Something worth watching for those in Swansea Council, the local Civic Society and one or two other detractors who ditched the Castle Quays scheme in favour of a long-delayed refit for the former David Evans store.
Did someone mention “permeability”?
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
No prizes here
Despite the media hype, getting yourself designated in Wales as a Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) is not quite the same as winning X Factor. Rather, it is official recognition that a locality is facing serious social and economic deprivation problems and lacks the ability or capacity to tackle the underlying issues.
The last beneficiaries for this super-Communities First status were Rhyl and Colwyn Bay – neither of whom, with respect, could be described as economic hotspots – and if a minister was prompted to use phrases like “key social issues” and “integrated interventions” when talking about a school, the shorthand would inevitably be “special measures”.
A council leader would normally have a serious credibility problem when trying to spin their city’s eligibility for government handouts as some sort of success story; but not in Swansea, or so it seems - although this might be more a commentary on shortcomings among political opponents than the media.
The last beneficiaries for this super-Communities First status were Rhyl and Colwyn Bay – neither of whom, with respect, could be described as economic hotspots – and if a minister was prompted to use phrases like “key social issues” and “integrated interventions” when talking about a school, the shorthand would inevitably be “special measures”.
A council leader would normally have a serious credibility problem when trying to spin their city’s eligibility for government handouts as some sort of success story; but not in Swansea, or so it seems - although this might be more a commentary on shortcomings among political opponents than the media.
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
Scapegoat?
It's interesting to see how the news that a Swansea social worker has been struck off for professional misconduct which put a child at risk has resulted in a number of comments on the Evening Post website suggesting that the individual involved is little more than a scapegoat for systemic council failings that go a lot higher.
There have been a number of internal enquiries and some heated debates on who should be made accountable at various levels. However given the extensive turnover of supervisory staff within the department since the Aaron Gilbert case and a reshuffling of senior responsibilities, it could prove very difficult to test this theory of professional shortcomings one way or the other.
The fact remains that, so far, Ms Cordingley is the only person to have accepted responsibility in any capacity.
There have been a number of internal enquiries and some heated debates on who should be made accountable at various levels. However given the extensive turnover of supervisory staff within the department since the Aaron Gilbert case and a reshuffling of senior responsibilities, it could prove very difficult to test this theory of professional shortcomings one way or the other.
The fact remains that, so far, Ms Cordingley is the only person to have accepted responsibility in any capacity.
Roads going to pot
Among the many hyped announcements made by Lib Dem mouthpieces on bluffing their way into office five years ago was a planned big improvement in Swansea’s roads. They even got the council to produce a highways strategy taking the authority up to until 2010 in a programme of works.So why is it, after (allegedly) spending £3.5 million on new paving in the city centre and God knows how much on bendy-bus routes, that the overall state of the roads & pavements in the city centre resemble downtown Kabul rather than Kingsway with massive potholes, and cracked & crumbling surfaces?
A few years ago, when the local press was actually interested in reporting on this sort of thing, readers were invited to write in identifying roads in a poor state of repair. As then, there is also bound to be a story in the making about a growing number of insurance claims from motorists with smashed suspensions and injured pedestrians.
But everyone should wait a few months before expecting any action. The word in the seaside civic centre is that repairs are on hold due to strange state of affairs that Swansea Council has reportedly run out of money two months before the end of the financial year.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Quietly cutting back
Lots of good news on the Swansea Council website with details of all sorts of improvements and accolades to read about.
But what doesn’t seem to getting much publicity is the planned closure of the Earlsmoor social services facility for the elderly in Brynmill.
There are two possible reasons for this omission; the first is that staff have got hold of the wrong end of the stick and that the stories of a planned rundown are unfounded.
The second is that Calamity Hall has yet to figure out how to put a positive spin on this particularly ruthless cut-back - or perhaps they're hoping that no-one will notice.
But what doesn’t seem to getting much publicity is the planned closure of the Earlsmoor social services facility for the elderly in Brynmill.
There are two possible reasons for this omission; the first is that staff have got hold of the wrong end of the stick and that the stories of a planned rundown are unfounded.
The second is that Calamity Hall has yet to figure out how to put a positive spin on this particularly ruthless cut-back - or perhaps they're hoping that no-one will notice.
Counting the cost to trade
There is a saying among Swansea's struggling traders which goes along the lines that the road to hell is paved with highways engineers.
As if to prove the point, and not content with turning the city’s traffic system into a road-rage version of Twister, the council's own enemy within decided that last Saturday was a good time to screw up a main arterial road into the city so that checks could be conducted on a bridge that has only been up for five minutes.
The obvious effect was a traffic tailback stretching back a couple of miles with frustrated visitors & shoppers eventually doing u-turns at the McDonalds junction of Fabian Way and heading back east.
Displaying the commercial commonsense of a broken bucket, a council spokesman's response was, " We do this kind of work at weekends to minimise disruption to traffic. We'd like to thank motorists for their understanding if there was any inconvenience as a result of this necessary work."
The initial level of understanding likely to arise from this kind of condescension is two fingers from visitors who think again about coming to the city followed by the very obvious question as to whether traffic numbers actually do go down significantly on a Saturday.
Or could it be just an assumption on the part of professionals who don't have to try and earn a living at weekends?
As if to prove the point, and not content with turning the city’s traffic system into a road-rage version of Twister, the council's own enemy within decided that last Saturday was a good time to screw up a main arterial road into the city so that checks could be conducted on a bridge that has only been up for five minutes.
The obvious effect was a traffic tailback stretching back a couple of miles with frustrated visitors & shoppers eventually doing u-turns at the McDonalds junction of Fabian Way and heading back east.
Displaying the commercial commonsense of a broken bucket, a council spokesman's response was, " We do this kind of work at weekends to minimise disruption to traffic. We'd like to thank motorists for their understanding if there was any inconvenience as a result of this necessary work."
The initial level of understanding likely to arise from this kind of condescension is two fingers from visitors who think again about coming to the city followed by the very obvious question as to whether traffic numbers actually do go down significantly on a Saturday.
Or could it be just an assumption on the part of professionals who don't have to try and earn a living at weekends?
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Friday, 23 January 2009
A matter of life and accountability
So the Beeb have managed to unpick the weeping surgical stitches of neurosurgery provision in Wales with written revelations that health minister Edwina Hart dismissed advice from her officials in deciding that the service should be delivered jointly in Cardiff and Swansea.
Smirky Adrian Masters could hardly contain himself on Dragon’s Eye but the truth is that journos seldom know how to pitch an FoI request without having first received a nudge from someone in the know – and the amazing availability of health advisors able to appear on the programme had a contrived smell about it.
The reported situation is consensus among the dozen or less neurosurgeons who operate in Wales that the service will collapse unless a single service site is located in Cardiff. However, there is far less unanimity of opinion in political circles and that is probably what will count in the long run.
The agenda is no longer about Labour bashing and demands for clarity. Edwina Hart is clearly not a vacillating Brian Gibbons and has given an unequivocal account of how she sees her role as minister - which even the Beeb seems to acknowledge. But they can also see that the elephant in the room is another Cardiff versus Swansea struggle which offers just as much entertainment value.
And so enter shadow health minister Jonathan Morgan, with one eye on his brief and another on Nick Bourne’s job as he describes the ministerial stance as "reckless". Quoted today in the Western Mail, the tory spokesman says, “This report suggests the minister overruled the advice of experts and may have based her decision simply on the fact that her own constituency is near Swansea.”
Although describing Hart as a Gower AM, the Mail omits to mention that Morgan represents the Cardiff North constituency in the National Assembly.
Back at the ranch, Plaid’s Dai Lloyd has delivered the kind of consistently staunch support expected of a One Wales government colleague and Peter Black’s performance on BBC Wales this morning demonstrates an appreciation that it is more important to be seen to be arguing to retain two sites than nailing down any ambiguities in official reports. Bethan Jenkins’ views are probably not that relevant either way.
It remains to be seen if Morgan will run any further with this – with or without Beeb encouragements. He will not be doing any favours for coffin-carrying Alun Cairns or Nick Bourne whose regional constituency runs deep into West Wales. Then again, he might not give a damn and probably doesn’t rate Rene Kinzett’s chances of taking Swansea West that much either.
The people likely to emerge as the real villains from this distasteful episode are the handful of consultants who like to do a bit of shroud-waving when it suits them but who also see their travelling time from the golf course as a factor that outweighs that of ambulance journeys.
If there is a political failure at government level then it lies with a succession of administrations going back to Bevan that have bottled when it comes to breaking up the cosy arrangements for consultants which represent an intransigent closed shop that would make a 1970’s newspaper print room shop steward blush with embarrassment.
An inevitable outcome is that the Swansea based consultants who allegedly signed up to a single site will be seen as selling out their south west Wales patients. So far they have enjoyed anonymity but they may yet find themselves outed by a local press eager for identities.
Update: Edwina makes a statement - using the kind of straightforward talking that some of her cabinet colleagues (and one or two council leaders) should think about emulating.
Smirky Adrian Masters could hardly contain himself on Dragon’s Eye but the truth is that journos seldom know how to pitch an FoI request without having first received a nudge from someone in the know – and the amazing availability of health advisors able to appear on the programme had a contrived smell about it.The reported situation is consensus among the dozen or less neurosurgeons who operate in Wales that the service will collapse unless a single service site is located in Cardiff. However, there is far less unanimity of opinion in political circles and that is probably what will count in the long run.
The agenda is no longer about Labour bashing and demands for clarity. Edwina Hart is clearly not a vacillating Brian Gibbons and has given an unequivocal account of how she sees her role as minister - which even the Beeb seems to acknowledge. But they can also see that the elephant in the room is another Cardiff versus Swansea struggle which offers just as much entertainment value.
And so enter shadow health minister Jonathan Morgan, with one eye on his brief and another on Nick Bourne’s job as he describes the ministerial stance as "reckless". Quoted today in the Western Mail, the tory spokesman says, “This report suggests the minister overruled the advice of experts and may have based her decision simply on the fact that her own constituency is near Swansea.”
Although describing Hart as a Gower AM, the Mail omits to mention that Morgan represents the Cardiff North constituency in the National Assembly.
Back at the ranch, Plaid’s Dai Lloyd has delivered the kind of consistently staunch support expected of a One Wales government colleague and Peter Black’s performance on BBC Wales this morning demonstrates an appreciation that it is more important to be seen to be arguing to retain two sites than nailing down any ambiguities in official reports. Bethan Jenkins’ views are probably not that relevant either way.
It remains to be seen if Morgan will run any further with this – with or without Beeb encouragements. He will not be doing any favours for coffin-carrying Alun Cairns or Nick Bourne whose regional constituency runs deep into West Wales. Then again, he might not give a damn and probably doesn’t rate Rene Kinzett’s chances of taking Swansea West that much either.
The people likely to emerge as the real villains from this distasteful episode are the handful of consultants who like to do a bit of shroud-waving when it suits them but who also see their travelling time from the golf course as a factor that outweighs that of ambulance journeys.
If there is a political failure at government level then it lies with a succession of administrations going back to Bevan that have bottled when it comes to breaking up the cosy arrangements for consultants which represent an intransigent closed shop that would make a 1970’s newspaper print room shop steward blush with embarrassment.
An inevitable outcome is that the Swansea based consultants who allegedly signed up to a single site will be seen as selling out their south west Wales patients. So far they have enjoyed anonymity but they may yet find themselves outed by a local press eager for identities.
Update: Edwina makes a statement - using the kind of straightforward talking that some of her cabinet colleagues (and one or two council leaders) should think about emulating.
Clever cats
Tory group leader on Swansea Council appears to have a low regard for his fellow councillors - one which is clearly reciprocated. But in alleging that his colleagues "know less than my cat" , he might be guilty of an overstatement - in most cases.Then again the member for Mayals, who has been a councillor in both pre and post cabinet eras, might have a good point when it comes to decision making. For some, the prospect of being one of 62 councillors watching the other 10 making the big choices is not entirely satisfactory nor does it serve any practical purpose.
The effect on attendances is predictable -and it has to be said that the Beans on Toast can hardly present itself as a role model either.
Some believe, for all its faults, that the former committee system did not just allow elected members to make real decisions it also equipped them with the kind of anorak specialist knowledge that could later be put to good use when taking up cases on behalf of constituents. It also provided back-benchers with real scrutiny opportunities that no longer exist.
For example, councillors and officers knew a sight more about the maintenance schedule at the Leisure Centre and the Guildhall when leisure, technical, estates and finance committees all had a report and all had an effective say. Of course things went through on the nod but there were up to 60 cross-party heads doing the nodding - or shaking as matters required.
The changes brought about by "executive arrangements" may have streamlined things but the question as to whether the results makes for better decisions or better equipped councillors remains a vexed one that needs to be confronted.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Fooling some people a lot of the time
What appears to be the closing chapter in Peter Hain’s drawn out exit from the imperium gets an airing in today’s press but it also prompts some finger pointing at a certain Steve Morgan according to Betsan Powys.
Once described by a credulous Western Mail as “the Welsh public relations guru behind Barack Obama’s US presidential campaign” (eh?), Morgan’s lobbying firm, Morgan Allen Moore, has been suspended from the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) for "non-compliance" through non-payment of fees and failure to register clients.
To many observers, it was his appointment that was the main lapse of judgment in the Hain campaign.
Once described by a credulous Western Mail as “the Welsh public relations guru behind Barack Obama’s US presidential campaign” (eh?), Morgan’s lobbying firm, Morgan Allen Moore, has been suspended from the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) for "non-compliance" through non-payment of fees and failure to register clients.
To many observers, it was his appointment that was the main lapse of judgment in the Hain campaign.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Is the bubble burst at the waterfront?
Earlier this week, Swansea was treated to yet another in a succession of breathtaking announcements that city’s as yet unnamed “shopping centre” - which has emerged on the site of the old David Evans store - is nearing completion. (It should have opened for trading before Christmas). The news was accompanied by the council leader doing a tired Canute impersonation on the soon-to-be resurgent local economy.
The unsettling fact that only three retail tenants have signed up so far was picked up in a far less upbeat video piece that linked to the news story. And today, official optimism experiences another wobbly as concerns grow that although the city centre’s regeneration bubble may not have actually burst; it is definitely looking a bit deflated.
The commercial and political bottom line is that the promised £1 billion private sector investment in Swansea’s city centre, with all the attendant bits of planners’ baggage, is presently looking as unrealisable in market terms as the ill-fated Castle Quays mall which the latest approach was alleged to have replaced.
Of course, things may change and boom may yet again replace bust. But when you strip away the officer jargon, the political hype and the blame games, it takes a trader who has recently moved to Jackland to point out that Swansea’s biggest problem still remains one of not being able to decide if the road to success lies in cloning itself into Birmingham or following the example of towns like Chester and fostering a strong niche sector of independent retailers who represent an attraction in themselves.
Both are viable options worth pursuing but it is a serious mistake to believe that a hybrid which merely cherry-picks the perceived best bits from both without the underlying groundwork will stand anything more than a limited chance of success - even in times of economic plenty.
This is especially true given the limited resources and just as limited capabilities available at Calamity Hall. Even some cabinet members can see that something a little less facile is needed than slapping the title “Waterfront” on the front of strategy document and just hoping for the best.
The Lib Dem leadership talks a good fight about supporting indigenous retailers– but the only visible change so far has been the somewhat tacky spectacle of independent traders morphing into independent candidates at election time.
For local smaller traders to stay afloat and grow into a viable part of the local commercial sector then they need a serious advantage - and one such edge would be a range of substantially lower rental values passed on to small businesses by the biggest single ground landlord in the city centre, i.e. Swansea Council.
The unsettling fact that only three retail tenants have signed up so far was picked up in a far less upbeat video piece that linked to the news story. And today, official optimism experiences another wobbly as concerns grow that although the city centre’s regeneration bubble may not have actually burst; it is definitely looking a bit deflated.
The commercial and political bottom line is that the promised £1 billion private sector investment in Swansea’s city centre, with all the attendant bits of planners’ baggage, is presently looking as unrealisable in market terms as the ill-fated Castle Quays mall which the latest approach was alleged to have replaced.
Of course, things may change and boom may yet again replace bust. But when you strip away the officer jargon, the political hype and the blame games, it takes a trader who has recently moved to Jackland to point out that Swansea’s biggest problem still remains one of not being able to decide if the road to success lies in cloning itself into Birmingham or following the example of towns like Chester and fostering a strong niche sector of independent retailers who represent an attraction in themselves.
Both are viable options worth pursuing but it is a serious mistake to believe that a hybrid which merely cherry-picks the perceived best bits from both without the underlying groundwork will stand anything more than a limited chance of success - even in times of economic plenty.
This is especially true given the limited resources and just as limited capabilities available at Calamity Hall. Even some cabinet members can see that something a little less facile is needed than slapping the title “Waterfront” on the front of strategy document and just hoping for the best.
The Lib Dem leadership talks a good fight about supporting indigenous retailers– but the only visible change so far has been the somewhat tacky spectacle of independent traders morphing into independent candidates at election time.
For local smaller traders to stay afloat and grow into a viable part of the local commercial sector then they need a serious advantage - and one such edge would be a range of substantially lower rental values passed on to small businesses by the biggest single ground landlord in the city centre, i.e. Swansea Council.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Charmingly Offensive
The re-emergence of the ASDA supermarket scheme at Gorseinon, aided by “spontaneous” local support - and complete with its own inspired Facebook campaign - makes for undeniably interesting reading.
It will be just as interesting to see how spinners employed by the US retail giant aim to overcome planning policies backed up by the Welsh Assembly and which frustrated a Lib Dem scheme to pick up a seven-figure windfall that would have settled around half of their rumoured budget deficit.
So far, the main reassurance on offer to the people of Gorseinon is that a slightly smaller supermarket will do slightly less damage to the local High Street.
Update: They're watching.
It will be just as interesting to see how spinners employed by the US retail giant aim to overcome planning policies backed up by the Welsh Assembly and which frustrated a Lib Dem scheme to pick up a seven-figure windfall that would have settled around half of their rumoured budget deficit.
So far, the main reassurance on offer to the people of Gorseinon is that a slightly smaller supermarket will do slightly less damage to the local High Street.
Update: They're watching.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Best idea bar none
Most popular suggestion of the week comes from a community councillor when discussing the tricky details of leasing arrangements for land at the local rugby clubhouse.
Unsurprisingly, his motion that the meeting should be held “in camra” received unanimous support.
Unsurprisingly, his motion that the meeting should be held “in camra” received unanimous support.
Friday, 16 January 2009
Keeping it local?
Opposition groups on Swansea Council last night managed to defeat a Lib Dem move to means-test schools transport for students by 35-26 votes. The details of who voted which way, who abstained and who didn’t turn up at all are sure to be chewed over by the combatants.
Meanwhile, the Taxpayers Alliance and the Western Mail (prompted by independent Ioan Richard) feel that local councillors should know their place. Presumably they have the 19th century in mind.
Meanwhile, the Taxpayers Alliance and the Western Mail (prompted by independent Ioan Richard) feel that local councillors should know their place. Presumably they have the 19th century in mind.
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Regarder qui parle
Swansea Council seldom disappoints anyone looking for examples of political bi-polar behaviour.
Take council leader Chris Holley who regularly berates the Welsh Assembly for starving local authorities of cash and yet can display remarkable sang-froid over a further £1million in public money going down the pissoir as the payroll system debacle continues.
You can almost see the phrase “je ne regrette rien” forming on his lips as he disdainfully shrugs off any suggestion of a screw-up on his watch.
Not that such language would be welcomed by ranting xenophobe Richard Lewis who has been making anti-French noises in the council chamber. (He doesn’t go a bundle on matters Bangladeshi either, if memory serves).
A few observers have picked up that it is former Labour leader Mike Hedges who is quoted as publicly taking the pair to task for their respective failings and not the present horologically aware incumbent. Whether this signals a possible “adjustment” in the next few months remains to be seen.
But it’s a safe bet however that there will be no changes where Holley and Lewis are concerned. Not unless prescription medication is involved.
Take council leader Chris Holley who regularly berates the Welsh Assembly for starving local authorities of cash and yet can display remarkable sang-froid over a further £1million in public money going down the pissoir as the payroll system debacle continues.
You can almost see the phrase “je ne regrette rien” forming on his lips as he disdainfully shrugs off any suggestion of a screw-up on his watch.
Not that such language would be welcomed by ranting xenophobe Richard Lewis who has been making anti-French noises in the council chamber. (He doesn’t go a bundle on matters Bangladeshi either, if memory serves).
A few observers have picked up that it is former Labour leader Mike Hedges who is quoted as publicly taking the pair to task for their respective failings and not the present horologically aware incumbent. Whether this signals a possible “adjustment” in the next few months remains to be seen.
But it’s a safe bet however that there will be no changes where Holley and Lewis are concerned. Not unless prescription medication is involved.
Walking the talk
Former Swansea Plaid Cymru councillor John Ball uses the Western Mail letters page to declare some clearly held views on means-tested grants for students along with an equally forthright appreciation of those behind the policy decision.
It will be interesting to see if his views are equally forthright is assessing a similar approach to funding for 6th form school transport that is to be considered today by Swansea Council - and if he thinks that the lone Plaid councillor should walk the talk and extend his stated opposition to resigning from the Lib-Dem led coalition.
It will be interesting to see if his views are equally forthright is assessing a similar approach to funding for 6th form school transport that is to be considered today by Swansea Council - and if he thinks that the lone Plaid councillor should walk the talk and extend his stated opposition to resigning from the Lib-Dem led coalition.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Spot the difference
Update (15 Jan): Accepting that we're in danger of becoming as boring on this subject as the WM, the spate of further revelations regarding websites and surgeries seems to have had little effect on the Assembly tory group, according to Matt Withers and Betsan Powys.Not surprising really.
And when all is said and done, is there anyone on the planet as spatially creative or expertly descriptive as a journalist when it comes to claiming expenses?
.....and only Bettsy could get away with "concatenation" in a post.
On the crest of a comeback
Gower's beaches are again under threat (always a favourite topic on a slow news day) and Alun Cairns agrees via press release.A local firm is still keen to get permission from the Assembly to dredge material off the coast of Swansea Bay and the re-activated tory AM is keen to cover all the angles.
"I remember a meeting when some researchers claimed the levels of sand on Gower beaches was increasing. If such claims are repeated, we need to be in a position to reject them immediately", he says.
But he needn't worry. Any such claims will be undoubtedly be greeted by a resounding cross-party chorus of "BOLLOCKS" that will be heard right across the bay and up the estuary.
Any other ideas, Al?
"I remember a meeting when some researchers claimed the levels of sand on Gower beaches was increasing. If such claims are repeated, we need to be in a position to reject them immediately", he says.
But he needn't worry. Any such claims will be undoubtedly be greeted by a resounding cross-party chorus of "BOLLOCKS" that will be heard right across the bay and up the estuary.
Any other ideas, Al?
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Dead man talking
Welsh tory leader Nick Bourne - whose imminent demise has been forecast by a strange collection of even stranger bedfellows – guested on a Swansea radio phone-in show this morning.
Bourne was Mr Conservative Congeniality himself and got an easy ride from a listenership that probably had tuned out in more ways than one. No-one even thought to ask how his Welsh language training was coming along.
In fact, the toughest question he faced was about the alleged poor committee attendance record of Swansea Council tory group leader Rene Kinzett who has established himself a lucrative PR number up in the smoke.
Bourne batted the question away with a glowing endorsement for absentee Rene and even managed to infer that the Mayals councillor was more successful in putting the administration on the spot than any of his opposition counterparts who remain quietly ensconced in their County Hall office suites. Hmmm.
Bourne was Mr Conservative Congeniality himself and got an easy ride from a listenership that probably had tuned out in more ways than one. No-one even thought to ask how his Welsh language training was coming along.
In fact, the toughest question he faced was about the alleged poor committee attendance record of Swansea Council tory group leader Rene Kinzett who has established himself a lucrative PR number up in the smoke.
Bourne batted the question away with a glowing endorsement for absentee Rene and even managed to infer that the Mayals councillor was more successful in putting the administration on the spot than any of his opposition counterparts who remain quietly ensconced in their County Hall office suites. Hmmm.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Identity crisis
According to the local press, the Labour parliamentary candidate for Swansea West is calling on voters to support the government during the economic crisis and to call Swansea Council to account for its financial mismanagement. Their third and final task is to identify him.
More to declare
Swansea Lib Dem councillor Rob Speht claim that he needs training to better understand a code of conduct that took effect eight months ago is hardly encouraging news for those with expectations of basic competency levels on the part of the their local representatives.
But what is of more concern is the Landore councillor's apparent failure to know that the requirements for school governors to declare an interest in matters affecting their office has been in existence for quite some time and was in place well before Speht was elected.
Who is kidding whom?
After all, it is not too long ago that another Swansea councillor who published a newsletter which he argued was in the interests of promoting road safety for school-children later found himself suspended by the Standards Committee after participating in a planning committee debate.
But what is of more concern is the Landore councillor's apparent failure to know that the requirements for school governors to declare an interest in matters affecting their office has been in existence for quite some time and was in place well before Speht was elected.
Who is kidding whom?
After all, it is not too long ago that another Swansea councillor who published a newsletter which he argued was in the interests of promoting road safety for school-children later found himself suspended by the Standards Committee after participating in a planning committee debate.
Left and right hands
The “credit crunch” is fast becoming a utility excuse for doing nowt in public sector circles and delays to a major riverside development in Swansea are being cited as a further consequence of the economic slowdown.
But other sources also suggest that the scheme is a victim of continuing inter-departmental wrangling within Swansea council over their flagship Tawe Riverside Corridor strategy which proposes new residential development, and lots more traffic, and yet is in what their own environmental department has already designated a poor air-quality area.
It is also thought that the cabinet are being kept in the dark – which is probably a lot easier than actually sorting out the situation.
But other sources also suggest that the scheme is a victim of continuing inter-departmental wrangling within Swansea council over their flagship Tawe Riverside Corridor strategy which proposes new residential development, and lots more traffic, and yet is in what their own environmental department has already designated a poor air-quality area.
It is also thought that the cabinet are being kept in the dark – which is probably a lot easier than actually sorting out the situation.
Friday, 9 January 2009
Why no fuss?
So where are all the demands for resignations following the news that Plaid parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd has been done for speeding?
OK, his crime is admittedly not as serious as buying an iPod with public money or smoking a cigar in a pub and no-one from a Mediterranean country got dissed. But, hey! Barrister...senior politician...speeding....Brunstrom. How many key words do the media or political opponents need before demanding a head on a spike?
You would have thought that Labour would at least have a little stab just to repay Plaid for the cash-for-honours embarrassment they caused.
Update (10 Jan): Absolutely no contrition from the member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and no apology for putting the lives of other drivers at risk. He might as well as put up two fingers while he was at it.
OK, his crime is admittedly not as serious as buying an iPod with public money or smoking a cigar in a pub and no-one from a Mediterranean country got dissed. But, hey! Barrister...senior politician...speeding....Brunstrom. How many key words do the media or political opponents need before demanding a head on a spike?
You would have thought that Labour would at least have a little stab just to repay Plaid for the cash-for-honours embarrassment they caused.
Update (10 Jan): Absolutely no contrition from the member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and no apology for putting the lives of other drivers at risk. He might as well as put up two fingers while he was at it.
Indignation
The spontaneous outburst of criticism by "local business leaders and politicians" aimed at Gordon Brown for snubbing Swansea during his visit to Wales is quite remarkable.
It would, of course, be entirely cynical to suggest that these usual (and dependable) suspects were phoned up by a stroppy Beans on Toast after word had got out that a visit to another newspaper was on the PM's itinerary.
It would, of course, be entirely cynical to suggest that these usual (and dependable) suspects were phoned up by a stroppy Beans on Toast after word had got out that a visit to another newspaper was on the PM's itinerary.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Asking the right questions
It's all very well to get exercised about £4.6 million spent on consultants but if the outcome is a more effective way to spend resources and avoid money-pit projects then it's probably money well spent.
Of course, if it's advice that is subsequently ignored - which the Lib Dems have a habit of doing themselves on Swansea Council when it comes to computer projects - then we should all be definitely worried.
Of course, if it's advice that is subsequently ignored - which the Lib Dems have a habit of doing themselves on Swansea Council when it comes to computer projects - then we should all be definitely worried.
Friday, 2 January 2009
One year on
Not much changes - other than the roads in Swansea are now probably in a worst state than in decades. Another cut?
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