South Wales Evening Post - 26 January 2007
Opposition groups at Swansea Council have started to pressure the ruling group following the Conservatives' decision to leave the coalition.
The move by the Conservative group means the Liberal Democrat-led coalition is now in a minority of 31 members compared to 41 opposition councillors.
The four opposing groups, made up of Labour, Plaid, Conservatives and Independent member Ray Welsby, have made a deal to take control of all scrutiny committees.
The eight scrutiny committees take a close look at council policy and can influence decisions. Until now all the committees had a member of the coalition as chair and vice-chair.
Plaid group leader Darren Price said that had now changed and opposition parties would have more say in the way the council is run.
"The decision by the Tories to jump ship last week has meant that opposition groups are now in the majority on all of the council's committees and this presents us with an opportunity to take a key role in how the council is scrutinised and a greater role in the decision making process.
"Plaid is fully committed to scrutinising the administration and holding them to account," said Councillor Price.
"The position since 2004 has seen administration members trying to scrutinise the actions and plans of their own group.
"This was not sustainable. Scrutiny should always be led by opposition groups, in my opinion, and the fact that opposition groups now have a majority on these committees means we are in a position to bring about this positive change.
"The hope is that it will bring about a more open and transparent scrutiny process whereby citizens in Swansea will see improvements in council services.
"Council leader Chris Holley said he was not surprised by the switch.
"They have got the numbers now and I am not completely surprised by this.
"I have to say that two-and-a-half years ago I went to Plaid and Labour and asked if they wanted to take the chairs and vice-chairs. But they declined.
"Now they have a majority and they want to do this.
"I have not seen anything officially, but I understand they want to take the chairs of all the committees.
"We still have the cabinet and we will continue to fight tooth and nail for Swansea. We came together for the good of this city and a lot of good things can be seen to be happening."