million pound bendy bus scheme could be heading into a dead end, according to one city businessman.
Brian Evans owns Oystermouth Square in Mumbles - the proposed site for the massive 18.7-metre-long buses to turn around and begin the return leg of their journey.
But he has said that no buses, bendy or otherwise, will be allowed on the land in coming years due to problems with the site and a dispute with the council.
Swansea Council insists alternative plans are available.
The bendy bus scheme, or Swansea Metro, would see the extra long buses running from Mumbles to Morriston stopping off at key sites in the city along the way.
Work on The Kingsway to create a one-way system also includes preparations for the new buses.
The project is expected to be introduced in stages with the first buses being rolled out in 2008.
According to a council spokesman, work on the final leg of the route into Mumbles is not expected to start until 2008.
Mr Evans has criticised Swansea Council for claiming the scheme is fine and has launched a stinging attack on the entire project.
He has called for Swansea Council to go public with how they intend to turn around the bendy buses when they reach Mumbles.
Mr Evans has also challenged the council to reveal what public support the scheme has.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said sites had been identified to accommodate the bendy bus.
Mr Evans said: "I have written to Anthony O'Sullivan (head of transportation and engineering) saying that the buses would not be welcome on the square for many years and that they had to look for an alternative.
"Those buses coming to Mumbles would be a disaster, they are too big for Mumbles. They are not designed for these roads.
"They are kidding the people, things aren't fine with the use of Oystermouth Square - if they were they would be turning there now.
"I think that they are hoodwinking the people of Mumbles that they have somewhere else to turn. But where is it?
"Some of the buses they have now have problems turning here."
A spokesman for the council said: "The council believes that Oystermouth Square is an ideal turning point for the route into Mumbles.
"If the site is not available to us then we will look at other sites."
Mr Evans also raised questions about the suitability of the scheme and whether Swansea Council had properly thought out its plans
.He said: "Have they done traffic assessments? Did it include turning in Oystermouth Square? Do you know anybody that has been asked if they have a wish for the bendy bus?
"Don't you think that it is time they put their cards on the table?
"Why are we being presented with such a destructive force without any consultation on it?"
A council spokesman said that city centre businesses were given a three-day presentation on the scheme and gave positive feedback.
Chris Holley, the leader of Swansea Council, said: "We have had one of the top international companies, Ove Arup, to do the engineering work for this and it will turn in Oystermouth.
"Whether Mr Evans want to be part of that is up to him but he has to remember that he doesn't own all the land there.
"There is a design brief out for Oystermouth and if he wants to be part of it, so be it."
SECRECY FEARS OVER SUPER-HOSPITAL PLAN
South Wales Evening Post - 25 October 2006
Plans to build a new super-hospital in Swansea must not be made in secret, a city AM has insisted.
The call for a public debate comes amid fears the controversial scheme could lead to the axing of Singleton Hospital. There are also fears it will see all services being transferred to Morriston Hospital.
Peter Black, AM for South Wales West, has raised concerns after the Assembly put forward plans for a business park on a site in Felindre which had previously been touted as the location for the super-hospital.
The merger of two hospitals at Morriston Hospital was mooted in a report to Swansea NHS Trust Board last month.
Mr Black said: "There may well be some public support for a new state-of-the-art hospital at a strategically placed location to replace both Morriston and Singleton.
"But I do not believe that this extends to a straightforward merger in which facilities will be withdrawn from the west of Swansea and transferred to Morriston.
"All the discussion on the options is taking place behind closed doors. The trust is already putting in place proposals to transfer some services from Singleton to Morriston without any public consultation.
"We need to have a public debate on the way forward now before we are presented with a fait accompli that cannot be undone."
The new super-hospital, which will cost an estimated £500 million, could see its first patients by 2012.
Health chiefs have insisted Singleton Hospital would still have a role to play and would retain some medical services, including the cancer unit, for at least another decade.
Swansea NHS Trust associate director of corporate services Steve Combe added: "There is already a wide range of close working underway with partners as ideas are being developed.
"The Reshaping Health Services in Swansea (RHSS) project has a programme board, with partner organisations including Swansea Council, Swansea Local Health Board, Swansea Community Health Council, voluntary organisations and Swansea University, overseeing the whole RHSS project.
"With acute hospital services, the Assembly will shortly be given a report about why the current system is unsustainable, and a request will be made to include Swansea in the all-Wales capital budget.
"If that is given approval, an outline business case then has to be developed, which will go into more detail about what the options would be. This will be done early in the new year.
"We will seek to have public involvement in that process and will be launching a formal public consultation.
"In the meantime, we are keeping patients, the public and others informed of progress through a number of channels."
Plans to build a new super-hospital in Swansea must not be made in secret, a city AM has insisted.
The call for a public debate comes amid fears the controversial scheme could lead to the axing of Singleton Hospital. There are also fears it will see all services being transferred to Morriston Hospital.
Peter Black, AM for South Wales West, has raised concerns after the Assembly put forward plans for a business park on a site in Felindre which had previously been touted as the location for the super-hospital.
The merger of two hospitals at Morriston Hospital was mooted in a report to Swansea NHS Trust Board last month.
Mr Black said: "There may well be some public support for a new state-of-the-art hospital at a strategically placed location to replace both Morriston and Singleton.
"But I do not believe that this extends to a straightforward merger in which facilities will be withdrawn from the west of Swansea and transferred to Morriston.
"All the discussion on the options is taking place behind closed doors. The trust is already putting in place proposals to transfer some services from Singleton to Morriston without any public consultation.
"We need to have a public debate on the way forward now before we are presented with a fait accompli that cannot be undone."
The new super-hospital, which will cost an estimated £500 million, could see its first patients by 2012.
Health chiefs have insisted Singleton Hospital would still have a role to play and would retain some medical services, including the cancer unit, for at least another decade.
Swansea NHS Trust associate director of corporate services Steve Combe added: "There is already a wide range of close working underway with partners as ideas are being developed.
"The Reshaping Health Services in Swansea (RHSS) project has a programme board, with partner organisations including Swansea Council, Swansea Local Health Board, Swansea Community Health Council, voluntary organisations and Swansea University, overseeing the whole RHSS project.
"With acute hospital services, the Assembly will shortly be given a report about why the current system is unsustainable, and a request will be made to include Swansea in the all-Wales capital budget.
"If that is given approval, an outline business case then has to be developed, which will go into more detail about what the options would be. This will be done early in the new year.
"We will seek to have public involvement in that process and will be launching a formal public consultation.
"In the meantime, we are keeping patients, the public and others informed of progress through a number of channels."
PORTS FIRM CLIMBS ON BOARD TO MARKET SWANSEA FOR THE FUTURE
South Wales Evening Post - 26 October 2006
Associated British Ports (ABP) is the latest organisation to sign up as a premier partner of Swansea Futures, the new marketing company for the city.
The company joins a host of names including Swansea Council, Cardiff International Airport, Swansea Institute, Admiral and DVLA which have signed up, supporting the company's vision to bring more investment to the city.
Others include the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea University, Morgan Cole and the South Wales Evening Post.
The Port of Swansea handled more than 370,000 tonnes of cargo in the first six months of 2006 and continues to build on its substantial trade base with Northern and Western Europe, the Mediterranean and Ireland.
As premier partner of Swansea Futures, ABP will be entitled to space on Swansea Futures' website and will be featured in the company's regular newsletters.
ABP will also have access to detailed market research facilities, an invitation to specific profile events and other business development opportunities.
John Fitzgerald, port director for ABP South Wales, said: "This is an exciting time for Swansea as we enter a new era for growth and development, and become a city which is recognised for the qualities it can offer to those wishing to live, work, invest and study here.
"At ABP we are keen that we are seen as part of this growth and development, mirroring Swansea's rising profile.
"Through our various business activities, we very much wish to be seen as instrumental in helping to bring Swansea further into the public eye as the place to be - both in terms of job and investment opportunities, but also for the great work-life balance the city offers."
Fiona Rees, executive director of Swansea Futures, said: "I am delighted that a company as high profile as ABP has decided to come on board and be part of the Swansea Futures vision.
"Through the partnership, ABP will now be in a position to access additional resource, insider knowledge and benefits from Swansea Futures, which will stand them in good stead to grow and develop their business within Swansea and the surrounding area."
Associated British Ports (ABP) is the latest organisation to sign up as a premier partner of Swansea Futures, the new marketing company for the city.
The company joins a host of names including Swansea Council, Cardiff International Airport, Swansea Institute, Admiral and DVLA which have signed up, supporting the company's vision to bring more investment to the city.
Others include the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea University, Morgan Cole and the South Wales Evening Post.
The Port of Swansea handled more than 370,000 tonnes of cargo in the first six months of 2006 and continues to build on its substantial trade base with Northern and Western Europe, the Mediterranean and Ireland.
As premier partner of Swansea Futures, ABP will be entitled to space on Swansea Futures' website and will be featured in the company's regular newsletters.
ABP will also have access to detailed market research facilities, an invitation to specific profile events and other business development opportunities.
John Fitzgerald, port director for ABP South Wales, said: "This is an exciting time for Swansea as we enter a new era for growth and development, and become a city which is recognised for the qualities it can offer to those wishing to live, work, invest and study here.
"At ABP we are keen that we are seen as part of this growth and development, mirroring Swansea's rising profile.
"Through our various business activities, we very much wish to be seen as instrumental in helping to bring Swansea further into the public eye as the place to be - both in terms of job and investment opportunities, but also for the great work-life balance the city offers."
Fiona Rees, executive director of Swansea Futures, said: "I am delighted that a company as high profile as ABP has decided to come on board and be part of the Swansea Futures vision.
"Through the partnership, ABP will now be in a position to access additional resource, insider knowledge and benefits from Swansea Futures, which will stand them in good stead to grow and develop their business within Swansea and the surrounding area."
COUNCIL IN MYSTERY TAPE PROBE
South Wales Evening Post - 26 October 2006
Swansea Council has finally confirmed it has been given details of a mystery tape by South Wales Police.
The authority has admitted it was given a transcript of a taped telephone conversation understood to contain serious allegations against senior council people.
But it said that, after a thorough investigation by council officers, no evidence of any wrongdoing had been found.
The Post revealed the tape's existence last week, but Swansea Council refused to answer questions on the issue for more than a fortnight.
Sources told the Post the tape allegedly contained conversations between senior council people talking about land deals and corporate kick-backs.
It also allegedly included a conversation on the needs for councillors to declare an interest when discussing deals.
A source at South Wales Police told the Post: "The council has been given a copy of the tape's contents and is currently looking at what is said."
He added it had not been confirmed who was on the tape, but senior council figures were understood to have had a good idea of their identity.
A council spokesman confirmed officers had passed information to the police related to the tape.
But he stressed that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing.
He said: "The police gave the council a transcript of an anonymous telephone conversation.
"The matter has been thoroughly examined by the council's corporate complaints team and the monitoring officer, who have concluded there is no substance to any of the allegations.
"We will be forwarding our findings to police."
The Post is planning to submit a Freedom of Information request to obtain a copy of the transcript.
Swansea Council has finally confirmed it has been given details of a mystery tape by South Wales Police.
The authority has admitted it was given a transcript of a taped telephone conversation understood to contain serious allegations against senior council people.
But it said that, after a thorough investigation by council officers, no evidence of any wrongdoing had been found.
The Post revealed the tape's existence last week, but Swansea Council refused to answer questions on the issue for more than a fortnight.
Sources told the Post the tape allegedly contained conversations between senior council people talking about land deals and corporate kick-backs.
It also allegedly included a conversation on the needs for councillors to declare an interest when discussing deals.
A source at South Wales Police told the Post: "The council has been given a copy of the tape's contents and is currently looking at what is said."
He added it had not been confirmed who was on the tape, but senior council figures were understood to have had a good idea of their identity.
A council spokesman confirmed officers had passed information to the police related to the tape.
But he stressed that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing.
He said: "The police gave the council a transcript of an anonymous telephone conversation.
"The matter has been thoroughly examined by the council's corporate complaints team and the monitoring officer, who have concluded there is no substance to any of the allegations.
"We will be forwarding our findings to police."
The Post is planning to submit a Freedom of Information request to obtain a copy of the transcript.
Buses bend all the rules
Editorial – South Wales Evening Post – 25 October 2006
Swansea Council insists on calling them Street Cars.
To the rest of us they are bendy buses. The leader of the Labour opposition at County Hall says they are trams in disguise. Whatever you call them, they are attracting controversy.
They could hardly do otherwise when half of the city centre is torn up to accommodate them. And now it is claimed all the pain will result in precious little gain.
Labour, looking back at its own feasibility studies for a city tram system, says the new scheme is sure to fail financially. It also raises questions about the city’s physical ability to handle the leviathans of the road.
Unsurprisingly, the council insists the scheme will prove to be a success. By which, w presume, it means the buses will encourage a lot more people living along the route from Morriston to Mumbles to travel by pubic transport, thereby reducing the number of cars on these roads.
Of course, we hope that it is correct, and that the bendy buses go on to play a full role in a sustainable and integrated city transport system.
And that is where we echo some of Labour’s concerns about this one scheme attracting a disproportionate amount of funding, at the expense of other parts of the system.
Swansea Council insists on calling them Street Cars.
To the rest of us they are bendy buses. The leader of the Labour opposition at County Hall says they are trams in disguise. Whatever you call them, they are attracting controversy.
They could hardly do otherwise when half of the city centre is torn up to accommodate them. And now it is claimed all the pain will result in precious little gain.
Labour, looking back at its own feasibility studies for a city tram system, says the new scheme is sure to fail financially. It also raises questions about the city’s physical ability to handle the leviathans of the road.
Unsurprisingly, the council insists the scheme will prove to be a success. By which, w presume, it means the buses will encourage a lot more people living along the route from Morriston to Mumbles to travel by pubic transport, thereby reducing the number of cars on these roads.
Of course, we hope that it is correct, and that the bendy buses go on to play a full role in a sustainable and integrated city transport system.
And that is where we echo some of Labour’s concerns about this one scheme attracting a disproportionate amount of funding, at the expense of other parts of the system.
STATION PRIORITY FOR CITY
South Wales Evening Post - 25 October 2006
Widespread confusion is being caused by the roadworks and one-way system resulting from the decision to introduce bendy buses.
Predictably this has seriously damaged everyday business in the city.
Swansea still does not have a long-term strategy for traffic management.Correspondents and your own editorials continually plead for an end to the insanity of incessant roadworks and traffic jams.
The new City Centre Strategic Framework fails to address the need for an integrated public transport system.
Bus services to and from Swansea from local and outlying areas are actually quite good; albeit many evening services are poor.
However, it was once said that all roads lead to Rome! In Swansea, all bus services end up at the Quadrant, which was built as a city centre terminus for shoppers.
If you want to travel by rail, it is difficult. The Quadrant is roughly 1km from the railway station in High Street.
You have to be young, fit and fearless to risk the walk, particularly at night. In practice, those wanting to travel by rail have no option but to use their cars, get dropped off or get a taxi.
Apparently, about 1.25 million passengers pass through High Street Station each year. This must be a business opportunity.
A coherent public transport infrastructure is vital for economic and social development and seamless direct bus-train connections are essential in modern cities. Locating a bus terminus at a railway station has obvious advantages in saved car journeys and in reducing environmental pollution.
It is urgent that a clear strategy be developed and this will require a major rethink of how people are transported to, from and around Swansea by public transport.
The strategic plan has nothing to offer on public bus services and the bus-rail link.
The Quadrant Bus Station is a grotty relic of the 1970s and its condition is a public disgrace.Swansea needs to follow the example of other cities and build a new bus terminus at High Street Station where all bus services would start and finish.
The much delayed plan to modernise the Quadrant Bus Station should be abandoned completely.
A smaller drop-off and pick-up satellite bus station should be built instead from which all bus services would link to High Street Station.
The projected bus terminus with its promised airport lounge experience should be built at High Street Station on the existing car park at New Orchard Street.
That really would make a public statement to the world outside about the ambitions of Swansea.
Connection between bus and rail would then be painless. Also we wouldn't have to fight over taxis after returning from rugby matches at Cardiff.The bus terminus at Cardiff was relocated to the railway station a long time ago. Is it beyond Swansea to catch up?
No doubt, our local AM Andrew Davies has his office in High Street so that he can easily commute to Cardiff.
Moving the bus terminus to High Street Station would be a fundamental but logical change in the public transport system.Planning of road networks within the city should be facilitated in future.
Could we then envisage an inner city ring road with one-way traffic along Oystermouth as part of the regenerated distinctive European waterfront city?
Alcwyn T Price,Manselfield Road, Murton
Widespread confusion is being caused by the roadworks and one-way system resulting from the decision to introduce bendy buses.
Predictably this has seriously damaged everyday business in the city.
Swansea still does not have a long-term strategy for traffic management.Correspondents and your own editorials continually plead for an end to the insanity of incessant roadworks and traffic jams.
The new City Centre Strategic Framework fails to address the need for an integrated public transport system.
Bus services to and from Swansea from local and outlying areas are actually quite good; albeit many evening services are poor.
However, it was once said that all roads lead to Rome! In Swansea, all bus services end up at the Quadrant, which was built as a city centre terminus for shoppers.
If you want to travel by rail, it is difficult. The Quadrant is roughly 1km from the railway station in High Street.
You have to be young, fit and fearless to risk the walk, particularly at night. In practice, those wanting to travel by rail have no option but to use their cars, get dropped off or get a taxi.
Apparently, about 1.25 million passengers pass through High Street Station each year. This must be a business opportunity.
A coherent public transport infrastructure is vital for economic and social development and seamless direct bus-train connections are essential in modern cities. Locating a bus terminus at a railway station has obvious advantages in saved car journeys and in reducing environmental pollution.
It is urgent that a clear strategy be developed and this will require a major rethink of how people are transported to, from and around Swansea by public transport.
The strategic plan has nothing to offer on public bus services and the bus-rail link.
The Quadrant Bus Station is a grotty relic of the 1970s and its condition is a public disgrace.Swansea needs to follow the example of other cities and build a new bus terminus at High Street Station where all bus services would start and finish.
The much delayed plan to modernise the Quadrant Bus Station should be abandoned completely.
A smaller drop-off and pick-up satellite bus station should be built instead from which all bus services would link to High Street Station.
The projected bus terminus with its promised airport lounge experience should be built at High Street Station on the existing car park at New Orchard Street.
That really would make a public statement to the world outside about the ambitions of Swansea.
Connection between bus and rail would then be painless. Also we wouldn't have to fight over taxis after returning from rugby matches at Cardiff.The bus terminus at Cardiff was relocated to the railway station a long time ago. Is it beyond Swansea to catch up?
No doubt, our local AM Andrew Davies has his office in High Street so that he can easily commute to Cardiff.
Moving the bus terminus to High Street Station would be a fundamental but logical change in the public transport system.Planning of road networks within the city should be facilitated in future.
Could we then envisage an inner city ring road with one-way traffic along Oystermouth as part of the regenerated distinctive European waterfront city?
Alcwyn T Price,Manselfield Road, Murton
COUNCIL 'ROUND THE BEND' ON COST OF BUSES
South Wales Evening Post - 25 October 2006
Swansea's new bendy bus system is doomed to lose money, political opponents of the scheme have claimed.
Council Labour group leader David Phillips has accused the ruling Lib-Dem administration of being obsessed with introducing the new Metro buses at any cost.
He insisted a similar idea had been rejected by the previous Labour-run council amid fears it would never get the money back.
But his claims have been dismissed by council bosses who insist the project will be a success.
Councillor Phillips said: "The idea of having a tram system was something the previous Labour administration looked at. But the sheer economics of the whole thing meant it wouldn't work.
"We could never hope to make it stand up.
"Now a massive amount of money is being spent on this new scheme but it will be of very limited value.
"The whole idea is to shave eight minutes off the journey time from Morriston to the city centre."The aim is to take it into the city centre, on to County Hall and on again to Mumbles.
"There are continuing rumours that it won't be able to turn round in Morriston or Mumbles and that it can't get into County Hall or the Quadrant bus station.
"In any event, it will only benefit those living directly on that route.
"I think the whole thing is a folly.
"There's no value for money in it. The money would be better spent improving bus services right across Swansea.
"This is all about satisfying the Lib-Dems' passion for trams.
"Yet in London, bendy buses are being withdrawn because of the havoc they cause to traffic."
Infrastructure work is underway as part of the £10 million plan to introduce a bendy bus system to the city.
The Kingsway is currently being transformed with two special bus lanes being laid down.
The fleet of ten 18.7-metre bendy buses is expected to be operating by 2008.
The council has dismissed rumours of problems with the scheme.
Councillor John Hague, cabinet member for environment, said: "Councillor Phillips has no idea what he is talking about."The facts are quite clear. The feasibility work for the Metro was undertaken with international consultants Ove Arup. First Group staff were also involved. They tell us the route from Morriston to Mumbles is the best StreetCar route in the UK.
"Access to County Hall will be straightforward. StreetCar has already visited it twice on test and the planned improvements to access will make it even easier, especially for wheelchair users.
"Councilllor Phillips is irresponsible to claim the StreetCar will not be able to turn at Morriston or Mumbles. It will."
Your Views
Some clown obviously thinks that the bendy bus will replace the Mumbles Train. But that vehicle didnt have to turn around, did it? Time that the cabinet were given a non-return ticket home.
Jimmy D, Mumbles
No-one asked us if we wanted this bus or if we were happy to see Swansea city centre ripped up to smooth out the bends. Why isnt all this money being spent to build a bus terminus alongside High street station. What a shower!
andrew powell, Swansea
I agree that something needs to be done to tackle congestion but these buses are not the answer. Swansea Council is wasting public money on an expensive gimmick.
Yvonne, Swansea
Our bus service was taken away nearly a year ago leaving families stranded in their communities. What possible use or value is this bendy-bus going to be to us?
Geraldine Evans, Birchgrove
Consultants will tell you anything you wnat to hear as long as you pay them enough. They probably told Mr Hague that dumping the Slip Bridge on the seafront was a good idea too.
Jason Davies, Swansea
The whole scheme is doomed to become an expensive disaster. We need smaller, more regular buses serving all our communities. Not these hulking great things which need millions spent to 'imporve' perfectly good streets. The council have been conned.
Keith, Morriston
Where on earth is this monstrosity of a bus going to turn around in Mumbles?
Leslie, Mumbles
Swansea's new bendy bus system is doomed to lose money, political opponents of the scheme have claimed.
Council Labour group leader David Phillips has accused the ruling Lib-Dem administration of being obsessed with introducing the new Metro buses at any cost.
He insisted a similar idea had been rejected by the previous Labour-run council amid fears it would never get the money back.
But his claims have been dismissed by council bosses who insist the project will be a success.
Councillor Phillips said: "The idea of having a tram system was something the previous Labour administration looked at. But the sheer economics of the whole thing meant it wouldn't work.
"We could never hope to make it stand up.
"Now a massive amount of money is being spent on this new scheme but it will be of very limited value.
"The whole idea is to shave eight minutes off the journey time from Morriston to the city centre."The aim is to take it into the city centre, on to County Hall and on again to Mumbles.
"There are continuing rumours that it won't be able to turn round in Morriston or Mumbles and that it can't get into County Hall or the Quadrant bus station.
"In any event, it will only benefit those living directly on that route.
"I think the whole thing is a folly.
"There's no value for money in it. The money would be better spent improving bus services right across Swansea.
"This is all about satisfying the Lib-Dems' passion for trams.
"Yet in London, bendy buses are being withdrawn because of the havoc they cause to traffic."
Infrastructure work is underway as part of the £10 million plan to introduce a bendy bus system to the city.
The Kingsway is currently being transformed with two special bus lanes being laid down.
The fleet of ten 18.7-metre bendy buses is expected to be operating by 2008.
The council has dismissed rumours of problems with the scheme.
Councillor John Hague, cabinet member for environment, said: "Councillor Phillips has no idea what he is talking about."The facts are quite clear. The feasibility work for the Metro was undertaken with international consultants Ove Arup. First Group staff were also involved. They tell us the route from Morriston to Mumbles is the best StreetCar route in the UK.
"Access to County Hall will be straightforward. StreetCar has already visited it twice on test and the planned improvements to access will make it even easier, especially for wheelchair users.
"Councilllor Phillips is irresponsible to claim the StreetCar will not be able to turn at Morriston or Mumbles. It will."
Your Views
Some clown obviously thinks that the bendy bus will replace the Mumbles Train. But that vehicle didnt have to turn around, did it? Time that the cabinet were given a non-return ticket home.
Jimmy D, Mumbles
No-one asked us if we wanted this bus or if we were happy to see Swansea city centre ripped up to smooth out the bends. Why isnt all this money being spent to build a bus terminus alongside High street station. What a shower!
andrew powell, Swansea
I agree that something needs to be done to tackle congestion but these buses are not the answer. Swansea Council is wasting public money on an expensive gimmick.
Yvonne, Swansea
Our bus service was taken away nearly a year ago leaving families stranded in their communities. What possible use or value is this bendy-bus going to be to us?
Geraldine Evans, Birchgrove
Consultants will tell you anything you wnat to hear as long as you pay them enough. They probably told Mr Hague that dumping the Slip Bridge on the seafront was a good idea too.
Jason Davies, Swansea
The whole scheme is doomed to become an expensive disaster. We need smaller, more regular buses serving all our communities. Not these hulking great things which need millions spent to 'imporve' perfectly good streets. The council have been conned.
Keith, Morriston
Where on earth is this monstrosity of a bus going to turn around in Mumbles?
Leslie, Mumbles
TOP BOWLS CENTRE ON THE CARDS
South Wales Evening Post - 25 October 2006
Planning permission is finally being sought for a world-class indoor bowls centre.Swansea Council's cabinet has agreed to submit a detailed planning application for the development at the former BSC Landore Sports Ground.
The new site lies between Landore, the Liberty Stadium and Morfa shopping centre.
Council bosses said the planned facility would be capable of hosting national and international competitions, and hoped it would be ready next autumn.
It has been three years since Swansea lost its hugely popular indoor bowls venue, when the axe fell on the leisure centre.
It was closed after it was revealed to be in a hazardous state due to a lack of maintenance.
Since then, a number of options were considered for the redevelopment.
Swansea Council cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, councillor Gerald Clement, said: "The submission of this planning application enables us to take a significant step towards creating a new indoor bowls facility on an ideal site for such a facility."
Council leader Chris Holley said: "This is excellent news. It is a credit to everyone involved that we have now reached this important stage."
Planning permission is finally being sought for a world-class indoor bowls centre.Swansea Council's cabinet has agreed to submit a detailed planning application for the development at the former BSC Landore Sports Ground.
The new site lies between Landore, the Liberty Stadium and Morfa shopping centre.
Council bosses said the planned facility would be capable of hosting national and international competitions, and hoped it would be ready next autumn.
It has been three years since Swansea lost its hugely popular indoor bowls venue, when the axe fell on the leisure centre.
It was closed after it was revealed to be in a hazardous state due to a lack of maintenance.
Since then, a number of options were considered for the redevelopment.
Swansea Council cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, councillor Gerald Clement, said: "The submission of this planning application enables us to take a significant step towards creating a new indoor bowls facility on an ideal site for such a facility."
Council leader Chris Holley said: "This is excellent news. It is a credit to everyone involved that we have now reached this important stage."
TAXPAYERS SHARE COST OF PARTY FOR EX-BOSS
South Wales Evening Post - 21 October 2006
Taxpayers have picked up part of the bill for a farewell bash for one of Swansea Council's top bosses.
Bob Carter (pictured) has spent 25 years serving Swansea and capped it off with a party at the Dylan Thomas Centre on Tuesday.
Council bosses paid £400 towards the party for the outgoing acting chief executive.
Mr Carter was deputy chief executive until earlier this year.
He was asked to step in as acting chief executive when Tim Thorogood was axed after a planning row.
Mr Carter had to postpone his retirement until new chief executive Paul Smith could take the reins.
The retirement party was attended by councillors, officers and other guests.
Mr Carter held a number of top posts at both Swansea Council and its forerunner West Glamorgan.
He was Swansea Council's first director of finance in 1995 before being appointed deputy chief executive in 2002.
Mr Carter said: "I've enjoyed a long career in Swansea alongside many colleagues over the years to try to make a difference to all our local communities.
"My wife, too, for 19 years gave a whole generation of Loughor schoolchildren a stimulating and caring start to their formal education.
"I'm fortunate enough to have had a tremendous support from my talented and hard working colleagues in finance and elsewhere in the council.
"I've also enjoyed constructive relationships with many councillors, past and present, during the past 25 years."
Council leader Chris Holley said: "Bob has been a fantastic servant to local government and the people of Swansea for the past 25 years.
"We have been fortunate in Swansea to benefit from Bob's vast experience and knowledge.
"He has consistently improved the way we manage our finances to provide the people of Swansea with the best value for their money."
Taxpayers have picked up part of the bill for a farewell bash for one of Swansea Council's top bosses.
Bob Carter (pictured) has spent 25 years serving Swansea and capped it off with a party at the Dylan Thomas Centre on Tuesday.
Council bosses paid £400 towards the party for the outgoing acting chief executive.
Mr Carter was deputy chief executive until earlier this year.
He was asked to step in as acting chief executive when Tim Thorogood was axed after a planning row.
Mr Carter had to postpone his retirement until new chief executive Paul Smith could take the reins.
The retirement party was attended by councillors, officers and other guests.
Mr Carter held a number of top posts at both Swansea Council and its forerunner West Glamorgan.
He was Swansea Council's first director of finance in 1995 before being appointed deputy chief executive in 2002.
Mr Carter said: "I've enjoyed a long career in Swansea alongside many colleagues over the years to try to make a difference to all our local communities.
"My wife, too, for 19 years gave a whole generation of Loughor schoolchildren a stimulating and caring start to their formal education.
"I'm fortunate enough to have had a tremendous support from my talented and hard working colleagues in finance and elsewhere in the council.
"I've also enjoyed constructive relationships with many councillors, past and present, during the past 25 years."
Council leader Chris Holley said: "Bob has been a fantastic servant to local government and the people of Swansea for the past 25 years.
"We have been fortunate in Swansea to benefit from Bob's vast experience and knowledge.
"He has consistently improved the way we manage our finances to provide the people of Swansea with the best value for their money."
QUESTIONS ASKED IN IT PROJECT ROW
South Wales Evening Post - 17 October 2006
The company behind Swansea Council's controversial £83 million IT system is to be asked to explain why first-year saving targets are down by 70 per cent.
Councillor Rene Kinzett is chairman of the council's eGovernment working party. He has asked IT bosses to explain why the system is failing to meet first-year savings targets of £711,000.
Last week, the Post revealed that savings from the Capgemini scheme could be down by as much as £500,000 in its first full year.
When the deal was signed in January, councillors were told that projected savings worth millions of pounds would help pay for the computer system.
Councillor Kinzett said: "The fact is savings are not as good as they should be. I am concerned because councillors were told that the savings were a conservative estimate.
"We were told that this was the base-case scenario, but after less than 12 months we are being told that it is nowhere near hitting those targets.
"Councillors are here to scrutinise how taxpayers' money is spent. We are taxpayers ourselves and we are very aware of the need to provide value for money."
Councillor Kinzett has now written to Capgemini, the company that is running the IT system, inviting bosses to explain why targets are being missed.
Your Views
Its a bit late to be asking these questions now. Why wasn't this committee doing a better job before the contracts were signed? Will there be an investigation and will we be reading that the person responsible has been allowed to resign with another £60,000 pay-off?
Alison, Uplands
Unlike many of his colleagues, Councillor Kinzett is a capable politician. This is why he is now distancing himself from an electoral disaster called Service@Swansea.
Leigh Jeffreys, Kenfig
First the council overspends nearly three million in the first quarter and then we read that estmates of projected "savings" are nt coming through. Meanwhile, the council cannot sweep the streets properly. Heads should roll over this.
Oliver, Swansea
Rene Kinzett is a spokesman for the ruling political coalition. If he doesn't know why a project that he has personally defended is not delivering anything like the promised savings then he should stand down.
Jason, Swansea
The company behind Swansea Council's controversial £83 million IT system is to be asked to explain why first-year saving targets are down by 70 per cent.
Councillor Rene Kinzett is chairman of the council's eGovernment working party. He has asked IT bosses to explain why the system is failing to meet first-year savings targets of £711,000.
Last week, the Post revealed that savings from the Capgemini scheme could be down by as much as £500,000 in its first full year.
When the deal was signed in January, councillors were told that projected savings worth millions of pounds would help pay for the computer system.
Councillor Kinzett said: "The fact is savings are not as good as they should be. I am concerned because councillors were told that the savings were a conservative estimate.
"We were told that this was the base-case scenario, but after less than 12 months we are being told that it is nowhere near hitting those targets.
"Councillors are here to scrutinise how taxpayers' money is spent. We are taxpayers ourselves and we are very aware of the need to provide value for money."
Councillor Kinzett has now written to Capgemini, the company that is running the IT system, inviting bosses to explain why targets are being missed.
Your Views
Its a bit late to be asking these questions now. Why wasn't this committee doing a better job before the contracts were signed? Will there be an investigation and will we be reading that the person responsible has been allowed to resign with another £60,000 pay-off?
Alison, Uplands
Unlike many of his colleagues, Councillor Kinzett is a capable politician. This is why he is now distancing himself from an electoral disaster called Service@Swansea.
Leigh Jeffreys, Kenfig
First the council overspends nearly three million in the first quarter and then we read that estmates of projected "savings" are nt coming through. Meanwhile, the council cannot sweep the streets properly. Heads should roll over this.
Oliver, Swansea
Rene Kinzett is a spokesman for the ruling political coalition. If he doesn't know why a project that he has personally defended is not delivering anything like the promised savings then he should stand down.
Jason, Swansea
'UNITE FOR CITY TO MOVE ON'
South Wales Evening Post - 14 October 2006
This is the new top man at Swansea Council.
Paul Smith joined the council as its new £150,000-a-year chief executive at the start of this month.
Mr Smith, aged 52, joins Swansea from Gloucester City Council where he spent five years as managing director.
As head of Swansea Council he will be in charge of a £330 million annual budget and around 12,000 staff.
The figures dwarf those of Gloucester City Council, where the annual budget was just £16 million and the workforce was less than 1,000.
But Mr Smith is not phased by the prospect of taking charge at Swansea Council.
He said: "I am the fifth chief executive that Swansea has had in the last four or five years.
"There was Viv Sugar, who left in 2002, then we had an acting chief exec, then Tim Thorogood, then another acting chief exec, and now me.
"In that time that could have been very dysfunctional for any organisation.
"But during that time our performances at Swansea have improved. Most of the evidence shows improvements despite such a lot of turnover.
"So we have to ask what is the chief executive's role?.
"It is not to dabble in the detail so much as I did in Gloucester. That was much smaller, but here there is scope to set out a clear vision.
"I think everyone who is here recognises the role they play and do not need me to point it out."
Mr Smith said he realised the council was here to deliver services to the public.
"People do look to the council for answers. Every day the Evening Post is full of letters asking 'What is the council going to do about this issue or that issue?'
"I think it is my role to assist councillors help set budgets and form policies. I should set the context to allow those policies to be implemented in an efficient, customer-focused way."
The way to achieve that was to have staff working for a common goal, according to Mr Smith.
"We have 12,000 staff working for us. If you include their families that's 30,000 people in the city and with their friends as well you can see that it touches lives.
"There is the opportunity for all our staff to be ambassadors for the city and for the council.
"What I would like is for all our staff to know that it is one council so people who work here see others, including those in different departments, as colleagues, and seek the common objective of improving the lives of residents and visitors to Swansea.
"I want them to be the eyes and ears of the council."
Mr Smith has seen very little of Swansea since taking up his post on October 2.
However, he remembers the city from his time as a housing officer at Cardiff Council.
His wife, Keri, grew up in Pontardawe, and the family would holiday in the area.
He is currently living with Keri's parents in Pontardawe before finding a home in the city.
He said: "I know Swansea fairly well because of Keri's parents. It's her home area so we have been coming here for many years.
"We would go for walks on Gower and I remember watching football matches at The Vetch when Colchester played.
"When I was working in Cardiff we would come down to use the leisure centre because it was so much better than what was on offer elsewhere.
"What strikes me now is that there cannot be many cities in the UK that have such a fantastic natural environment. That is a huge advantage for it from the start."
Mr Smith refused to be drawn on his predecessor Tim Thorogood, who left at the start of this year after a planning wrangle.
He said: "I have got no remit, or wish, to make a judgement on any previous chief executive.
"We are different people and we bring different strengths and weaknesses to the role.
"I do not like new bosses who come into an organisation and assume that what they are inheriting is wrong, or bad or underperforming."
This is the new top man at Swansea Council.
Paul Smith joined the council as its new £150,000-a-year chief executive at the start of this month.
Mr Smith, aged 52, joins Swansea from Gloucester City Council where he spent five years as managing director.
As head of Swansea Council he will be in charge of a £330 million annual budget and around 12,000 staff.
The figures dwarf those of Gloucester City Council, where the annual budget was just £16 million and the workforce was less than 1,000.
But Mr Smith is not phased by the prospect of taking charge at Swansea Council.
He said: "I am the fifth chief executive that Swansea has had in the last four or five years.
"There was Viv Sugar, who left in 2002, then we had an acting chief exec, then Tim Thorogood, then another acting chief exec, and now me.
"In that time that could have been very dysfunctional for any organisation.
"But during that time our performances at Swansea have improved. Most of the evidence shows improvements despite such a lot of turnover.
"So we have to ask what is the chief executive's role?.
"It is not to dabble in the detail so much as I did in Gloucester. That was much smaller, but here there is scope to set out a clear vision.
"I think everyone who is here recognises the role they play and do not need me to point it out."
Mr Smith said he realised the council was here to deliver services to the public.
"People do look to the council for answers. Every day the Evening Post is full of letters asking 'What is the council going to do about this issue or that issue?'
"I think it is my role to assist councillors help set budgets and form policies. I should set the context to allow those policies to be implemented in an efficient, customer-focused way."
The way to achieve that was to have staff working for a common goal, according to Mr Smith.
"We have 12,000 staff working for us. If you include their families that's 30,000 people in the city and with their friends as well you can see that it touches lives.
"There is the opportunity for all our staff to be ambassadors for the city and for the council.
"What I would like is for all our staff to know that it is one council so people who work here see others, including those in different departments, as colleagues, and seek the common objective of improving the lives of residents and visitors to Swansea.
"I want them to be the eyes and ears of the council."
Mr Smith has seen very little of Swansea since taking up his post on October 2.
However, he remembers the city from his time as a housing officer at Cardiff Council.
His wife, Keri, grew up in Pontardawe, and the family would holiday in the area.
He is currently living with Keri's parents in Pontardawe before finding a home in the city.
He said: "I know Swansea fairly well because of Keri's parents. It's her home area so we have been coming here for many years.
"We would go for walks on Gower and I remember watching football matches at The Vetch when Colchester played.
"When I was working in Cardiff we would come down to use the leisure centre because it was so much better than what was on offer elsewhere.
"What strikes me now is that there cannot be many cities in the UK that have such a fantastic natural environment. That is a huge advantage for it from the start."
Mr Smith refused to be drawn on his predecessor Tim Thorogood, who left at the start of this year after a planning wrangle.
He said: "I have got no remit, or wish, to make a judgement on any previous chief executive.
"We are different people and we bring different strengths and weaknesses to the role.
"I do not like new bosses who come into an organisation and assume that what they are inheriting is wrong, or bad or underperforming."
COUNCIL SILENT ON CLAIMS OF MYSTERY TAPE
South Wales Evening Post - 14 October 2006
Swansea Council is refusing to comment over claims of a mysterious tape given to them by police.
Sources at the council say it contains senior people at the authority discussing deals and alleged corporate kickbacks.
But despite repeated requests for information by the Evening Post for more than two week, Swansea Council is remaining silent.
The Post has asked the council to confirm whether it has the tape or a transcript, who is on it, what is said and whether it will be investigating its contents.
That was on September 26, but the Post has had no reply.
Police sources told the Post details of the tape had been passed to the council after it was handed to detectives anonymously.
A source at South Wales Police said: "The council has been given a copy of the tape's contents and it is currently looking at what is said."
He added it had not been confirmed who was on the tape.
A Swansea Council source told the Post those on the tape talked about senior council figures and their role in deals and councillors' need to declare an interest in those deals.
The source said: "There is definitely a transcript of the tape at County Hall.
"From what I have been told the tape doesn't contain anything untoward, but the council seems worried about it for some reason.
"The tape contains two people talking, one is giving information and seems to be a council insider and uses a lot of jargon and they are talking about deals and corporate kickbacks and names are named."
The Post is planning to submit a Freedom of Information request in an attempt to obtain a copy of the transcript.
Swansea Council is refusing to comment over claims of a mysterious tape given to them by police.
Sources at the council say it contains senior people at the authority discussing deals and alleged corporate kickbacks.
But despite repeated requests for information by the Evening Post for more than two week, Swansea Council is remaining silent.
The Post has asked the council to confirm whether it has the tape or a transcript, who is on it, what is said and whether it will be investigating its contents.
That was on September 26, but the Post has had no reply.
Police sources told the Post details of the tape had been passed to the council after it was handed to detectives anonymously.
A source at South Wales Police said: "The council has been given a copy of the tape's contents and it is currently looking at what is said."
He added it had not been confirmed who was on the tape.
A Swansea Council source told the Post those on the tape talked about senior council figures and their role in deals and councillors' need to declare an interest in those deals.
The source said: "There is definitely a transcript of the tape at County Hall.
"From what I have been told the tape doesn't contain anything untoward, but the council seems worried about it for some reason.
"The tape contains two people talking, one is giving information and seems to be a council insider and uses a lot of jargon and they are talking about deals and corporate kickbacks and names are named."
The Post is planning to submit a Freedom of Information request in an attempt to obtain a copy of the transcript.
£2.9M COUNCIL OVERSPENDING 'IS GOOD SIGN'
South Wales Evening Post - 13 October 2006
Swansea Council leaders have shrugged off a projected overspend of almost £3 million.
Just three months into this year's spending plan, department heads have been told that spending will have to be cut in order to prevent the council going over budget by £2.9 million.
Six departments are forecast to go over budget, but council chiefs have denied it will lead to staff or service cuts.
Councillor John Newbury, head of finance at Swansea Council, said the fact the overspend had been uncovered was a good sign.
"We are continuing to make improvements to the way we manage the council's finances," said Councillor Newbury.
"Any potential issues are quickly flagged up and discussed so that there are no nasty surprises.
"Spending forecasts in June estimated that there could be a £2.9 million overspend by the end of the year.
"It is important to recognise this is only a forecast, and the information is vital.
"It means we are now in a strong position to take necessary steps during the coming months to ensure this forecast does not materialise."
The council's education department is facing an overspend of more than £2 million. The chief executive's office has a predicted overspend of £529,000, including £115,000 on legal services.
The council could not give specifics about how spending would be reduced, but a spokesman said department heads had been told to "tighten their belts".
This means reducing spending on services that are not used by the public. It could also mean leaving departments short-staffed by leaving vacancies open.
Despite the £3 million shortfall, which is just under one per cent of the council's annual £330 million budget, Councillor Newbury believes taxpayers should welcome the news.
He said: "This proves that our financial management systems are robust. Last year we saved more than £8 million, which has been invested for the future.
"Our improving financial management should give the people of Swansea greater confidence that taxpayers' money is being properly managed by the council and public services are being protected."
Council leaders announced £5 million worth of service cuts when the budget was first revealed in March this year.
Opposition leader Councillor David Phillips said: "Councillor Newbury has shown his usual understanding of finances by claiming that a £3 million overspend is good news, and a demonstration of proper financial management."
Resident Phillip Towers, aged 41, of Manselton, said: "This might only be small change to them, but for ordinary taxpayers it's a huge amount. Council tax went up last year, and if they can't balance the books we'll all be paying more next year."
Your Views
I am told that Swansea Council is already maxed out on borrowing and is having to make cuts. Now we find that they cany control day to day spending either. If I ran my business in the same reckless fashion then I would be closing up in a matter of weeks. People like John Newbury have absolutely no prior experience of running a large organisation.
Janice, Brynmil
Let's be absolutely clear about this. The overspend, and its a lot more than what we're being told, is ENTIRELY down to the huge costs for Service@Swansea. As we have already seen, things are not going to get any better as "savings" prove to be illusory. It will be us mugs who end up paying higher council tax for less services again!
Martin, Swansea
Councillor Newbury is the Head of Finance so it's incredible that he uses the term 'uncovered' as it's his job to ensure the SCC is within budget. He should of flagged it when they went £1.00 over.
Paul M, Swansea City
I'm absolutely gobsmacked by Mr Newbury's comments that this overspend should be seen as a good thing. I really think our Councillors have lost all sense of reality. So far since they have been in power they have cut services, with more on the way including the collection of rubbish fortnightly, and put up taxes. Bring back Labour and i never thought i'd say that.
David Stein, Derlwyn
Swansea Council leaders have shrugged off a projected overspend of almost £3 million.
Just three months into this year's spending plan, department heads have been told that spending will have to be cut in order to prevent the council going over budget by £2.9 million.
Six departments are forecast to go over budget, but council chiefs have denied it will lead to staff or service cuts.
Councillor John Newbury, head of finance at Swansea Council, said the fact the overspend had been uncovered was a good sign.
"We are continuing to make improvements to the way we manage the council's finances," said Councillor Newbury.
"Any potential issues are quickly flagged up and discussed so that there are no nasty surprises.
"Spending forecasts in June estimated that there could be a £2.9 million overspend by the end of the year.
"It is important to recognise this is only a forecast, and the information is vital.
"It means we are now in a strong position to take necessary steps during the coming months to ensure this forecast does not materialise."
The council's education department is facing an overspend of more than £2 million. The chief executive's office has a predicted overspend of £529,000, including £115,000 on legal services.
The council could not give specifics about how spending would be reduced, but a spokesman said department heads had been told to "tighten their belts".
This means reducing spending on services that are not used by the public. It could also mean leaving departments short-staffed by leaving vacancies open.
Despite the £3 million shortfall, which is just under one per cent of the council's annual £330 million budget, Councillor Newbury believes taxpayers should welcome the news.
He said: "This proves that our financial management systems are robust. Last year we saved more than £8 million, which has been invested for the future.
"Our improving financial management should give the people of Swansea greater confidence that taxpayers' money is being properly managed by the council and public services are being protected."
Council leaders announced £5 million worth of service cuts when the budget was first revealed in March this year.
Opposition leader Councillor David Phillips said: "Councillor Newbury has shown his usual understanding of finances by claiming that a £3 million overspend is good news, and a demonstration of proper financial management."
Resident Phillip Towers, aged 41, of Manselton, said: "This might only be small change to them, but for ordinary taxpayers it's a huge amount. Council tax went up last year, and if they can't balance the books we'll all be paying more next year."
Your Views
I am told that Swansea Council is already maxed out on borrowing and is having to make cuts. Now we find that they cany control day to day spending either. If I ran my business in the same reckless fashion then I would be closing up in a matter of weeks. People like John Newbury have absolutely no prior experience of running a large organisation.
Janice, Brynmil
Let's be absolutely clear about this. The overspend, and its a lot more than what we're being told, is ENTIRELY down to the huge costs for Service@Swansea. As we have already seen, things are not going to get any better as "savings" prove to be illusory. It will be us mugs who end up paying higher council tax for less services again!
Martin, Swansea
Councillor Newbury is the Head of Finance so it's incredible that he uses the term 'uncovered' as it's his job to ensure the SCC is within budget. He should of flagged it when they went £1.00 over.
Paul M, Swansea City
I'm absolutely gobsmacked by Mr Newbury's comments that this overspend should be seen as a good thing. I really think our Councillors have lost all sense of reality. So far since they have been in power they have cut services, with more on the way including the collection of rubbish fortnightly, and put up taxes. Bring back Labour and i never thought i'd say that.
David Stein, Derlwyn
SEEING RED OVER GREEN BLUEPRINT
South Wales Evening Post - 13 October 2006
Hi-tech, cutting edge, state-of-the-art and world class, that is how the city council describes blueprints for the revamped Swansea Leisure Centre.
Details have been kept strictly under wraps for reasons of commercial confidentiality - police say the Taffia will try to steal them - and it was a condition of the contract that details be kept watertight.
"It was leaks about the leisure centre pool which finished off our Labour predecessors," gushed council leader Chris Holley at the signing ceremony.
Today, however, I can exclusively reveal for the first time that the blueprints for the new centre, which arrived in a plain brown envelope, in fact are strongly tinged with green.
Take heating. Out go the conventional boilers whose deterioration got councillor Lawrence Bailey and his Labour chums into such hot water, and in comes a revolutionary new system devised by the boffins at Technium IVc.
Using a ground-breaking hi-tech link between the leisure centre and County Hall - the old gas pipe they've spent months replacing - hot air will be pumped direct to the leisure centre from the council chamber.
"So long as there are councillors in the council chamber, there will be no shortage of supply," note the consultants.
In the unlikely event that back-up heating is needed, it will be provided by a special biomass boiler fuelled by mountains of unread minutes of council meetings and back copies of the Swansea Leader.
As for electricity, the centre will be entirely self-sufficient, and we're not talking about a couple of wind turbines perched on the roof, either! Thanks to the experts at Swansea's Digi-Tum, or Digital Technium IIIb, all the equipment in the fitness suites - treadmills, rowing machines, weights, exercise bikes, the lot - will connect with a series of mini-turbines to provide all the power the centre could need, with any surplus sold on to the National Grid.
And if ever there should be a shortage of willing customers to spark the leisure centre lighting into action?
"Community service orders, Asbos, curfews - the courts can provide a steady stream of treadmill fodder, as will the new compulsory slimming classes planned as part of the New Labour nanny state's war on obesity," the consultants comment, warning: "In extreme cases people will be detained indefinitely at Her Majesty's Leisure".
Throw in other refinements such as a wind-powered wave machine and a wave-powered wind machine, plus organic showers using recycled sweat, and the hush-hush new wood-burning microwaves planned for the cafeteria, and you can see why the leisure centre blueprint truly is a green light for change.
Ah, you're thinking, but where is the guarantee it will last? What is to stop it all ending in tears like last time?T
he rigorous maintenance schedules agreed under a multi-million pound contract with leading local contractor Hobble International (Dyfatty), that's what.
"Our motto tells you why we're world leaders in pro-active maintenance solutions," confided Hobble chief executive Dai Botcher.
"If it ain't broke, we don't fix it."
For complete peace of mind, there's also a new system of in-house coloured warning lights, just as there is in a car, lights that flash on all over the new-look leisure centre when (a) the maintenance backlog reaches £5 million (orange light); (b) it reaches £10 million (red light); and (c) the backlog reaches £14 million (the lights go out in a flash and the centre self-destructs along with County Hall).
Now that is world class.
Hi-tech, cutting edge, state-of-the-art and world class, that is how the city council describes blueprints for the revamped Swansea Leisure Centre.
Details have been kept strictly under wraps for reasons of commercial confidentiality - police say the Taffia will try to steal them - and it was a condition of the contract that details be kept watertight.
"It was leaks about the leisure centre pool which finished off our Labour predecessors," gushed council leader Chris Holley at the signing ceremony.
Today, however, I can exclusively reveal for the first time that the blueprints for the new centre, which arrived in a plain brown envelope, in fact are strongly tinged with green.
Take heating. Out go the conventional boilers whose deterioration got councillor Lawrence Bailey and his Labour chums into such hot water, and in comes a revolutionary new system devised by the boffins at Technium IVc.
Using a ground-breaking hi-tech link between the leisure centre and County Hall - the old gas pipe they've spent months replacing - hot air will be pumped direct to the leisure centre from the council chamber.
"So long as there are councillors in the council chamber, there will be no shortage of supply," note the consultants.
In the unlikely event that back-up heating is needed, it will be provided by a special biomass boiler fuelled by mountains of unread minutes of council meetings and back copies of the Swansea Leader.
As for electricity, the centre will be entirely self-sufficient, and we're not talking about a couple of wind turbines perched on the roof, either! Thanks to the experts at Swansea's Digi-Tum, or Digital Technium IIIb, all the equipment in the fitness suites - treadmills, rowing machines, weights, exercise bikes, the lot - will connect with a series of mini-turbines to provide all the power the centre could need, with any surplus sold on to the National Grid.
And if ever there should be a shortage of willing customers to spark the leisure centre lighting into action?
"Community service orders, Asbos, curfews - the courts can provide a steady stream of treadmill fodder, as will the new compulsory slimming classes planned as part of the New Labour nanny state's war on obesity," the consultants comment, warning: "In extreme cases people will be detained indefinitely at Her Majesty's Leisure".
Throw in other refinements such as a wind-powered wave machine and a wave-powered wind machine, plus organic showers using recycled sweat, and the hush-hush new wood-burning microwaves planned for the cafeteria, and you can see why the leisure centre blueprint truly is a green light for change.
Ah, you're thinking, but where is the guarantee it will last? What is to stop it all ending in tears like last time?T
he rigorous maintenance schedules agreed under a multi-million pound contract with leading local contractor Hobble International (Dyfatty), that's what.
"Our motto tells you why we're world leaders in pro-active maintenance solutions," confided Hobble chief executive Dai Botcher.
"If it ain't broke, we don't fix it."
For complete peace of mind, there's also a new system of in-house coloured warning lights, just as there is in a car, lights that flash on all over the new-look leisure centre when (a) the maintenance backlog reaches £5 million (orange light); (b) it reaches £10 million (red light); and (c) the backlog reaches £14 million (the lights go out in a flash and the centre self-destructs along with County Hall).
Now that is world class.
UNIONS WARN TAXPAYERS OF £500,000 BILL
South Wales Evening Post - 9 October 2006
A controversial scheme to bring Swansea into the 21st century is not saving anyway near as much money as it was hoped - meaning residents could be hit in the pocket.
The council is relying on its new £83 million eGovernment computer system to save £26 million pounds over the next 10 years, to help pay for the scheme.
It was expected to save £711,000 in its first year, but red-faced bosses have admitted it is likely to miss the target by almost £500,000.
Now unions are warning taxpayers they will have to make up the shortfall or face service cuts.
Jeff Baker, branch secretary for Unison which represents around 6,000 council workers, said: "We warned about the risk of trying to use predicted savings to fund this hugely expensive scheme.
"It had run into financial problems before the deal had even been signed because of a spiralling budget.
"There was also a warning from the district auditor that the council was relying very heavily on achieving the projected savings.
"Now we find out that it is going to be £500,000 short of its first year's savings.
"That money has been budgeted to pay for the system and so it will have to come from somewhere."
The council signed a deal with local IT firm Capgemini to set up and run the new computer system in January.
It is part of a scheme to revolutionise the way it deals with the public and improve customer access.At the time, Councillor Mary Jones, who running the project, admitted that the projected savings for the scheme were a crucial part in paying for it.
She said: "We expect to save millions of pounds during the 10-year contract, which means the programme pays for itself."
But the scheme has been plagued by problems including spiralling costs and the longest strike in local government history.
Council IT staff spent eight weeks protesting against the plans after learning about them in a European trade magazine.
Now it is clear that savings in the first year could be as little as 30 percent of the expected target.Councillor Jones said this week that talks were taking place with IT firm Capgemini about how to address the shortfall.
She added: "We remain committed to improving customer access and levels of service and that is why a decision has already been made to open a new contact centre alongside the new central library, as part of the development of the civic centre.
"A final decision on how to proceed with phase two of the programme has not yet been made, but will need to be considered as part of the council's budget planning."
Your Views
This project was ill concieved from the start. At face to face sessions with staff, Chris Holley and Tim Thoroghgood were asked 'HOW' they could achieve these savings. It was obvious from their 'non' answers they didn't have a clue!!
Simon, Swansea
This is an outright disgrace. If it were a Limited Company being run in this way, then people would be sacked for incompetance. They are blatantly ripping us taxpayers off. Lets hope us voters teach them a lesson at the next election.
Malcolm Graham, Hungry Horse
The Lib Dem run council is throwing millions of our money at the Service @ Swansea project but it doesnt even have the call centre we were promised. Time for a radical rethink or a change at the top. Preferably both.
Alan Pearson, Swansea Marina
Can we now expect a 70% compensation payment in our council tax for the savings that Swansea Council didnt manage to make. Roll on the next elections.
Jan Thomas, Killay
Who the hell is runing things in Swansea Council. Do they seriously think that skating rinks and music events are going to make us forget their ineptitude. Chris Holley and Mary Jones should apologise and resign immediately.
Brian Simpson, Dunvant
This scheme was rushed through in private session just days after former chief executive was suspended. It has never been properly scrutinised by any committee despite costing Council tax-payers millions of pounds. It is a scandal worth the cost of replacing the leisure centre seven time over.
Arthur, Swansea
I'm absolutely appalled that our own Councillors who are supposed to serve us, as tax payers have allowed this project to go ahead when all the warning signs were there before the deal was signed. I hope the people who signed the deal will be held to task and sacked for gross mis-management.
Matthew Eley, Ridgeway
A controversial scheme to bring Swansea into the 21st century is not saving anyway near as much money as it was hoped - meaning residents could be hit in the pocket.
The council is relying on its new £83 million eGovernment computer system to save £26 million pounds over the next 10 years, to help pay for the scheme.
It was expected to save £711,000 in its first year, but red-faced bosses have admitted it is likely to miss the target by almost £500,000.
Now unions are warning taxpayers they will have to make up the shortfall or face service cuts.
Jeff Baker, branch secretary for Unison which represents around 6,000 council workers, said: "We warned about the risk of trying to use predicted savings to fund this hugely expensive scheme.
"It had run into financial problems before the deal had even been signed because of a spiralling budget.
"There was also a warning from the district auditor that the council was relying very heavily on achieving the projected savings.
"Now we find out that it is going to be £500,000 short of its first year's savings.
"That money has been budgeted to pay for the system and so it will have to come from somewhere."
The council signed a deal with local IT firm Capgemini to set up and run the new computer system in January.
It is part of a scheme to revolutionise the way it deals with the public and improve customer access.At the time, Councillor Mary Jones, who running the project, admitted that the projected savings for the scheme were a crucial part in paying for it.
She said: "We expect to save millions of pounds during the 10-year contract, which means the programme pays for itself."
But the scheme has been plagued by problems including spiralling costs and the longest strike in local government history.
Council IT staff spent eight weeks protesting against the plans after learning about them in a European trade magazine.
Now it is clear that savings in the first year could be as little as 30 percent of the expected target.Councillor Jones said this week that talks were taking place with IT firm Capgemini about how to address the shortfall.
She added: "We remain committed to improving customer access and levels of service and that is why a decision has already been made to open a new contact centre alongside the new central library, as part of the development of the civic centre.
"A final decision on how to proceed with phase two of the programme has not yet been made, but will need to be considered as part of the council's budget planning."
Your Views
This project was ill concieved from the start. At face to face sessions with staff, Chris Holley and Tim Thoroghgood were asked 'HOW' they could achieve these savings. It was obvious from their 'non' answers they didn't have a clue!!
Simon, Swansea
This is an outright disgrace. If it were a Limited Company being run in this way, then people would be sacked for incompetance. They are blatantly ripping us taxpayers off. Lets hope us voters teach them a lesson at the next election.
Malcolm Graham, Hungry Horse
The Lib Dem run council is throwing millions of our money at the Service @ Swansea project but it doesnt even have the call centre we were promised. Time for a radical rethink or a change at the top. Preferably both.
Alan Pearson, Swansea Marina
Can we now expect a 70% compensation payment in our council tax for the savings that Swansea Council didnt manage to make. Roll on the next elections.
Jan Thomas, Killay
Who the hell is runing things in Swansea Council. Do they seriously think that skating rinks and music events are going to make us forget their ineptitude. Chris Holley and Mary Jones should apologise and resign immediately.
Brian Simpson, Dunvant
This scheme was rushed through in private session just days after former chief executive was suspended. It has never been properly scrutinised by any committee despite costing Council tax-payers millions of pounds. It is a scandal worth the cost of replacing the leisure centre seven time over.
Arthur, Swansea
I'm absolutely appalled that our own Councillors who are supposed to serve us, as tax payers have allowed this project to go ahead when all the warning signs were there before the deal was signed. I hope the people who signed the deal will be held to task and sacked for gross mis-management.
Matthew Eley, Ridgeway
ROADWORKS FORCE BUTCHERS' CLOSURE
South Wales Evening Post - 5 October 2006
One of Swansea's best- known butchers is for the chop after falling victim to The Kingsway roadworks nightmare.
It will be the end of an era on Saturday when Cig Calon Cymru Cyf, formerly known as Percy Watts, in Portland Street closes its doors for good after almost half a century of trading.
And its owner has warned others could follow because the roadworks are driving people out of town.
Struggling traders have already held an Independents Day to promote home-grown businesses and encourage shoppers.
The roadworks will be suspended on November 20 for the hectic Christmas trading period, and will recommence in January. But the respite has come too late for Cig Calon Cymru Cyf .
Owner Enzo Sauro said shoppers had shifted to out-of-town centres because of the one-way traffic scheme in the Kingsway.
"It is crippling the business," he said. "I think trade has gone out of town. They have gone to the out-of- town shopping centres because there is so much going on in the city centre. People are staying away."
He said the decision was a sad one, but he had been forced into it."There is no-one coming through the door," said Mr Sauro.
"I have already sustained eight months at a loss. Now it is time to call it a day."
Worker Peter Morris, who has been with the butchers' for 43 years, said: "It is a sad day. It is the end of an era. The roadworks are hitting everybody. We are not alone. I think there will be a few more going.
"All traders are struggling. Everybody is being driven out of town."
The business is now relocating to Cross Hands, where celebrity chef Dudley Newbury has started work in new premises.
Two staff will relocate to Cross Hands, one is retiring and three part-timers will lose their jobs.
Mr Sauro said: "It is sad because I have invested a lot of money in the property and this is the end result."The roadworks are driving trade out of town."
Meanwhile, another city centre shop is set to close to make way for a bank, although this time it has nothing to do with roadworks.
The Adams children's clothing store in Oxford Street is likely to become a NatWest bank after a ban from Swansea Council was overturned.
Councillors had voted against allowing the store to be converted, but planning inspectors in Cardiff have reversed their decision.
It means the clothing store, which takes up two floors of the building on the corner of Oxford Street and Union Street, is set to move.Swansea Council wanted to keep the unit for retailers, but Helen Verey, of the Planning Inspectorate, said not allowing a change of use could lead to the building being empty.She said Adams had been trying to leave for years.
Ms Verey said: "Their lease runs until 2015 but there is evidence, which the council does not dispute, that they have been seeking to dispose of the lease for five year's because the unit is too large to meet their retail requirements and it trades at a loss."
The company has even offered incentives equivalent to one years' rent to any traders willing to take over the lease.
However, Ms Verey said it was now prepared to cut its losses if it could not find any takers, and said allowing NatWest to take over would be a better option.
"If another tenant cannot be found, Adams say their intention would be to close the shop at an unspecified date and leave the building empty," she said.
"However, should planning permission for a change of use be granted, terms have been agreed under which the lease would be transferred and a branch of the NatWest Bank would occupy the building."
Ms Verey decided to grant permission for the change of use, saying: "There is a real danger that the building could become vacant which would, in my view, have a seriously adverse impact on the vitality of this part of Oxford Street and the city centre in general."
One of Swansea's best- known butchers is for the chop after falling victim to The Kingsway roadworks nightmare.
It will be the end of an era on Saturday when Cig Calon Cymru Cyf, formerly known as Percy Watts, in Portland Street closes its doors for good after almost half a century of trading.
And its owner has warned others could follow because the roadworks are driving people out of town.
Struggling traders have already held an Independents Day to promote home-grown businesses and encourage shoppers.
The roadworks will be suspended on November 20 for the hectic Christmas trading period, and will recommence in January. But the respite has come too late for Cig Calon Cymru Cyf .
Owner Enzo Sauro said shoppers had shifted to out-of-town centres because of the one-way traffic scheme in the Kingsway.
"It is crippling the business," he said. "I think trade has gone out of town. They have gone to the out-of- town shopping centres because there is so much going on in the city centre. People are staying away."
He said the decision was a sad one, but he had been forced into it."There is no-one coming through the door," said Mr Sauro.
"I have already sustained eight months at a loss. Now it is time to call it a day."
Worker Peter Morris, who has been with the butchers' for 43 years, said: "It is a sad day. It is the end of an era. The roadworks are hitting everybody. We are not alone. I think there will be a few more going.
"All traders are struggling. Everybody is being driven out of town."
The business is now relocating to Cross Hands, where celebrity chef Dudley Newbury has started work in new premises.
Two staff will relocate to Cross Hands, one is retiring and three part-timers will lose their jobs.
Mr Sauro said: "It is sad because I have invested a lot of money in the property and this is the end result."The roadworks are driving trade out of town."
Meanwhile, another city centre shop is set to close to make way for a bank, although this time it has nothing to do with roadworks.
The Adams children's clothing store in Oxford Street is likely to become a NatWest bank after a ban from Swansea Council was overturned.
Councillors had voted against allowing the store to be converted, but planning inspectors in Cardiff have reversed their decision.
It means the clothing store, which takes up two floors of the building on the corner of Oxford Street and Union Street, is set to move.Swansea Council wanted to keep the unit for retailers, but Helen Verey, of the Planning Inspectorate, said not allowing a change of use could lead to the building being empty.She said Adams had been trying to leave for years.
Ms Verey said: "Their lease runs until 2015 but there is evidence, which the council does not dispute, that they have been seeking to dispose of the lease for five year's because the unit is too large to meet their retail requirements and it trades at a loss."
The company has even offered incentives equivalent to one years' rent to any traders willing to take over the lease.
However, Ms Verey said it was now prepared to cut its losses if it could not find any takers, and said allowing NatWest to take over would be a better option.
"If another tenant cannot be found, Adams say their intention would be to close the shop at an unspecified date and leave the building empty," she said.
"However, should planning permission for a change of use be granted, terms have been agreed under which the lease would be transferred and a branch of the NatWest Bank would occupy the building."
Ms Verey decided to grant permission for the change of use, saying: "There is a real danger that the building could become vacant which would, in my view, have a seriously adverse impact on the vitality of this part of Oxford Street and the city centre in general."
HOMES VOTE POSTPONED
South Wales Evening Post - 2 October 2006
City leaders have postponed a crucial vote on the future of council housing in Swansea.
Council tenants have been demanding more information about the proposals to transfer control of 14,000 council houses to another landlord.
Tenants are worried that if their homes are transferred to the not-for-profit housing mutual known as Tawe Housing they will face reduced rights and higher rents.
Now council leaders have agreed to get further assurances from the Assembly over the issues.
Cabinet Member for Housing Graham Thomas said: "These are very important issues for our tenants and we want them to have all the information they require."
The transfer has been proposed as a way of raising hundreds of millions of pounds to carry out repairs and improvements to the city's social housing stocks. Every council tenant in the city will be given a vote on whether to transfer to Tawe Housing.
Campaigners against stock transfer have called for the vote to take place as soon as possible.
Paul Lynch, of Defend Council Housing, said: "I am confident that we would win a vote."
City leaders have postponed a crucial vote on the future of council housing in Swansea.
Council tenants have been demanding more information about the proposals to transfer control of 14,000 council houses to another landlord.
Tenants are worried that if their homes are transferred to the not-for-profit housing mutual known as Tawe Housing they will face reduced rights and higher rents.
Now council leaders have agreed to get further assurances from the Assembly over the issues.
Cabinet Member for Housing Graham Thomas said: "These are very important issues for our tenants and we want them to have all the information they require."
The transfer has been proposed as a way of raising hundreds of millions of pounds to carry out repairs and improvements to the city's social housing stocks. Every council tenant in the city will be given a vote on whether to transfer to Tawe Housing.
Campaigners against stock transfer have called for the vote to take place as soon as possible.
Paul Lynch, of Defend Council Housing, said: "I am confident that we would win a vote."
