South Wales Evening Post - 28 February 2007
Get ready to party - the largest dance music event in Wales will return to Swansea's Singleton Park this summer with more than 50 acts already confirmed.
New York's Erick Morillo, Holland's Armin Van Buuren and Hacienda legend Graham Park will appear at the dance extravaganza.
An event spokeswoman said: "The 12-hour dance marathon takes place across four arenas and one main music stage."
The main stage will host spectacular sets from Erick Morillo, David Guetta, Fedde le Grand, Trophy Twins and a special live show from Dirty Sanchez."
Around 20,000 fans are expected to turn up for the event, but residents living near the park are likely to fight plans for a midnight licence.
Last year, organisers were forced to drop plans for a midnight finish after public opposition. Councillors refused to grant the midnight licence and revellers were forced to leave at 11pm.
People living near the park say a string of late-night summer events has made weekends miserable.
Speaking after last year's event ,Anthony Sansam, of Dysgwylfa, Sketty, said: "The madness of the unremitting noise generated by the Escape into the Park event at Singleton Park cannot be allowed to continue.
"My house is at least half-a-mile away from the source of this tuneless racket, but my windows were shaking and normal conversation and concentration were impossible from 10.15am to 11pm."
However, organisers are hoping to persuade councillors that a late licence will not cause problems to residents.
A spokeswoman said: "We are keen to go for the midnight licence because it enables us to fit in our schedule of world-famous DJs and artists.
"Our production team is highly experienced and dedicated to hosting a safe event that results in minimal disruption to residents."
WHY WAS SO MUCH WASTED?
South Wales Evening Post (Editorial) - 26 February 2007
So Service@Swansea has finally bitten the dust. Phase two - the customer service system costing around £84 million - has been ditched in favour of one costing less than £1 million.
Swansea Council was right to rethink the project after costs for the two-phase project soared from the original £100 million estimate to £170 million.
Even though millions had already been spent by the Lib Dem-led coalition on phase one, it was common sense to re-assess the scheme before committing taxpayers to even more expenditure.
The scheme, the brainchild of the former chief executive Tim Thorogood and the previous Labour administration, was hugely controversial from the outset.
It's no secret that the public sector has a poor track record when it comes to managing and introducing big IT projects like this. They have a habit of going way over budget and failing to deliver the promised benefits.
Swansea cannot afford that sort of experience.
News of its demise will make it more controversial. Why was so much time and public money spent on this white elephant, and why didn't Swansea look to other authorities' systems in the first place?
So Service@Swansea has finally bitten the dust. Phase two - the customer service system costing around £84 million - has been ditched in favour of one costing less than £1 million.
Swansea Council was right to rethink the project after costs for the two-phase project soared from the original £100 million estimate to £170 million.
Even though millions had already been spent by the Lib Dem-led coalition on phase one, it was common sense to re-assess the scheme before committing taxpayers to even more expenditure.
The scheme, the brainchild of the former chief executive Tim Thorogood and the previous Labour administration, was hugely controversial from the outset.
It's no secret that the public sector has a poor track record when it comes to managing and introducing big IT projects like this. They have a habit of going way over budget and failing to deliver the promised benefits.
Swansea cannot afford that sort of experience.
News of its demise will make it more controversial. Why was so much time and public money spent on this white elephant, and why didn't Swansea look to other authorities' systems in the first place?
NEW DEAL ON IT SYSTEM WILL BE £83M CHEAPER
South Wales Evening Post - 26 February 2007
A Planned customer service system for Swansea Council costing around £84 million has been ditched in favour of one costing less than £1 million.
The authority has been forced to turn to Cardiff Council for help after its multi-million pound IT plans fell apart.
Private firm Capgemini had been in line to provide the cutting-edge customer service system after supplying the technology to replace the authority's back office IT system.
But as projected costs spiralled, council leaders decided to drop the company and find a cheaper alternative.
Cabinet member for eGovernment Mary Jones has now confirmed high-level talks with Cardiff Council are at an advanced stage and a deal could be struck within weeks.
Just £200,000 has been set aside for the start-up of the scheme, which is expected to be in place by September.
It will not deliver the ambitious promises outlined when the council embarked on its eGovernment programme two years ago, but comes at a fraction of the cost.
Councillor Jones said an alternative had to be found after an option to deal with Capgemini was dropped in January.
"We have gone out to look for an alternative that is affordable and acceptable for what we want to do with it.
"No deal has been done, but we have had talks with Cardiff Council to use its system.
"Swansea Council's involvement with Capgemini has been dogged by controversy. As well as spiralling costs, the deal to transfer council staff to the firm caused the longest public sector strike in Welsh history.
Less than £8 million of a projected £26 million of savings have so far been identified as achievable.
Another link to Capgemini, the project's name, has also gone.
Councillor Jones said: "We are dropping the name mailto:Service@Swansea. The new system will not be called that and we have three alternatives that we are looking at."
The opening of the council's new customer contact centre at County Hall in September is a key factor - something has to be in place by then, and Cardiff offers an affordable and reliable solution.
However, unlike the original plans there will be no call centre, and residents will have to deal with staff face-to-face, or use an email form.
The news has been broadly welcomed by opposition groups at Swansea Council, although they say too much time has been wasted with Capgemini.
Councillor Mark Child, the Labour group's technology spokesman, said: "Unfortunately, we no longer have the IT expertise to be able to implement this in-house as they were all transferred to Capgemini. Having said that, this is the approach we have been advocating all along.
"Cardiff has had this system for five years and it is something we could have gone with much earlier."
Conservative group leader Rene Kinzett agreed that something needed to be done.
He added: "It is only a shame that we have spent so much time and energy, and possibly money, on discussions with Capgemini."The fact that we are not making the savings from the first phase means we are not in a position to get anything like the system we were promised."
Your Views
Shambles@Swansea
Alun, Swansea
I am not at all surprised that this scheme has been downgraded. There have been so many assurances that everying was on track while that it became suspicious. but I am very annoyed that opposition parties who clam to hold the Lib Dem cabinet to account seem to be going along with this and not demanding a full enquiry. Do we have to rely on the Evening Post for our information?
Gary Lewis, Sandfields
Are we supposed to be grateful to Councillor Holley for wasting our time and money over the years? They can try to dress it up however they want, but it is an expensive failure and the people in charge should be held accountable.
Martin Daniels, Swansea
Swansea Council (and Ioan ap Jones) need to explain why it took three years, an expensive army of consultants, phased contracts and a decision to privatise IT services when the answer to all our problems was just up the road in Cardiff all along. Based on their abysmal record to date, how can we be expected to believe that this is even a viable change?
Wil, Swansea
I cannot see what all the fuss is about. The council have delivered what they said they would, a new contact centre with the appropriate technology at a fraction of the original price quoted. Where is all this money they are supposed to have spent? From what I can see they avoided signing up to a costly second phase as the figures did not stack up, whilst phase one is still on track to make the savings required of it.
Ioan Ap Jones, Uplands
Maybe we could call the new project Cardiff@Swansea, I'm sure that will be very popular with the Swansea tax-payers!! We could also outsource our councillors to a private firm and see how much money we could save that way!! I'm tearing my hair out waiting for their next terrible decision. They're about as useful as a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest!!
Lord Dunvant, Walters Row
The decision to award the Capgemini contract was made on the 30 December 2005 by (5) Cabinet members , namely Councillors' Chris Holley, Mike Day, Mary Jones, Graham Thomas and Joan Peters. The other (67) elected members of the City and County of Swansea were not given the opportunity to vote on this matter. The above named Councillors should be be held financially responsible for this fiasco.
Swansea eye, Swansea
What I would like to know is when this decision was made and many councillors were involved. all we get are announcements and lots of spin. Whatever happened to open government?
Arthur, Swansea
So there is going to be no service at Swansea worth mentioning. What's changed?
Jason, Swansea
I am appalled that the announcement, no matter how welcome, is being made without a hint of an apology to the residents of Swansea whose money has been wasted on this ridiculous project. Councillor Holley and his colleagues have spent millions of pounds of our money and seem to think that they can just shrug and walk away from their mess.
Peter Davies, Swansea
Getting rid of the Service@Swansea name will not get rid of the bad smell that this expensive fiasco will leave behind. Politicians may think they can cover over the traces but the taxpayers wil remember come election time.
J. Atherton, Mumbles
So it comes to this. After strikes and compulsory transfers and contracts costing millions of pounds, not to mention an entire floor of County Hall being emptied of staff, the promised Service@Swansea is to become an appendage of Cardiff. This is progress? What a joke.
Jerry, Swansea
I do hope that Swansea Council do not ry to spin this as a success story. They signed the contracts and promised the savings. Instead of providing leading edge technology, they are buying a cheap substitute from Cardiff. Chris Holley and Mary Jones should resign over the time and money they have wasted. If they did not understand the issue then they have no business being in office.
Malcolm, Morriston
A Planned customer service system for Swansea Council costing around £84 million has been ditched in favour of one costing less than £1 million.
The authority has been forced to turn to Cardiff Council for help after its multi-million pound IT plans fell apart.
Private firm Capgemini had been in line to provide the cutting-edge customer service system after supplying the technology to replace the authority's back office IT system.
But as projected costs spiralled, council leaders decided to drop the company and find a cheaper alternative.
Cabinet member for eGovernment Mary Jones has now confirmed high-level talks with Cardiff Council are at an advanced stage and a deal could be struck within weeks.
Just £200,000 has been set aside for the start-up of the scheme, which is expected to be in place by September.
It will not deliver the ambitious promises outlined when the council embarked on its eGovernment programme two years ago, but comes at a fraction of the cost.
Councillor Jones said an alternative had to be found after an option to deal with Capgemini was dropped in January.
"We have gone out to look for an alternative that is affordable and acceptable for what we want to do with it.
"No deal has been done, but we have had talks with Cardiff Council to use its system.
"Swansea Council's involvement with Capgemini has been dogged by controversy. As well as spiralling costs, the deal to transfer council staff to the firm caused the longest public sector strike in Welsh history.
Less than £8 million of a projected £26 million of savings have so far been identified as achievable.
Another link to Capgemini, the project's name, has also gone.
Councillor Jones said: "We are dropping the name mailto:Service@Swansea. The new system will not be called that and we have three alternatives that we are looking at."
The opening of the council's new customer contact centre at County Hall in September is a key factor - something has to be in place by then, and Cardiff offers an affordable and reliable solution.
However, unlike the original plans there will be no call centre, and residents will have to deal with staff face-to-face, or use an email form.
The news has been broadly welcomed by opposition groups at Swansea Council, although they say too much time has been wasted with Capgemini.
Councillor Mark Child, the Labour group's technology spokesman, said: "Unfortunately, we no longer have the IT expertise to be able to implement this in-house as they were all transferred to Capgemini. Having said that, this is the approach we have been advocating all along.
"Cardiff has had this system for five years and it is something we could have gone with much earlier."
Conservative group leader Rene Kinzett agreed that something needed to be done.
He added: "It is only a shame that we have spent so much time and energy, and possibly money, on discussions with Capgemini."The fact that we are not making the savings from the first phase means we are not in a position to get anything like the system we were promised."
Your Views
Shambles@Swansea
Alun, Swansea
I am not at all surprised that this scheme has been downgraded. There have been so many assurances that everying was on track while that it became suspicious. but I am very annoyed that opposition parties who clam to hold the Lib Dem cabinet to account seem to be going along with this and not demanding a full enquiry. Do we have to rely on the Evening Post for our information?
Gary Lewis, Sandfields
Are we supposed to be grateful to Councillor Holley for wasting our time and money over the years? They can try to dress it up however they want, but it is an expensive failure and the people in charge should be held accountable.
Martin Daniels, Swansea
Swansea Council (and Ioan ap Jones) need to explain why it took three years, an expensive army of consultants, phased contracts and a decision to privatise IT services when the answer to all our problems was just up the road in Cardiff all along. Based on their abysmal record to date, how can we be expected to believe that this is even a viable change?
Wil, Swansea
I cannot see what all the fuss is about. The council have delivered what they said they would, a new contact centre with the appropriate technology at a fraction of the original price quoted. Where is all this money they are supposed to have spent? From what I can see they avoided signing up to a costly second phase as the figures did not stack up, whilst phase one is still on track to make the savings required of it.
Ioan Ap Jones, Uplands
Maybe we could call the new project Cardiff@Swansea, I'm sure that will be very popular with the Swansea tax-payers!! We could also outsource our councillors to a private firm and see how much money we could save that way!! I'm tearing my hair out waiting for their next terrible decision. They're about as useful as a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest!!
Lord Dunvant, Walters Row
The decision to award the Capgemini contract was made on the 30 December 2005 by (5) Cabinet members , namely Councillors' Chris Holley, Mike Day, Mary Jones, Graham Thomas and Joan Peters. The other (67) elected members of the City and County of Swansea were not given the opportunity to vote on this matter. The above named Councillors should be be held financially responsible for this fiasco.
Swansea eye, Swansea
What I would like to know is when this decision was made and many councillors were involved. all we get are announcements and lots of spin. Whatever happened to open government?
Arthur, Swansea
So there is going to be no service at Swansea worth mentioning. What's changed?
Jason, Swansea
I am appalled that the announcement, no matter how welcome, is being made without a hint of an apology to the residents of Swansea whose money has been wasted on this ridiculous project. Councillor Holley and his colleagues have spent millions of pounds of our money and seem to think that they can just shrug and walk away from their mess.
Peter Davies, Swansea
Getting rid of the Service@Swansea name will not get rid of the bad smell that this expensive fiasco will leave behind. Politicians may think they can cover over the traces but the taxpayers wil remember come election time.
J. Atherton, Mumbles
So it comes to this. After strikes and compulsory transfers and contracts costing millions of pounds, not to mention an entire floor of County Hall being emptied of staff, the promised Service@Swansea is to become an appendage of Cardiff. This is progress? What a joke.
Jerry, Swansea
I do hope that Swansea Council do not ry to spin this as a success story. They signed the contracts and promised the savings. Instead of providing leading edge technology, they are buying a cheap substitute from Cardiff. Chris Holley and Mary Jones should resign over the time and money they have wasted. If they did not understand the issue then they have no business being in office.
Malcolm, Morriston
£75 FINES TO CUT CITY CENTRE LITTER
South Wales Evening Post - 24 February 2007
Tough new rules to hit litter louts with massive £75 fines for dropping rubbish are on their way to Swansea.
City leaders have approved radical plans to give teams of wardens the power to punish people in the pocket for dirtying the city.
They will patrol Swansea streets and be able to hand out spot fines to culprits spitting gum, dropping cigarette butts or discarding other waste. It will coincide with the April 2 smoking ban expected to see a surge in butt ends being dropped in the street.
Dedicated hit squads will also be deployed into communities throughout the county to tackle litter blackspots.
The new initiatives are designed to help clean up the city as part of the council's Streetforce strategy.
It could have imposed fines up to £150, but leaders decided to set the figure at the lowest level under Assembly rules.The council will be able to hand out fines from April, but has said it will have a three- month amnesty in which warnings are given instead.
Council leader Chris Holley admitted something needed to be done to tackle the problem and said he hoped the fines would be enough.
He said: "There are still people who clutter our beautiful city by thoughtlessly dropping litter where they stand rather than put it in a bin or take it home.
"There are letters almost every week in the newspaper complaining about litter in our streets."
And feedback from our own Swansea Voices community consultation project, as well as other opinion polls, gives a clear message that more needs to be done."
At present the council is powerless to hand out spot fines for littering and has to bring a costly prosecution instead.
Dog owners who do not clean up after their pets can already be handed a fine.
As well as targeting litter louts, the council is planning to roll out a successful pilot scheme to clear up grot spots in the county.
Neat (neighbourhood environment action teams) squads will target rubbish hotspots that are missed in regular street cleaning. These could include unadopted lanes, plots of land and areas where fly-tipping is common.
The aim is to have three of the teams, made up of 18 workers, who could be deployed across the county. Communities and local councillors could nominate target areas and a priority list would be drawn up.
Councillor Holley said: "The council already does a huge amount of work with teams dedicated to the task of keeping a tidy city by cleaning the city centre, tackling fly-tipping, emptying dog fouling bins and dealing with graffiti.
"The existing Neat team has already done great work in different areas of the city including St Thomas, Gorseinon and the riverside near the city centre.
"Environment campaigners have welcomed the get-tough approach but admit the public has a role to play.
A spokesman for Keep Wales Tidy said: "People expect a clean city but to tackle this everyone needs to play their part.
"Without the support of the public, it could be money wasted."The sad fact is that there are some people who whatever you do they will not stop.
"Let's hope these litter wardens will be able to enforce these kind of fines - otherwise there is no point having them.
"Swansea Council are trying everything in their power," he added.
"At the end of the day, the responsibility lies with us really."
Tough new rules to hit litter louts with massive £75 fines for dropping rubbish are on their way to Swansea.
City leaders have approved radical plans to give teams of wardens the power to punish people in the pocket for dirtying the city.
They will patrol Swansea streets and be able to hand out spot fines to culprits spitting gum, dropping cigarette butts or discarding other waste. It will coincide with the April 2 smoking ban expected to see a surge in butt ends being dropped in the street.
Dedicated hit squads will also be deployed into communities throughout the county to tackle litter blackspots.
The new initiatives are designed to help clean up the city as part of the council's Streetforce strategy.
It could have imposed fines up to £150, but leaders decided to set the figure at the lowest level under Assembly rules.The council will be able to hand out fines from April, but has said it will have a three- month amnesty in which warnings are given instead.
Council leader Chris Holley admitted something needed to be done to tackle the problem and said he hoped the fines would be enough.
He said: "There are still people who clutter our beautiful city by thoughtlessly dropping litter where they stand rather than put it in a bin or take it home.
"There are letters almost every week in the newspaper complaining about litter in our streets."
And feedback from our own Swansea Voices community consultation project, as well as other opinion polls, gives a clear message that more needs to be done."
At present the council is powerless to hand out spot fines for littering and has to bring a costly prosecution instead.
Dog owners who do not clean up after their pets can already be handed a fine.
As well as targeting litter louts, the council is planning to roll out a successful pilot scheme to clear up grot spots in the county.
Neat (neighbourhood environment action teams) squads will target rubbish hotspots that are missed in regular street cleaning. These could include unadopted lanes, plots of land and areas where fly-tipping is common.
The aim is to have three of the teams, made up of 18 workers, who could be deployed across the county. Communities and local councillors could nominate target areas and a priority list would be drawn up.
Councillor Holley said: "The council already does a huge amount of work with teams dedicated to the task of keeping a tidy city by cleaning the city centre, tackling fly-tipping, emptying dog fouling bins and dealing with graffiti.
"The existing Neat team has already done great work in different areas of the city including St Thomas, Gorseinon and the riverside near the city centre.
"Environment campaigners have welcomed the get-tough approach but admit the public has a role to play.
A spokesman for Keep Wales Tidy said: "People expect a clean city but to tackle this everyone needs to play their part.
"Without the support of the public, it could be money wasted."The sad fact is that there are some people who whatever you do they will not stop.
"Let's hope these litter wardens will be able to enforce these kind of fines - otherwise there is no point having them.
"Swansea Council are trying everything in their power," he added.
"At the end of the day, the responsibility lies with us really."
AM QUESTIONS INTERVIEW SITE
South Wales Evening Post - 23 February 2007
Welsh Lib Dem AM for South Wales West Peter Black has questioned the planned location for a new passport interview office in Swansea.
The office will be used to interview new adult applicants for UK passports from April, and is due to be sited at Axis Court, Riverside Business Park, on the Enterprise Park.
But Mr Black has raised concerns over its accessibility for people without a car.
He said the commonsense solution would have been to put the office in the city centre between the bus and railway station to cater for those having to travel from large parts of South West Wales for background checks.
"This is a badly thought-out location," said Mr Black.
"Public transport to the Enterprise Park is neither plentiful, or cheap.''
Welsh Lib Dem AM for South Wales West Peter Black has questioned the planned location for a new passport interview office in Swansea.
The office will be used to interview new adult applicants for UK passports from April, and is due to be sited at Axis Court, Riverside Business Park, on the Enterprise Park.
But Mr Black has raised concerns over its accessibility for people without a car.
He said the commonsense solution would have been to put the office in the city centre between the bus and railway station to cater for those having to travel from large parts of South West Wales for background checks.
"This is a badly thought-out location," said Mr Black.
"Public transport to the Enterprise Park is neither plentiful, or cheap.''
OUR ROADS NEED WORK
South Wales Evening Post - 23 February 2007
Taking my children to school this week I nearly lost my car in the "pot hole" outside Bishop Gore School. The wheel, tyre and half the suspension was severely damaged, the total cost of repair so far is £275.
Any chance Swansea Council can spend money putting the roads in a serviceable condition, or are they going to blow it all on the bendy bus fiasco?
Why are we paying road tax? The condition of the roads in Swansea are no better than some Third World countries.
Wayne Henwood,
Crole Street, Swansea
Taking my children to school this week I nearly lost my car in the "pot hole" outside Bishop Gore School. The wheel, tyre and half the suspension was severely damaged, the total cost of repair so far is £275.
Any chance Swansea Council can spend money putting the roads in a serviceable condition, or are they going to blow it all on the bendy bus fiasco?
Why are we paying road tax? The condition of the roads in Swansea are no better than some Third World countries.
Wayne Henwood,
Crole Street, Swansea
COUNCILLORS UPSET OVER IT SYSTEM
South Wales Evening Post - 23 February 2007
Computer systems at Swansea Council are costing more and delivering less, according to fed-up councillors.
They claim that since the council's IT system was handed over to private firm Capgemini, they have been left frustrated by the new arrangements.
The company signed an £86 million contract last year to supply new computer systems for the authority. It was also supposed to work on a hi-tech customer service centre. However, those plans have now been pulled because of rising costs.
Now, some councillors are so annoyed at the replacement technology that they have stopped using it altogether.
Councillor Vanessa Webb told a council meeting she has given up using the firm's helpdesk, which was transferred to Aberdeen, after it repeatedly failed to sort out problems.
She added: "My experience is absolutely dreadful. The idea of having a helpdesk in Scotland is a terrible one. There is widespread dissatisfaction among members."
Councillor Webb said she had spoken to one helpdesk worker who did not know where Swansea was.
Councillor Rene Kinzett said one of the people he spoke to did not know what a councillor was.
Councillor Webb added: "I never bother to ring the helpdesk any more. There is no point. If I have a problem, I do not log it and just go away and come back later to see if it has sorted itself out.
"I know councillors who are not particularly confident with technology but have been encouraged to use the new computer system. They are now struggling because it is so bad.
"Councillor Mike Hedges complained that the email system was slow and difficult to use, and was often out of use. He has now abandoned it in favour of Yahoo's email service.
He said: "A week does not go by when I don't get an email saying the system will be down for six, eight or 24 hours at a time.
"Councillors were told by Huw Williams, the council's head of IT, that work was often carried out after normal office hours to minimise disruption. It meant that most users did not experience problems. He added that the council gets more from this contract than under the previous system.
However, councillors said they used the system at all hours, and the service was not good enough.
Councillor Dennis James said: "It is totally, and absolutely frustrating. I want to throw a brick through the screen when I use it. It takes four or five minutes to get into the system and when you do the printers do not work.
"I am not the only councillor. There are plenty of others who are totally frustrated. There have been plenty of times when I have had to go home to get work done."
Councillor Kinzett said Capgemini has not done enough for councillors since taking over the IT systems.
He said: "I have seen no evidence that Capgemini are moving to understand our specific needs. It's worrying that a company with so much experience with public sector can show a serious lack of understanding about what we do."
Your Views
So we taxpayers are forking out a fortune for a more expensive privately run system that doesn't do the job half as well as the old in-house arrangement. Doesn't this all sound very familiar (trains, water, etc)
Che (Jenkins), Plasmarl
Can't beleive how Councillors have the audacity to complain about these systems. These were the same Councillors that "voted" for the outsourcing of the Council IT section. Let them stew in the mess of their own making.
Mark Griffiths, Gwelfor
Computer systems at Swansea Council are costing more and delivering less, according to fed-up councillors.
They claim that since the council's IT system was handed over to private firm Capgemini, they have been left frustrated by the new arrangements.
The company signed an £86 million contract last year to supply new computer systems for the authority. It was also supposed to work on a hi-tech customer service centre. However, those plans have now been pulled because of rising costs.
Now, some councillors are so annoyed at the replacement technology that they have stopped using it altogether.
Councillor Vanessa Webb told a council meeting she has given up using the firm's helpdesk, which was transferred to Aberdeen, after it repeatedly failed to sort out problems.
She added: "My experience is absolutely dreadful. The idea of having a helpdesk in Scotland is a terrible one. There is widespread dissatisfaction among members."
Councillor Webb said she had spoken to one helpdesk worker who did not know where Swansea was.
Councillor Rene Kinzett said one of the people he spoke to did not know what a councillor was.
Councillor Webb added: "I never bother to ring the helpdesk any more. There is no point. If I have a problem, I do not log it and just go away and come back later to see if it has sorted itself out.
"I know councillors who are not particularly confident with technology but have been encouraged to use the new computer system. They are now struggling because it is so bad.
"Councillor Mike Hedges complained that the email system was slow and difficult to use, and was often out of use. He has now abandoned it in favour of Yahoo's email service.
He said: "A week does not go by when I don't get an email saying the system will be down for six, eight or 24 hours at a time.
"Councillors were told by Huw Williams, the council's head of IT, that work was often carried out after normal office hours to minimise disruption. It meant that most users did not experience problems. He added that the council gets more from this contract than under the previous system.
However, councillors said they used the system at all hours, and the service was not good enough.
Councillor Dennis James said: "It is totally, and absolutely frustrating. I want to throw a brick through the screen when I use it. It takes four or five minutes to get into the system and when you do the printers do not work.
"I am not the only councillor. There are plenty of others who are totally frustrated. There have been plenty of times when I have had to go home to get work done."
Councillor Kinzett said Capgemini has not done enough for councillors since taking over the IT systems.
He said: "I have seen no evidence that Capgemini are moving to understand our specific needs. It's worrying that a company with so much experience with public sector can show a serious lack of understanding about what we do."
Your Views
So we taxpayers are forking out a fortune for a more expensive privately run system that doesn't do the job half as well as the old in-house arrangement. Doesn't this all sound very familiar (trains, water, etc)
Che (Jenkins), Plasmarl
Can't beleive how Councillors have the audacity to complain about these systems. These were the same Councillors that "voted" for the outsourcing of the Council IT section. Let them stew in the mess of their own making.
Mark Griffiths, Gwelfor
OLD SCHOOL STILL EMPTY - AFTER TWO YEARS
South Wales Evening Post - 23 February 2007
Swansea Council cabinet has been accused of dithering over the future of a redundant Sketty school.
Local councillor Tony Lloyd says he wants to know why it has taken two-and-a-half years to come up with alternative plans for the old Sketty Primary School in Tycoch Square.
The school closed at the end of the summer term in 2004 and pupils moved into their new building the following September.Since then, the old school building has stood empty. Residents say it is now fast turning into an eyesore.Some are concerned it could also be hit by a possible arson attack.
The council cabinet is now set to consider new uses for the site. It is thought it may be sold off for housing.
Councillor Lloyd said the delay in reaching a decision on its future was staggering.
He added: "The council's education department held up the development of this site by dithering over whether or not the buildings could have been used for other educational purposes.
"I would like an explanation as to why plans were not firmly in place to coincide with the closure of the school in summer 2004.
"The date of the closure had been known for years, yet Swansea Council did not even begin to actively consider alternative uses for the site until later in 2004."
Harri Lloyd Davies, Welsh Conservative candidate for Swansea West in May's Assembly elections, endorsed his concerns.
"The council knew this school was closing for years while the new school site was being constructed. By waiting for another two-and-a-half years after it closed before coming up with plans for alternative use of the site, the council has lost much-needed income from an earlier sale," he said.
Resident Jim Lipton, of Harlech Crescent, said the site needed attention.
He added: " It does seem to be dragging on a bit. It seems to be money down the drain."
Councillor Gareth Sullivan said: "The council has agreed to sell the site and we will be able to reveal further details later."
Swansea Council cabinet has been accused of dithering over the future of a redundant Sketty school.
Local councillor Tony Lloyd says he wants to know why it has taken two-and-a-half years to come up with alternative plans for the old Sketty Primary School in Tycoch Square.
The school closed at the end of the summer term in 2004 and pupils moved into their new building the following September.Since then, the old school building has stood empty. Residents say it is now fast turning into an eyesore.Some are concerned it could also be hit by a possible arson attack.
The council cabinet is now set to consider new uses for the site. It is thought it may be sold off for housing.
Councillor Lloyd said the delay in reaching a decision on its future was staggering.
He added: "The council's education department held up the development of this site by dithering over whether or not the buildings could have been used for other educational purposes.
"I would like an explanation as to why plans were not firmly in place to coincide with the closure of the school in summer 2004.
"The date of the closure had been known for years, yet Swansea Council did not even begin to actively consider alternative uses for the site until later in 2004."
Harri Lloyd Davies, Welsh Conservative candidate for Swansea West in May's Assembly elections, endorsed his concerns.
"The council knew this school was closing for years while the new school site was being constructed. By waiting for another two-and-a-half years after it closed before coming up with plans for alternative use of the site, the council has lost much-needed income from an earlier sale," he said.
Resident Jim Lipton, of Harlech Crescent, said the site needed attention.
He added: " It does seem to be dragging on a bit. It seems to be money down the drain."
Councillor Gareth Sullivan said: "The council has agreed to sell the site and we will be able to reveal further details later."
'DOUBLE NEW SCHOOL POT TO £15M' PLEA
South Wales Evening Post - 22 February 2007
Swansea Council has been told to double the money it plans to invest in rebuilding a fire-hit city school.
Governors of Penyrheol Comprehensive School are calling for the authority to dig deep and review all options in a bid to find upwards of £15 million for the replacement school.
The council is expecting around £8 million from insurers to go towards the new building, but argue that with more than 100 schools needing investment across the county, it simply can't plough more than that into the school.
But Philip Sillick, vice-chairman of governors at the school, believes Swansea Council should do all it can to deliver what school pupils and parents want.
He said: "There is no way we will have a proper school for £8 million.
"The schools we have been looking at are upwards of £15 million."We are still battling with the local authority on that.
"We need 48 classrooms, and the figure is based on that. It is more than realistic.
"We have got to look at it being here in 20 years time. We don't want to put up something temporary."
Mr Sillick said that between 1,500 and 2,000 new homes had been pencilled in for the Gorseinon area, and that the school needed to be able to accommodate future pupils, as well as its current roll of 960.
He said: "We want them to come to Penyrheol.
"Every school gets its capital allowance by the amount of pupils that we have.
"If we lose pupils, we are not gong to get our money.
"That is why we must have adequate accommodation in the school.
"We don't want to have a building where we have to build on bits and pieces later, because later never comes."
Mr Sillick said he hoped the new school would be available by the end of 2008, the early part of Swansea Council's predicted date of the 2008/09 academic year.
He added it was important parents knew when it would be available, and what standard it would be so that they could make informed choices on their children's education.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "By definition, the insurance claim will be sufficient to fund a capital scheme to replace what the fire destroyed.
"It is not currently the intention to invest in improvements to the undamaged areas of the school or to replace with something substantially larger than existed before, although the new block will be modern and must comply with latest building regulations and Disability Discrimination Act requirements.
"This must be viewed in the context that the education department supports more than 100 schools across Swansea, some of which have pressing needs for investment, and at this point, extra funding has not been allocated for Penyrheol on top of the insurance settlement.
"Losing such a large part of the school to an arson attack was tragic, and the council has endeavoured to support the school at every step of the way, from ensuring that education continues for all pupils, to the reinstatement, as early as practicable, of the building damaged by fire."
Swansea Council has been told to double the money it plans to invest in rebuilding a fire-hit city school.
Governors of Penyrheol Comprehensive School are calling for the authority to dig deep and review all options in a bid to find upwards of £15 million for the replacement school.
The council is expecting around £8 million from insurers to go towards the new building, but argue that with more than 100 schools needing investment across the county, it simply can't plough more than that into the school.
But Philip Sillick, vice-chairman of governors at the school, believes Swansea Council should do all it can to deliver what school pupils and parents want.
He said: "There is no way we will have a proper school for £8 million.
"The schools we have been looking at are upwards of £15 million."We are still battling with the local authority on that.
"We need 48 classrooms, and the figure is based on that. It is more than realistic.
"We have got to look at it being here in 20 years time. We don't want to put up something temporary."
Mr Sillick said that between 1,500 and 2,000 new homes had been pencilled in for the Gorseinon area, and that the school needed to be able to accommodate future pupils, as well as its current roll of 960.
He said: "We want them to come to Penyrheol.
"Every school gets its capital allowance by the amount of pupils that we have.
"If we lose pupils, we are not gong to get our money.
"That is why we must have adequate accommodation in the school.
"We don't want to have a building where we have to build on bits and pieces later, because later never comes."
Mr Sillick said he hoped the new school would be available by the end of 2008, the early part of Swansea Council's predicted date of the 2008/09 academic year.
He added it was important parents knew when it would be available, and what standard it would be so that they could make informed choices on their children's education.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "By definition, the insurance claim will be sufficient to fund a capital scheme to replace what the fire destroyed.
"It is not currently the intention to invest in improvements to the undamaged areas of the school or to replace with something substantially larger than existed before, although the new block will be modern and must comply with latest building regulations and Disability Discrimination Act requirements.
"This must be viewed in the context that the education department supports more than 100 schools across Swansea, some of which have pressing needs for investment, and at this point, extra funding has not been allocated for Penyrheol on top of the insurance settlement.
"Losing such a large part of the school to an arson attack was tragic, and the council has endeavoured to support the school at every step of the way, from ensuring that education continues for all pupils, to the reinstatement, as early as practicable, of the building damaged by fire."
ONLY TRUE INDEPENDENT
South Wales Evening Post - 20 February 2007
I write in response to Tony Beddow's letter (Have Your Say, February 3) with the headline True colour or false?
Firstly, I would like to point out that Mr Beddow is a member of the Labour Party, and made comments about councillors Margaret Smith, Rene Kinzett and the independents at Swansea.
I would like to take this opportunity to inform Mr Beddow that I am the only true independent councillor on Swansea Council.
I am non-aligned to any political party or group, unlike the rest of the independents at Swansea who are all members of the Liberal Democrat-Independent coalition.
I was a member of the coalition, but left because it was not an open and transparent ruling coalition. It was controlled by the Liberal Democrats.
Also, members were always arguing over positions and money.
I could not put money or positions before the people of Swansea, so please, Mr Beddow, do not class all independents like the ones in the Lib Dem coalition.
Councillor Ray Welsby
Independent, Mynyddbach Ward
I write in response to Tony Beddow's letter (Have Your Say, February 3) with the headline True colour or false?
Firstly, I would like to point out that Mr Beddow is a member of the Labour Party, and made comments about councillors Margaret Smith, Rene Kinzett and the independents at Swansea.
I would like to take this opportunity to inform Mr Beddow that I am the only true independent councillor on Swansea Council.
I am non-aligned to any political party or group, unlike the rest of the independents at Swansea who are all members of the Liberal Democrat-Independent coalition.
I was a member of the coalition, but left because it was not an open and transparent ruling coalition. It was controlled by the Liberal Democrats.
Also, members were always arguing over positions and money.
I could not put money or positions before the people of Swansea, so please, Mr Beddow, do not class all independents like the ones in the Lib Dem coalition.
Councillor Ray Welsby
Independent, Mynyddbach Ward
BID TO SHARPEN CITY BUSINESSES' CUTTING EDGE
South Wales Evening Post - 10 February 2007
Swansea Council is hoping to encourage cutting-edge businesses to the city with the launch of a new economic strategy.
The aim is to build on the reputation the city already has with leading research and development companies that have already set up in Swansea, including the Technium initiatives and the new £50 million Institute of Life Sciences at Swansea University.
The Economic Regeneration Strategy will set out how new technology companies will fit into Swansea's economy over the next 10 years.
Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, said: "Swansea is playing a leading role in the transformation of Wales as a knowledge economy. This is a bold vision for a region at the cutting edge of research, technology and entrepreneurship."
Council leader Chris Holley said the strategy would help generate the right local economic conditions to create quality jobs for local people.
He said: "This strategy recognises that tackling economic inactivity and equipping our young people with the skills they need is the most effective platform for building economic success."It aims to develop key sectors in the local economy that are already doing well such as tourism, computing, life sciences, professional services and creative industries.
"These are very much at the heart of a strong knowledge economy and a revitalised Swansea will be well placed to take advantage of the success story of the city's university, which is a breeding ground for some of the brightest and best entrepreneurs in Wales."
Swansea Council is hoping to encourage cutting-edge businesses to the city with the launch of a new economic strategy.
The aim is to build on the reputation the city already has with leading research and development companies that have already set up in Swansea, including the Technium initiatives and the new £50 million Institute of Life Sciences at Swansea University.
The Economic Regeneration Strategy will set out how new technology companies will fit into Swansea's economy over the next 10 years.
Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, said: "Swansea is playing a leading role in the transformation of Wales as a knowledge economy. This is a bold vision for a region at the cutting edge of research, technology and entrepreneurship."
Council leader Chris Holley said the strategy would help generate the right local economic conditions to create quality jobs for local people.
He said: "This strategy recognises that tackling economic inactivity and equipping our young people with the skills they need is the most effective platform for building economic success."It aims to develop key sectors in the local economy that are already doing well such as tourism, computing, life sciences, professional services and creative industries.
"These are very much at the heart of a strong knowledge economy and a revitalised Swansea will be well placed to take advantage of the success story of the city's university, which is a breeding ground for some of the brightest and best entrepreneurs in Wales."
ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY
South Wales Evening Post - 7 February 2007
Is it any wonder that people have developed such low opinions of their elected representatives in recent years?
We read of cash for honours scandals and now independent Swansea councillor Ioan Richard has confirmed the sadly popular view that politicians are only in it for the money (Post, February 1).
There does not appear to be anything behind his alleged plans to disrupt council proceedings other than a loss of income by losing office.
Surely he must have known the risks of giving up employment in exchange for the whimsies of political life.
As ye sow, so shall ye reap.
B Jeffries, Rice Lane, Pennard, Swansea
Is it any wonder that people have developed such low opinions of their elected representatives in recent years?
We read of cash for honours scandals and now independent Swansea councillor Ioan Richard has confirmed the sadly popular view that politicians are only in it for the money (Post, February 1).
There does not appear to be anything behind his alleged plans to disrupt council proceedings other than a loss of income by losing office.
Surely he must have known the risks of giving up employment in exchange for the whimsies of political life.
As ye sow, so shall ye reap.
B Jeffries, Rice Lane, Pennard, Swansea
Politicians accused over free tickets
Western Mail - 7 February 2007
Politicians are being allocated hundreds of free tickets at the hugely popular Liberty Stadium, it emerged yesterday, as an opponent of the practice branded the freebies a disgrace.
The Ospreys regional rugby side and Swansea City FC have thrived at the stadium since it opened in 2005. The free tickets are available to Swansea city's councillors on a first come, first served basis, and are meant to be distributed by them to deserving people in the community.
But according to one disgruntled Independent councillor, the system for matches at the Swansea's shining new stadium is open to abuse, with individuals claiming dozens of tickets each.
Ray Welsby, who has called for the resignation of council leader and Lord Mayor Chris Holley over the issue, said, 'I am very unhappy about this and see it as a disgrace. This system of dishing out freebies has never been discussed at council and so far as I am concerned it should be stopped.
'I've had a small number of tickets myself which I have given away to people in my area who have done voluntary work. But a few weeks ago I was a bit surprised to be told there were no more tickets available because they had already been allocated.
'I decided to look into this and asked for details of who had been given tickets and who had been entertained in the council hospitality box. It's taken me three weeks to get the list and I'm totally shocked at the number of tickets some councillors have been getting. It seems to me there are no adequate checks on how councillors dispose of the tickets they are allocated - they could be giving them to their friends or even selling them, so far as I know. The stadium was built with public money, not by individual councillors. I don't think ordinary members of the public who have to pay for tickets will be happy with all these freebies.'
On the use of the council's hospitality box, Mr Welsby said, 'I fully accept the need to have corporate hospitality, where business people are entertained who may be bringing jobs to Swansea. The box should be used for that and also, in my opinion, for children from deprived areas to watch matches under supervision. But I can see no justification at all for nine councillors and the deputy chief executive to use the box to watch the Ospreys v Scarlets match on Boxing Day. Instead, the box should have been hired out to some company perhaps, with the money going back into the council's coffers.
'I believe this is such a serious issue that the council leader and Lord Mayor should resign.'
There were concerns about the accuracy of a list given to Mr Welsby by the council showing details of the number of tickets supposedly allocated to individual councillors. One councillor, who according to the list had been the recipient of 80 tickets - more than anyone else - denied they had received that many. Mr Welsby also said he had been listed as getting more tickets than he had.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said, 'The council's Protocol on Hospitality, which was agreed by full council in December 2005, highlighted the need to provide arrangements for the use of the Liberty Stadium. The protocol makes it clear than any councillor invited to an event by the council at the Liberty Stadium need not register it in the Members' Hospitality Register. Any councillor requesting tickets for matches at the stadium must declare any they receive in the register.
'The protocol also states that further practical protocols for council venues and events such as use of the Mansion House and the Liberty Stadium will be produced. They are currently being finalised and have been approved by our external auditors.
'In the interim, ticket allocation involving councillors and officers at the council is covered by the general protocol.
'Currently the council receives 10 tickets for regular sporting fixtures at the stadium, which can be used by ward members to recognise and reward members of the community. Each councillor, on a first come first served basis, can distribute up to 40 tickets per sporting year within their ward.
'A total of 400 tickets will be allocated per year; once this figure has been reached the opportunity will cease.
'The council also receives 10 tickets for each sporting fixture which can be used as prizes in existing awards schemes such as sports awards, community regeneration awards, community safety awards and design awards. This process has also been approved by our external auditors. This is a fantastic way of rewarding members of the community at no extra cost to the council.'
Mr Holley, who has no intention of resigning, said, 'I accept we will be criticised over this, but we are trying our best to be fair. If the system needs to be tightened up, we will look at that. It's very difficult to get businesses to come to the hospitality box on Boxing Day, but there were quite a few councillors who wanted to come along.
'The reason why a detailed protocol for the Liberty Stadium has not been put to council yet is because in his discussion with officers, the leader of the Labour group has said he is not happy about councillors being involved in ticket allocations. I would expect it to come before council in the next couple of months.
'I couldn't put my hand on my heart and say that in every case councillors have declared who the tickets have gone to. Ray Welsby is entitled to his view, but I believe there has to be an element of trust in accepting that councillors will allocate tickets to people in the community who deserve them, and not just give them to their mates.'
Politicians are being allocated hundreds of free tickets at the hugely popular Liberty Stadium, it emerged yesterday, as an opponent of the practice branded the freebies a disgrace.
The Ospreys regional rugby side and Swansea City FC have thrived at the stadium since it opened in 2005. The free tickets are available to Swansea city's councillors on a first come, first served basis, and are meant to be distributed by them to deserving people in the community.
But according to one disgruntled Independent councillor, the system for matches at the Swansea's shining new stadium is open to abuse, with individuals claiming dozens of tickets each.
Ray Welsby, who has called for the resignation of council leader and Lord Mayor Chris Holley over the issue, said, 'I am very unhappy about this and see it as a disgrace. This system of dishing out freebies has never been discussed at council and so far as I am concerned it should be stopped.
'I've had a small number of tickets myself which I have given away to people in my area who have done voluntary work. But a few weeks ago I was a bit surprised to be told there were no more tickets available because they had already been allocated.
'I decided to look into this and asked for details of who had been given tickets and who had been entertained in the council hospitality box. It's taken me three weeks to get the list and I'm totally shocked at the number of tickets some councillors have been getting. It seems to me there are no adequate checks on how councillors dispose of the tickets they are allocated - they could be giving them to their friends or even selling them, so far as I know. The stadium was built with public money, not by individual councillors. I don't think ordinary members of the public who have to pay for tickets will be happy with all these freebies.'
On the use of the council's hospitality box, Mr Welsby said, 'I fully accept the need to have corporate hospitality, where business people are entertained who may be bringing jobs to Swansea. The box should be used for that and also, in my opinion, for children from deprived areas to watch matches under supervision. But I can see no justification at all for nine councillors and the deputy chief executive to use the box to watch the Ospreys v Scarlets match on Boxing Day. Instead, the box should have been hired out to some company perhaps, with the money going back into the council's coffers.
'I believe this is such a serious issue that the council leader and Lord Mayor should resign.'
There were concerns about the accuracy of a list given to Mr Welsby by the council showing details of the number of tickets supposedly allocated to individual councillors. One councillor, who according to the list had been the recipient of 80 tickets - more than anyone else - denied they had received that many. Mr Welsby also said he had been listed as getting more tickets than he had.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said, 'The council's Protocol on Hospitality, which was agreed by full council in December 2005, highlighted the need to provide arrangements for the use of the Liberty Stadium. The protocol makes it clear than any councillor invited to an event by the council at the Liberty Stadium need not register it in the Members' Hospitality Register. Any councillor requesting tickets for matches at the stadium must declare any they receive in the register.
'The protocol also states that further practical protocols for council venues and events such as use of the Mansion House and the Liberty Stadium will be produced. They are currently being finalised and have been approved by our external auditors.
'In the interim, ticket allocation involving councillors and officers at the council is covered by the general protocol.
'Currently the council receives 10 tickets for regular sporting fixtures at the stadium, which can be used by ward members to recognise and reward members of the community. Each councillor, on a first come first served basis, can distribute up to 40 tickets per sporting year within their ward.
'A total of 400 tickets will be allocated per year; once this figure has been reached the opportunity will cease.
'The council also receives 10 tickets for each sporting fixture which can be used as prizes in existing awards schemes such as sports awards, community regeneration awards, community safety awards and design awards. This process has also been approved by our external auditors. This is a fantastic way of rewarding members of the community at no extra cost to the council.'
Mr Holley, who has no intention of resigning, said, 'I accept we will be criticised over this, but we are trying our best to be fair. If the system needs to be tightened up, we will look at that. It's very difficult to get businesses to come to the hospitality box on Boxing Day, but there were quite a few councillors who wanted to come along.
'The reason why a detailed protocol for the Liberty Stadium has not been put to council yet is because in his discussion with officers, the leader of the Labour group has said he is not happy about councillors being involved in ticket allocations. I would expect it to come before council in the next couple of months.
'I couldn't put my hand on my heart and say that in every case councillors have declared who the tickets have gone to. Ray Welsby is entitled to his view, but I believe there has to be an element of trust in accepting that councillors will allocate tickets to people in the community who deserve them, and not just give them to their mates.'
BUS STATION REVAMP DOUBT AS PRIORITY GOES TO BENDY BUS
South Wales Evening Post - 6 February 2007
Swansea's Quadrant Bus Station could miss out on much-needed Assembly cash - putting the scheme on hold for another year.
The council is waiting to hear from the Assembly whether it has been successful in this year's bids for transport grant funding.
It has asked for around £15.5 million for a variety of schemes, including £5.75 million to begin the long-awaited redevelopment of a bus station more and more people are labelling tatty and third-rate.
The council is also hoping for £1.5 million for the Landore express bus route, £1.6 million for the new sidings bridge over Fabian Way, £4.5 million for the city centre second stage and Morriston leg of the bendy bus scheme and cash for other smaller projects.
The council's cabinet's head of transport, John Hague, is confident the city will get the money it needs.
But it has emerged that the bus station is not at the top of the priority list. Swansea Council ranks its bids to help the Assembly decide which ones should get the cash. But the authority has to put projects already started at the top of the pile.
That means a cash boost is expected for things such as the bendy bus scheme and the new park and ride bridge over Fabian Way - but that the Quadrant could be put on hold for another year.
Although the council has asked for £15.5 million, in recent years it has received an average of £6.9 million.
Opposition councillors are now calling for the council to make the Quadrant its priority.Darren Price, leader of the Plaid Cymru group, said Swansea had had a second-rate bus station for too long, and called on the Assembly to do the right thing.
He said: "It is important that the Labour Assembly minister, Swansea West AM Andrew Davies, recognises the importance of this scheme and approves the current grant application."If he were to refuse, it would mean Swansea would be left behind."
A council spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The council's number one priority for future projects is the redevelopment of the Quadrant Bus Station. Major improvement schemes that have commenced using transport grant funding are the main priority the following year when the grant application process is finalised."
Existing projects in progress include Fforestfach park and ride, the Sidings bridge over Fabian Way, Swansea Metro and improvements to junction 45 of the M4."
Councillor Hague said: "Last year the Welsh Assembly Government issued approximately £125 million for transport schemes throughout the length and breadth of Wales.
"For 2007, Swansea Council has applied for just over £15 million."As Wales's second city, I see no reason why Swansea cannot receive the entire amount applied for," he added."The council is continuing its efforts to develop innovative and sustainable transport schemes that residents and visitors to Swansea will benefit from."
Bus user Daniel Millbank, of Gorseinon, said the station was an eyesore.
He added: "I think the council needs to get its priorities in order."Before embarking on high-profile schemes like the bendy bus. they should get the basics such as the bus station right."
Your Views
I think that Daniel Millbank quoted in the article sums it all up very nicely when he says "Before embarking on high-profile schemes like the bendy bus, they should get the basics such as the bus station right."
Chris, Swansea
If the people who made this decision were forced to stand in this appalling excuse for a bus station 20 minutes every day then I bet their priorities would change. It is about time that the councillors in charge started living to their promises.
Bradley, Uplands
If the council do not make teh bus station a priority then they can hardly blame the Assembly if the cash is not forthcoming. What a shower.
Pat Bowen, Sandfields
I sit in front of my widow on a main bus route and have not seen a full bus, so why a bendy bus?.
Sandra Green, Morriston
I caught a bus yesterday for the first time in a year as they have rerouted away from the filthy bus station which I avoid at all costs. I went one stop and the fare was 75p.......I will be sticking to walking in future.
Liz, Swansea
I could not agree more with other comments. That bus station is an absolute disgrace and I fully sympathise with passengers that have to use it on a regular basis. Furthermore, if projects that are already in progress get priority funding, then the bus station is caught in a Catch 22 situation, because, according to the report, the project never gets off the ground because there is no funding, and funding is not prioritized because, well, the project has not got off the ground. I think there needs to be some change in policy (and logic) at County Hall if Swansea if ever going to see a new bus station.
Steve, Mayals
What is the matter with our council? When did they ever ask us about the priorities? After all, we pay their wages.
J. Williams, Hafod
I think it is disgraceful that the Council has not made the Quadrant bus station its top priority. No-one even wanted the bendy bus except the council. If they do not listen then they cannot expect to be in power for much longer.
Jason, Swansea
What is the point of having a bendy bus in Swansea if the Quadrant remains such a mess. It is ridiculous to think that the council see the Quadrant as a lower priority. This should be top of the list as it is unsightly and awful to walk through let alone be in to get a bus - or worse still for the tourists and visitors that may come to Swansea. When will the council ever listen to what the people want instead of doing things that will make Swansea the first or get them more recognition?
Claire, Swansea
Swansea's Quadrant Bus Station could miss out on much-needed Assembly cash - putting the scheme on hold for another year.
The council is waiting to hear from the Assembly whether it has been successful in this year's bids for transport grant funding.
It has asked for around £15.5 million for a variety of schemes, including £5.75 million to begin the long-awaited redevelopment of a bus station more and more people are labelling tatty and third-rate.
The council is also hoping for £1.5 million for the Landore express bus route, £1.6 million for the new sidings bridge over Fabian Way, £4.5 million for the city centre second stage and Morriston leg of the bendy bus scheme and cash for other smaller projects.
The council's cabinet's head of transport, John Hague, is confident the city will get the money it needs.
But it has emerged that the bus station is not at the top of the priority list. Swansea Council ranks its bids to help the Assembly decide which ones should get the cash. But the authority has to put projects already started at the top of the pile.
That means a cash boost is expected for things such as the bendy bus scheme and the new park and ride bridge over Fabian Way - but that the Quadrant could be put on hold for another year.
Although the council has asked for £15.5 million, in recent years it has received an average of £6.9 million.
Opposition councillors are now calling for the council to make the Quadrant its priority.Darren Price, leader of the Plaid Cymru group, said Swansea had had a second-rate bus station for too long, and called on the Assembly to do the right thing.
He said: "It is important that the Labour Assembly minister, Swansea West AM Andrew Davies, recognises the importance of this scheme and approves the current grant application."If he were to refuse, it would mean Swansea would be left behind."
A council spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The council's number one priority for future projects is the redevelopment of the Quadrant Bus Station. Major improvement schemes that have commenced using transport grant funding are the main priority the following year when the grant application process is finalised."
Existing projects in progress include Fforestfach park and ride, the Sidings bridge over Fabian Way, Swansea Metro and improvements to junction 45 of the M4."
Councillor Hague said: "Last year the Welsh Assembly Government issued approximately £125 million for transport schemes throughout the length and breadth of Wales.
"For 2007, Swansea Council has applied for just over £15 million."As Wales's second city, I see no reason why Swansea cannot receive the entire amount applied for," he added."The council is continuing its efforts to develop innovative and sustainable transport schemes that residents and visitors to Swansea will benefit from."
Bus user Daniel Millbank, of Gorseinon, said the station was an eyesore.
He added: "I think the council needs to get its priorities in order."Before embarking on high-profile schemes like the bendy bus. they should get the basics such as the bus station right."
Your Views
I think that Daniel Millbank quoted in the article sums it all up very nicely when he says "Before embarking on high-profile schemes like the bendy bus, they should get the basics such as the bus station right."
Chris, Swansea
If the people who made this decision were forced to stand in this appalling excuse for a bus station 20 minutes every day then I bet their priorities would change. It is about time that the councillors in charge started living to their promises.
Bradley, Uplands
If the council do not make teh bus station a priority then they can hardly blame the Assembly if the cash is not forthcoming. What a shower.
Pat Bowen, Sandfields
I sit in front of my widow on a main bus route and have not seen a full bus, so why a bendy bus?.
Sandra Green, Morriston
I caught a bus yesterday for the first time in a year as they have rerouted away from the filthy bus station which I avoid at all costs. I went one stop and the fare was 75p.......I will be sticking to walking in future.
Liz, Swansea
I could not agree more with other comments. That bus station is an absolute disgrace and I fully sympathise with passengers that have to use it on a regular basis. Furthermore, if projects that are already in progress get priority funding, then the bus station is caught in a Catch 22 situation, because, according to the report, the project never gets off the ground because there is no funding, and funding is not prioritized because, well, the project has not got off the ground. I think there needs to be some change in policy (and logic) at County Hall if Swansea if ever going to see a new bus station.
Steve, Mayals
What is the matter with our council? When did they ever ask us about the priorities? After all, we pay their wages.
J. Williams, Hafod
I think it is disgraceful that the Council has not made the Quadrant bus station its top priority. No-one even wanted the bendy bus except the council. If they do not listen then they cannot expect to be in power for much longer.
Jason, Swansea
What is the point of having a bendy bus in Swansea if the Quadrant remains such a mess. It is ridiculous to think that the council see the Quadrant as a lower priority. This should be top of the list as it is unsightly and awful to walk through let alone be in to get a bus - or worse still for the tourists and visitors that may come to Swansea. When will the council ever listen to what the people want instead of doing things that will make Swansea the first or get them more recognition?
Claire, Swansea
POWER BID DELAYED
South Wales Evening Post - 3 February 2007
A Bid by opposition parties to take control of committees at Swansea Council has been postponed.
Councillors had been due to vote on plans to hand over the chairmanships and vice-chairmanships to members of the Conservative, Labour and Plaid groups after a swing in power at County Hall.
However, a number of the current heads of committees have dug their heels in and refused to hand over control without a fight. It means a meeting to decide the new heads has had to be postponed until further discussions can take place.
The revolt has been led by Councillor Ioan Richard, head of the council's Licensing committee. He has sent an e-mail to other chairs asking for them to make things difficult for the opposition groups.
Council leader Chris Holley said: "We have a group meeting next week to discuss these issues."
A Bid by opposition parties to take control of committees at Swansea Council has been postponed.
Councillors had been due to vote on plans to hand over the chairmanships and vice-chairmanships to members of the Conservative, Labour and Plaid groups after a swing in power at County Hall.
However, a number of the current heads of committees have dug their heels in and refused to hand over control without a fight. It means a meeting to decide the new heads has had to be postponed until further discussions can take place.
The revolt has been led by Councillor Ioan Richard, head of the council's Licensing committee. He has sent an e-mail to other chairs asking for them to make things difficult for the opposition groups.
Council leader Chris Holley said: "We have a group meeting next week to discuss these issues."
OFFER WAS NO FALLACY
South Wales Evening Post - 1 February 2007
The leader of the Labour opposition on Swansea Council accuses the council leader and me of peddling a fallacy in relation to the offer of scrutiny chairs that went to the Labour and Plaid groups (Have Your Say, January 29). Councillor Phillips should spend more time talking to his colleagues and less spreading around wild accusations.
I have a copy of a letter sent to both the Labour and Plaid Cymru whips by Chris Holley, dated Friday June 18. The letters formally invite the two groups to "accept any positions of chairmen or vice chairmen as appropriate, of the performance review board committees in the event of an administration where you are in opposition" and requested a response "prior to the council AGM on Thursday June 24 2004".
Plaid had the decency to write back to decline the offer. Labour did not. Perhaps we can now put this issue to rest.
Councillor Peter Black AM
Welsh Liberal Democrat
The leader of the Labour opposition on Swansea Council accuses the council leader and me of peddling a fallacy in relation to the offer of scrutiny chairs that went to the Labour and Plaid groups (Have Your Say, January 29). Councillor Phillips should spend more time talking to his colleagues and less spreading around wild accusations.
I have a copy of a letter sent to both the Labour and Plaid Cymru whips by Chris Holley, dated Friday June 18. The letters formally invite the two groups to "accept any positions of chairmen or vice chairmen as appropriate, of the performance review board committees in the event of an administration where you are in opposition" and requested a response "prior to the council AGM on Thursday June 24 2004".
Plaid had the decency to write back to decline the offer. Labour did not. Perhaps we can now put this issue to rest.
Councillor Peter Black AM
Welsh Liberal Democrat
BONUS CASH ROW COULD HALT COUNCIL
South Wales Evening Post - 1 February 2007
Swansea Council could grind to a halt because of the latest political power struggle, Labour councillors have warned.
They have lambasted a call by Councillor Ioan Richard for "trench warfare" in the battle for control of scrutiny committees and other lucrative posts.
The Lib Dem-led coalition had agreed last week to hand over the positions after Labour, Plaid and Conservatives banded together to demand the switch, empowered by their joint majority.
But now in a lengthy email to his Lib Dem coalition colleagues, Councillor Richard, who is currently chair of the licensing committee, proposes challenging the chairmanship of boards at every meeting in a bid to claw back some of the thousands of pounds they stand to lose in bonus payments.
He said: "If we succeed only once in five goes we will get 20 per cent of their special responsibility allowance, eg 20 per cent of a chair's £9,000 is £1,800, an amount not to be scoffed at, and it will really inconvenience the other lot and annoy them enormously.
"It would really cause them serious problems and give us back a couple of thousand pounds a year.
"Councillor Richards admits that some of this group thought it was childish, but he urges colleagues to push on with the scheme. He said: "If I can inconvenience the new cabal and get paid for it, that is OK by me."
He adds that he may have to go back to casual supply teaching if he cannot claw back some of his bonus cash.City leader Chris Holley said there were no plans to pursue the move and talks were continuing on a way forward for resolving the row.
Councillor David Phillips, leader of the Labour Group, has launched a stinging attack on Councillor Richards and the coalition.
He said: "It is just being silly, they are just being bloodyminded. It is all about money. I have said all along that the administration was bound together by money rather than principle.
"His email shows how petty the administration is behaving. It will bring the whole processes of the council to a halt.
"The whole process of scrutiny boards will be subverted.
"I find it unbelievable that Chris Holley has support for this outrageous idea which will completely frustrate the proper role of scrutiny boards.
"This is the administration that the leader promised was open, transparent and democratic - where is that in what they are proposing?
"Nothing is going to happen. If democracy isn't allowed to take place then the whole working of the council is at risk."
Councillor Richard said: "Being chair of licensing has been a full time job over the past year with all the new License Act changes.
"I gave up teaching work prematurely to do this civic duty. It is only fair that I am recompensed for loss of earnings. When Labour were in power in Swansea they all claimed 20 per cent more than our regime now claims.
"The fact is that Plaid and Labour have strangely formed a new coalition to oust myself and my colleagues. I make no bones about it that I am aggrieved. Plaid are queuing up to claim the chair allowances."
Swansea Council could grind to a halt because of the latest political power struggle, Labour councillors have warned.
They have lambasted a call by Councillor Ioan Richard for "trench warfare" in the battle for control of scrutiny committees and other lucrative posts.
The Lib Dem-led coalition had agreed last week to hand over the positions after Labour, Plaid and Conservatives banded together to demand the switch, empowered by their joint majority.
But now in a lengthy email to his Lib Dem coalition colleagues, Councillor Richard, who is currently chair of the licensing committee, proposes challenging the chairmanship of boards at every meeting in a bid to claw back some of the thousands of pounds they stand to lose in bonus payments.
He said: "If we succeed only once in five goes we will get 20 per cent of their special responsibility allowance, eg 20 per cent of a chair's £9,000 is £1,800, an amount not to be scoffed at, and it will really inconvenience the other lot and annoy them enormously.
"It would really cause them serious problems and give us back a couple of thousand pounds a year.
"Councillor Richards admits that some of this group thought it was childish, but he urges colleagues to push on with the scheme. He said: "If I can inconvenience the new cabal and get paid for it, that is OK by me."
He adds that he may have to go back to casual supply teaching if he cannot claw back some of his bonus cash.City leader Chris Holley said there were no plans to pursue the move and talks were continuing on a way forward for resolving the row.
Councillor David Phillips, leader of the Labour Group, has launched a stinging attack on Councillor Richards and the coalition.
He said: "It is just being silly, they are just being bloodyminded. It is all about money. I have said all along that the administration was bound together by money rather than principle.
"His email shows how petty the administration is behaving. It will bring the whole processes of the council to a halt.
"The whole process of scrutiny boards will be subverted.
"I find it unbelievable that Chris Holley has support for this outrageous idea which will completely frustrate the proper role of scrutiny boards.
"This is the administration that the leader promised was open, transparent and democratic - where is that in what they are proposing?
"Nothing is going to happen. If democracy isn't allowed to take place then the whole working of the council is at risk."
Councillor Richard said: "Being chair of licensing has been a full time job over the past year with all the new License Act changes.
"I gave up teaching work prematurely to do this civic duty. It is only fair that I am recompensed for loss of earnings. When Labour were in power in Swansea they all claimed 20 per cent more than our regime now claims.
"The fact is that Plaid and Labour have strangely formed a new coalition to oust myself and my colleagues. I make no bones about it that I am aggrieved. Plaid are queuing up to claim the chair allowances."
Councillor defends his remarks over pay cut
Western Mail - Feb 1 2007
SWANSEA'S Deputy Mayor hit back at Labour and Plaid Cymru critics who claim he is only interested in the money for being chairman of a committee.
In a leaked email, Independent councillor Ioan Richard complained about the pay cut he faces when he loses his role as chair of the council's licensing committee as part of a political realignment at the council.
Mr Richard said, "Being chair of licensing has been a full-time job over the past year with all the new License Act changes. I gave up teaching work prematurely to do this civic duty. It is only fair that I am recompensed for loss of earnings. When Labour were in power in Swansea they all claimed 20% more than our regime now claims. The fact is that Plaid Cymru and Labour have strangely formed a new coalition to oust myself and my colleagues. I make no bones about it that I am aggrieved.
"Plaid Cymru are queuing up to claim the chair allowances."
SWANSEA'S Deputy Mayor hit back at Labour and Plaid Cymru critics who claim he is only interested in the money for being chairman of a committee.
In a leaked email, Independent councillor Ioan Richard complained about the pay cut he faces when he loses his role as chair of the council's licensing committee as part of a political realignment at the council.
Mr Richard said, "Being chair of licensing has been a full-time job over the past year with all the new License Act changes. I gave up teaching work prematurely to do this civic duty. It is only fair that I am recompensed for loss of earnings. When Labour were in power in Swansea they all claimed 20% more than our regime now claims. The fact is that Plaid Cymru and Labour have strangely formed a new coalition to oust myself and my colleagues. I make no bones about it that I am aggrieved.
"Plaid Cymru are queuing up to claim the chair allowances."
