South Wales Evening Post - 30 November 2006
Parents in Swansea's Eastside are fighting to save a nursery threatened with closure.
Margaret Street Nursery will shut when the new St Thomas Community School opens in April next year.
But the Grenfell Park, St Thomas and Port Tennant (GSP) community regeneration partnership is battling with local parents to keep the building.
GSP director Pat Brown said: "We think that to lose the existing purpose-built nursery building would be a great loss to the whole of our community.
"We would like to take it over and run it as a nursery for babies and toddlers under three.
"Opening this nursery would not only provide a service missing in our community, as there is no provision for nursery care for babies and children under three anywhere this side of the river, but also it would create jobs.
"However, to get the council to consider allowing us to take over this building, we need to persuade them that this is a service which the community wants and is prepared to pay for."
Locals fear the site could be sold off to developers unless enough people agree to the nursery proposal.
A special circular is to be sent out to all households in the area in an attempt to win support for the plan.
The area's youth forum spokesman, Daniel Thomas, has already called for the Margaret Street Nursery site to be used to benefit local people, not developers.
"We need more youth provision in our area but it seems that what little we did have is being taken away," he said.
"We want Margaret Street to remain a community resource."
St Thomas councillor Alan Richards said: "What I am looking to see is the result of the consultation and that the business plan stacks up on the viability.
"If it is a goer, it will have my whole-hearted support.
"If it is something that would benefit the community rather than a developer making a buck out of it, then great."
BENDY BUS LANE PLAN FOR SCENIC BEACH PATH
South Wales Evening Post - 29 November 2006
Swansea's foreshore may be dug up to make way for a hi-speed bus link.
The green park stretching between Blackpill and West Cross could disappear under Tarmac as part of multi-million pound council proposals.
The idea is still in its very early stages, but council bosses have confirmed it is being considered.
Current proposals show the new road branching off from Mumbles Road at Blackpill and running along the foreshore, eating in to grassland parallel to the pedestrian promenade.
Buses would then return to Mumbles Road near the junction with Alderwood Road, a distance of less than a mile.
The schemes main aim is to ease heavy traffic congestion in the area.But it would also provide a new link for the 60ft long bendy buses - each carrying around 110 people.
They are due to hit Swansea's roads in late 2008.
The buses will run along a route stretching from Morriston to Mumbles, and are aimed at driving people out of their cars and on to public transport.
Council officials insist that no businesses or homes will be directly affected by the proposed new road.
Although foreshore land is limited, summer queues on the single lane section of Mumbles Road have created major headaches for years.
However, the idea is sure to kick up local controversy.
The grassland is viewed as a park by many residents and a much used local asset. It was once home to a number of cottages that were later bought up by the old West Glamorgan Council years ago to give the area an open vista.
Part of the land has cederwood trees on it, and is a favourite spot for photographers. But Terry Scales, of the Mumbles Development Trust, said the idea also had its plus points.
He said: "The very fact that it's the route of the original train gives the route some validity."But to make it a proper and unique experience the distance they should travel along the foreshore should be a real, promotional feature - a 21st Century version of the Mumbles railway, as far as is practicable."
The new Morriston to Mumbles route will have key stops every 500 metres.
Around £2.2 million of the £10 million scheme has already been spent developing The Kingsway in the city centre.
But exactly where the £300,000 buses will turn in Mumbles still remains unclear.
The council's head of transportation, Anthony O'Sullivan, said he was confident the buses could use council-owned land at Oystermouth Square.
But there is a dispute with landowner Bryan Evans and his development company EP Leisure.
Leader of Swansea Council Chris Holley said: "It has always been the position that the Metro will run to Oystermouth, providing a real boost to tourism for Oystermouth, Mumbles and the west of Swansea.
"The Metro will take many cars off the road and will also reduce congestion."The proposals are subject to a transport grant being made available by the Welsh Assembly."
However, many local householders are worried a new road would have a detrimental impact on the area.
West Cross resident Hugh Jenkins, of Llwynderw Drive, said: "The grassed area which currently runs parallel to Mumbles Road is a great asset."I know people would be very sad to see any of it being dug up for a road.
"Yes, we do have traffic congestion here but that comes with the territory. You know that when you decide to live in this area.''
Another resident Hannah Wright, of Roman Court in Blackpill, added: "Most people hold the grassed area as precious."I cannot see how this can be done sensitively at all.''
Your Views
£10 million for a bus scheme which no-one seems to know if they can even turn around? I think that Swansea Council is trying to take us all for a ride.
Adam, Gendros
It comes to something when a community has to tell a council to KEEP OFF THE GRASS. Get real Mr Holley, no-one wants your bendy bus!
Kate, Swansea
This is so typical of Swansea Council. They have done absolutely nothing about Oystermouth Square. Now that someone is prepared to develop the site the Council tries to hijack things with a silly bendy bus that nobody wants.
Bryn Samuels, Mumbles
Terry Scales is so badly out of touch with local feeling that it is scary. I sincerely hope that the plans and his group are put on the next bus out of Mumbles.
Hilary S, Newton
Swansea's foreshore may be dug up to make way for a hi-speed bus link.
The green park stretching between Blackpill and West Cross could disappear under Tarmac as part of multi-million pound council proposals.
The idea is still in its very early stages, but council bosses have confirmed it is being considered.
Current proposals show the new road branching off from Mumbles Road at Blackpill and running along the foreshore, eating in to grassland parallel to the pedestrian promenade.
Buses would then return to Mumbles Road near the junction with Alderwood Road, a distance of less than a mile.
The schemes main aim is to ease heavy traffic congestion in the area.But it would also provide a new link for the 60ft long bendy buses - each carrying around 110 people.
They are due to hit Swansea's roads in late 2008.
The buses will run along a route stretching from Morriston to Mumbles, and are aimed at driving people out of their cars and on to public transport.
Council officials insist that no businesses or homes will be directly affected by the proposed new road.
Although foreshore land is limited, summer queues on the single lane section of Mumbles Road have created major headaches for years.
However, the idea is sure to kick up local controversy.
The grassland is viewed as a park by many residents and a much used local asset. It was once home to a number of cottages that were later bought up by the old West Glamorgan Council years ago to give the area an open vista.
Part of the land has cederwood trees on it, and is a favourite spot for photographers. But Terry Scales, of the Mumbles Development Trust, said the idea also had its plus points.
He said: "The very fact that it's the route of the original train gives the route some validity."But to make it a proper and unique experience the distance they should travel along the foreshore should be a real, promotional feature - a 21st Century version of the Mumbles railway, as far as is practicable."
The new Morriston to Mumbles route will have key stops every 500 metres.
Around £2.2 million of the £10 million scheme has already been spent developing The Kingsway in the city centre.
But exactly where the £300,000 buses will turn in Mumbles still remains unclear.
The council's head of transportation, Anthony O'Sullivan, said he was confident the buses could use council-owned land at Oystermouth Square.
But there is a dispute with landowner Bryan Evans and his development company EP Leisure.
Leader of Swansea Council Chris Holley said: "It has always been the position that the Metro will run to Oystermouth, providing a real boost to tourism for Oystermouth, Mumbles and the west of Swansea.
"The Metro will take many cars off the road and will also reduce congestion."The proposals are subject to a transport grant being made available by the Welsh Assembly."
However, many local householders are worried a new road would have a detrimental impact on the area.
West Cross resident Hugh Jenkins, of Llwynderw Drive, said: "The grassed area which currently runs parallel to Mumbles Road is a great asset."I know people would be very sad to see any of it being dug up for a road.
"Yes, we do have traffic congestion here but that comes with the territory. You know that when you decide to live in this area.''
Another resident Hannah Wright, of Roman Court in Blackpill, added: "Most people hold the grassed area as precious."I cannot see how this can be done sensitively at all.''
Your Views
£10 million for a bus scheme which no-one seems to know if they can even turn around? I think that Swansea Council is trying to take us all for a ride.
Adam, Gendros
It comes to something when a community has to tell a council to KEEP OFF THE GRASS. Get real Mr Holley, no-one wants your bendy bus!
Kate, Swansea
This is so typical of Swansea Council. They have done absolutely nothing about Oystermouth Square. Now that someone is prepared to develop the site the Council tries to hijack things with a silly bendy bus that nobody wants.
Bryn Samuels, Mumbles
Terry Scales is so badly out of touch with local feeling that it is scary. I sincerely hope that the plans and his group are put on the next bus out of Mumbles.
Hilary S, Newton
NO ACTION ON MYSTERY ASDA TAPE
South Wales Evening Post - 27 November 2006
Police have abandoned attempts to unravel the mysterious Swansea Council tape it had been investigating.
Detectives were sent a copy of a conversation between two people in which serious allegations were made about senior council people.
Officers have spoken to one of the mystery men thought to be on the tape but say he has denied any involvement.
The Post has uncovered a copy of the tape and heard the claims first hand.
It discusses the role of senior council people in the controversial land sale between Swansea Council and supermarket giant Asda that would see a new store built in Gorseinon.
Swansea Council has agreed a £11 million deal, subject to planning permission, for land next to the town's Somerfield store.
It has caused concern among local traders, who fear a supermarket owned by price-slashing American giant Wal Mart could turn Gorseinon into a ghost town.
The conversation also covers other land deals and the need for councillors to declare interests when discussing deals.
Swansea Council initially refused to acknowledge existence of the tape but later admitted that it had received a transcript of it and its claims.
A spokesman said: "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."
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Azzopardi, head of Swansea CID, said police had exhausted their lines of inquiry.
He said: "The allegations contained within the audio tape have been the subject of high level investigations between myself and senior officers of Swansea Council.
"One individual who was believed to be the person making the allegations has been spoken to but denies any involvement in the matter.
"In view of the result of the enquiries carried out, and, in the absence of any additional information, no further police action will be taken."
Police have abandoned attempts to unravel the mysterious Swansea Council tape it had been investigating.
Detectives were sent a copy of a conversation between two people in which serious allegations were made about senior council people.
Officers have spoken to one of the mystery men thought to be on the tape but say he has denied any involvement.
The Post has uncovered a copy of the tape and heard the claims first hand.
It discusses the role of senior council people in the controversial land sale between Swansea Council and supermarket giant Asda that would see a new store built in Gorseinon.
Swansea Council has agreed a £11 million deal, subject to planning permission, for land next to the town's Somerfield store.
It has caused concern among local traders, who fear a supermarket owned by price-slashing American giant Wal Mart could turn Gorseinon into a ghost town.
The conversation also covers other land deals and the need for councillors to declare interests when discussing deals.
Swansea Council initially refused to acknowledge existence of the tape but later admitted that it had received a transcript of it and its claims.
A spokesman said: "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."
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Azzopardi, head of Swansea CID, said police had exhausted their lines of inquiry.
He said: "The allegations contained within the audio tape have been the subject of high level investigations between myself and senior officers of Swansea Council.
"One individual who was believed to be the person making the allegations has been spoken to but denies any involvement in the matter.
"In view of the result of the enquiries carried out, and, in the absence of any additional information, no further police action will be taken."
RESPONSE JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH
South Wales Evening Post - 25 November 2006
It would be hardly surprising if the company behind the Royal Fern golf development at Llangyfelach was disappointed by the level of support for the plan shown by Swansea councillors on Thursday night.
To recap: The council's planning department approved the ambitious plan for golf courses, youth academy, holiday lodges and executive homes, even though the houses breached its own city plan. An Assembly planning inspector looked at it and recommended that it should go ahead. But a committee of three AMs from outside the region said no.
As a result, there was a call at Thursday's meeting for councillors to change the long-term Unitary Development Plan to include Royal Fern. Instead, councillors decided to simply note the Assembly's decision at this stage.
When public consultation on a new UDP starts in March, the council will remind the UDP Inspector of the support Royal Fern had received from city and Assembly planners.
Whether that will be enough to encourage the developers to go to the extra cost of submitting their own case to the inspector remains to be seen.
If the answer turns out to be no, then that little band of AMs will have done the city a great disservice, and the council will have been found wanting in its response.
It would be hardly surprising if the company behind the Royal Fern golf development at Llangyfelach was disappointed by the level of support for the plan shown by Swansea councillors on Thursday night.
To recap: The council's planning department approved the ambitious plan for golf courses, youth academy, holiday lodges and executive homes, even though the houses breached its own city plan. An Assembly planning inspector looked at it and recommended that it should go ahead. But a committee of three AMs from outside the region said no.
As a result, there was a call at Thursday's meeting for councillors to change the long-term Unitary Development Plan to include Royal Fern. Instead, councillors decided to simply note the Assembly's decision at this stage.
When public consultation on a new UDP starts in March, the council will remind the UDP Inspector of the support Royal Fern had received from city and Assembly planners.
Whether that will be enough to encourage the developers to go to the extra cost of submitting their own case to the inspector remains to be seen.
If the answer turns out to be no, then that little band of AMs will have done the city a great disservice, and the council will have been found wanting in its response.
DON'T THEY KNOW?
South Wales Evening Post - 25 November 2006
Swansea Council is embarking on another major consultation, this time on what shoppers want to see in the city centre.
After all these years of discontent and the number of comments in this newspaper alone on redevelopment, out-of-town shopping and other related issues, do they still not know?
Things are beginning to take shape in the centre. But what people really want, and still can't quite get, is a good, safe day out.
That means enough big-name shops close enough together to beat a trip to a retail park and enough small boutiques to make Swansea city centre a unique experience worth the parking fees.
That may be a tall order, but there are still basic improvements that can be made to encourage more visitors.
For a start, the council team could imagine themselves a stranger trying to get to St David's Car Park from the shops with children - and in the dark. Welcoming, it isn't.
Swansea Council is embarking on another major consultation, this time on what shoppers want to see in the city centre.
After all these years of discontent and the number of comments in this newspaper alone on redevelopment, out-of-town shopping and other related issues, do they still not know?
Things are beginning to take shape in the centre. But what people really want, and still can't quite get, is a good, safe day out.
That means enough big-name shops close enough together to beat a trip to a retail park and enough small boutiques to make Swansea city centre a unique experience worth the parking fees.
That may be a tall order, but there are still basic improvements that can be made to encourage more visitors.
For a start, the council team could imagine themselves a stranger trying to get to St David's Car Park from the shops with children - and in the dark. Welcoming, it isn't.
GOLF COURSE PLAN MAY BE ABANDONED BY BACKERS
South Wales Evening Post - 25 November 2006
Backers behind a proposal to create a £15 million luxury golf development in Swansea may abandon the idea.
It follows a shock decision by a three-member Assembly planning group last week to reject the idea, estimated to have been worth some £35 million a year to the local economy.
The stumbling block was a plan for 95 houses on the Royal Fern Park development, which would have gone against local planning policy.Swansea councillors have now agreed to offer support for Royal Fern Park at a public inquiry next March.
However, they have been prevented from making a firm commitment to it by adding it to the council's long-term plans for the future. A number of councillors had wanted the development added to the council's Unitary Development Plan (UDP). That would have increased the chances of the bid being successful in the future.
That option has been rejected and the decision has left the developers furious.
Directors of Dillwyn Productions will meet next month. But a spokesman said the decision could leave the project dead in the water.
He added yesterday: "This is a decision for the board now. More than £750,000 has already been spent on this project in the last five years.
"Now we have to ask the question: 'Do we want to continue spending money when the council does not appear to be fully committed?'"
Councillor Rene Kinzett said the decision has not helped the development and could put off other investors.
"The motion was poorly worded and does nothing to commit the authority to support the Royal Fern scheme at the UDP public inquiry," he said.
"There are developers who are watching Swansea Council to see how we handle this massive opportunity."
However, council leader Chris Holley insisted the council had done enough.
He said: "I am satisfied we are following the right course of action. Whether other people think that is entirely up to them. I hope the applicant stays on board."
Backers behind a proposal to create a £15 million luxury golf development in Swansea may abandon the idea.
It follows a shock decision by a three-member Assembly planning group last week to reject the idea, estimated to have been worth some £35 million a year to the local economy.
The stumbling block was a plan for 95 houses on the Royal Fern Park development, which would have gone against local planning policy.Swansea councillors have now agreed to offer support for Royal Fern Park at a public inquiry next March.
However, they have been prevented from making a firm commitment to it by adding it to the council's long-term plans for the future. A number of councillors had wanted the development added to the council's Unitary Development Plan (UDP). That would have increased the chances of the bid being successful in the future.
That option has been rejected and the decision has left the developers furious.
Directors of Dillwyn Productions will meet next month. But a spokesman said the decision could leave the project dead in the water.
He added yesterday: "This is a decision for the board now. More than £750,000 has already been spent on this project in the last five years.
"Now we have to ask the question: 'Do we want to continue spending money when the council does not appear to be fully committed?'"
Councillor Rene Kinzett said the decision has not helped the development and could put off other investors.
"The motion was poorly worded and does nothing to commit the authority to support the Royal Fern scheme at the UDP public inquiry," he said.
"There are developers who are watching Swansea Council to see how we handle this massive opportunity."
However, council leader Chris Holley insisted the council had done enough.
He said: "I am satisfied we are following the right course of action. Whether other people think that is entirely up to them. I hope the applicant stays on board."
CHILDREN'S COMMISSIONER STEPS INTO CARE HOME ROW
South Wales Evening Post - 23 November 2006
The Children's Commissioner for Wales could step into the controversial row over plans for a Swansea care home.
Swansea Council wants to move the children's home in West Cross to a new base in Milford Way, in Blaenymaes.
The authority wants to build a new Welsh medium primary school at the site in West Cross Avenue.
But the proposals have sparked a row among residents and councillors.
Peter Clarke, the Children's Commissioner for Wales, also has his concerns over the proposal.
He has written to Swansea Council's chief executive Paul Smith to raise the matter with him.
Mr Clarke has not ruled out taking further action over the matter.
His role as a Welsh children's champion was created in 2001 with a remit to look after children's and young people's interests.
He has statutory powers to demand information from people and organisations and can make representations to the Assembly.
Labour councillors have already entered a challenge to the plans to relocate the care home.
They want the council's presiding officer, Lib-Dem councillor Susan Waller, to send the decision to the challenge panel for a review.
They claim the council failed to meet its own criteria when searching for a new site for the children's home and failed to consult with the children at the home.
The call-in request is now being considered.Residents have also raised concerns about the plans, with 227 residents signing a petition against the move.
A spokeswoman for the Children's Commissioner confirmed that he was looking at the case.
She said: "Mr Clarke has written to Swansea Council's chief executive, he is particularly concerned about the level of consultation with the children involved.
"He is waiting to consider whether he wants to take any further action or become involved."
Swansea Labour group leader David Phillips said he had raised the issue with the commissioner.
He said: "Given the number of representations made to me, I believed it was necessary to make these concerns known to Mr Clarke."
The Children's Commissioner for Wales could step into the controversial row over plans for a Swansea care home.
Swansea Council wants to move the children's home in West Cross to a new base in Milford Way, in Blaenymaes.
The authority wants to build a new Welsh medium primary school at the site in West Cross Avenue.
But the proposals have sparked a row among residents and councillors.
Peter Clarke, the Children's Commissioner for Wales, also has his concerns over the proposal.
He has written to Swansea Council's chief executive Paul Smith to raise the matter with him.
Mr Clarke has not ruled out taking further action over the matter.
His role as a Welsh children's champion was created in 2001 with a remit to look after children's and young people's interests.
He has statutory powers to demand information from people and organisations and can make representations to the Assembly.
Labour councillors have already entered a challenge to the plans to relocate the care home.
They want the council's presiding officer, Lib-Dem councillor Susan Waller, to send the decision to the challenge panel for a review.
They claim the council failed to meet its own criteria when searching for a new site for the children's home and failed to consult with the children at the home.
The call-in request is now being considered.Residents have also raised concerns about the plans, with 227 residents signing a petition against the move.
A spokeswoman for the Children's Commissioner confirmed that he was looking at the case.
She said: "Mr Clarke has written to Swansea Council's chief executive, he is particularly concerned about the level of consultation with the children involved.
"He is waiting to consider whether he wants to take any further action or become involved."
Swansea Labour group leader David Phillips said he had raised the issue with the commissioner.
He said: "Given the number of representations made to me, I believed it was necessary to make these concerns known to Mr Clarke."
DOCUMENT DELAY FOR STADIUM BOSSES
South Wales Evening Post - 23 November 2006
Liberty Stadium bosses missed a deadline to hand over legal documents to a Government agency by three months - and the papers were only received after a query from the Evening Post.
Every limited company in the UK has to supply Companies House with accounts and other information on a regular basis.
However, Swansea Stadium Management Company (SSMC) failed to get this year's annual return in on time.
The document, which gives basic information about the company, has now been submitted just days after the Post asked about the delay.
According to the Companies House website: "Failure to deliver documents on time is a criminal offence."On conviction, a director could end up with a criminal record and a fine of up to £5,000 for each offence."
Two Swansea councillors sit on the board of directors.
Labour Group leader David Phillips said: "It is not a complicated form to fill in."There is no real reason why it should be three months late.
"And what is more worrying is that the returns have only been submitted after an inquiry from the press."
There has been no comment from SSMC's public relations firm about the late returns.
SSMC is a private company, but councillors John Hague and Gerald Clement are directors there to protect council interests in the stadium.
Although the company is officially classed as private, almost £3 million of public money has been used to bail it out financially.
A £2.3 million loan from Swansea Council was written off after first year losses of £780,000 were revealed. Swansea Council also handed over £200,000 to pay for under-soil heating, while another £250,000 of council cash was paid to help balance the company's books.
An audit report into SSMC said that more should have been done to prevent losses and highlighted a number of areas that needed improvement.
Following the report, a Swansea Council scrutiny group, made up of councillors from all parties, also agreed that more training should be given to councillors who are appointed as directors.
Councillor Phillips, who is a member of the scrutiny committee, said that because the company has such close links to the council it needs to be very well run.
He said: "It seems quite clear that lessons still need to be learned.
"Filling in annual returns is not a complicated process. All you really need to do is note down the names of the directors."
Liberty Stadium bosses missed a deadline to hand over legal documents to a Government agency by three months - and the papers were only received after a query from the Evening Post.
Every limited company in the UK has to supply Companies House with accounts and other information on a regular basis.
However, Swansea Stadium Management Company (SSMC) failed to get this year's annual return in on time.
The document, which gives basic information about the company, has now been submitted just days after the Post asked about the delay.
According to the Companies House website: "Failure to deliver documents on time is a criminal offence."On conviction, a director could end up with a criminal record and a fine of up to £5,000 for each offence."
Two Swansea councillors sit on the board of directors.
Labour Group leader David Phillips said: "It is not a complicated form to fill in."There is no real reason why it should be three months late.
"And what is more worrying is that the returns have only been submitted after an inquiry from the press."
There has been no comment from SSMC's public relations firm about the late returns.
SSMC is a private company, but councillors John Hague and Gerald Clement are directors there to protect council interests in the stadium.
Although the company is officially classed as private, almost £3 million of public money has been used to bail it out financially.
A £2.3 million loan from Swansea Council was written off after first year losses of £780,000 were revealed. Swansea Council also handed over £200,000 to pay for under-soil heating, while another £250,000 of council cash was paid to help balance the company's books.
An audit report into SSMC said that more should have been done to prevent losses and highlighted a number of areas that needed improvement.
Following the report, a Swansea Council scrutiny group, made up of councillors from all parties, also agreed that more training should be given to councillors who are appointed as directors.
Councillor Phillips, who is a member of the scrutiny committee, said that because the company has such close links to the council it needs to be very well run.
He said: "It seems quite clear that lessons still need to be learned.
"Filling in annual returns is not a complicated process. All you really need to do is note down the names of the directors."
COUNCILLORS ROW OVER HOME MOVE
South Wales Evening Post - 22 November 2006
A fight has been launched against controversial plans to move a Swansea children's home.
Swansea Council wants to relocate the existing home in West Cross to a new site in Blaenymaes and build a new Welsh medium school in its place.
But Labour are challenging the decision and asking for it to be called in and reviewed.
Swansea Council's presiding officer, Lib-Dem councillor Susan Waller, will rule on whether to allow the call in and pass it to the challenge panel for a review.
Labour have criticised the choice made by Swansea's ruling cabinet.
They claim the decision ignored key criteria and the council failed to consult with the children affected by the plans.
Councillors June Burtonshaw, Doreen Jones and Grenville Phillips, who represent Blaenymaes, are leading the calls for a rethink.
Councillor Phillips said: "This decision is just plain wrong and not in the best interests of these very vulnerable children."The report makes clear that the motivation for all of this was not the needs of the children, but the need to find a new site for Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llwynderw.
"We fully support the need for a new Welsh medium primary school, but this should not be by depriving vulnerable children of their 'home'."
Labour councillors claim the decision goes against standards set by the council.
It set out to find a location that was not in an area of economic depravation and had good transport links for youths.
But the planned site in Milford Way, Blaenymaes, is a Community First area and has no buses after 6pm due to problems with anti-social behaviour.
West Cross councillor Mark Child said the children's home was already in an ideal location and that plans to spend £1.4 million on the new site would be better spent improving the current facility.
He said: "But what concerns us more is that despite it being council policy, none of the children currently living in West Cross have been asked what they want."
Coalition councilor Gerald Clement dismissed the move as political mischief making.
He said: "The actual place that they are proposing to build it is better than what is in West Cross. It was built 10 years ago and was never fit for purpose since its inception.
"It is a better provision, it is more modern. It is a good story as far as I am concerned. This appears to be their last throw and it is a pity they have chosen to involve vulnerable children in their political move."
A fight has been launched against controversial plans to move a Swansea children's home.
Swansea Council wants to relocate the existing home in West Cross to a new site in Blaenymaes and build a new Welsh medium school in its place.
But Labour are challenging the decision and asking for it to be called in and reviewed.
Swansea Council's presiding officer, Lib-Dem councillor Susan Waller, will rule on whether to allow the call in and pass it to the challenge panel for a review.
Labour have criticised the choice made by Swansea's ruling cabinet.
They claim the decision ignored key criteria and the council failed to consult with the children affected by the plans.
Councillors June Burtonshaw, Doreen Jones and Grenville Phillips, who represent Blaenymaes, are leading the calls for a rethink.
Councillor Phillips said: "This decision is just plain wrong and not in the best interests of these very vulnerable children."The report makes clear that the motivation for all of this was not the needs of the children, but the need to find a new site for Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llwynderw.
"We fully support the need for a new Welsh medium primary school, but this should not be by depriving vulnerable children of their 'home'."
Labour councillors claim the decision goes against standards set by the council.
It set out to find a location that was not in an area of economic depravation and had good transport links for youths.
But the planned site in Milford Way, Blaenymaes, is a Community First area and has no buses after 6pm due to problems with anti-social behaviour.
West Cross councillor Mark Child said the children's home was already in an ideal location and that plans to spend £1.4 million on the new site would be better spent improving the current facility.
He said: "But what concerns us more is that despite it being council policy, none of the children currently living in West Cross have been asked what they want."
Coalition councilor Gerald Clement dismissed the move as political mischief making.
He said: "The actual place that they are proposing to build it is better than what is in West Cross. It was built 10 years ago and was never fit for purpose since its inception.
"It is a better provision, it is more modern. It is a good story as far as I am concerned. This appears to be their last throw and it is a pity they have chosen to involve vulnerable children in their political move."
WILL WE LISTEN TO CHILDREN?
South Wales Evening Post - 22 November 2006
After reading the original article regarding the move of the children's home to Blaenymaes (Post, November 13), I question whether any consultation had taken place with the looked-after children of Swansea as to where they wish to live and what facilities they would like.
Once again, after reading the follow-up article by Councillor Chris Holley, there is still no mention whatsoever of any views of the children and young people who are directly involved in this situation.
I am not querying whether Blaenymaes or West Cross is the appropriate area for a children's home but simply where would the looked-after children and young people like to live.
Where is the evidence that Swansea Council have adhered to the UN's Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that a child has the right to be consulted on their views and those views must be respected?
I fear this has not taken place and, once again, the care system appears to be failing to meet even the basic needs of the most vulnerable children in Swansea who deserve to have much more than just their basic needs met.
Many looked-after children have already been failed by the people who should support them the most, which is how they enter the care system.
Unfortunately, many looked-after children continue to be failed by this poor system.
Please begin to not just listen to looked-after children, but also to show evidence that their wishes are acted upon.
A Thomas, Bryn Street, Brynhyfryd, Swansea
After reading the original article regarding the move of the children's home to Blaenymaes (Post, November 13), I question whether any consultation had taken place with the looked-after children of Swansea as to where they wish to live and what facilities they would like.
Once again, after reading the follow-up article by Councillor Chris Holley, there is still no mention whatsoever of any views of the children and young people who are directly involved in this situation.
I am not querying whether Blaenymaes or West Cross is the appropriate area for a children's home but simply where would the looked-after children and young people like to live.
Where is the evidence that Swansea Council have adhered to the UN's Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that a child has the right to be consulted on their views and those views must be respected?
I fear this has not taken place and, once again, the care system appears to be failing to meet even the basic needs of the most vulnerable children in Swansea who deserve to have much more than just their basic needs met.
Many looked-after children have already been failed by the people who should support them the most, which is how they enter the care system.
Unfortunately, many looked-after children continue to be failed by this poor system.
Please begin to not just listen to looked-after children, but also to show evidence that their wishes are acted upon.
A Thomas, Bryn Street, Brynhyfryd, Swansea
STILL WAITING FOR ACTION
South Wales Evening Post - 22 November 2006
Peter Black has come up with the feeblest of excuses in claiming that consultation with residents of Manselton Road regarding the installation of traffic calming islands has, in some way, been responsible for the council's failure to set up the 20mph zone we have been promised (Have Your Say, November 14).
Such an excuse might have some justification if Manselton Road itself were to be included in the proposed zone. Much to our disappointment, however, when Roy Adams and Ann Kettle, the secretary of our action group, met Anthony O'Sullivan last December, they were told that the zone would only cover Cecil Street, Manor Road and the other streets to the east of Manselton Road.
The recent trial and conviction of Stephen Lewis for causing the death by dangerous driving of seven-year-old Vicky Clement, has vindicated our call for Manselton Road to be included within the 20mph zone.
Guidance at the trial, provided by a police road traffic expert, stated that, even in perfect weather conditions, vehicles would cause a danger to pedestrians if travelling at speeds above 24mph to 26mph. In poor visibility or wet or icy conditions, vehicles would obviously need to travel at significantly slower speeds.Bearing in mind that we have a large primary school close by, as well as sheltered housing for the elderly and disabled, a 20mph speed limit for Manselton Road would surely appear to any sane person to be basic common sense.
Back in December 2005, Anthony O'Sullivan told us that Manselton Road should not be included in the zone because it could interfere with First Cymru's bus services.
Subsequent correspondence with the bus company has revealed that is definitely not the case. Now we have to listen to pathetic excuses as a result of consultation over traffic islands, which would not be needed at all, if only the council would just get on with what really needs to be done - creating a 20mph zone for the entire residential area of Manselton.
How much longer are we going to have to wait for our councillors to get their act together? Flashy boulevards to accommodate bendy buses and rows of marble benches costing £2,400 a piece are all very impressive, but what about some effort going into highway improvements in Swansea's established residential communities?
Rhodri Griffiths, Green Party Assembly Candidate, South Wales West Region
Peter Black has come up with the feeblest of excuses in claiming that consultation with residents of Manselton Road regarding the installation of traffic calming islands has, in some way, been responsible for the council's failure to set up the 20mph zone we have been promised (Have Your Say, November 14).
Such an excuse might have some justification if Manselton Road itself were to be included in the proposed zone. Much to our disappointment, however, when Roy Adams and Ann Kettle, the secretary of our action group, met Anthony O'Sullivan last December, they were told that the zone would only cover Cecil Street, Manor Road and the other streets to the east of Manselton Road.
The recent trial and conviction of Stephen Lewis for causing the death by dangerous driving of seven-year-old Vicky Clement, has vindicated our call for Manselton Road to be included within the 20mph zone.
Guidance at the trial, provided by a police road traffic expert, stated that, even in perfect weather conditions, vehicles would cause a danger to pedestrians if travelling at speeds above 24mph to 26mph. In poor visibility or wet or icy conditions, vehicles would obviously need to travel at significantly slower speeds.Bearing in mind that we have a large primary school close by, as well as sheltered housing for the elderly and disabled, a 20mph speed limit for Manselton Road would surely appear to any sane person to be basic common sense.
Back in December 2005, Anthony O'Sullivan told us that Manselton Road should not be included in the zone because it could interfere with First Cymru's bus services.
Subsequent correspondence with the bus company has revealed that is definitely not the case. Now we have to listen to pathetic excuses as a result of consultation over traffic islands, which would not be needed at all, if only the council would just get on with what really needs to be done - creating a 20mph zone for the entire residential area of Manselton.
How much longer are we going to have to wait for our councillors to get their act together? Flashy boulevards to accommodate bendy buses and rows of marble benches costing £2,400 a piece are all very impressive, but what about some effort going into highway improvements in Swansea's established residential communities?
Rhodri Griffiths, Green Party Assembly Candidate, South Wales West Region
COUNCIL GETS SINKING FEELING AS POOL CLUB SITE LOSES £65,000
South Wales Evening Post - 20 November 2006
Swansea Council has lost out on almost £65,000 after a deal for a controversial city centre site went sour.
It means the authority still has a £600,000 problem to solve.Council bosses sub-let the former Pool Sanctuary site on The Kingsway to Klub Kaos last December.
They agreed a six-month rent-free period, worth £25,000, as part of the deal.
But it has now been confirmed the council received hardly any cash from the backers, who were booted out of the site in June.
It means the authority still has to pick up the £60,000-a-year bill.Concerns were raised over the deal when it was agreed last December.
The Post discovered that the company backing the scheme, Netech Computing, was listed as a residential address in Ipswich.
The council insisted at the time that all necessary checks had been done to protect the council - but a year on the council has missed out on 12 months of rent.
It has also still been unable to find a tenant for the site, in a busy city centre location.
The then Labour-run council leased the former pool hall in May 2004 hoping to use it as the new home for an Activa gym, paying £50,000 a year for 10 years.
Two months later the new coalition running the council axed the plans and labelled the site unsuitable.
Since then Swansea Council has been trying to find a way of covering the lease.
From July 2004 to September 2006, the site has cost Swansea Council £128,254.
Plaid Cymru group leader Darren Price said: "It is of course worrying that the concerns that were raised by many individuals - and the local press - some time ago with regards to the suitability of the company in question have come to fruition.
"The process by which the cabinet took this decision has to be looked at."
Officers state that the appropriate company checks were carried out but I would argue that those checks were anything but appropriate
."The council has lost a key opportunity to recoup some of the losses that it has accrued since the decision to lease the pool sanctuary in 2004 with a knock-on effect on council services."
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The site remains on the market and some remedial work is being done in order to improve its marketability.
"In the case of Klub Kaos the usual company searches and other financial checks were carried out. The decision to let was approved by Cabinet, based upon the advice of our specialist letting agents.
"The club did not open until January this year - after the Christmas period.
"After it continually failed to pay the rent, to protect the Council's interest, action was taken to take the property back from Klub Kaos in June 2006."
Swansea Council has lost out on almost £65,000 after a deal for a controversial city centre site went sour.
It means the authority still has a £600,000 problem to solve.Council bosses sub-let the former Pool Sanctuary site on The Kingsway to Klub Kaos last December.
They agreed a six-month rent-free period, worth £25,000, as part of the deal.
But it has now been confirmed the council received hardly any cash from the backers, who were booted out of the site in June.
It means the authority still has to pick up the £60,000-a-year bill.Concerns were raised over the deal when it was agreed last December.
The Post discovered that the company backing the scheme, Netech Computing, was listed as a residential address in Ipswich.
The council insisted at the time that all necessary checks had been done to protect the council - but a year on the council has missed out on 12 months of rent.
It has also still been unable to find a tenant for the site, in a busy city centre location.
The then Labour-run council leased the former pool hall in May 2004 hoping to use it as the new home for an Activa gym, paying £50,000 a year for 10 years.
Two months later the new coalition running the council axed the plans and labelled the site unsuitable.
Since then Swansea Council has been trying to find a way of covering the lease.
From July 2004 to September 2006, the site has cost Swansea Council £128,254.
Plaid Cymru group leader Darren Price said: "It is of course worrying that the concerns that were raised by many individuals - and the local press - some time ago with regards to the suitability of the company in question have come to fruition.
"The process by which the cabinet took this decision has to be looked at."
Officers state that the appropriate company checks were carried out but I would argue that those checks were anything but appropriate
."The council has lost a key opportunity to recoup some of the losses that it has accrued since the decision to lease the pool sanctuary in 2004 with a knock-on effect on council services."
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The site remains on the market and some remedial work is being done in order to improve its marketability.
"In the case of Klub Kaos the usual company searches and other financial checks were carried out. The decision to let was approved by Cabinet, based upon the advice of our specialist letting agents.
"The club did not open until January this year - after the Christmas period.
"After it continually failed to pay the rent, to protect the Council's interest, action was taken to take the property back from Klub Kaos in June 2006."
BENEFIT IS EASY TO SEE
South Wales Evening Post - 17 November 2006
R O Nicholls (Have Your Say, November 10) has misled readers in his view of the council's eGovernment programme and its aims.
It is not an £83 million computer system. The new computer system will cost the council £17.8 million to buy and implement.
The remainder of the contract is to deliver the council's ICT service over 10 years, costing £6 million per year. We would have spent this amount on ICT services even if we hadn't introduced our eGovernment programme.
The programme is already delivering benefits for the council and the people of Swansea.
The performance of our ICT service is now continually improving and (since November 1) a new finance and procurement system has been delivered on target. This will be followed shortly by a new HR and payroll system.
This new system replaces dozens of outdated, stand-alone computer systems which were wasting taxpayers' money.
It will transform the way the council operates, improving efficiency by reducing the time and cost associated with the previous systems.
This new, fully integrated system is vital if we are to become a modern and efficient council that meets the needs of staff and residents.So a number of promises have been delivered.
The council is now working with its partner, Capgemini to realise the financial benefits of eGovernment.
We have also asked the council's external auditor to review what we have delivered so far and to help us in moving forward to make sure we do deliver on our promises during the 10 years of this ambitious programme.
Mary Jones,
Cabinet member for eGovernment, City and County of Swansea
R O Nicholls (Have Your Say, November 10) has misled readers in his view of the council's eGovernment programme and its aims.
It is not an £83 million computer system. The new computer system will cost the council £17.8 million to buy and implement.
The remainder of the contract is to deliver the council's ICT service over 10 years, costing £6 million per year. We would have spent this amount on ICT services even if we hadn't introduced our eGovernment programme.
The programme is already delivering benefits for the council and the people of Swansea.
The performance of our ICT service is now continually improving and (since November 1) a new finance and procurement system has been delivered on target. This will be followed shortly by a new HR and payroll system.
This new system replaces dozens of outdated, stand-alone computer systems which were wasting taxpayers' money.
It will transform the way the council operates, improving efficiency by reducing the time and cost associated with the previous systems.
This new, fully integrated system is vital if we are to become a modern and efficient council that meets the needs of staff and residents.So a number of promises have been delivered.
The council is now working with its partner, Capgemini to realise the financial benefits of eGovernment.
We have also asked the council's external auditor to review what we have delivered so far and to help us in moving forward to make sure we do deliver on our promises during the 10 years of this ambitious programme.
Mary Jones,
Cabinet member for eGovernment, City and County of Swansea
POLICE TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED ASSAULT
South Wales Evening Post - 16 November 2006
Police have been asked to investigate an alleged assault at County Hall following a spat between two Swansea Councillors.
Independent councillor Ray Welsby has contacted police following an alleged assault on him by fellow councillor Keith Morgan.
The incident happened when the two councillors came face-to-face in a members room at County Hall.
Councillor Welsby asked his council colleague for an apology over remarks he said were made on radio station Swansea Sound.
It is understood that a number of councillors witnessed the incident.Councillor Welsby has also reported Councillor Morgan to the local government ombudsman.
He said: "I have sent off a complaint to the ombudsman, accusing him of misconduct.
"I have also been to the police to report the incident and they will be investigating it too.''
Councillor Welsby said he did not want to make an official complaint over the alleged remarks made on Swansea Sound, and had only been after an apology.
A discussion between the two allegedly escalated and it is understood that a third councillor had to intervene.
A Swansea Council spokesman said it would only get involved in the row if asked to by the ombudsman.
However, a Swansea police spokesman said: "I can confirm that Mr Welsby has been in contact with the police in relation to an alleged assault and we are waiting to speak to all parties involved."
It is not known whether police will speak to other councillors who apparently witnessed the incident.
Councillor Morgan said: "It would be inappropriate for me to make any comment in regard to this matter at this time."
Police have been asked to investigate an alleged assault at County Hall following a spat between two Swansea Councillors.
Independent councillor Ray Welsby has contacted police following an alleged assault on him by fellow councillor Keith Morgan.
The incident happened when the two councillors came face-to-face in a members room at County Hall.
Councillor Welsby asked his council colleague for an apology over remarks he said were made on radio station Swansea Sound.
It is understood that a number of councillors witnessed the incident.Councillor Welsby has also reported Councillor Morgan to the local government ombudsman.
He said: "I have sent off a complaint to the ombudsman, accusing him of misconduct.
"I have also been to the police to report the incident and they will be investigating it too.''
Councillor Welsby said he did not want to make an official complaint over the alleged remarks made on Swansea Sound, and had only been after an apology.
A discussion between the two allegedly escalated and it is understood that a third councillor had to intervene.
A Swansea Council spokesman said it would only get involved in the row if asked to by the ombudsman.
However, a Swansea police spokesman said: "I can confirm that Mr Welsby has been in contact with the police in relation to an alleged assault and we are waiting to speak to all parties involved."
It is not known whether police will speak to other councillors who apparently witnessed the incident.
Councillor Morgan said: "It would be inappropriate for me to make any comment in regard to this matter at this time."
WORKING TO BETTER REPUTATION
South Wales Evening Post - 14 November 2006
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley:
I was disappointed to read yesterday's Opinion column regarding the proposed children's home at Blaenymaes.
It didn't merely question the decision to locate the children's home in Blaenymaes, it also did a great disservice to the people of Blaenymaes.
It is also regrettable that some councillors have condemned Blaenymaes as a "notorious area".
Blaenymaes has had its share of problems but these are no worse than many other areas. However, the whole community has joined together and taken positive action to bring real improvements for the people who live there.
There has been a huge amount of good work achieved through partnership working.The Blaenymaes, Portmead, Penplas Development Trust has brought together a large number of community groups and projects to have a major impact in the community.
For instance, Cafe Arc is a community cafe set up by volunteers and has created jobs.The Penplas Family Centre provides support services and daily drop-in facilities, including parent and toddler groups, a crèche, after-school club and basic skills training.
Spark, a registered charity, provides a range of activities such as kids' club, youth and holiday activities and free childcare.
Tan Dance tackles social, physical and mental issues through dance and attracts hundreds of people each year.
As a result of these kinds of projects, more people are involved in community projects, more adults have educational qualifications, local employment has increased, health and well-being has improved, and crime and anti-social behaviour has fallen.
But yesterday's Opinion column failed to acknowledge any of this work and the positive results it has brought.
Instead, it chose to condemn Blaenymaes and effectively write the community off forever more.
When choosing the new location for the children's home, the council looked at several sites and Blaenymaes was the most appropriate.
The children are some of the most vulnerable in our society and it is essential we provide the best possible facilities for them.The new children's home, unlike the current site at West Cross, will be purpose-built for the children's needs and will be fit for purpose. Importantly, it will include two emergency beds which we don't currently have.
The support, care and facilities will be among the best in the country to ensure our vulnerable children receive all the help and support they require to help them rebuild their lives.
I hope the Evening Post and some councillors will afford the same level of support to Blaenymaes as it continues to improve its community and reputation.
Councillor Chris Holley, Leader of the City and County of Swansea
Your Views
Why was Blaenymaes the most appropriate place, Councillor Holley? Just like Morriston is the most appropriate place for a gypsy site and St Thomas is the most appropriate for a sewage works? Pull the other one.
G.R. Evans, Bonymaen
I don’t believe for a minute that Chris Holley even took the trouble to write this letter. I am sick of the spin and lies that come out of council. And that goes for all parties.
Jemma, Swansea
I think that the Evening Post were spot on with their comments on how poorly Swansea Council have handled this issue. Perhaps Councillor Holley should be a bit more sensitive about the children in his care than his own offended feelings.
Peter Lamnea, Hafod
Chris Holley is a man who says what he believes and believes what he says and god help anyone who disagrees with him. When the Lib-Dem led Coalition Members voted on moving the Children’s home from West Cross to Blaenymaes they voted unanimously in favour of the move. They have no interest in the welfare of these vulnerable children. Their only interest is "self interest".
Lis Davies, Dunvant
Cheap politics from Mr Holley, I'm afraid. The only people condemning Blaenymaes are his crowd at County Hall. It's time they packed up and moved on.
Phil Johns, Blaenymaes
Councillor Holley has been caught up in another gimmick to court popularity with one vested interest group at the expense of vulnerable children. For all his indignation, he would be better served in looking closely at the message rather than the messenger.
Alison Creedy, Swansea
Someone who finally speaks some sense! I agree totally with Mrs Thomas - where is this evidence? The Evening Post should look into this and print any they find. I fear they may have a hard job finding any!!!
Miss A Evans, Swansea
After reading the original article regarding the move of the children's home to Blaenymaes I queried whether any consultation had taken place with the looked after children of Swansea as to where they wish to live and as to what facilities they would like. Once again after reading the follow up article by Councillor Chris Holley there is still no mention whatsoever of any views of the children and young people who are directly involved in this situation. I am not querying whether Blaenymaes or West Cross are the appropriate areas for a children's home but simply where would the looked after children and young people like to live. Where is the evidence that Swansea City and County have adhered to the UN's Convention on the Rights of a Child which states that a child has the right to be consulted on their views and those views must be respected. I fear this has not taken place and once again the Care system appears to be failing to meet even the basic needs of the most vulnerable children in Swansea who deserve to have much more than just their basic needs met. Many looked after children have already been failed by the people who should support them the most which is how they enter the Care system in the hope of being 'rescued'. Unfortunately, many looked after children continue to be failed by this poor system. Please begin to not just listen to looked after children but to show evidence that their wishes are acted upon.
Mrs Thomas, Swansea
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley:
I was disappointed to read yesterday's Opinion column regarding the proposed children's home at Blaenymaes.
It didn't merely question the decision to locate the children's home in Blaenymaes, it also did a great disservice to the people of Blaenymaes.
It is also regrettable that some councillors have condemned Blaenymaes as a "notorious area".
Blaenymaes has had its share of problems but these are no worse than many other areas. However, the whole community has joined together and taken positive action to bring real improvements for the people who live there.
There has been a huge amount of good work achieved through partnership working.The Blaenymaes, Portmead, Penplas Development Trust has brought together a large number of community groups and projects to have a major impact in the community.
For instance, Cafe Arc is a community cafe set up by volunteers and has created jobs.The Penplas Family Centre provides support services and daily drop-in facilities, including parent and toddler groups, a crèche, after-school club and basic skills training.
Spark, a registered charity, provides a range of activities such as kids' club, youth and holiday activities and free childcare.
Tan Dance tackles social, physical and mental issues through dance and attracts hundreds of people each year.
As a result of these kinds of projects, more people are involved in community projects, more adults have educational qualifications, local employment has increased, health and well-being has improved, and crime and anti-social behaviour has fallen.
But yesterday's Opinion column failed to acknowledge any of this work and the positive results it has brought.
Instead, it chose to condemn Blaenymaes and effectively write the community off forever more.
When choosing the new location for the children's home, the council looked at several sites and Blaenymaes was the most appropriate.
The children are some of the most vulnerable in our society and it is essential we provide the best possible facilities for them.The new children's home, unlike the current site at West Cross, will be purpose-built for the children's needs and will be fit for purpose. Importantly, it will include two emergency beds which we don't currently have.
The support, care and facilities will be among the best in the country to ensure our vulnerable children receive all the help and support they require to help them rebuild their lives.
I hope the Evening Post and some councillors will afford the same level of support to Blaenymaes as it continues to improve its community and reputation.
Councillor Chris Holley, Leader of the City and County of Swansea
Your Views
Why was Blaenymaes the most appropriate place, Councillor Holley? Just like Morriston is the most appropriate place for a gypsy site and St Thomas is the most appropriate for a sewage works? Pull the other one.
G.R. Evans, Bonymaen
I don’t believe for a minute that Chris Holley even took the trouble to write this letter. I am sick of the spin and lies that come out of council. And that goes for all parties.
Jemma, Swansea
I think that the Evening Post were spot on with their comments on how poorly Swansea Council have handled this issue. Perhaps Councillor Holley should be a bit more sensitive about the children in his care than his own offended feelings.
Peter Lamnea, Hafod
Chris Holley is a man who says what he believes and believes what he says and god help anyone who disagrees with him. When the Lib-Dem led Coalition Members voted on moving the Children’s home from West Cross to Blaenymaes they voted unanimously in favour of the move. They have no interest in the welfare of these vulnerable children. Their only interest is "self interest".
Lis Davies, Dunvant
Cheap politics from Mr Holley, I'm afraid. The only people condemning Blaenymaes are his crowd at County Hall. It's time they packed up and moved on.
Phil Johns, Blaenymaes
Councillor Holley has been caught up in another gimmick to court popularity with one vested interest group at the expense of vulnerable children. For all his indignation, he would be better served in looking closely at the message rather than the messenger.
Alison Creedy, Swansea
Someone who finally speaks some sense! I agree totally with Mrs Thomas - where is this evidence? The Evening Post should look into this and print any they find. I fear they may have a hard job finding any!!!
Miss A Evans, Swansea
After reading the original article regarding the move of the children's home to Blaenymaes I queried whether any consultation had taken place with the looked after children of Swansea as to where they wish to live and as to what facilities they would like. Once again after reading the follow up article by Councillor Chris Holley there is still no mention whatsoever of any views of the children and young people who are directly involved in this situation. I am not querying whether Blaenymaes or West Cross are the appropriate areas for a children's home but simply where would the looked after children and young people like to live. Where is the evidence that Swansea City and County have adhered to the UN's Convention on the Rights of a Child which states that a child has the right to be consulted on their views and those views must be respected. I fear this has not taken place and once again the Care system appears to be failing to meet even the basic needs of the most vulnerable children in Swansea who deserve to have much more than just their basic needs met. Many looked after children have already been failed by the people who should support them the most which is how they enter the Care system in the hope of being 'rescued'. Unfortunately, many looked after children continue to be failed by this poor system. Please begin to not just listen to looked after children but to show evidence that their wishes are acted upon.
Mrs Thomas, Swansea
CLASH OVER CHILDREN'S NEW HOME
South Wales Evening Post - 13 November 2006
A furious row has erupted over plans to move vulnerable looked after children from West Cross to Blaenymaes.
Some councillors have claimed the children could be at risk because of the anti-social behaviour problems in parts of Blaenymaes.
Labour and the Lib-Dem-led Swansea Council administration have clashed over the plan, with Labour accusing the ruling group of making the move for "political expediency".
Former social services Cabinet Member John Davies said it was wrong to put looked after children in "a deprived environment".
Some 227 angry residents have signed a petition objecting to the relocation.Planning permission for the move has already been granted.
Councillor Davies said the young person's project in Blaenymaes had to be closed because of anti-social behaviour.
And Councillor June Burtonshaw told a meeting of the full council: "Is Blaenymaes a suitable area for these vulnerable youngsters?"
She added that the area did not have a bus service after 6pm because, the bus company said, of anti-social behaviour by young people.
Mrs Burtonshaw said costs for the new home had risen from £1 million to £1.4 million.
Non-aligned councillor Ray Welsby said: "We don't want to play politics with children's lives."
Defending the proposed move, social services Cabinet Member, Wendy Fitzgerald, said there was a "situation of overcrowding" at West Cross and the building was "not fit for purpose".
A furious row has erupted over plans to move vulnerable looked after children from West Cross to Blaenymaes.
Some councillors have claimed the children could be at risk because of the anti-social behaviour problems in parts of Blaenymaes.
Labour and the Lib-Dem-led Swansea Council administration have clashed over the plan, with Labour accusing the ruling group of making the move for "political expediency".
Former social services Cabinet Member John Davies said it was wrong to put looked after children in "a deprived environment".
Some 227 angry residents have signed a petition objecting to the relocation.Planning permission for the move has already been granted.
Councillor Davies said the young person's project in Blaenymaes had to be closed because of anti-social behaviour.
And Councillor June Burtonshaw told a meeting of the full council: "Is Blaenymaes a suitable area for these vulnerable youngsters?"
She added that the area did not have a bus service after 6pm because, the bus company said, of anti-social behaviour by young people.
Mrs Burtonshaw said costs for the new home had risen from £1 million to £1.4 million.
Non-aligned councillor Ray Welsby said: "We don't want to play politics with children's lives."
Defending the proposed move, social services Cabinet Member, Wendy Fitzgerald, said there was a "situation of overcrowding" at West Cross and the building was "not fit for purpose".
COUNCILLORS HAD TO BE SEPARATED AS ROW ESCALATED
South Wales Evening Post - 11 November 2006
Two Swansea councillors had to be separated after a row erupted between them at County Hall.
It is understood a third councillor was forced to step in and separate the pair after Councillor Keith Morgan allegedly barged Councillor Ray Welsby during a private discussion.
Councillor Welsby was after an apology from his former coalition colleague over comments allegedly made on local radio station Swansea Sound.
He said yesterday: "Councillor Morgan had been on the radio saying that I left the coalition and Independent group at Swansea Council because I could not get my own way.
"I left because I couldn't agree with the policies of the coalition. I do not mind people talking about me, but not when what they are saying is untrue."
Councillor Welsby had sought legal advice about the comments and was told he could make an official complaint.
He said: "I could have reported it to the Ombudsman, but I didn't want to do that and so I was advised to ask Councillor Morgan for an apology.
"I spoke to him and told him his comments were untrue, and I wanted an apology. He just denied saying it.
"In the end I said I did not want an argument about it and got up to walk off. That is when he appeared to square up to me."I would not expect anyone to behave like that, let alone a fellow councillor."
Councillor Welsby said he was now considering taking the matter further.
The Post understands the alleged confrontation happened in front of a number of witnesses, one of whom is prepared to give an official statement about the incident if necessary.
Councillor Keith Morgan was asked for a comment and indicated that he was willing to speak to the Evening Post.
However, at the time of going to press he had not responded.
A source at Swansea Council said: "Councillor Welsby had asked for an apology and was perfectly calm about it. When Councillor Morgan refused Councillor Welsby told him he did not want to get into an argument about it and got up to walk away.
"That is when things escalated."
Two Swansea councillors had to be separated after a row erupted between them at County Hall.
It is understood a third councillor was forced to step in and separate the pair after Councillor Keith Morgan allegedly barged Councillor Ray Welsby during a private discussion.
Councillor Welsby was after an apology from his former coalition colleague over comments allegedly made on local radio station Swansea Sound.
He said yesterday: "Councillor Morgan had been on the radio saying that I left the coalition and Independent group at Swansea Council because I could not get my own way.
"I left because I couldn't agree with the policies of the coalition. I do not mind people talking about me, but not when what they are saying is untrue."
Councillor Welsby had sought legal advice about the comments and was told he could make an official complaint.
He said: "I could have reported it to the Ombudsman, but I didn't want to do that and so I was advised to ask Councillor Morgan for an apology.
"I spoke to him and told him his comments were untrue, and I wanted an apology. He just denied saying it.
"In the end I said I did not want an argument about it and got up to walk off. That is when he appeared to square up to me."I would not expect anyone to behave like that, let alone a fellow councillor."
Councillor Welsby said he was now considering taking the matter further.
The Post understands the alleged confrontation happened in front of a number of witnesses, one of whom is prepared to give an official statement about the incident if necessary.
Councillor Keith Morgan was asked for a comment and indicated that he was willing to speak to the Evening Post.
However, at the time of going to press he had not responded.
A source at Swansea Council said: "Councillor Welsby had asked for an apology and was perfectly calm about it. When Councillor Morgan refused Councillor Welsby told him he did not want to get into an argument about it and got up to walk away.
"That is when things escalated."
IT'S BACK! ON THE (BENDY) BUSES!
South Wales Evening Post - 10 November 2006
"LIGHTS, camera - action!"
Top television producer Tyssul D Pavies is back in his home city of Swansea to shoot another exciting TV re-make following his smash-hit success with Doctor Watt.
Remember hilarious 1970s sit-com On the Buses, starring Reg Varney and crew? Well, Tyssul D's bringing it back with a new cast, new scriptwriters, new location, and a new name to give it a 21st Century feel!
On the Bendy Buses it's now called, and Tyssul has just finished filming the very first episode.
And as a special thank-you to Swansea, he's kindly agreed to let me share with you the plot!
The action starts at the new bus waiting area in The Kingsway, where a crowd of bigwigs is eagerly anticipating the very first journey aboard the very first bendy bus.
All the big names are there - First Minister Rhodri Morgan, played by Worzel Gummidge, Assembly Transport Minister Andrew Davies, played by Kevin Johns, and Swansea Council leader Chris Holley, played by Owen Money.
"I thought they said they'd spent millions doing up this street," said one invited guest to another. "So why are the shops all shut?"
"All aboard now, ladies and gentlemen. The bendy bu . . . er, the StreetCar is about to depart," shouts the familiar figure of Inspector Blakey - and the man playing him is an even more familiar figure, albeit it a new role, because it's none other than council leader Chris Holley himself!
Ding, ding, and the bendy bus is away on its inaugural journey, a one-off round trip to Mumbles. At the wheel is Driver Stan Butler, played not by Reg Varney but by our very own councillor David Phillips, leader of the opposition Labour Group.
"Oi - Holley . . . er, Blakey," he shouts into the PA, with a wink to a couple of his passengers.
"Do you want me to stop at the Quadrant bus station or what?"
Blakey goes into one of his trademark panics.
"Quadrant, Butler? Quadrant? What do you mean, stop at the Quadrant? How can we stop at the Quadrant? The bus station's closed. You know that. It's closed."
"Sorry, chief, I was forgettin'. Course it is. You had to flog the site off sharpish to pay for the overspends at Service@Swansea, the leisure centre and the stadium."
"I'm warning you, Butler . . . you keep your eye on the road. Now, a few technical details for you, ladies and gentlemen, about the bendy StreetCar bus . . ."
In no time at all the bus is trundling round the bay, greeted by waves and smiles from all who see it.
"This should be good," they say one to another. "You wait."
Minutes later and the bendy bus approaches Mumbles. "Where do I go now, Blakey?" says Butler on the PA.
"Wha . . . wha . . . whaddya mean, Butler, wh . . . wh . . . where do you go?"
"Where do I go to turn round?"
"Turn round? I, er, I never . . . um, er, er, I didn't think of . . . er, Oystermouth Square, Butler! Turn the bus round in Oystermouth Square, and be quick about it!"
"I don't think Mr Evans would like that, chief," says Butler, braking to a halt in front of a grim-faced Bryan Evans standing at the entrance to the square.
"You're not bringing that thing in here," says the Mumbles businessman. "Not after all the grief you've given me. And good at U-turns as you are, Inspector Blakey, there's nowhere else in Mumbles you can do one. You'll just have to reverse the bus all the way back to Swansea."
"Butler . . ."
"No can do, Blakey, mate, no can do."
"Why not?"
"The first two bendy buses from Morriston have just come up behind me, blocking the Mumbles Road for thousands of yards behind.
"Bendy buses are just buses, Blakey," he chortles. "And just like your calamities, they come along in threes."
"LIGHTS, camera - action!"
Top television producer Tyssul D Pavies is back in his home city of Swansea to shoot another exciting TV re-make following his smash-hit success with Doctor Watt.
Remember hilarious 1970s sit-com On the Buses, starring Reg Varney and crew? Well, Tyssul D's bringing it back with a new cast, new scriptwriters, new location, and a new name to give it a 21st Century feel!
On the Bendy Buses it's now called, and Tyssul has just finished filming the very first episode.
And as a special thank-you to Swansea, he's kindly agreed to let me share with you the plot!
The action starts at the new bus waiting area in The Kingsway, where a crowd of bigwigs is eagerly anticipating the very first journey aboard the very first bendy bus.
All the big names are there - First Minister Rhodri Morgan, played by Worzel Gummidge, Assembly Transport Minister Andrew Davies, played by Kevin Johns, and Swansea Council leader Chris Holley, played by Owen Money.
"I thought they said they'd spent millions doing up this street," said one invited guest to another. "So why are the shops all shut?"
"All aboard now, ladies and gentlemen. The bendy bu . . . er, the StreetCar is about to depart," shouts the familiar figure of Inspector Blakey - and the man playing him is an even more familiar figure, albeit it a new role, because it's none other than council leader Chris Holley himself!
Ding, ding, and the bendy bus is away on its inaugural journey, a one-off round trip to Mumbles. At the wheel is Driver Stan Butler, played not by Reg Varney but by our very own councillor David Phillips, leader of the opposition Labour Group.
"Oi - Holley . . . er, Blakey," he shouts into the PA, with a wink to a couple of his passengers.
"Do you want me to stop at the Quadrant bus station or what?"
Blakey goes into one of his trademark panics.
"Quadrant, Butler? Quadrant? What do you mean, stop at the Quadrant? How can we stop at the Quadrant? The bus station's closed. You know that. It's closed."
"Sorry, chief, I was forgettin'. Course it is. You had to flog the site off sharpish to pay for the overspends at Service@Swansea, the leisure centre and the stadium."
"I'm warning you, Butler . . . you keep your eye on the road. Now, a few technical details for you, ladies and gentlemen, about the bendy StreetCar bus . . ."
In no time at all the bus is trundling round the bay, greeted by waves and smiles from all who see it.
"This should be good," they say one to another. "You wait."
Minutes later and the bendy bus approaches Mumbles. "Where do I go now, Blakey?" says Butler on the PA.
"Wha . . . wha . . . whaddya mean, Butler, wh . . . wh . . . where do you go?"
"Where do I go to turn round?"
"Turn round? I, er, I never . . . um, er, er, I didn't think of . . . er, Oystermouth Square, Butler! Turn the bus round in Oystermouth Square, and be quick about it!"
"I don't think Mr Evans would like that, chief," says Butler, braking to a halt in front of a grim-faced Bryan Evans standing at the entrance to the square.
"You're not bringing that thing in here," says the Mumbles businessman. "Not after all the grief you've given me. And good at U-turns as you are, Inspector Blakey, there's nowhere else in Mumbles you can do one. You'll just have to reverse the bus all the way back to Swansea."
"Butler . . ."
"No can do, Blakey, mate, no can do."
"Why not?"
"The first two bendy buses from Morriston have just come up behind me, blocking the Mumbles Road for thousands of yards behind.
"Bendy buses are just buses, Blakey," he chortles. "And just like your calamities, they come along in threes."
BREACHED PROMISES
South Wales Evening Post - 10 November 2006
Have we been hoodwinked yet again?Rene Kinzett, councillor in charge of this allegedly hi-tech, £82 million, save-the-ratepayers money system, promises to hold a review of this very expensive executive toy.
He further promises to lift the lid on the deal (Post, November 2), which blatantly implies there's maybe a bit of double dealing or is it just plain dirty work at the crossroads?
All this from an authority who promised us open local government.
Whatever the reasons, and they need to be good to justify the promised saving under-achievement of £500,000, or, put more succinctly, loss of £500,000. And I bet I am not alone in thinking, with all these projected savings, that we might eventually expect a reduction in council tax! In my dreams.
Surely if we spend £82 million, yes £82 million, on an e-Government IT system, we should be entitled to know what we are getting for our money and what to expect in return, or is this yet another bottomless pit project?
When you buy a car you know exactly what it is going to cost and how it's going to perform. For Councillor Kinzett to say "It had been difficult to get accurate information about the scheme in the past" is rather thought provoking.
What is this council about? But he was confident things would change.
He'd better be right in his assumptions, if not he shouldn't be surprised to find another big shake-up come the next council elections.
Surely, in terms of failure such as this, the authority should be entitled to levy some kind of penalty against the providers for a scandalous short-fall in performance and offset losses, present and future, against on-going costs.
Going by information given by the council on this project, it's the provider who has apparently breached promises.
R O Nicholls, Thistleboon Drive, Mumbles, Swansea
Have we been hoodwinked yet again?Rene Kinzett, councillor in charge of this allegedly hi-tech, £82 million, save-the-ratepayers money system, promises to hold a review of this very expensive executive toy.
He further promises to lift the lid on the deal (Post, November 2), which blatantly implies there's maybe a bit of double dealing or is it just plain dirty work at the crossroads?
All this from an authority who promised us open local government.
Whatever the reasons, and they need to be good to justify the promised saving under-achievement of £500,000, or, put more succinctly, loss of £500,000. And I bet I am not alone in thinking, with all these projected savings, that we might eventually expect a reduction in council tax! In my dreams.
Surely if we spend £82 million, yes £82 million, on an e-Government IT system, we should be entitled to know what we are getting for our money and what to expect in return, or is this yet another bottomless pit project?
When you buy a car you know exactly what it is going to cost and how it's going to perform. For Councillor Kinzett to say "It had been difficult to get accurate information about the scheme in the past" is rather thought provoking.
What is this council about? But he was confident things would change.
He'd better be right in his assumptions, if not he shouldn't be surprised to find another big shake-up come the next council elections.
Surely, in terms of failure such as this, the authority should be entitled to levy some kind of penalty against the providers for a scandalous short-fall in performance and offset losses, present and future, against on-going costs.
Going by information given by the council on this project, it's the provider who has apparently breached promises.
R O Nicholls, Thistleboon Drive, Mumbles, Swansea
SUSPENSION WELCOMED
South Wales Evening Post - 10 November 2006
I Welcome the swift action from the Tories in suspending last year's Swansea East Parliamentary candidate after her odious views were exposed through emails to colleagues.
I also welcome the Lib Dems' actions in exposing the individual in question.
However, I am concerned the Lib Dem MP Ed Davey then went on to suggest that her views were not unique within the Tory party.
This assertion was not helpful in terms of drawing a clear line between the views of legitimate political parties and fascist groupings such as the BNP.
After all, it was only five years ago that the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate in the very same Swansea East constituency was outed by the Evening Post as having links with extreme Ulster loyalists groups.
Shane Sinclair then went on to advise the BNP on election campaign techniques in England, regrettably with some success.
He did so, using the Lib Dems' very own campaign strategies.
We must accept that from time to time, all political parties have to deal with members with unacceptable racist views.
However, using such incidents to try to smear their opponents is, I suggest, not conducive to creating a united front against the real organised fascists in our communities.
Dai Lloyd AM, Plaid
I Welcome the swift action from the Tories in suspending last year's Swansea East Parliamentary candidate after her odious views were exposed through emails to colleagues.
I also welcome the Lib Dems' actions in exposing the individual in question.
However, I am concerned the Lib Dem MP Ed Davey then went on to suggest that her views were not unique within the Tory party.
This assertion was not helpful in terms of drawing a clear line between the views of legitimate political parties and fascist groupings such as the BNP.
After all, it was only five years ago that the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate in the very same Swansea East constituency was outed by the Evening Post as having links with extreme Ulster loyalists groups.
Shane Sinclair then went on to advise the BNP on election campaign techniques in England, regrettably with some success.
He did so, using the Lib Dems' very own campaign strategies.
We must accept that from time to time, all political parties have to deal with members with unacceptable racist views.
However, using such incidents to try to smear their opponents is, I suggest, not conducive to creating a united front against the real organised fascists in our communities.
Dai Lloyd AM, Plaid
COUNCIL MUST LEARN FROM STADIUM ERRORS
South Wales Evening Post - 9 November 2006
Lessons must be learned to prevent expensive mistakes at the Liberty Stadium being repeated when Swansea leisure centre reopens in 2008.
That is the message from Conservative councillors in the city who are demanding an effective business plan be put in place before it opens.
It follows a report from external auditors PriceWaterhouse Coopers, which criticises the way the football and rugby ground was run during its first year.
According to PWC the situation at the stadium, including the write-off of a £2.3 million loan and £780,000 first-year losses, almost led to a Public Interest Report. These are issued when auditors have serious concerns about a public body's finances.
Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams said: "The Liberty Stadium was built at a cost of £27 million and the mistakes made during the fitting out of the facility meant that the management company could not sustain a business plan, which was not based on a sound financial footing.
"For example, when Labour were in charge, they failed to include the costs of things like the kitchen equipment in the budget of the stadium.
"It meant that those running the stadium had to ask the council for more money in order for the facility to open on time last year."
The council deliberately left out the cost of catering equipment, as it wanted an outside firm to pick up the bill.
However none were willing to do so and the cost had to be found from elsewhere.Instead of adding the extra cash to the overall bill, city leaders decided to offer the club a £2.3 million loan which has since been written off.
Councillor Hood Williams said: "My hope now is that the same fate should not befall the leisure centre.
"I am hopeful that the lessons of the past have already been taken on board in terms of the fitting out costs.
"The new leisure centre rebuild budget was recently increased to £32 million to ensure that every piece of equipment will be properly funded.
"What we now want to see is a fully worked-out business plan which shows the financial projections for the new leisure centre for the coming years.
"We need to be sure that things like maintenance costs, admissions charges and other fees are properly worked out.
"We cannot let the new leisure centre suffer the same fate as the old one, which was starved of proper maintenance and allowed to get into a potentially dangerous state of disrepair."
Lessons must be learned to prevent expensive mistakes at the Liberty Stadium being repeated when Swansea leisure centre reopens in 2008.
That is the message from Conservative councillors in the city who are demanding an effective business plan be put in place before it opens.
It follows a report from external auditors PriceWaterhouse Coopers, which criticises the way the football and rugby ground was run during its first year.
According to PWC the situation at the stadium, including the write-off of a £2.3 million loan and £780,000 first-year losses, almost led to a Public Interest Report. These are issued when auditors have serious concerns about a public body's finances.
Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams said: "The Liberty Stadium was built at a cost of £27 million and the mistakes made during the fitting out of the facility meant that the management company could not sustain a business plan, which was not based on a sound financial footing.
"For example, when Labour were in charge, they failed to include the costs of things like the kitchen equipment in the budget of the stadium.
"It meant that those running the stadium had to ask the council for more money in order for the facility to open on time last year."
The council deliberately left out the cost of catering equipment, as it wanted an outside firm to pick up the bill.
However none were willing to do so and the cost had to be found from elsewhere.Instead of adding the extra cash to the overall bill, city leaders decided to offer the club a £2.3 million loan which has since been written off.
Councillor Hood Williams said: "My hope now is that the same fate should not befall the leisure centre.
"I am hopeful that the lessons of the past have already been taken on board in terms of the fitting out costs.
"The new leisure centre rebuild budget was recently increased to £32 million to ensure that every piece of equipment will be properly funded.
"What we now want to see is a fully worked-out business plan which shows the financial projections for the new leisure centre for the coming years.
"We need to be sure that things like maintenance costs, admissions charges and other fees are properly worked out.
"We cannot let the new leisure centre suffer the same fate as the old one, which was starved of proper maintenance and allowed to get into a potentially dangerous state of disrepair."
PROBE LIKELY INTO £83M IT PROJECT
South Wales Evening Post - 8 November 2006
An independent inquiry into Swansea Council's controversial £83 million IT system is looking increasingly likely.
Labour councillors will call for the scheme to be reviewed at a meeting on Thursday and now Plaid councillors have agreed to back them.
Labour leader David Phillips said he wanted to see the external review after it was revealed resource @ swansea, the first phase of the IT system, is set to miss first-year saving targets.
He said: "The e-Government project has become a black hole that is sucking money and resources from the council." Now Plaid leader Darren Price has said his party will support the motion, meaning Swansea's ruling coalition will be in the minority.
He said: "The Plaid Group feels an independent investigation into this hugely expensive project is justified, particularly given the news that efficiency savings the project was meant to make are failing to be realised.
"We have had concerns for some time and have raised the issue time and time again at council meetings."
An independent inquiry into Swansea Council's controversial £83 million IT system is looking increasingly likely.
Labour councillors will call for the scheme to be reviewed at a meeting on Thursday and now Plaid councillors have agreed to back them.
Labour leader David Phillips said he wanted to see the external review after it was revealed resource @ swansea, the first phase of the IT system, is set to miss first-year saving targets.
He said: "The e-Government project has become a black hole that is sucking money and resources from the council." Now Plaid leader Darren Price has said his party will support the motion, meaning Swansea's ruling coalition will be in the minority.
He said: "The Plaid Group feels an independent investigation into this hugely expensive project is justified, particularly given the news that efficiency savings the project was meant to make are failing to be realised.
"We have had concerns for some time and have raised the issue time and time again at council meetings."
INDEPENDENT PROBE POSSIBLE INTO IT FAILURES
South Wales Evening Post - 6 November 2006
An independent inquiry into Swansea Council's controversial new computer system could be on the cards.
Opposition members are expected to call for the probe at Thursday's council meeting after revelations that the £83 million scheme is failing to deliver the promised savings.
The hi-tech e-Government programme is designed to revolutionise the way the authority conducts its business and deals with the public.
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
.The programme 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.
Public sector union bosses have already raised concerns about how the shortfall will be paid for. Now the council will debate a motion calling for an outside body such as the Wales Audit Office to investigate the handling of whole e-Government programme.
Labour leader David Phillips said: "The e-Government project has become a black hole that is sucking money and resources from the council.
"It has profound implications for the ability of the council to deliver services to the people of Swansea.
"This issue can't be looked at by an internal inquiry, it has got to be done externally."
But Councillor Mary Jones, who is in charge of the project, hit back at its critics.
She said: "This programme is a lot more complex than many people realise, and a terrific amount of good work has already been done.
"I welcome the chance for a discussion - it will bring a lot of the issues out into the open and will clear up some misconceptions."
Your Views
This project has been a disaster from the day it was conceived. Why do Swansea Council persist in flogging this dead horse? It is simply putting public money into private sector pockets?
G. Dawes, Killay
The problem facing Mary Jones is that the Service@Swansea has proved to be too complex for her. Unfortunately, it is us council taxpayers who are having to pick up the tab for her incompetence. If the same dismal level of performance happened in the private sector she and her team would been sacked. No question.
Keith, Morriston
Will the truth ever come out? I think that Swansea Council will just do another whitewash.
Paul, Swansea
An independent inquiry into Swansea Council's controversial new computer system could be on the cards.
Opposition members are expected to call for the probe at Thursday's council meeting after revelations that the £83 million scheme is failing to deliver the promised savings.
The hi-tech e-Government programme is designed to revolutionise the way the authority conducts its business and deals with the public.
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
.The programme 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.
Public sector union bosses have already raised concerns about how the shortfall will be paid for. Now the council will debate a motion calling for an outside body such as the Wales Audit Office to investigate the handling of whole e-Government programme.
Labour leader David Phillips said: "The e-Government project has become a black hole that is sucking money and resources from the council.
"It has profound implications for the ability of the council to deliver services to the people of Swansea.
"This issue can't be looked at by an internal inquiry, it has got to be done externally."
But Councillor Mary Jones, who is in charge of the project, hit back at its critics.
She said: "This programme is a lot more complex than many people realise, and a terrific amount of good work has already been done.
"I welcome the chance for a discussion - it will bring a lot of the issues out into the open and will clear up some misconceptions."
Your Views
This project has been a disaster from the day it was conceived. Why do Swansea Council persist in flogging this dead horse? It is simply putting public money into private sector pockets?
G. Dawes, Killay
The problem facing Mary Jones is that the Service@Swansea has proved to be too complex for her. Unfortunately, it is us council taxpayers who are having to pick up the tab for her incompetence. If the same dismal level of performance happened in the private sector she and her team would been sacked. No question.
Keith, Morriston
Will the truth ever come out? I think that Swansea Council will just do another whitewash.
Paul, Swansea
COUNCIL ONLINE BUYING HOPES
South Wales Evening Post - 03 November 2006
Increasing numbers of bargain hunters are using the internet to do their shopping, and now Swansea Council is set to follow suit.
Around 24 million people spent an average of £816 on web purchases last year.
Now a new IT system has been introduced at Swansea Council, giving the authority the chance to buy thousands of products online.
The iSiop system means Swansea Council will now be able to order anything from overalls to paint, food to spare parts, on the web.
The scheme is part of the council's controversial eGovernment programme, which is costing tax-payers £86 million over the next 10 years.
It is hoped that new working methods will save millions of pounds each year and help pay for the IT system.
However, it ran into trouble last month when it was revealed that first-year savings would be around 60 per cent below targets.
Council leaders are confident savings will be made.
Councillor Mary Jones, who is in charge of the IT project, said: "This will replace 25 existing financial systems which made it difficult to access information, and vital time and effort was being wasted.
"The new system will give us instant access to all the relevant information in a quicker and more efficient way.
"This will save time and money for the council and the people of Swansea.
"Swansea is the first council in Wales to introduce such a wide-ranging system which can handle so much information and different processes."Other elements of the project will come online later this year.
Councillor Jones said: "To introduce this system and transform the way we operate in less than 12 months is a fantastic achievement."
Increasing numbers of bargain hunters are using the internet to do their shopping, and now Swansea Council is set to follow suit.
Around 24 million people spent an average of £816 on web purchases last year.
Now a new IT system has been introduced at Swansea Council, giving the authority the chance to buy thousands of products online.
The iSiop system means Swansea Council will now be able to order anything from overalls to paint, food to spare parts, on the web.
The scheme is part of the council's controversial eGovernment programme, which is costing tax-payers £86 million over the next 10 years.
It is hoped that new working methods will save millions of pounds each year and help pay for the IT system.
However, it ran into trouble last month when it was revealed that first-year savings would be around 60 per cent below targets.
Council leaders are confident savings will be made.
Councillor Mary Jones, who is in charge of the IT project, said: "This will replace 25 existing financial systems which made it difficult to access information, and vital time and effort was being wasted.
"The new system will give us instant access to all the relevant information in a quicker and more efficient way.
"This will save time and money for the council and the people of Swansea.
"Swansea is the first council in Wales to introduce such a wide-ranging system which can handle so much information and different processes."Other elements of the project will come online later this year.
Councillor Jones said: "To introduce this system and transform the way we operate in less than 12 months is a fantastic achievement."
REVIEW PLEDGE ON COUNCIL IT SYSTEM
South Wales Evening Post - 2 November 2006
A Swansea councillor has promised to hold a public review of the county's new £82 million IT system.
Last month the Evening Post revealed the system, known as service @ swansea, was falling short of expected savings.
It was supposed to save £711,000 in its first year, but is likely to miss that figure by almost £500,000.Councillor Rene Kinzett (pictured), who heads a committee looking into the system, has now promised to lift the lid on the deal.
He said: "Other than taking into account legally binding commercial confidentialities, my scrutiny board will be undertaking a public review of the e-Government programme."
Councillor Kinzett said it had been difficult to get accurate information about the scheme in the past, but he was confident things would change.
"Members of the council have had some problems in getting information about the e-Government programme in a timely manner. We have made a number of complaints about this and have been assured that we will be receiving more regular updates," said Councillor Kinzett.
"I am confident that all is being done to address the current shortfall in the projected savings made through the e-Government programme. Councillors must, however, remain vigilant and monitor progress to ensure that the investments being made in the e-Government programme are paying off in terms of real savings to future council budgets."
A Swansea councillor has promised to hold a public review of the county's new £82 million IT system.
Last month the Evening Post revealed the system, known as service @ swansea, was falling short of expected savings.
It was supposed to save £711,000 in its first year, but is likely to miss that figure by almost £500,000.Councillor Rene Kinzett (pictured), who heads a committee looking into the system, has now promised to lift the lid on the deal.
He said: "Other than taking into account legally binding commercial confidentialities, my scrutiny board will be undertaking a public review of the e-Government programme."
Councillor Kinzett said it had been difficult to get accurate information about the scheme in the past, but he was confident things would change.
"Members of the council have had some problems in getting information about the e-Government programme in a timely manner. We have made a number of complaints about this and have been assured that we will be receiving more regular updates," said Councillor Kinzett.
"I am confident that all is being done to address the current shortfall in the projected savings made through the e-Government programme. Councillors must, however, remain vigilant and monitor progress to ensure that the investments being made in the e-Government programme are paying off in terms of real savings to future council budgets."
