South Wales Evening Post - 30 January 2007
A Swansea councillor has launched a trio of attacks on his colleagues as the city's ongoing political tug-of-war continues.
Mawr councillor Ioan Richard has criticised Labour, Conservative and Plaid rivals over their snatching of control of the lucrative scrutiny chairman posts.
He has challenged claims the move is to ensure proper scrutiny, arguing the three parties are taking control of non-scrutiny groups such as licensing and planning.
Councillor Richard said: "They are going for all the extra allowances.
"When Labour were in control, they held all the scrutiny chairs."
The three parties have unofficially joined forces to seize control of the committees.
The posts bring with them bonuses of up to £9,000.
Councillor Richard is also surprised by the co-operation between three parties usually at loggerheads.
He said: "It has gone very bitter now.
"I don't blame Labour, they are the biggest group," he added. "But it is very strange to think that the Tories have joined with Labour.
"This must be the only coalition where you have Labour and Conservatives against the Lib-Dems.
"They have sat down around the table and carved it all up. I would call that a coalition."
Swansea Council has been in the balance since newly appointed Conservative leader Rene Kinzett withdrew his party from the Lib Dem-led ruling alliance. Councillor Kinzett, Plaid and Labour have engineered the power shift on the city's scrutiny committees.
Councillor Richard said he was surprised by Plaid's move.
He said: "They have been offered this time and again to come in from the cold but they go on sitting on the fence.
"I have spoken to a few Plaid Cymru voters and they all said they were against it."
