South Wales Evening Post - 15 June 2007
A senior manager at Swansea Council has admitted millions of pounds of savings are being missed because an expensive IT system just isn't working properly.
Jack Straw, the council's director of social services and housing, was giving evidence to a panel of councillors about Swansea Council's £83 million IT contract with Capgemini.
The Swansea-based IT firm won the deal to supply new computers and software for the council. As well as replacing the old systems it promised savings of around £17 million over a 10-year period. However, since the new software was introduced those projections have been slashed and it will now be lucky to break even.
Mr Straw was being quizzed by members of Swansea Council's Performance Scrutiny Board.
He told them that his department had been forced to recruit more people since the new system was introduced.
He said: "These savings haven't been delivered at the moment because the systems are not yet working in the way that was intended when the savings were calculated.
"My department's posts haven't been saved and we're having to employ more people just to keep up with the work."
The council is holding a separate independent inquiry into the way the contract was handled to see whether any staff should face disciplinary action.
Before the deal was signed some department heads sent letters to the council's former chief executive Tim Thorogood telling him of concerns about the possible savings.
Mr Straw went on to say: "I'm not trying to pass the buck, but there were a group of people who were knowledgeable about the new system from within the council and externally, who worked out what we should be able to save. What we signed off was the saving we would make if the system is working the way it should - which it isn't.
"We are all still working towards making the savings, because we've got to, but I can't say we'll ever get there unless the system works properly."
Steve Evans, interim director of finance; Reena Owen, director of environment; Chris Maggs, head of adult services; Martin Nicholls, head of corporate building; and the council's current chief executive Paul Smith attended Wednesday's meeting.
They agreed with Mr Straw and said problems arose when the system was installed but didn't work properly with the council's existing IT systems - something that had not been foreseen.
Mrs Owen also admitted that the need for council staff to be given training in the new systems had also been "underestimated".
Groups from each of their departments are working with Capgemini to iron the gremlins out.Scrutiny into the eGovernment system has been ongoing since March.
Councillor Rene Kinzett, the board's chairman, said Wednesday's evidence will be used when representatives from Capgemini are quizzed on Wednesday, July 11. It is anticipated the board's final report will be published in September.
He said: "The evidence will really help us form our conclusions and will form part of our investigation. We've got quite a few questions to ask Capgemini."
COUNCIL IT INQUIRY TO CONSIDER POSSIBLE DISCIPLINARY ACTION
South Wales Evening Post - 13 June 2007
An investigation to see if any senior Swansea Council staff should be disciplined over the way an £83 million IT contract was handled will take evidence from Councilor Rene Kinzett.
The chairman of the council's performance scrutiny board has been asked to give his views on the deal with Swansea-based IT firm Capgemini. It follows a damning report by the council's own auditors into the controversial deal.
It found that a number of things should have been done differently to ensure council tax payers got the best value for money. Audit firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers said that more should have been done to look at cheaper alternatives and proposed savings should have been better scrutinised.
The firm also said that senior councillors were not kept properly informed and it is this allegation that forms the basis of the internal investigation.
Councillor Kinzett, whose scrutiny committee is also looking at the deal, said he expects his evidence to be among the last given to the inquiry.
He said: "I have been asked to give evidence in my role as chairman of the performance scrutiny board - we are looking at the IT and have been doing so for some months.
"We have gathered evidence and asked questions and I will be able to pass that on to the independent person who is conducting the inquiry. I expect he will have already spoken to most of the people he wants to by the time I give my evidence, and will be close to the end of the investigation."
The performance scrutiny board was due to meet at 4.30pm today at County Hall.
An investigation to see if any senior Swansea Council staff should be disciplined over the way an £83 million IT contract was handled will take evidence from Councilor Rene Kinzett.
The chairman of the council's performance scrutiny board has been asked to give his views on the deal with Swansea-based IT firm Capgemini. It follows a damning report by the council's own auditors into the controversial deal.
It found that a number of things should have been done differently to ensure council tax payers got the best value for money. Audit firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers said that more should have been done to look at cheaper alternatives and proposed savings should have been better scrutinised.
The firm also said that senior councillors were not kept properly informed and it is this allegation that forms the basis of the internal investigation.
Councillor Kinzett, whose scrutiny committee is also looking at the deal, said he expects his evidence to be among the last given to the inquiry.
He said: "I have been asked to give evidence in my role as chairman of the performance scrutiny board - we are looking at the IT and have been doing so for some months.
"We have gathered evidence and asked questions and I will be able to pass that on to the independent person who is conducting the inquiry. I expect he will have already spoken to most of the people he wants to by the time I give my evidence, and will be close to the end of the investigation."
The performance scrutiny board was due to meet at 4.30pm today at County Hall.
SWANSEA LABOUR APARTHEID THREAT
South Wales Evening Post - 13 June 2007
A Leading ethnic minority official is warning of an apartheid system within Swansea West Constituency Labour Party.
The broadside has been fired in the run-up to the party's selection of a candidate to fight retiring MP Alan Williams's seat at the next general election.
Swansea CLP member Naz Malik accused his chairman Parvaiz Ali (pictured) of recruiting members of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin to help his bid for selection.
That has led, he said, to two different Labour parties in Swansea West.
"I want to highlight this dangerous path to division," he said.
But Dr Ali rejected the criticism, saying he wanted to recruit people whatever their background to boost falling membership numbers.
Mr Malik, director of All Wales Ethnic Minority Association, spoke after the release of figures showing that about a third of the membership of Swansea West CLP had origins in Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Before May last year the figure was only 10, and that had since risen by 135, with new members unattached to the two Asian countries accounting for only around 20 in that period.
"I have no personal axe to grind," said Mr Malik. "It is an issue about politics, not personalities.
"From an ethnic minority point of view, more power to his elbow."
But Mr Malik said the selection of a new candidate to fight the seat should be about politics and not ethnic minorities.
"Years ago the Labour Party was taken over by the militant tendency," he said. "Now there are two different Labour Parties in Swansea West.
"I was a leading anti-apartheid campaigner and I don't want to see a system of apartheid in Swansea West."
Mr Malik cast doubts on the eligibility of some of the new recruits to vote as they did not appear to be on the electoral register.
Dr Ali, head of nuclear science at Swansea NHS Trust, said he signalled his intention to recruit more members when he took over the chairmanship 15 months ago.
"We will be recruiting at the university's freshers' fair and at Swansea Institute of Higher Education later in the year and through other community links," he said.
"It is entirely up to members of the party who they vote for in the selection contest.
"I have been led to believe that Mr Malik's comments have now become the subject of an official Labour Party investigation."
A Welsh Labour spokesman said the party welcomed new members from all communities in Wales.
"Being a member of the Labour Party is a valuable and worthwhile thing to do for people who care about the future of their country and communities," said a spokesman.
"All members eligible to take part in the process will find it open, transparent and fair, an opportunity to have their say on who represents them as the Labour candidate in the next general election.
"Swansea West is the only Labour-held seat in Wales where a sitting MP has indicated that he is standing down. It was therefore a priority to select a new candidate as soon as possible after the Assembly election."
A Leading ethnic minority official is warning of an apartheid system within Swansea West Constituency Labour Party.
The broadside has been fired in the run-up to the party's selection of a candidate to fight retiring MP Alan Williams's seat at the next general election.
Swansea CLP member Naz Malik accused his chairman Parvaiz Ali (pictured) of recruiting members of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin to help his bid for selection.
That has led, he said, to two different Labour parties in Swansea West.
"I want to highlight this dangerous path to division," he said.
But Dr Ali rejected the criticism, saying he wanted to recruit people whatever their background to boost falling membership numbers.
Mr Malik, director of All Wales Ethnic Minority Association, spoke after the release of figures showing that about a third of the membership of Swansea West CLP had origins in Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Before May last year the figure was only 10, and that had since risen by 135, with new members unattached to the two Asian countries accounting for only around 20 in that period.
"I have no personal axe to grind," said Mr Malik. "It is an issue about politics, not personalities.
"From an ethnic minority point of view, more power to his elbow."
But Mr Malik said the selection of a new candidate to fight the seat should be about politics and not ethnic minorities.
"Years ago the Labour Party was taken over by the militant tendency," he said. "Now there are two different Labour Parties in Swansea West.
"I was a leading anti-apartheid campaigner and I don't want to see a system of apartheid in Swansea West."
Mr Malik cast doubts on the eligibility of some of the new recruits to vote as they did not appear to be on the electoral register.
Dr Ali, head of nuclear science at Swansea NHS Trust, said he signalled his intention to recruit more members when he took over the chairmanship 15 months ago.
"We will be recruiting at the university's freshers' fair and at Swansea Institute of Higher Education later in the year and through other community links," he said.
"It is entirely up to members of the party who they vote for in the selection contest.
"I have been led to believe that Mr Malik's comments have now become the subject of an official Labour Party investigation."
A Welsh Labour spokesman said the party welcomed new members from all communities in Wales.
"Being a member of the Labour Party is a valuable and worthwhile thing to do for people who care about the future of their country and communities," said a spokesman.
"All members eligible to take part in the process will find it open, transparent and fair, an opportunity to have their say on who represents them as the Labour candidate in the next general election.
"Swansea West is the only Labour-held seat in Wales where a sitting MP has indicated that he is standing down. It was therefore a priority to select a new candidate as soon as possible after the Assembly election."
SENIOR STAFF QUIZZED OVER £83M IT DEAL
South Wales Evening Post - 12 June 2007
Senior staff at Swansea Council have been asked to give evidence in a review of a controversial £83 million IT scheme.
Several department heads have been invited to take part in a meeting with councillors tomorrow. The move follows a highly critical report into the way council handled the contract talks for its eGovernment scheme.
Projected savings for the scheme have been slashed, meaning that instead of saving money for council tax payers the IT scheme will be lucky to break even.
Councillor Mark Child, the vice- chairman of the committee, said he hoped to find out how the original figures were reached. He said: " We want to know how much they were involved in arriving at the original savings figures, and why those savings have not been achieved."
Tomorrow's meeting is the latest to look at the council's IT scheme.
The deal, with Swansea-based IT firm Capgemini, was designed to replace the council's ageing computer systems.
However, as well as bringing new computers and software to the council the project also promised to make millions of pounds worth of savings by improving efficiency. The actual figures are now likely to be much lower than promised.
Heads of service for finance, environment, social service and housing, and adult service will all be asked to give evidence.
A number of department heads wrote to the council's former chief executive Tim Thorogood to say they were not convinced by projected savings.
Councillor Child said: "Hopefully, they will be able to throw light on how theses figures were arrived at. Whether there was a target that had to be met, or whether there was someone guiding them. We are trying to discover exactly what went on.
"Obviously these are senior figures in the council and this was a major project, so I would be surprised if they do not know anything about it. We would expect them to have had a significant involvement and knowledge of what's going on."
Senior staff at Swansea Council have been asked to give evidence in a review of a controversial £83 million IT scheme.
Several department heads have been invited to take part in a meeting with councillors tomorrow. The move follows a highly critical report into the way council handled the contract talks for its eGovernment scheme.
Projected savings for the scheme have been slashed, meaning that instead of saving money for council tax payers the IT scheme will be lucky to break even.
Councillor Mark Child, the vice- chairman of the committee, said he hoped to find out how the original figures were reached. He said: " We want to know how much they were involved in arriving at the original savings figures, and why those savings have not been achieved."
Tomorrow's meeting is the latest to look at the council's IT scheme.
The deal, with Swansea-based IT firm Capgemini, was designed to replace the council's ageing computer systems.
However, as well as bringing new computers and software to the council the project also promised to make millions of pounds worth of savings by improving efficiency. The actual figures are now likely to be much lower than promised.
Heads of service for finance, environment, social service and housing, and adult service will all be asked to give evidence.
A number of department heads wrote to the council's former chief executive Tim Thorogood to say they were not convinced by projected savings.
Councillor Child said: "Hopefully, they will be able to throw light on how theses figures were arrived at. Whether there was a target that had to be met, or whether there was someone guiding them. We are trying to discover exactly what went on.
"Obviously these are senior figures in the council and this was a major project, so I would be surprised if they do not know anything about it. We would expect them to have had a significant involvement and knowledge of what's going on."
OUTCRY SPARKS PARK FUTURE DEBATE CALL
South Wales Evening Post – 1 June 2007
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley has called for what he calls a "proper debate" on the future of Swansea's biggest park as a venue for events.
There has been a huge outcry over plans to hold three-day rock concert Fflam in Singleton Park this July. However, it is not the first time that plans to hold an event in the popular park have caused a stir.
Dance event Escape into the Park regularly attracts opposition and even car shows and the Swansea County Show have raised opposition.
Now Councillor Holley wants the people of Swansea to decide whether the park should continue to be used for any events at all. "There are 250,000 people in Swansea and these events attract thousands," he said.
"We understand the concerns that people living near the park have over the number of events and the size of events that take place there.
"But what people need to understand is that Singleton Park is an asset for the whole of Swansea to enjoy.
"I think perhaps the city will have to look at Singleton Park again and decide whether we want to hold events there at all. It is not just about the people who live close to the park, but about everyone in the city deciding."
Councillor Holley pointed out that all taxpayers contribute to the upkeep of the park.
"The park is not just there for people living close to it. It is there for people from Cwmbwrla just as much as it is for the people living around Sketty.
"We have to have a proper debate across every community in Swansea to see what we want for the park."
As well as Fflam Festival and Escape into the Park, Singleton is used for a number of other shows throughout the year. The BBC hosts Proms in the Park and Party in the Park has become a favourite with younger audiences.
This weekend saw thousands of people turn out for the Swansea County Show and the park has also hosted horse shows and car events in the past.Councillor Holley said the park should be used for more than sunbathing and dog walking, but accepts it is a park for residents and they should decide.
He added: "Singleton Park has been used for all kinds of events for years. It is not something that has just been thought about recently."
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley has called for what he calls a "proper debate" on the future of Swansea's biggest park as a venue for events.
There has been a huge outcry over plans to hold three-day rock concert Fflam in Singleton Park this July. However, it is not the first time that plans to hold an event in the popular park have caused a stir.
Dance event Escape into the Park regularly attracts opposition and even car shows and the Swansea County Show have raised opposition.
Now Councillor Holley wants the people of Swansea to decide whether the park should continue to be used for any events at all. "There are 250,000 people in Swansea and these events attract thousands," he said.
"We understand the concerns that people living near the park have over the number of events and the size of events that take place there.
"But what people need to understand is that Singleton Park is an asset for the whole of Swansea to enjoy.
"I think perhaps the city will have to look at Singleton Park again and decide whether we want to hold events there at all. It is not just about the people who live close to the park, but about everyone in the city deciding."
Councillor Holley pointed out that all taxpayers contribute to the upkeep of the park.
"The park is not just there for people living close to it. It is there for people from Cwmbwrla just as much as it is for the people living around Sketty.
"We have to have a proper debate across every community in Swansea to see what we want for the park."
As well as Fflam Festival and Escape into the Park, Singleton is used for a number of other shows throughout the year. The BBC hosts Proms in the Park and Party in the Park has become a favourite with younger audiences.
This weekend saw thousands of people turn out for the Swansea County Show and the park has also hosted horse shows and car events in the past.Councillor Holley said the park should be used for more than sunbathing and dog walking, but accepts it is a park for residents and they should decide.
He added: "Singleton Park has been used for all kinds of events for years. It is not something that has just been thought about recently."
