South Wales Evening Post - 26 May 2007
Editors Opinion
The result of the Welsh Assembly election three weeks ago threw up a big challenge to our political leaders. They could not meet it, and they failed Wales.
As the weeks have passed, and the parties have cosied up, squabbled and fallen out like a bunch of teenage girls, every leader has been stressing that he was committed to doing what was "best for Wales". It turned out they all meant what was best for them and their parties.
And so we have ended up with what we had before, only weaker, and a First Minister who is on record as wanting to retire within a couple of years.
This process has been described as a roller coaster. It's actually been much more like a merry-go-round. The riders have climbed on their hobby horses, gone around in circles, and got off in the same place as they got on.
Smaller people generally ride on merry-go-rounds rather than roller coasters, and our AMs have shown that they lack the calibre for the sort of sophisticated politics created by proportional representation at the ballot box. For all their talk about a new Welsh way of doing things, they are entrenched in old-style party politics.
Rhodri "Lazarus" Morgan insists that it would have been a "denial of democracy" to exclude Labour, as the party with the largest number of seats, from government. Well, it happened in Swansea and other Welsh councils. Odd that local politicians could achieve what national ones couldn't.
And then Lembit Opik, the leader of the Welsh Lib Dems, pops up to call for full legislative powers for the Assembly. Sorry Lembit, but you must have been spending too much time with your Cheeky Girl to notice what has been going on here.
More powers for this lot? Not until, to coin a phrase, they prove they are fit for purpose.
EVERYONE TOOK PART
South Wales Evening Post - 26 May 2007
It is all very well Labour and Conservative representatives on Swansea Council complaining when things go wrong with the expensive e-government programme (Post, May 21) but I do feel that we need a reality check on this issue.
The fact is that the problems started as soon as the then Labour cabinet decided in August 2003 to approve plans to procure a private sector partner to deliver the scheme.
The Lib Dem-led administration continued with the programme when they came to power in June 2004 despite the fact that they could have halted it there and then.
When the decision to actually sign up a private company came along in December 2005, the Conservatives were actually part of the ruling Swansea administration.
Surely, if they had concerns, then they could have voted against progressing with the contract. They did not, and indeed the cabinet which they were part of, went ahead with it.
While I agree that there are serious questions that need answering in terms of the e-government programme, it should not be left unnoted that those two parties played a key role in its development.
Rather than trying to score political points, parties need to wait until all available research and information has been presented to council. That is the time to make political judgements.
Dai Lloyd AM, Plaid Cymru, Swansea
It is all very well Labour and Conservative representatives on Swansea Council complaining when things go wrong with the expensive e-government programme (Post, May 21) but I do feel that we need a reality check on this issue.
The fact is that the problems started as soon as the then Labour cabinet decided in August 2003 to approve plans to procure a private sector partner to deliver the scheme.
The Lib Dem-led administration continued with the programme when they came to power in June 2004 despite the fact that they could have halted it there and then.
When the decision to actually sign up a private company came along in December 2005, the Conservatives were actually part of the ruling Swansea administration.
Surely, if they had concerns, then they could have voted against progressing with the contract. They did not, and indeed the cabinet which they were part of, went ahead with it.
While I agree that there are serious questions that need answering in terms of the e-government programme, it should not be left unnoted that those two parties played a key role in its development.
Rather than trying to score political points, parties need to wait until all available research and information has been presented to council. That is the time to make political judgements.
Dai Lloyd AM, Plaid Cymru, Swansea
Opposites
There's a lot of speculation as to what form the eventual coalition will take that will rule at the Assembly.
However, nobody is taking much interest in the two opposite coalitions at Swansea Council.
Firstly, there is 'Swansea Administration' consisting of Liberal Democrats and Independents who run the cabinet, making all the executive decisions.
The there is the 'PLC colalition' consisting of Plaid in bed with the Conservatives and Labour that controls all the chairmanships of all the committees and who also take 28 of the paid 38 financial votes with the PLC group.
Now we hear rumours of Plaid in Swansea West, who got thrashed in the Assembly elections, trying to distance themselves from the Conservatives. Perhaps this Plaid bunch do not speak for the Plaid group on the Council who are firmly in bed with the Conservatives and Labour.
If you vote Plaid in Swansea you get Tory and if you vote Tory you get Labour.
Perhaps Rhodri Morgan should look from Cardiff to Swansea for lessons in forming coalitions.
Cllr Ioan M Richard
Criagcefnparc, Swansea
However, nobody is taking much interest in the two opposite coalitions at Swansea Council.
Firstly, there is 'Swansea Administration' consisting of Liberal Democrats and Independents who run the cabinet, making all the executive decisions.
The there is the 'PLC colalition' consisting of Plaid in bed with the Conservatives and Labour that controls all the chairmanships of all the committees and who also take 28 of the paid 38 financial votes with the PLC group.
Now we hear rumours of Plaid in Swansea West, who got thrashed in the Assembly elections, trying to distance themselves from the Conservatives. Perhaps this Plaid bunch do not speak for the Plaid group on the Council who are firmly in bed with the Conservatives and Labour.
If you vote Plaid in Swansea you get Tory and if you vote Tory you get Labour.
Perhaps Rhodri Morgan should look from Cardiff to Swansea for lessons in forming coalitions.
Cllr Ioan M Richard
Criagcefnparc, Swansea
COUNCIL PUTS BRAKES ON BENDY BUS
South Wales Evening Post - 21 May 2007
The brakes have been put on controversial plans to drive the bendy bus route as far as Mumbles.
The proposed scheme, which would have seen part of the foreshore dug up, prompted thousands of people to sign a petition in protest.
Now Swansea Council bosses have confirmed the unpopular plans will not be going ahead.
Council Leader Chris Holley said: "I want to make it absolutely clear the council has no plans to take the Streetcar to Mumbles."
Tory councillors had pledged to fight any loss of promenade to make way for a bus lane to accommodate the 60ft buses.
Calling it a "crazy project", they also lent their support to a 3,000-name petition.
The buses are due to begin operations late next year as part of a £10 million transport scheme aimed at cutting traffic congestion.Councillor Holley added: "During recent weeks, there have been claims the council plans to extend the route of the Streetcar to Mumbles.
"There have even been rumours the foreshore would be dug up to make way for the route.
"Our plan is to run the Streetcar along a route between Morriston Hospital and Singleton Hospital.
"That is the full extent of the plan."
The idea would have meant part of the foreshore going between Blackpill and West Cross to allow for the buses to speed through.
Councillor Rene Kinzett, leader of the Conservatives on Swansea Council, said: "We went to a council members' seminar early this year and were shown computer generated images of the buses going along the foreshore, on the promenade.
"It was put forward as a possibility. And only last month a council highways officer said the proposal to take it to Mumbles remained on the table.
"While we support the idea of a metro system, we think that would be a crazy thing to do.
"The environmental benefit of cutting journey times by a small amount wouldn't offset the loss of that sort of natural amenity.
"We want better public transport and shorter journey times between key points in the city.
"We want those key points linked up but there's no benefit in sending it down to Mumbles."
John Hague, cabinet member for environment, said the Streetcar scheme had the support of transport campaigners and passenger groups - including the disabled.
"The recent trial run between the city centre and Morriston Hospital was a huge success," he said."
It demonstrated what a wonderful addition the Streetcar will be to Swansea and its many commuters."
Work on road junctions and other infrastructure will help ensure journey times are not affected by peak hour congestion.
The next round of works, due to begin in July, will provide the route between The Kingsway and County Hall.
Mumbles resident Jean Harris of Castle Acre Gardens said: "Hooray! At last, common sense has prevailed."
The brakes have been put on controversial plans to drive the bendy bus route as far as Mumbles.
The proposed scheme, which would have seen part of the foreshore dug up, prompted thousands of people to sign a petition in protest.
Now Swansea Council bosses have confirmed the unpopular plans will not be going ahead.
Council Leader Chris Holley said: "I want to make it absolutely clear the council has no plans to take the Streetcar to Mumbles."
Tory councillors had pledged to fight any loss of promenade to make way for a bus lane to accommodate the 60ft buses.
Calling it a "crazy project", they also lent their support to a 3,000-name petition.
The buses are due to begin operations late next year as part of a £10 million transport scheme aimed at cutting traffic congestion.Councillor Holley added: "During recent weeks, there have been claims the council plans to extend the route of the Streetcar to Mumbles.
"There have even been rumours the foreshore would be dug up to make way for the route.
"Our plan is to run the Streetcar along a route between Morriston Hospital and Singleton Hospital.
"That is the full extent of the plan."
The idea would have meant part of the foreshore going between Blackpill and West Cross to allow for the buses to speed through.
Councillor Rene Kinzett, leader of the Conservatives on Swansea Council, said: "We went to a council members' seminar early this year and were shown computer generated images of the buses going along the foreshore, on the promenade.
"It was put forward as a possibility. And only last month a council highways officer said the proposal to take it to Mumbles remained on the table.
"While we support the idea of a metro system, we think that would be a crazy thing to do.
"The environmental benefit of cutting journey times by a small amount wouldn't offset the loss of that sort of natural amenity.
"We want better public transport and shorter journey times between key points in the city.
"We want those key points linked up but there's no benefit in sending it down to Mumbles."
John Hague, cabinet member for environment, said the Streetcar scheme had the support of transport campaigners and passenger groups - including the disabled.
"The recent trial run between the city centre and Morriston Hospital was a huge success," he said."
It demonstrated what a wonderful addition the Streetcar will be to Swansea and its many commuters."
Work on road junctions and other infrastructure will help ensure journey times are not affected by peak hour congestion.
The next round of works, due to begin in July, will provide the route between The Kingsway and County Hall.
Mumbles resident Jean Harris of Castle Acre Gardens said: "Hooray! At last, common sense has prevailed."
COUNCIL QUIZZED OVER £83M DEAL
South Wales Evening Post - 21 May 2007
Senior managers at Swansea Council are being investigated over the way an £83 million computer contract was awarded.
It is understood a preliminary investigation by Swansea Council's head of human resources has found a full investigation is needed.
It will look at the roles of former and current managers at Swansea Council, including former chief-executive Tim Thorogood and his former deputy Bob Carter.
It follows a damning report into the affair by audit firm PriceWaterhouse Cooper (PWC).
The investigation will look at all staff involved in the procurement process.
A council spokesman said: "Following PWC's report into aspects of the Council's eGovernment programme, the council's general purposes panel has instructed an independent person to inquire whether any officer, past or present, acted improperly."
Mr Carter was a key member of a number of committees that looked at the Capgemini proposals. He was chairman of one that concluded there were serious question marks over the company's projected benefits for Swansea Council.
He was also in charge of another committee set up to bring all the evidence together for senior councillors.
However, they say they were never told of the concerns over benefits.
Mr Thorogood was handed two letters from department heads, saying they were concerns over the scheme.
However, councillors claim these concerns were not passed on properly.
Council Leader Chris Holley claims he was told the letters were purely a matter for managers at the council and did not feel the need to follow them up.
Opposition parties are now calling for a wider investigation into councillors involved in the deal.
Labour leader David Phillips said: "It is perfectly correct we examine the role of officers in this, but that is not sufficient."
He wants to see an investigation into cabinet members, in the ruling coalition, to see if they did enough to check how the deal was going.
Conservative leader Rene Kinzett, who is also the chair of committee looking at the eGovernment programme, said: "Why are Liberal Democrat cabinet members able to just pass off responsibility for the e-Government programme onto officers of the Authority?
"What happened to taking political responsibility for when things go wrong?
"We still don't even know if senior Liberal Alliance councillors properly questioned the former chief executive about the reliability of the expected savings figures."
This is even after other heads of department at County Hall sent a letter casting huge doubts over the whole project."
"It is time for senior Liberal Alliance councillors to do the decent thing and admit responsibility," he added.
Senior managers at Swansea Council are being investigated over the way an £83 million computer contract was awarded.
It is understood a preliminary investigation by Swansea Council's head of human resources has found a full investigation is needed.
It will look at the roles of former and current managers at Swansea Council, including former chief-executive Tim Thorogood and his former deputy Bob Carter.
It follows a damning report into the affair by audit firm PriceWaterhouse Cooper (PWC).
The investigation will look at all staff involved in the procurement process.
A council spokesman said: "Following PWC's report into aspects of the Council's eGovernment programme, the council's general purposes panel has instructed an independent person to inquire whether any officer, past or present, acted improperly."
Mr Carter was a key member of a number of committees that looked at the Capgemini proposals. He was chairman of one that concluded there were serious question marks over the company's projected benefits for Swansea Council.
He was also in charge of another committee set up to bring all the evidence together for senior councillors.
However, they say they were never told of the concerns over benefits.
Mr Thorogood was handed two letters from department heads, saying they were concerns over the scheme.
However, councillors claim these concerns were not passed on properly.
Council Leader Chris Holley claims he was told the letters were purely a matter for managers at the council and did not feel the need to follow them up.
Opposition parties are now calling for a wider investigation into councillors involved in the deal.
Labour leader David Phillips said: "It is perfectly correct we examine the role of officers in this, but that is not sufficient."
He wants to see an investigation into cabinet members, in the ruling coalition, to see if they did enough to check how the deal was going.
Conservative leader Rene Kinzett, who is also the chair of committee looking at the eGovernment programme, said: "Why are Liberal Democrat cabinet members able to just pass off responsibility for the e-Government programme onto officers of the Authority?
"What happened to taking political responsibility for when things go wrong?
"We still don't even know if senior Liberal Alliance councillors properly questioned the former chief executive about the reliability of the expected savings figures."
This is even after other heads of department at County Hall sent a letter casting huge doubts over the whole project."
"It is time for senior Liberal Alliance councillors to do the decent thing and admit responsibility," he added.
TRADERS' SUING OVER ROADWORKS
South Wales Evening Post - 9 May 2007
City traders are suing Swansea Council over the disruption caused by months of roadworks on The Kingsway.
Work has ripped up the busy city artery to create a new one-way system through the centre and to accommodate the planned new bendy bus.
Angry traders complained that they were not kept informed about the works, and that it damaged their trade. It is not known exactly who or how many companies are gearing up for action. But they want compensation.
Brian Brown, whose hairdressing salon in Belle Vue Way was one of those businesses affected, said some traders were taking their fight to the courts.
He said: "It is still all happening at the moment, but I believe some of the traders are taking action.
"I am not myself because I can't take that on financially and I can't afford it. It is a bit of a gamble."
The work to introduce the new city centre one way system and to improve pavements began last summer and lasted until Christmas when contractors broke off for the busy festive period.
Work resumed in February and was expected to take around 16 weeks.
Businesses in and around The Kingsway say trade was hit heavily by the works and the dust and disruption caused.
Mr Brown said that his business was left without electricity and telephones on a number of days and that the council and contractors pointed the finger at one another.
He said that even though the work started 11 months ago businesses were still feeling the effects.
He said: "I think a lot of the traders I have spoken to say that it has never been the same for us since they did it.
"It looks better but we certainly haven't got the trade back.
"I think we're all feeling the same.
"It wasn't tremendously busy before but we used to have a bit more flow through of people."
Mr Brown said that traders were now hoping that the recent string of investment in the city centre will help balance the books.
He said: "We are relying on the new David Evans building, hoping that will bring some people back."
Mr Brown said: "I think the only good point was that the council did reduce our rates to 50 per cent for that time.
"We wanted no rates for that period because we lost so much money.
"When they are doing works in another part of the town traders should be better informed."
Another Kingsway trader added: "This scheme has cost people dearly and they want recompense for that."
A Swansea Council spokesman said the authority had spent £3.5m on the works in The Kingsway, including £1m for improving footways, pedestrian access and street furniture.
He said: "This work has been praised by traders in the area for improving the look of the area and for improving traffic flow.
"The council has received a very small number of claims in relation to the improvement works in The Kingsway."
The spokesman added: "The authority is denying liability. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
KINGSWAY - THE STORY SO FAR
Kingsway is one of the city's busiest roads.
So when roadworks arrived there last summer, drivers and businesses were far from happy.
Here is how the story unfolded.
June, 2006
Store bosses in Belle Vue Way claim they have been cut off by the works.
The Belle Vue Way traders vow to withhold their rates, claiming they were not consulted properly over the work.
July, 2006
Belle Vue Way store JT Morgan offers customers cut-price parking to encourage them not to abandon the area.
Traders told they could be in line for a cash rebate.
The Assembly's transport minister, Andrew Davies, raps Swansea Council, labelling the way it has handled the city centre roadworks as "woeful''.
Shoppers are avoiding Kingsway because they are worried about their safety.
September, 2006
Council announces Kingsway work will stop in November so it does not clash with the Christmas rush.
Independent traders launch Independents Day to encourage people to use them or lose them.
October, 2006
Butcher Enzo Sauro says the Kingsway roadworks have forced him to shut up his Cig Calon Cymru Cyf shop.
Traders badly hit by the roadworks are told they will have their rates cut.
The misery is piled on as a power cut plunges businesses into darkness.
January, 2007
Council bosses pledge to keep disruption to a minimum as they prepare to restart work on The Kingsway.
May, 2007
Traders announce they are suing Swansea Council over the months of disruption caused by the Kingsway roadworks.
City traders are suing Swansea Council over the disruption caused by months of roadworks on The Kingsway.
Work has ripped up the busy city artery to create a new one-way system through the centre and to accommodate the planned new bendy bus.
Angry traders complained that they were not kept informed about the works, and that it damaged their trade. It is not known exactly who or how many companies are gearing up for action. But they want compensation.
Brian Brown, whose hairdressing salon in Belle Vue Way was one of those businesses affected, said some traders were taking their fight to the courts.
He said: "It is still all happening at the moment, but I believe some of the traders are taking action.
"I am not myself because I can't take that on financially and I can't afford it. It is a bit of a gamble."
The work to introduce the new city centre one way system and to improve pavements began last summer and lasted until Christmas when contractors broke off for the busy festive period.
Work resumed in February and was expected to take around 16 weeks.
Businesses in and around The Kingsway say trade was hit heavily by the works and the dust and disruption caused.
Mr Brown said that his business was left without electricity and telephones on a number of days and that the council and contractors pointed the finger at one another.
He said that even though the work started 11 months ago businesses were still feeling the effects.
He said: "I think a lot of the traders I have spoken to say that it has never been the same for us since they did it.
"It looks better but we certainly haven't got the trade back.
"I think we're all feeling the same.
"It wasn't tremendously busy before but we used to have a bit more flow through of people."
Mr Brown said that traders were now hoping that the recent string of investment in the city centre will help balance the books.
He said: "We are relying on the new David Evans building, hoping that will bring some people back."
Mr Brown said: "I think the only good point was that the council did reduce our rates to 50 per cent for that time.
"We wanted no rates for that period because we lost so much money.
"When they are doing works in another part of the town traders should be better informed."
Another Kingsway trader added: "This scheme has cost people dearly and they want recompense for that."
A Swansea Council spokesman said the authority had spent £3.5m on the works in The Kingsway, including £1m for improving footways, pedestrian access and street furniture.
He said: "This work has been praised by traders in the area for improving the look of the area and for improving traffic flow.
"The council has received a very small number of claims in relation to the improvement works in The Kingsway."
The spokesman added: "The authority is denying liability. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
KINGSWAY - THE STORY SO FAR
Kingsway is one of the city's busiest roads.
So when roadworks arrived there last summer, drivers and businesses were far from happy.
Here is how the story unfolded.
June, 2006
Store bosses in Belle Vue Way claim they have been cut off by the works.
The Belle Vue Way traders vow to withhold their rates, claiming they were not consulted properly over the work.
July, 2006
Belle Vue Way store JT Morgan offers customers cut-price parking to encourage them not to abandon the area.
Traders told they could be in line for a cash rebate.
The Assembly's transport minister, Andrew Davies, raps Swansea Council, labelling the way it has handled the city centre roadworks as "woeful''.
Shoppers are avoiding Kingsway because they are worried about their safety.
September, 2006
Council announces Kingsway work will stop in November so it does not clash with the Christmas rush.
Independent traders launch Independents Day to encourage people to use them or lose them.
October, 2006
Butcher Enzo Sauro says the Kingsway roadworks have forced him to shut up his Cig Calon Cymru Cyf shop.
Traders badly hit by the roadworks are told they will have their rates cut.
The misery is piled on as a power cut plunges businesses into darkness.
January, 2007
Council bosses pledge to keep disruption to a minimum as they prepare to restart work on The Kingsway.
May, 2007
Traders announce they are suing Swansea Council over the months of disruption caused by the Kingsway roadworks.
FESTIVAL CHIEFS URGED TO GIVE TIDY PROMISE
South Wales Evening Post - 9 May 2007
Organisers of a controversial summer music festival in Swansea have been urged to clean up their act - even before the event has started.
Residents want assurances that their peace and harmony will not be disturbed before the 30,000 expected music fans descend on the city for the Fflam festival.
People living in Brynmill and Sketty are worried about noise levels and fear the influx of revellers for the event at Singleton Park on July 13, 14 and 15 will cause a dramatic increase in anti-social problems and bury their gardens in mountains of litter.
Uplands councillor Jayne Woodman is now seeking assurances from the promoters that local residents' fears aren't realised.
"As a local resident and councillor I'd be prepared to put up with the noise for a weekend," said Councillor Woodman.
"But certain guarantees by the organisers must be made first.
"Whenever similar type of events are held at the park, gardens are trashed and we are left to clean up the mess after revellers throw their litter in them.
"I want a cast-iron commitment from the promoters that the site and surrounding area will be thoroughly cleaned up."
Plans to bring the Fflam Festival featuring Manic Street Preachers to Singleton Park have angered hundreds of nearby residents.
Last month 200 of them attended a highly-charged public meeting to voice their concerns about the festival and more than 400 people have signed a petition calling for it not to go ahead.
But Councillor Woodman is taking a different approach.
The Uplands councillor believes that despite the protests the festival will go ahead, and is looking at ways to reduce problems for residents.
She said festival-goers should be banned from taking alcohol into the event, and also welcomed innovative ideas and restrictions to help to minimise disruption to the local community.
"Whether we like it or not, the Fflam festival will go ahead," she said."I'd also like to encourage innovative ideas.
"I went to watch a Robbie Williams concert in Hamburg and there wasn't a drop of litter in sight.
"Before you could buy a drink at the concert you had to queue up for a plastic glass with a logo on it and pay a deposit of two euros.
"At the end of the concert you could queue up at the end to get a refund or you could keep the glass as a souvenir.
"A similar system could be adopted here."
Organisers of a controversial summer music festival in Swansea have been urged to clean up their act - even before the event has started.
Residents want assurances that their peace and harmony will not be disturbed before the 30,000 expected music fans descend on the city for the Fflam festival.
People living in Brynmill and Sketty are worried about noise levels and fear the influx of revellers for the event at Singleton Park on July 13, 14 and 15 will cause a dramatic increase in anti-social problems and bury their gardens in mountains of litter.
Uplands councillor Jayne Woodman is now seeking assurances from the promoters that local residents' fears aren't realised.
"As a local resident and councillor I'd be prepared to put up with the noise for a weekend," said Councillor Woodman.
"But certain guarantees by the organisers must be made first.
"Whenever similar type of events are held at the park, gardens are trashed and we are left to clean up the mess after revellers throw their litter in them.
"I want a cast-iron commitment from the promoters that the site and surrounding area will be thoroughly cleaned up."
Plans to bring the Fflam Festival featuring Manic Street Preachers to Singleton Park have angered hundreds of nearby residents.
Last month 200 of them attended a highly-charged public meeting to voice their concerns about the festival and more than 400 people have signed a petition calling for it not to go ahead.
But Councillor Woodman is taking a different approach.
The Uplands councillor believes that despite the protests the festival will go ahead, and is looking at ways to reduce problems for residents.
She said festival-goers should be banned from taking alcohol into the event, and also welcomed innovative ideas and restrictions to help to minimise disruption to the local community.
"Whether we like it or not, the Fflam festival will go ahead," she said."I'd also like to encourage innovative ideas.
"I went to watch a Robbie Williams concert in Hamburg and there wasn't a drop of litter in sight.
"Before you could buy a drink at the concert you had to queue up for a plastic glass with a logo on it and pay a deposit of two euros.
"At the end of the concert you could queue up at the end to get a refund or you could keep the glass as a souvenir.
"A similar system could be adopted here."
THOUSANDS VOW TO STOP BENDY BUS FORESHORE PLAN
South Wales Evening Post - 8 May 2007
Thousands are to fight possible plans to route Swansea's new bendy bus along part of the promenade between Blackpill and West Cross.
Swansea Conservatives say they have collected a petition after Swansea Council revealed an idea to dig up part of the foreshore area to make way for the buses was still on the cards.
Council Leader Chris Holley has denied the route is set in stone, and insists the public will have its say.
But the row over the idea is growing.
The giant 60ft long buses are part of a £10 million scheme aimed at revolutionising public transport in Swansea. However there are growing accusations that digging up any part of the foreshore area to make way for it in the future amounts to organised vandalism.
Mr Holley said: "We commissioned a report to find out where the bus could run - that was to look at what was possible in engineering terms.
"The consultants identified Mumbles as one area that could be served by the bus, but there is no decision to say it will be done.
"We have released the full report for public consultation, not just parts, because we want genuine consultation.
"This petition gives us one view, but there are other views as well.
"At the moment we do not have the money from the Assembly, so any proposals are at least four or five years away.
"The idea that we are about to rip up the promenade is just not true.
"The problem is the roads are grid-locked and we are not going to be able to build any more so we need to consider alternatives to ease congestion."
Swansea Council is looking at plans to run a dedicated bus lane along Swansea Bay foreshore, next to the pedestrian and cycle path.
It would eat into a patch of green land and mature trees between Blackpill and Mumbles.
Clive Atkins, aged 54, lives close to the proposed route on Mumbles Road and said the only news of the plans had come through the Evening Post.
He said: "We have had no communication from Swansea Council about this, which is disappointing because it will affect us more than most.
"I do not know exactly where it will go.
"I am not against the idea per se. Something certainly needs to be done to ease traffic on the road, but the question is, will people use them?
"It would be a shame to build a road on the green area here, especially as the council has done so much to get it in the first place.
"There needs to be safety measures in place because a lot of people use the prom.
"A lot of children currently walk or cycle along the prom, so it has to be safe."
Conservative group leader on Swansea Council, Councillor Rene Kinzett, said opposition to the plans was very strong.
"We have collected thousands of signatures on a petition which will be handed in to Swansea Council later this month," he said.
"It is completely ludicrous to even suggest that a bendy bus should run along the Promenade and we want make the LibDems think twice before ploughing up our city promenade.''
Thousands are to fight possible plans to route Swansea's new bendy bus along part of the promenade between Blackpill and West Cross.
Swansea Conservatives say they have collected a petition after Swansea Council revealed an idea to dig up part of the foreshore area to make way for the buses was still on the cards.
Council Leader Chris Holley has denied the route is set in stone, and insists the public will have its say.
But the row over the idea is growing.
The giant 60ft long buses are part of a £10 million scheme aimed at revolutionising public transport in Swansea. However there are growing accusations that digging up any part of the foreshore area to make way for it in the future amounts to organised vandalism.
Mr Holley said: "We commissioned a report to find out where the bus could run - that was to look at what was possible in engineering terms.
"The consultants identified Mumbles as one area that could be served by the bus, but there is no decision to say it will be done.
"We have released the full report for public consultation, not just parts, because we want genuine consultation.
"This petition gives us one view, but there are other views as well.
"At the moment we do not have the money from the Assembly, so any proposals are at least four or five years away.
"The idea that we are about to rip up the promenade is just not true.
"The problem is the roads are grid-locked and we are not going to be able to build any more so we need to consider alternatives to ease congestion."
Swansea Council is looking at plans to run a dedicated bus lane along Swansea Bay foreshore, next to the pedestrian and cycle path.
It would eat into a patch of green land and mature trees between Blackpill and Mumbles.
Clive Atkins, aged 54, lives close to the proposed route on Mumbles Road and said the only news of the plans had come through the Evening Post.
He said: "We have had no communication from Swansea Council about this, which is disappointing because it will affect us more than most.
"I do not know exactly where it will go.
"I am not against the idea per se. Something certainly needs to be done to ease traffic on the road, but the question is, will people use them?
"It would be a shame to build a road on the green area here, especially as the council has done so much to get it in the first place.
"There needs to be safety measures in place because a lot of people use the prom.
"A lot of children currently walk or cycle along the prom, so it has to be safe."
Conservative group leader on Swansea Council, Councillor Rene Kinzett, said opposition to the plans was very strong.
"We have collected thousands of signatures on a petition which will be handed in to Swansea Council later this month," he said.
"It is completely ludicrous to even suggest that a bendy bus should run along the Promenade and we want make the LibDems think twice before ploughing up our city promenade.''
AM RULES OUT LEADERSHIP BID
South Wales Evening Post - 8 May 2007
Swansea Lib Dem AM Peter Black has ruled himself out of the party's top job - at least for now.
The high-profile South Wales West AM ruffled feathers at the weekend by calling for Welsh Lib Dem leader Mike German to step down and for a leadership vote to be held.
Party rules state that a contest must be held within a year of an election and Mr Black believes the sooner the better.
But he has declined to put himself forward as a potential leader, at least for the time being, when asked if he fancied taking on the role.
He replied: "Not for the moment though, no."I'm not particularly interested but we'll see who puts their name forward."
Mr Black said he had nothing against Mr German and wouldn't mind if he made a bid for the leadership again. But he said the party needed to have an early vote.
Mr German said he had no plans to resign and confirmed that the party's constitution does call for a leadership vote but that there was no set timetable.
A number of senior Lib Dems have criticised Mr Black for his comments but he has won support from Neath Port Talbot Lib Dem leader John Warman.
He agrees that it could be time for a fresh approach for the Lib Dems, who failed to add to their six seats at the Assembly elections.
Mr Warman said: "I don't think that anyone should stay as leader for too long. I think a fresh approach is useful."
He also called for the Lib Dems to rule out a coalition with Labour, which has 26 of the 60 Assembly seats.
Labour leader Rhodri Morgan has admitted it would be difficult for his party to rule without another party's support.
The Assembly is due to meet tomorrow for the first time since the election began to elect a presiding officer.
The tricky task of agreeing who will lead Wales for the next four years is likely to take a bit longer.
All three parties are keeping their cards close to their chests as to who they might be willing to form a coalition with.
The parties have 28 days to agree how to form a government, otherwise another election will be called.
Mr Warman said: "I don't think there is an appetite for another election.
"As the leader of the Lib Dems in Neath Port Talbot I take the same stance as Peter Black, in the sense that I don't think that we should be propping Labour up.
"We are our own party and we have our agenda."I don't think we can compromise for the offer of one or two positions."
Swansea Lib Dem AM Peter Black has ruled himself out of the party's top job - at least for now.
The high-profile South Wales West AM ruffled feathers at the weekend by calling for Welsh Lib Dem leader Mike German to step down and for a leadership vote to be held.
Party rules state that a contest must be held within a year of an election and Mr Black believes the sooner the better.
But he has declined to put himself forward as a potential leader, at least for the time being, when asked if he fancied taking on the role.
He replied: "Not for the moment though, no."I'm not particularly interested but we'll see who puts their name forward."
Mr Black said he had nothing against Mr German and wouldn't mind if he made a bid for the leadership again. But he said the party needed to have an early vote.
Mr German said he had no plans to resign and confirmed that the party's constitution does call for a leadership vote but that there was no set timetable.
A number of senior Lib Dems have criticised Mr Black for his comments but he has won support from Neath Port Talbot Lib Dem leader John Warman.
He agrees that it could be time for a fresh approach for the Lib Dems, who failed to add to their six seats at the Assembly elections.
Mr Warman said: "I don't think that anyone should stay as leader for too long. I think a fresh approach is useful."
He also called for the Lib Dems to rule out a coalition with Labour, which has 26 of the 60 Assembly seats.
Labour leader Rhodri Morgan has admitted it would be difficult for his party to rule without another party's support.
The Assembly is due to meet tomorrow for the first time since the election began to elect a presiding officer.
The tricky task of agreeing who will lead Wales for the next four years is likely to take a bit longer.
All three parties are keeping their cards close to their chests as to who they might be willing to form a coalition with.
The parties have 28 days to agree how to form a government, otherwise another election will be called.
Mr Warman said: "I don't think there is an appetite for another election.
"As the leader of the Lib Dems in Neath Port Talbot I take the same stance as Peter Black, in the sense that I don't think that we should be propping Labour up.
"We are our own party and we have our agenda."I don't think we can compromise for the offer of one or two positions."
TOP-LEVEL TALKS ON CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL
South Wales Evening Post - 8 May 2007
Senior Swansea councillors and officers are to hold a behind-closed-doors meeting to discuss the controversial Fflam festival.
Opposition to the three-day music festival has been growing and hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for it to be scrapped. Big-name bands, including the Manic Street Preachers and Keane have been signed up for the Singleton Park show.
However, residents living near the park fear the 30,000 fans expected for the concert will make their lives a misery.
Now cabinet members and heads of department at Swansea Council are set for high-level discussions.
A leaked memo to senior councillors and the council's corporate management team says: "A special corporate briefing will be held to discuss the Fflam festival."
The unscheduled meeting is a sign of growing unrest, according to one Swansea Council insider.
The councillor, who does not want to be named added: "Corporate briefings are joint meetings between the cabinet and chief officers. A special meeting must mean that there are mounting worries about the festival."
He said the administration was likely to be coming under pressure from its own councillors following some opposition to the event.
He said: "These briefings are not very common. They are usually only held for big projects.
"Considering the plans for the festival are supposedly all done and dusted apart from a few small things with the organisers, it seems strange to be holding this sort of meeting now. The only thing I can imagine is that Uplands and Sketty ward councillors are putting pressure on the cabinet."
The festival is described as Wales's first major music festival" and is set to take place on July 13,14 and 15.
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said: "This corporate briefing is just to bring us up to date with where we are. Obviously, there has been a lot of reaction from the public and councillors in the area around Singleton Park, but there are people on both sides of the argument.
"I think a lot of the opposition is down to the type of music. But there are also people who say that it is a great idea.
"This meeting is really about understanding exactly where we are in the process."
Senior Swansea councillors and officers are to hold a behind-closed-doors meeting to discuss the controversial Fflam festival.
Opposition to the three-day music festival has been growing and hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for it to be scrapped. Big-name bands, including the Manic Street Preachers and Keane have been signed up for the Singleton Park show.
However, residents living near the park fear the 30,000 fans expected for the concert will make their lives a misery.
Now cabinet members and heads of department at Swansea Council are set for high-level discussions.
A leaked memo to senior councillors and the council's corporate management team says: "A special corporate briefing will be held to discuss the Fflam festival."
The unscheduled meeting is a sign of growing unrest, according to one Swansea Council insider.
The councillor, who does not want to be named added: "Corporate briefings are joint meetings between the cabinet and chief officers. A special meeting must mean that there are mounting worries about the festival."
He said the administration was likely to be coming under pressure from its own councillors following some opposition to the event.
He said: "These briefings are not very common. They are usually only held for big projects.
"Considering the plans for the festival are supposedly all done and dusted apart from a few small things with the organisers, it seems strange to be holding this sort of meeting now. The only thing I can imagine is that Uplands and Sketty ward councillors are putting pressure on the cabinet."
The festival is described as Wales's first major music festival" and is set to take place on July 13,14 and 15.
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said: "This corporate briefing is just to bring us up to date with where we are. Obviously, there has been a lot of reaction from the public and councillors in the area around Singleton Park, but there are people on both sides of the argument.
"I think a lot of the opposition is down to the type of music. But there are also people who say that it is a great idea.
"This meeting is really about understanding exactly where we are in the process."
BUS PLAN IS ROUND THE BEND
South Wales Evening Post - 7 May 2007
I Have read with interest and dismay of the council's insistence on introducing a bendy bus service that appears to be neither needed nor wanted by many people.
Mumbles and most other parts of the city are adequately served by public transport, so why introduce what is nothing more than a gimmick?
With exorbitant charges in our car parks, who is going to park in the city and then pay the additional cost of travelling to Mumbles?
Maybe the residents of Morriston will use the service, but it will be of no attraction or benefit to citizens who don't live on the route.
Then there is the cost of the necessary road-widening at Morriston to accommodate the vehicle, the destruction of part of our beautiful seafront to save a few minutes' traffic congestion, and the cost of providing a turning area at Mumbles.
If you add the cost of purchasing, maintaining and staffing these vehicles, it would suggest that the buses would need to permanently operate fully laden to balance the books. In the real world, this is rather unlikely.
If the council has money to invest on public transport, shouldn't they first refurbish the Quadrant bus station, something they have been promising for years, or possibly subsidise more fares, making travelling by bus a more affordable and attractive proposition.
Peter Roberts, Oakfield Street, Pontarddulais
I Have read with interest and dismay of the council's insistence on introducing a bendy bus service that appears to be neither needed nor wanted by many people.
Mumbles and most other parts of the city are adequately served by public transport, so why introduce what is nothing more than a gimmick?
With exorbitant charges in our car parks, who is going to park in the city and then pay the additional cost of travelling to Mumbles?
Maybe the residents of Morriston will use the service, but it will be of no attraction or benefit to citizens who don't live on the route.
Then there is the cost of the necessary road-widening at Morriston to accommodate the vehicle, the destruction of part of our beautiful seafront to save a few minutes' traffic congestion, and the cost of providing a turning area at Mumbles.
If you add the cost of purchasing, maintaining and staffing these vehicles, it would suggest that the buses would need to permanently operate fully laden to balance the books. In the real world, this is rather unlikely.
If the council has money to invest on public transport, shouldn't they first refurbish the Quadrant bus station, something they have been promising for years, or possibly subsidise more fares, making travelling by bus a more affordable and attractive proposition.
Peter Roberts, Oakfield Street, Pontarddulais
LIB DEMS VETO LABOUR COALITION
South Wales Evening Post - 7 May 2007
Swansea Council's Liberal Democrat leader has given the thumbs down to a political deal with Labour in the Welsh Assembly.
Labour could look to the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition, rather than try to forge on as a minority administration.
But Cwmbwrla councillor Chris Holley has openly condemned the prospect of keeping Rhodri Morgan's party in power.
Councillor Holley said: "Wales has said it doesn't want a Labour Government. I don't think it's right, when we are fighting Labour locally and nationally, that we should hold them up."
Leaders of Liberal Democrat-led councils in Cardiff, Wrexham and Bridgend are all said to be against a Lib-Lab deal in the Assembly.
Councillor Holley, who heads a Liberal Democrat-led coalition on Swansea Council, which usurped Labour, said: "I think the Labour Party need to realise that nationally and locally they have not listened to the public.
"Throughout the UK they have taken a hiding.
"Their arrogance is unbounding and they are telling Wales that they want to stay in charge.
"If Plaid Cymru or the Conservatives want to have an election pact with them, fine, but I think all the other parties will find it difficult to support a Labour administration that is clearly the largest party in the Assembly, but the public don't want."
Councillor Holley said the Swansea Council administration had done a "good job" over the last couple of years.
He said: "My feeling is that we have been totally dominated by the Labour Party for 30-odd years and the public have said they want a change."
Labour was left with 26 seats in the 60-member Assembly after Thursday's election - three fewer than prior to May 3.
The Labour enterprise minister in the last Assembly Government, Swansea West AM Andrew Davies, said his party would take stock before striking any deal.
"If we rush into something, we could repent at leisure," he said."We need to bear in mind what is in the best interests of Wales and the people of Wales and not local or sectional interests."
The poor showing of the Liberal Democrats Wales- wide - they finished fourth - has called into question the leadership of Mike German.
Liberal Democrat South Wales West AM Peter Black said: "Maybe would be better served by somebody new."
"I think Mike has been outstanding, but every politician has a shelf life, and Mike has taken us through three elections.
"He took us into Government and achieved a lot. But now I think it's time for a new face at the helm."
He said the party's enterprise spokeswoman, Kirsty Williams, was "an outstanding potential candidate".
Swansea Council's Liberal Democrat leader has given the thumbs down to a political deal with Labour in the Welsh Assembly.
Labour could look to the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition, rather than try to forge on as a minority administration.
But Cwmbwrla councillor Chris Holley has openly condemned the prospect of keeping Rhodri Morgan's party in power.
Councillor Holley said: "Wales has said it doesn't want a Labour Government. I don't think it's right, when we are fighting Labour locally and nationally, that we should hold them up."
Leaders of Liberal Democrat-led councils in Cardiff, Wrexham and Bridgend are all said to be against a Lib-Lab deal in the Assembly.
Councillor Holley, who heads a Liberal Democrat-led coalition on Swansea Council, which usurped Labour, said: "I think the Labour Party need to realise that nationally and locally they have not listened to the public.
"Throughout the UK they have taken a hiding.
"Their arrogance is unbounding and they are telling Wales that they want to stay in charge.
"If Plaid Cymru or the Conservatives want to have an election pact with them, fine, but I think all the other parties will find it difficult to support a Labour administration that is clearly the largest party in the Assembly, but the public don't want."
Councillor Holley said the Swansea Council administration had done a "good job" over the last couple of years.
He said: "My feeling is that we have been totally dominated by the Labour Party for 30-odd years and the public have said they want a change."
Labour was left with 26 seats in the 60-member Assembly after Thursday's election - three fewer than prior to May 3.
The Labour enterprise minister in the last Assembly Government, Swansea West AM Andrew Davies, said his party would take stock before striking any deal.
"If we rush into something, we could repent at leisure," he said."We need to bear in mind what is in the best interests of Wales and the people of Wales and not local or sectional interests."
The poor showing of the Liberal Democrats Wales- wide - they finished fourth - has called into question the leadership of Mike German.
Liberal Democrat South Wales West AM Peter Black said: "Maybe would be better served by somebody new."
"I think Mike has been outstanding, but every politician has a shelf life, and Mike has taken us through three elections.
"He took us into Government and achieved a lot. But now I think it's time for a new face at the helm."
He said the party's enterprise spokeswoman, Kirsty Williams, was "an outstanding potential candidate".
TEACHERS' JOBS FACE AXE
South Wales Evening Post - 4 May 2007
A Swansea school is thought to be on the verge of axing a number of teachers as part of money-saving measures, the Evening Post has learned.
It is understood that teaching staff at Bishop Gore Comprehensive School in Sketty are expected to be handed compulsory redundancy packages. Three other permanent staff members have also been told there will be no job for them from September, and temporary staff are not having their contracts renewed.
The school's head teacher Peter Wilcox has refused to confirm the move, but did not rule out compulsory redundancies.
However, a teacher at the school, who does not want to be named, claimed the decision had already been taken. He added: "One full-time teacher and two-part time staff were told on Tuesday that they were going. Temporary staff were also told that they would not be back in September.
"These are teachers in their mid-30s or early 40s at most. It is not the same as offering early retirement to staff at the end of their career.
"We understand that there are falling pupil numbers but it seems that not enough has been done to deal with the effects of that.
"The feeling among teachers is that the same thing could happen next year."
Mr Wilcox said: "Bishop Gore, along with a number of secondary schools in Swansea, is facing challenging budget decisions this year."
He blamed falling pupil numbers and said insufficient cash was given to schools from the Assembly, so school budgets are coming under pressure, meaning possible compulsory staff cuts.
He said: "The governing body is now following agreed procedures to achieve the necessary savings.
"It is too early in the process, and would be inappropriate in any case, to comment on individual circumstances but compulsory redundancies cannot be ruled out."
It is thought that 11 of the 14 secondary schools in the county are facing budget shortfalls and a number have indicated staff cuts will be needed. However, this is the first case of compulsory redundancies.
Council leader Chris Holley said the problems facing schools were no surprise.In 2005 there was huge public opposition to council plans to merge Dylan Thomas school with Bishop Gore.
That would have seen Dylan Thomas close and around £20 million being spent on improving the Bishop Gore site.
Councillor Holley said: "We warned people that this situation would come. We have said that surplus places cost money.
"When we were looking at reorganisation, we wanted to move away from a position where schools would face massive deficits in their budgets and the threat of redundancies.
"What we wanted to do was to be able to manage redundancies better.
"The problem now is that all the chickens are coming home to roost at the same time."
A Swansea school is thought to be on the verge of axing a number of teachers as part of money-saving measures, the Evening Post has learned.
It is understood that teaching staff at Bishop Gore Comprehensive School in Sketty are expected to be handed compulsory redundancy packages. Three other permanent staff members have also been told there will be no job for them from September, and temporary staff are not having their contracts renewed.
The school's head teacher Peter Wilcox has refused to confirm the move, but did not rule out compulsory redundancies.
However, a teacher at the school, who does not want to be named, claimed the decision had already been taken. He added: "One full-time teacher and two-part time staff were told on Tuesday that they were going. Temporary staff were also told that they would not be back in September.
"These are teachers in their mid-30s or early 40s at most. It is not the same as offering early retirement to staff at the end of their career.
"We understand that there are falling pupil numbers but it seems that not enough has been done to deal with the effects of that.
"The feeling among teachers is that the same thing could happen next year."
Mr Wilcox said: "Bishop Gore, along with a number of secondary schools in Swansea, is facing challenging budget decisions this year."
He blamed falling pupil numbers and said insufficient cash was given to schools from the Assembly, so school budgets are coming under pressure, meaning possible compulsory staff cuts.
He said: "The governing body is now following agreed procedures to achieve the necessary savings.
"It is too early in the process, and would be inappropriate in any case, to comment on individual circumstances but compulsory redundancies cannot be ruled out."
It is thought that 11 of the 14 secondary schools in the county are facing budget shortfalls and a number have indicated staff cuts will be needed. However, this is the first case of compulsory redundancies.
Council leader Chris Holley said the problems facing schools were no surprise.In 2005 there was huge public opposition to council plans to merge Dylan Thomas school with Bishop Gore.
That would have seen Dylan Thomas close and around £20 million being spent on improving the Bishop Gore site.
Councillor Holley said: "We warned people that this situation would come. We have said that surplus places cost money.
"When we were looking at reorganisation, we wanted to move away from a position where schools would face massive deficits in their budgets and the threat of redundancies.
"What we wanted to do was to be able to manage redundancies better.
"The problem now is that all the chickens are coming home to roost at the same time."
TEACHING JOB FEARS AS PUPIL NUMBERS FALL
South Wales Evening Post - 2 May 2007
Swansea's Lib Dem led coalition has been attacked over claims it is not doing enough to tackle the problem of surplus school places.
School governors have voiced fears that teaching jobs could be lost in schools across the city.
They say falling pupil numbers are hitting school budgets with teachers' posts likely to be axed to try to get them back in the black.
Ian Ross, an Uplands Labour member, said falling pupil numbers were flagged up in a 2005 council briefing note, but not enough had been done since.
He said: "It amazes me the Lib-Dem administration so negligently ignored its own briefing note.
"They have taken no action whatsoever and as a result we are now seeing schools struggling to balance their books with the likelihood of teaching redundancies across the whole of Swansea."
Councillor Mike Day, the cabinet member for education, said surplus places had been cut and that more work was planned to tackle the problem.
But Mr Ross claims too little has been done and that the Lib Dems have shied away from tough decisions.
He pointed to the U-turn over plans to merge Dylan Thomas and Bishop Gore comprehensives in the face of a fierce campaign from angry parents.
Last week Peggy George, the chairwoman of governors at Bishop Gore, claimed 11 out of 14 comprehensives had big budget deficits, some in the red by more than £200,000.She said falling pupil numbers meant less cash for schools and with teachers' wages representing around 75 per cent of the budget they were most likely to feel the squeeze.Mr Ross, who is also a governor of a city primary school, said more had to be done and called on Councillor Day to take prompt action.
He said: "All the Liberal Democrats in Swansea have offered is a piecemeal stop-go approach and even that is reversed as soon as there is any opposition."
Councillor Day defended the council's stance on falling school rolls.
He said: "Falling school rolls affect all local authorities regardless of who is in control.
"Redundancies are an unfortunate consequence.
"Swansea's administration has been consulting on issues of school reorganisation and has responded to comments made.
"School closures have taken place and many surplus places have been removed.
"It is a shame Labour are making political capital of a serious issue such as education."
Councillor Day said discussions had taken place locally and AMs had been invited but that Labour AMs had not attended.
He said: "If they are so concerned on education, we must ask why they have not come along."
Rhys Williams, of NUT Cymru, said that it was completely against compulsory redundancies.He said: "We see this as a waste of know-how, talent, experience. It is also the opposite of managing change."
Mr Williams said Swansea Council should be foreseeing things like falling school rolls and called on it to do more to avoid compulsory redundancies.
He said: "Falling rolls is a problem across Wales.
"It is a chance for smaller classrooms, but it is also a chance for a responsible authority to use its services to make sure if there is a vacant post in another school that it can be filled by someone who has to leave their school.
"Some local authorities are better at this than others. We call on Swansea to do all they can to avoid compulsory redundancies."
Swansea's Lib Dem led coalition has been attacked over claims it is not doing enough to tackle the problem of surplus school places.
School governors have voiced fears that teaching jobs could be lost in schools across the city.
They say falling pupil numbers are hitting school budgets with teachers' posts likely to be axed to try to get them back in the black.
Ian Ross, an Uplands Labour member, said falling pupil numbers were flagged up in a 2005 council briefing note, but not enough had been done since.
He said: "It amazes me the Lib-Dem administration so negligently ignored its own briefing note.
"They have taken no action whatsoever and as a result we are now seeing schools struggling to balance their books with the likelihood of teaching redundancies across the whole of Swansea."
Councillor Mike Day, the cabinet member for education, said surplus places had been cut and that more work was planned to tackle the problem.
But Mr Ross claims too little has been done and that the Lib Dems have shied away from tough decisions.
He pointed to the U-turn over plans to merge Dylan Thomas and Bishop Gore comprehensives in the face of a fierce campaign from angry parents.
Last week Peggy George, the chairwoman of governors at Bishop Gore, claimed 11 out of 14 comprehensives had big budget deficits, some in the red by more than £200,000.She said falling pupil numbers meant less cash for schools and with teachers' wages representing around 75 per cent of the budget they were most likely to feel the squeeze.Mr Ross, who is also a governor of a city primary school, said more had to be done and called on Councillor Day to take prompt action.
He said: "All the Liberal Democrats in Swansea have offered is a piecemeal stop-go approach and even that is reversed as soon as there is any opposition."
Councillor Day defended the council's stance on falling school rolls.
He said: "Falling school rolls affect all local authorities regardless of who is in control.
"Redundancies are an unfortunate consequence.
"Swansea's administration has been consulting on issues of school reorganisation and has responded to comments made.
"School closures have taken place and many surplus places have been removed.
"It is a shame Labour are making political capital of a serious issue such as education."
Councillor Day said discussions had taken place locally and AMs had been invited but that Labour AMs had not attended.
He said: "If they are so concerned on education, we must ask why they have not come along."
Rhys Williams, of NUT Cymru, said that it was completely against compulsory redundancies.He said: "We see this as a waste of know-how, talent, experience. It is also the opposite of managing change."
Mr Williams said Swansea Council should be foreseeing things like falling school rolls and called on it to do more to avoid compulsory redundancies.
He said: "Falling rolls is a problem across Wales.
"It is a chance for smaller classrooms, but it is also a chance for a responsible authority to use its services to make sure if there is a vacant post in another school that it can be filled by someone who has to leave their school.
"Some local authorities are better at this than others. We call on Swansea to do all they can to avoid compulsory redundancies."
SCHOOL FORCED TO POOL ITS CASH
South Wales Evening Post - 2 May 2007
Swimmers have been told they face a bill for making a splash, after a pool of cash ran dry.For years members of swimming clubs have been using the pool at Olchfa Comprehensive School, thanks to funding from Swansea Council.
The money allowed the school to provide the out-of-hours service free-of-charge, benefiting hundreds of young swimmers across the city.But now letters have been sent to clubs telling them they will have to pay up if they want to use the school's facilities.
The decision has left many swimmers fearing their clubs will struggle to continue.One club which uses the pool is Olchfa Youth Wing Swimming Club.
The parent of one member said: "The future of the club is hanging in the balance from this decision.
"The school now wishes to charge the club £35 an hour for the use of the pool. As the club runs for three hours on two evenings a week, this would come to £210 a week, or £840 a month.
"It will be impossible for the club to carry on with such a heavy financial penalty.
"My children and many others have greatly benefited from the outstanding tuition received in the club - it would be a great shame to deny future members the opportunity to learn to swim locally, which is crucial in an area where beaches are so near."
The school has also contacted other groups which use the pool to tell them of the new fees, including members of the Canoldre Centre in Hafod, which it claims has been charging swimmers to use the pool, but retaining fees and not passing money on to the school.
Chair of Olchfa governors Rev Tim Williams said: "It is with regret that the board of governors had to take a decision to stop using the pool free of charge. This is no longer possible because the non-school use funding which we receive from the council has been withdrawn.
"Groups can continue to use the school facilities but we now have to make a charge to cover costs."It would be irresponsible of us to do otherwise."
The decision to stop the discretionary grant which financed free swimming at Olchfa was made by councillors in February last year.
A council spokesman said: "In the past it has been possible to offer some community groups support with the use of a discretionary grant from the council.
"In recent years there has been tremendous financial pressure on the council, as well as increasing demand for services.
"With that in mind, full council at its budget meeting reluctantly took the decision to discontinue the discretionary grant so that the resources could be directed to frontline services.
"While this means that in future the swimming clubs will have to pay for the use of the pool, it's anticipated that the charges will represent good value for money for the clubs as well as council taxpayers."
Swimmers have been told they face a bill for making a splash, after a pool of cash ran dry.For years members of swimming clubs have been using the pool at Olchfa Comprehensive School, thanks to funding from Swansea Council.
The money allowed the school to provide the out-of-hours service free-of-charge, benefiting hundreds of young swimmers across the city.But now letters have been sent to clubs telling them they will have to pay up if they want to use the school's facilities.
The decision has left many swimmers fearing their clubs will struggle to continue.One club which uses the pool is Olchfa Youth Wing Swimming Club.
The parent of one member said: "The future of the club is hanging in the balance from this decision.
"The school now wishes to charge the club £35 an hour for the use of the pool. As the club runs for three hours on two evenings a week, this would come to £210 a week, or £840 a month.
"It will be impossible for the club to carry on with such a heavy financial penalty.
"My children and many others have greatly benefited from the outstanding tuition received in the club - it would be a great shame to deny future members the opportunity to learn to swim locally, which is crucial in an area where beaches are so near."
The school has also contacted other groups which use the pool to tell them of the new fees, including members of the Canoldre Centre in Hafod, which it claims has been charging swimmers to use the pool, but retaining fees and not passing money on to the school.
Chair of Olchfa governors Rev Tim Williams said: "It is with regret that the board of governors had to take a decision to stop using the pool free of charge. This is no longer possible because the non-school use funding which we receive from the council has been withdrawn.
"Groups can continue to use the school facilities but we now have to make a charge to cover costs."It would be irresponsible of us to do otherwise."
The decision to stop the discretionary grant which financed free swimming at Olchfa was made by councillors in February last year.
A council spokesman said: "In the past it has been possible to offer some community groups support with the use of a discretionary grant from the council.
"In recent years there has been tremendous financial pressure on the council, as well as increasing demand for services.
"With that in mind, full council at its budget meeting reluctantly took the decision to discontinue the discretionary grant so that the resources could be directed to frontline services.
"While this means that in future the swimming clubs will have to pay for the use of the pool, it's anticipated that the charges will represent good value for money for the clubs as well as council taxpayers."
BENDY BUS BAY LANE BRANDED VANDALISM
South Wales Evening Post - 2 May 2007
The rumpus over bendy bus route proposals for Swansea's foreshore is sparking fresh anger.
Mumbles Community Council has labelled the possibility of Swansea Council turning a grassy stretch at Blackpill into a new bus lane an "act of vandalism".
They strongly oppose any messing with the foreshore, fearing trees would be for the chop and private property snapped up.
No decision has yet been taken on the idea and it is understood a number of potential routes for the buses are being looked at. But council bosses have confirmed the idea is still on the cards despite massive public protest.
They want to see public transport improved to a level at which more people will be willing to give up their cars and hop on board instead.
However, the idea of a lane between Mayals Road and West Cross has caused uproar at a meeting between the community council and Swansea Council.Community council vice-chairman Roger Beynon said: "If implemented, the proposal would be an act of vandalism, and ruin the huge improvement in the public use for recreation of this length of promenade.
"To turn the clock back some 50 years for no quantifiable benefit would be reprehensible.''
The hugely controversial proposal would mean bendy buses leaving Mumbles Road near the Junction cafe, travelling just over a kilometre along the foreshore on a new lane, and re-emerging at West Cross opposite Alderwood Road.
In the past Swansea Council has described the new lane option at Blackpill as a "preferred" or "proposed" route.
And in March it told the Post it currently had "no firm proposal" in place. But a meeting of councillors on Monday was told the idea was still being mooted.
A Swansea Council spokeswoman said: "It was made clear (at the meeting) that there will be no need to acquire any private land. Unfortunately, the community council appears to have missed this important point."
Councillor John Hague added: "It would seem that some members of Mumbles Community Council are using the Metro scheme to score political points, opposing it out of hand after apparently misunderstanding what was said."
West Cross resident Alma Hope said: "The bay is Swansea's 'front parlour' as far as I am concerned. Why would anyone want to drive a road along it?''
The rumpus over bendy bus route proposals for Swansea's foreshore is sparking fresh anger.
Mumbles Community Council has labelled the possibility of Swansea Council turning a grassy stretch at Blackpill into a new bus lane an "act of vandalism".
They strongly oppose any messing with the foreshore, fearing trees would be for the chop and private property snapped up.
No decision has yet been taken on the idea and it is understood a number of potential routes for the buses are being looked at. But council bosses have confirmed the idea is still on the cards despite massive public protest.
They want to see public transport improved to a level at which more people will be willing to give up their cars and hop on board instead.
However, the idea of a lane between Mayals Road and West Cross has caused uproar at a meeting between the community council and Swansea Council.Community council vice-chairman Roger Beynon said: "If implemented, the proposal would be an act of vandalism, and ruin the huge improvement in the public use for recreation of this length of promenade.
"To turn the clock back some 50 years for no quantifiable benefit would be reprehensible.''
The hugely controversial proposal would mean bendy buses leaving Mumbles Road near the Junction cafe, travelling just over a kilometre along the foreshore on a new lane, and re-emerging at West Cross opposite Alderwood Road.
In the past Swansea Council has described the new lane option at Blackpill as a "preferred" or "proposed" route.
And in March it told the Post it currently had "no firm proposal" in place. But a meeting of councillors on Monday was told the idea was still being mooted.
A Swansea Council spokeswoman said: "It was made clear (at the meeting) that there will be no need to acquire any private land. Unfortunately, the community council appears to have missed this important point."
Councillor John Hague added: "It would seem that some members of Mumbles Community Council are using the Metro scheme to score political points, opposing it out of hand after apparently misunderstanding what was said."
West Cross resident Alma Hope said: "The bay is Swansea's 'front parlour' as far as I am concerned. Why would anyone want to drive a road along it?''
150 WEEKS AT THE HELM
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley gives his personal view of 150 weeks in control by the Swansea Administration . . .
In June 2004 a historic election took place in Swansea which brought together three separate groups of councillors to form the Swansea Administration. This was created to counteract nearly 30 years of Labour control of the City & County of Swansea.
This took a great deal of commitment from these political groups to form an agreement to enhance our city and to improve the running of our council. This commitment makes a total mockery of the comments from Labour who claim that we only did it for money and nothing else.
In fact, one of the first things we did after taking office was to give 20 per cent of our allowances to pay for improved street cleaning.
When we were in opposition we never had a clear view of what was really happening at the council. But when we took control, what we found was extremely alarming. The actual working of the council, together with the systems and buildings were in a poor state.
This is not a criticism of the wonderful staff who were providing a service in very difficult conditions. No-one should underestimate the extent of the problems.
In 2001 an IDeA report was published, which made it clear that things had to change. Only now are we able to address some of those problems. Some of these problems are listed below:
Schools - it will cost many millions of pounds to make them fit for purpose.
Housing - it will take us many years to make our housing stock fit for purpose and cost many millions of pounds.
Many council buildings need major refurbishment. The Guildhall alone needs £30m to make it fit for purpose.
The council's own internal working systems need a major overhaul and modernisation, which is why we went ahead with our eGovernment programme.
Initially we set about trying to establish a list of priorities to change the direction of the council for the benefit of the city. This is not something that can be achieved overnight, but we have made a significant start. And let me tell you how.
We have made a huge difference to the local economy and confidence in the city centre. The infamous Castle Quays project never became a reality under Labour. Instead, work is now racing ahead on redeveloping the former House of Fraser store into a 21st Century shopping centre.
Our City Centre Framework has attracted interest from world-class developers and will transform the heart of our retail centre. We're already investing £3.5m to revitalise the retail core through street improvements. We've also taken away the Unifloc eyesore and replaced it with a welcoming green space.
In Social Services we're enabling older people to live independent lives, we've created salaried foster carers to provide safe homes for vulnerable children and we have a strategy to tackle domestic abuse.
We've made improvements to children's education by opening a specialist teaching unit at Pontarddulais, improved IT in schools, launched a children's university to provide young people new skills, faced up to falling surplus places by merging Bryn Nursery and Townhill School.
We're building a new Welsh medium school and we responded to ensure children didn't lose out following the fire at Penyrheol Comprehensive.
We have made environmental improvements a priority. We've increased recycling rates from 15.5 per cent to 27.4 per cent, introduced comprehensive road and pavement improvements, opened a new park and ride site and opposed dredging at Helwick Bank.
We know how important clean streets are to people, and that is why we've launched new clean teams who'll tackle grot spots across the City and County and we'll fine people for dropping litter.
We're investing in communities with pioneering projects such as Forge Fach and reducing crime through the Safer Swansea Partnership. We're providing top facilities for people to enjoy themselves.
The refurbishment of the Leisure Centre will give us a landmark destination for families. We're building a new bowls centre, we've opened a new library in Killay and we're creating a new central library.
The Dylan Thomas book prize is one of the major literary events and we've secured more county cricket in Swansea. We're tackling housing problems by reducing empty and void properties and investing in home improvements.
We've demolished Hazel Court to make way for an older people's village. We've balanced financial demands by reducing waste such as staff sickness by £316,000 and improving efficiency. Front-line services have been boosted and the Citizen's Advice Bureau is on a stronger financial footing.
All of this has been achieved while keeping council tax to a minimum for families.
The past three years have brought many challenges and there are many more on the horizon, but I believe we are making Swansea a better place.
In June 2004 a historic election took place in Swansea which brought together three separate groups of councillors to form the Swansea Administration. This was created to counteract nearly 30 years of Labour control of the City & County of Swansea.
This took a great deal of commitment from these political groups to form an agreement to enhance our city and to improve the running of our council. This commitment makes a total mockery of the comments from Labour who claim that we only did it for money and nothing else.
In fact, one of the first things we did after taking office was to give 20 per cent of our allowances to pay for improved street cleaning.
When we were in opposition we never had a clear view of what was really happening at the council. But when we took control, what we found was extremely alarming. The actual working of the council, together with the systems and buildings were in a poor state.
This is not a criticism of the wonderful staff who were providing a service in very difficult conditions. No-one should underestimate the extent of the problems.
In 2001 an IDeA report was published, which made it clear that things had to change. Only now are we able to address some of those problems. Some of these problems are listed below:
Schools - it will cost many millions of pounds to make them fit for purpose.
Housing - it will take us many years to make our housing stock fit for purpose and cost many millions of pounds.
Many council buildings need major refurbishment. The Guildhall alone needs £30m to make it fit for purpose.
The council's own internal working systems need a major overhaul and modernisation, which is why we went ahead with our eGovernment programme.
Initially we set about trying to establish a list of priorities to change the direction of the council for the benefit of the city. This is not something that can be achieved overnight, but we have made a significant start. And let me tell you how.
We have made a huge difference to the local economy and confidence in the city centre. The infamous Castle Quays project never became a reality under Labour. Instead, work is now racing ahead on redeveloping the former House of Fraser store into a 21st Century shopping centre.
Our City Centre Framework has attracted interest from world-class developers and will transform the heart of our retail centre. We're already investing £3.5m to revitalise the retail core through street improvements. We've also taken away the Unifloc eyesore and replaced it with a welcoming green space.
In Social Services we're enabling older people to live independent lives, we've created salaried foster carers to provide safe homes for vulnerable children and we have a strategy to tackle domestic abuse.
We've made improvements to children's education by opening a specialist teaching unit at Pontarddulais, improved IT in schools, launched a children's university to provide young people new skills, faced up to falling surplus places by merging Bryn Nursery and Townhill School.
We're building a new Welsh medium school and we responded to ensure children didn't lose out following the fire at Penyrheol Comprehensive.
We have made environmental improvements a priority. We've increased recycling rates from 15.5 per cent to 27.4 per cent, introduced comprehensive road and pavement improvements, opened a new park and ride site and opposed dredging at Helwick Bank.
We know how important clean streets are to people, and that is why we've launched new clean teams who'll tackle grot spots across the City and County and we'll fine people for dropping litter.
We're investing in communities with pioneering projects such as Forge Fach and reducing crime through the Safer Swansea Partnership. We're providing top facilities for people to enjoy themselves.
The refurbishment of the Leisure Centre will give us a landmark destination for families. We're building a new bowls centre, we've opened a new library in Killay and we're creating a new central library.
The Dylan Thomas book prize is one of the major literary events and we've secured more county cricket in Swansea. We're tackling housing problems by reducing empty and void properties and investing in home improvements.
We've demolished Hazel Court to make way for an older people's village. We've balanced financial demands by reducing waste such as staff sickness by £316,000 and improving efficiency. Front-line services have been boosted and the Citizen's Advice Bureau is on a stronger financial footing.
All of this has been achieved while keeping council tax to a minimum for families.
The past three years have brought many challenges and there are many more on the horizon, but I believe we are making Swansea a better place.
COUNCIL STILL KEEN ON FORESHORE DIG
South Wales Evening Post - 1 May 2007
A hugely controversial scheme to dig up part of Swansea's foreshore to make way for the city's new bendy buses is still on the cards, council chiefs have confirmed.
The idea provoked massive controversy when details first emerged late last year.
It had been thought the plan had been shelved.
But councillors have now been told it is still a possibility for a later phase of the project.
The scheme might mean digging up part of the popular foreshore area between Mayals Road and West Cross to allow the giant 60ft buses through.
A Swansea Council spokesman said the link was "still something the council would like to do as part of developing the Metro scheme".
But he added: "The section of the Swansea Metro from Singleton Hospital to Mumbles is dependent on further funding being secured."
It is thought other routes to link the two areas are also being looked at, although no details have yet been revealed.
Council group leader for improvement, Geoff Sheel, said: "The possibility of going through to Mumbles is the object of consultation.'' Figures released yesterday show the Metro bus project will cost £10.1 million.
The council's environment scrutiny board was told the price included a new Quadrant interchange for the bendy bus on its route from Morriston to Singleton Hospital.
Any extension to Mumbles is now being talked about by council officers as "a possible phase three".
Stage two, which is due to start in July, will take the route from County Hall towards the university, up Sketty Lane and into the hospital, through the university and back round.
It means there will be a loop at each end of the scheme - one at Morriston Hospital through Heol Maes Eglwys, and another at Singleton/the university.
Bosses say they want to ensure the bus is "fast, efficient and reliable" when it is launched onto Swansea's streets next year, with bus stops planned every 500 yards.
Each of the giant buses will carry more than 100 passengers.Top priority will be to make them as easy as possible to use and persuading people to use them instead of their cars.
But they are not without controversy, with some people questioning the amount of money being ploughed into the scheme.
One West Cross resident said feelings were still running high over any plan to dig up the foreshore to make way for the scheme.
She said: " I think it would be a step too far.
"Once it goes, it will be another piece of Swansea to disappear.''
A hugely controversial scheme to dig up part of Swansea's foreshore to make way for the city's new bendy buses is still on the cards, council chiefs have confirmed.
The idea provoked massive controversy when details first emerged late last year.
It had been thought the plan had been shelved.
But councillors have now been told it is still a possibility for a later phase of the project.
The scheme might mean digging up part of the popular foreshore area between Mayals Road and West Cross to allow the giant 60ft buses through.
A Swansea Council spokesman said the link was "still something the council would like to do as part of developing the Metro scheme".
But he added: "The section of the Swansea Metro from Singleton Hospital to Mumbles is dependent on further funding being secured."
It is thought other routes to link the two areas are also being looked at, although no details have yet been revealed.
Council group leader for improvement, Geoff Sheel, said: "The possibility of going through to Mumbles is the object of consultation.'' Figures released yesterday show the Metro bus project will cost £10.1 million.
The council's environment scrutiny board was told the price included a new Quadrant interchange for the bendy bus on its route from Morriston to Singleton Hospital.
Any extension to Mumbles is now being talked about by council officers as "a possible phase three".
Stage two, which is due to start in July, will take the route from County Hall towards the university, up Sketty Lane and into the hospital, through the university and back round.
It means there will be a loop at each end of the scheme - one at Morriston Hospital through Heol Maes Eglwys, and another at Singleton/the university.
Bosses say they want to ensure the bus is "fast, efficient and reliable" when it is launched onto Swansea's streets next year, with bus stops planned every 500 yards.
Each of the giant buses will carry more than 100 passengers.Top priority will be to make them as easy as possible to use and persuading people to use them instead of their cars.
But they are not without controversy, with some people questioning the amount of money being ploughed into the scheme.
One West Cross resident said feelings were still running high over any plan to dig up the foreshore to make way for the scheme.
She said: " I think it would be a step too far.
"Once it goes, it will be another piece of Swansea to disappear.''
