South Wales Evening Post - 17 August 2007
Calls for a fully independent inquiry into Swansea Council's £83 million IT deal have been made by council workers' union Unison.
The council has already launched its own inquiry, which is being conducted by the council's auditors, PriceWaterhouseCooper (PCW). Although the PCW review is independent, the frame of reference was set by councillors.
Unison branch manager in Swansea, Jeff Baker, says it does not go far enough.
He said: "We have written to the chief executive at Swansea Council to ask him to instigate a full independent investigation into the eGovernment programme.
"There were some serious issues raised by the initial PCW report and we think the current investigation is too narrow."
The auditor produced a report into the £83 million scheme to replace the council's IT systems as part of its regular duties. That raised a number of issues, including questions about how much was done to check that promised savings were achievable; what alternatives were looked at; and whether concerns of senior staff were passed on.
A second investigation was then launched when councillors voted to ask if any senior staff had done anything wrong.
Mr Baker said: "The IT deal is now working as it should be. Millions of pounds of savings that were promised will not be realised.
"We want to see a fully independent inquiry, one where the experts ask the questions they think are important.
"Councillors are not experts and nor are we. That is why we want independent experts to draw up the questions that need to be answered.
"The council has said it wants to learn from its mistakes, but until it knows exactly what those mistakes are it's impossible to learn any lessons."
A council spokesman said: "The recent review undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCooper was a fully independent review, carried out on behalf of the Wales Audit Office. The requirements for the review were written and agreed by council.
"In addition to this, the council has also commissioned an independent investigation to determine whether officers, past or present, should face any disciplinary action regarding the issues raised by PWC.
"What is needed now is for positive action to be taken in respect of the recommendations coming out of these reviews to ensure that important lessons are learned for the future."
IT'S NOT THE DOGS' FAULT
South Wales Evening Post - 15 August 2007
Regarding Dangerous dogs ban call by councillor (Post, August 11). Why is it that only council house tenants should be banned from having these dogs? Why not everyone?
I have a seven-year-old Japanese Akita which was brought up with children and is gentle. These dogs are only dangerous if taught to fight other dogs. No dog is dangerous if cared for in the proper way.
Councillor Ioan Richard is biased against council tenants and dogs.
In this case he should not be a councillor for the people.
Ban bad owners of pets, not the pets. It's not their fault they are not taught properly.
S Morris
Trebanos, Pontardawe
Regarding Dangerous dogs ban call by councillor (Post, August 11). Why is it that only council house tenants should be banned from having these dogs? Why not everyone?
I have a seven-year-old Japanese Akita which was brought up with children and is gentle. These dogs are only dangerous if taught to fight other dogs. No dog is dangerous if cared for in the proper way.
Councillor Ioan Richard is biased against council tenants and dogs.
In this case he should not be a councillor for the people.
Ban bad owners of pets, not the pets. It's not their fault they are not taught properly.
S Morris
Trebanos, Pontardawe
£83M IT DEAL PROBED
South Wales Evening Post - 10 August 2007
Swansea councillors investigating why a much-criticised multi-million pound IT upgrade is not delivering millions in savings have been told that it would have worked well, had senior managers been wholeheartedly behind the scheme.
The £83 million deal with Swansea-based IT firm Capgemini was agreed in January 2006. It was the first phase of the council's eGovernment programme aimed at streamlining its services and saving millions of pounds.
But it hasn't been as effective as hoped.
The firm's bosses were yesterday quizzed at Swansea Council's scrutiny committee.
Account director Steve Morgan and vice-president Tom Marsden were invited to take part in the question and answer session in an effort to find out why £17 million in efficiency savings had not materialised.
Mr Morgan said: "Going back to 2003, it was clear that Swansea Council was looking to transform, to change the way it works.
"It needed to do that because the demands on it are increasing in terms of what it provides and the finance is not.
"We saw an authority that was driving towards leadership in Wales."
Mr Morgan said the deal was set up with the then council chief executive Tim Thorogood, who was enthusiastic for the scheme, but said he didn't know if the council's senior managers supported it.
"It's essential the whole management team gets behind the systems for them to work.
"We would have liked to have had an opportunity to convince those members that the programme was well-founded and well directed."
Capgemini also blamed the lack of progress on the council's resistance to change.
"I think there's always resistance to change," Mr Morgan added.
"I think Swansea Council's resistance was at the high end of our experience but I put that down to the fact that Swansea Council has changed less and has been subject to fewer external pressures than other councils.
"In Swansea Council there is a more static workforce, which makes it a little more resistant to change."
Councillor Rene Kinzett, who chairs the performance scrutiny committee, asked the company bosses whether the large savings predicted in the first months of the system's installation were realistic.
Mr Morgan said: "Once we have made savings in an operational capacity they will keep being made, with other savings on top.
"We've been unable to get the data for us to analyse savings accurately because the council has chosen to make savings in other places, as well as with Capgemini."
Swansea councillors investigating why a much-criticised multi-million pound IT upgrade is not delivering millions in savings have been told that it would have worked well, had senior managers been wholeheartedly behind the scheme.
The £83 million deal with Swansea-based IT firm Capgemini was agreed in January 2006. It was the first phase of the council's eGovernment programme aimed at streamlining its services and saving millions of pounds.
But it hasn't been as effective as hoped.
The firm's bosses were yesterday quizzed at Swansea Council's scrutiny committee.
Account director Steve Morgan and vice-president Tom Marsden were invited to take part in the question and answer session in an effort to find out why £17 million in efficiency savings had not materialised.
Mr Morgan said: "Going back to 2003, it was clear that Swansea Council was looking to transform, to change the way it works.
"It needed to do that because the demands on it are increasing in terms of what it provides and the finance is not.
"We saw an authority that was driving towards leadership in Wales."
Mr Morgan said the deal was set up with the then council chief executive Tim Thorogood, who was enthusiastic for the scheme, but said he didn't know if the council's senior managers supported it.
"It's essential the whole management team gets behind the systems for them to work.
"We would have liked to have had an opportunity to convince those members that the programme was well-founded and well directed."
Capgemini also blamed the lack of progress on the council's resistance to change.
"I think there's always resistance to change," Mr Morgan added.
"I think Swansea Council's resistance was at the high end of our experience but I put that down to the fact that Swansea Council has changed less and has been subject to fewer external pressures than other councils.
"In Swansea Council there is a more static workforce, which makes it a little more resistant to change."
Councillor Rene Kinzett, who chairs the performance scrutiny committee, asked the company bosses whether the large savings predicted in the first months of the system's installation were realistic.
Mr Morgan said: "Once we have made savings in an operational capacity they will keep being made, with other savings on top.
"We've been unable to get the data for us to analyse savings accurately because the council has chosen to make savings in other places, as well as with Capgemini."
E-SCHEME UNDER ATTACK
South Wales Evening Post - 8 August 2007
Swansea MP Alan Williams has launched a stinging attack on Swansea Council's £83 million IT scheme.
Mr Williams has labelled the deal, which is falling way behind on expected savings, as "an exercise in complete incompetence".
Swansea Council signed the deal with city-based IT firm Capgemini last year with the promise of around £17 million worth of efficiency savings. It has now become clear that the scheme will be lucky to break even.
Mr Williams, a member of Westminster's Public Accounts Committee, was speaking after raising concerns about Swansea Council's eGovernment contract with the auditor general for Wales, Jeremy Colman.
He has also criticised the deal with Swansea-based IT firm Capgemini, saying: "This case is likely to be rich in lessons."
There are already a number of investigations into the deal, including an internal one into the role of senior managers at the council.
Mr Colman said: "The reason for all this investigatory activity is that the programme in question now appears to fall well short of the high expectations on which it was founded. In particular, the contract with Capgemini does not include the call centre that formed part of the original specification for the programme.
"It was dropped on the grounds of affordability in 2005, but without, at that time, a full appraisal of the options available to the council to restore the programme to affordability."
Mr Colman also points out that promised savings targets are likely to be missed.
Mr Williams said he had warned Swansea Council about the dangers of taking on a big IT scheme and said not enough was done to safeguard tax-payers' money.
He said: "The eGovernment scheme is an exercise in complete incompetence. Swansea Council has only got part of what it wanted from the scheme.
"They informed me that they were going to do it and with my experience of public accounts I warned them of the pitfalls.
"I pointed out to them that the public accounts committee has done more investigations into failed IT systems than anything else."
External auditors Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) slated the council in a report that was published earlier this year.
Council leaders were forced to drop a telephone and internet customer contact centre in favour of a cheaper face-to-face option supplied by Cardiff Council after costs spiralled.
Mr Colman added: "PwC's work is throwing some light on the reasons why the prospects for the programme have deteriorated, but it is too early to reach conclusive judgements on that."
Swansea Council's cabinet member for eGovernment, Mary Jones, said: "The auditors have highlighted that there are lessons to be learned from the way the programme was procured.
"The council accepts these points and is now working with PwC to put forward an action plan to make sure that the lessons are learned for future projects."
Swansea MP Alan Williams has launched a stinging attack on Swansea Council's £83 million IT scheme.
Mr Williams has labelled the deal, which is falling way behind on expected savings, as "an exercise in complete incompetence".
Swansea Council signed the deal with city-based IT firm Capgemini last year with the promise of around £17 million worth of efficiency savings. It has now become clear that the scheme will be lucky to break even.
Mr Williams, a member of Westminster's Public Accounts Committee, was speaking after raising concerns about Swansea Council's eGovernment contract with the auditor general for Wales, Jeremy Colman.
He has also criticised the deal with Swansea-based IT firm Capgemini, saying: "This case is likely to be rich in lessons."
There are already a number of investigations into the deal, including an internal one into the role of senior managers at the council.
Mr Colman said: "The reason for all this investigatory activity is that the programme in question now appears to fall well short of the high expectations on which it was founded. In particular, the contract with Capgemini does not include the call centre that formed part of the original specification for the programme.
"It was dropped on the grounds of affordability in 2005, but without, at that time, a full appraisal of the options available to the council to restore the programme to affordability."
Mr Colman also points out that promised savings targets are likely to be missed.
Mr Williams said he had warned Swansea Council about the dangers of taking on a big IT scheme and said not enough was done to safeguard tax-payers' money.
He said: "The eGovernment scheme is an exercise in complete incompetence. Swansea Council has only got part of what it wanted from the scheme.
"They informed me that they were going to do it and with my experience of public accounts I warned them of the pitfalls.
"I pointed out to them that the public accounts committee has done more investigations into failed IT systems than anything else."
External auditors Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) slated the council in a report that was published earlier this year.
Council leaders were forced to drop a telephone and internet customer contact centre in favour of a cheaper face-to-face option supplied by Cardiff Council after costs spiralled.
Mr Colman added: "PwC's work is throwing some light on the reasons why the prospects for the programme have deteriorated, but it is too early to reach conclusive judgements on that."
Swansea Council's cabinet member for eGovernment, Mary Jones, said: "The auditors have highlighted that there are lessons to be learned from the way the programme was procured.
"The council accepts these points and is now working with PwC to put forward an action plan to make sure that the lessons are learned for future projects."
CABINET MEMBER REJECTS QUIT CALL
South Wales Evening Post - 7 August 2007
Swansea Council's cabinet member for social services has come under pressure from opposition parties over a critical review of the way services are being run.
Councillor Wendy Fitzgerald was asked to accept political responsibility for the findings of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) report.
It found "serious concerns" with core areas of the child and family services.Councillor Fitzgerald was repeatedly asked to consider her position as a cabinet member. But she refused, insisting she was not responsible for the day-to-day running of the department, and relied on the expertise of her senior managers.
She said: "My responsibility is to stay in post and oversee any changes that we have to make. We will come out of this with a much more solid base for children's services."
A report into the service in 2004 put the county at the top of the Welsh league for the way it deals with at-risk children. However, the latest report from the CSSIW puts Swansea in the bottom three.
Councillor Fitzgerald admitted the earlier review of Swansea's children's services was better than other councils', but insisted it was not a glowing report. She said the problems were mainly down to recruitment and retention of staff.
She added that there had been issues in 2004, saying: "Our position is not as good as it should be, but the difficulties we have now have existed for a long time. "
However, the Joint Review of 2004 praised the way the child protection service was run.
It said: "The service is characterised by sound prioritisation, quick and effective responses in most cases, and a wide range of imaginative and flexible services.
"There is good management and leadership, high levels of staff commitment and a sound emphasis on partnership working."
Opposition councillors said Councillor Fitzgerald should have accepted responsibility for the change in fortunes in the service.
Referring to the murder of baby Aaron Gilbert, who was killed by his mother's partner, Labour group leader David Phillips, said: "Since that report, a child has died and parts of social services are among the worst in Wales."
Independent councillor Ray Welsby has also sent a letter to the council's acting leader, Gerald Clement.
He said: "My main concern relates to Councillor Fitzgerald's statement that she 'refused to accept responsibility for the serious concerns raised in the CCSIW report' and the fact that she stated, in public, that the responsibility for such damning comments must be met by her departmental officers. I totally disagree."
Swansea Council's cabinet member for social services has come under pressure from opposition parties over a critical review of the way services are being run.
Councillor Wendy Fitzgerald was asked to accept political responsibility for the findings of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) report.
It found "serious concerns" with core areas of the child and family services.Councillor Fitzgerald was repeatedly asked to consider her position as a cabinet member. But she refused, insisting she was not responsible for the day-to-day running of the department, and relied on the expertise of her senior managers.
She said: "My responsibility is to stay in post and oversee any changes that we have to make. We will come out of this with a much more solid base for children's services."
A report into the service in 2004 put the county at the top of the Welsh league for the way it deals with at-risk children. However, the latest report from the CSSIW puts Swansea in the bottom three.
Councillor Fitzgerald admitted the earlier review of Swansea's children's services was better than other councils', but insisted it was not a glowing report. She said the problems were mainly down to recruitment and retention of staff.
She added that there had been issues in 2004, saying: "Our position is not as good as it should be, but the difficulties we have now have existed for a long time. "
However, the Joint Review of 2004 praised the way the child protection service was run.
It said: "The service is characterised by sound prioritisation, quick and effective responses in most cases, and a wide range of imaginative and flexible services.
"There is good management and leadership, high levels of staff commitment and a sound emphasis on partnership working."
Opposition councillors said Councillor Fitzgerald should have accepted responsibility for the change in fortunes in the service.
Referring to the murder of baby Aaron Gilbert, who was killed by his mother's partner, Labour group leader David Phillips, said: "Since that report, a child has died and parts of social services are among the worst in Wales."
Independent councillor Ray Welsby has also sent a letter to the council's acting leader, Gerald Clement.
He said: "My main concern relates to Councillor Fitzgerald's statement that she 'refused to accept responsibility for the serious concerns raised in the CCSIW report' and the fact that she stated, in public, that the responsibility for such damning comments must be met by her departmental officers. I totally disagree."
TALKS TO TAKE PLACE OVER £83M IT FLOP
South Wales Evening Post - 03 August 2007
Swansea councillors investigating why a multi-million pound IT upgrade is not delivering are to speak to the team behind the system.
The authority signed an £83 million deal with IT firm Capgemini in early 2006.
Council leaders and senior managers were expecting the upgrade to help make around £17 million in efficiency savings.
However, it has since become clear the scheme will fall short of those estimates and will be lucky to break even.
Capgemini officials have responded to questions from the council's performance scrutiny board, which is investigating Swansea's eGovernment scheme.
A written response from Capgemini said the reason for the failure to hit the targets was down to the council not being bold enough.
It stated: "We have noted some resistance to change. The council has not found it easy to contemplate more radical solutions where these represent a significant departure from established ways of working."
The majority of the savings identified by Capgemini in the original contract negotiations were to come from reducing costs in the way it buys in products and services - known as strategic sourcing.
Capgemini says it has been unable to get accurate information from the council, adding:
"Regarding strategic sourcing, the council has found it difficult to obtain the data which Capgemini requires to perform analysis."
Councillor Rene Kinzett, who chairs the performance scrutiny committee, said: "It is all well and good saying the council is not being radical enough, but if the savings were never realistically achievable, then that is another matter.''
Swansea councillors investigating why a multi-million pound IT upgrade is not delivering are to speak to the team behind the system.
The authority signed an £83 million deal with IT firm Capgemini in early 2006.
Council leaders and senior managers were expecting the upgrade to help make around £17 million in efficiency savings.
However, it has since become clear the scheme will fall short of those estimates and will be lucky to break even.
Capgemini officials have responded to questions from the council's performance scrutiny board, which is investigating Swansea's eGovernment scheme.
A written response from Capgemini said the reason for the failure to hit the targets was down to the council not being bold enough.
It stated: "We have noted some resistance to change. The council has not found it easy to contemplate more radical solutions where these represent a significant departure from established ways of working."
The majority of the savings identified by Capgemini in the original contract negotiations were to come from reducing costs in the way it buys in products and services - known as strategic sourcing.
Capgemini says it has been unable to get accurate information from the council, adding:
"Regarding strategic sourcing, the council has found it difficult to obtain the data which Capgemini requires to perform analysis."
Councillor Rene Kinzett, who chairs the performance scrutiny committee, said: "It is all well and good saying the council is not being radical enough, but if the savings were never realistically achievable, then that is another matter.''
Fflam festival finally cancelled
Western Mail – 3 August 2007
THE “off and on” Fflam pop music festival was finally off last night.
Around 20,000 music fans were due to head to Swansea’s Singleton Park a month ago, but organisers Straight Music cancelled, citing the dismal weather conditions.
The Manic Street Preachers were due to headline the three-day concert, with Keane, the Stranglers and the Levellers among those due to play.
The company promised a new date for this summer.
And Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said earlier this week he was confident the festival would go on.
But a Straight Music spokesman said last night, “It is with great regret we confirm the cancellation of the Fflam Festival for 2007.
“After the initial postponement due to torrential weather conditions, we have made every possible effort to try and secure a new date for the festival this summer.
“Unfortunately, we cannot find a date that suits all parties and due to artist availability, we are not in a position to deliver the brilliant line up of bands we intended.
“At this stage, we are left with no option but to cancel the festival for 2007 and put all our efforts into making it a huge success in 2008.
“For those who bought tickets, full refunds will be available from point of purchase.”
The cancellation will come as some relief to residents living near the park who have been increasingly concerned at the number of events and concerts in Singleton.
A Swansea Council spokesman said, “Fflam would have been a wonderful addition to the huge range of events staged in Swansea and would have increased the number of visitors to the city.
“Although this was not a council event, we worked with the promoters right up until the last possible moment and gave them every opportunity to make Fflam a success.
“Unfortunately, a number of events have conspired against the promoters, and it has not been possible for them to stage the event this year.
“Festival-goers who bought tickets from the council will receive a full refund.”
THE “off and on” Fflam pop music festival was finally off last night.
Around 20,000 music fans were due to head to Swansea’s Singleton Park a month ago, but organisers Straight Music cancelled, citing the dismal weather conditions.
The Manic Street Preachers were due to headline the three-day concert, with Keane, the Stranglers and the Levellers among those due to play.
The company promised a new date for this summer.
And Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said earlier this week he was confident the festival would go on.
But a Straight Music spokesman said last night, “It is with great regret we confirm the cancellation of the Fflam Festival for 2007.
“After the initial postponement due to torrential weather conditions, we have made every possible effort to try and secure a new date for the festival this summer.
“Unfortunately, we cannot find a date that suits all parties and due to artist availability, we are not in a position to deliver the brilliant line up of bands we intended.
“At this stage, we are left with no option but to cancel the festival for 2007 and put all our efforts into making it a huge success in 2008.
“For those who bought tickets, full refunds will be available from point of purchase.”
The cancellation will come as some relief to residents living near the park who have been increasingly concerned at the number of events and concerts in Singleton.
A Swansea Council spokesman said, “Fflam would have been a wonderful addition to the huge range of events staged in Swansea and would have increased the number of visitors to the city.
“Although this was not a council event, we worked with the promoters right up until the last possible moment and gave them every opportunity to make Fflam a success.
“Unfortunately, a number of events have conspired against the promoters, and it has not been possible for them to stage the event this year.
“Festival-goers who bought tickets from the council will receive a full refund.”
