Moving on?

Rumours are circulating in Calamity Hall of a possible exit by main man Paul Smith. The Swansea Council chief executive is apparently “undergoing considerable stress” over burgeoning performance and financial headaches facing the authority. Additional aggravation is said to come from intransigence by influential directors and senior politicians on a number of budget decisions.

It is no secret that Smith is frustrated at the interminable squabbling between political groups which hinders effective debate on a number of vital key issues. In reciprocation, several councillors on both sides of the chamber are critical of his low-profile, light-touch approach which they feel contrasts poorly with the ‘damn-the-torpedoes’ methods favoured by his ill-fated predecessor Tim Thorogood.

No official statement is expected for the moment, other than vague denials, but the fact that word is leaking out should register with the leadership. Perhaps it was intended that way(?)