Phoenix News File

DESIGNER STORE ON WAY TO CITY

2007-04-18T20:29:00.000Z

World-famous fabric and furnishings retailer Laura Ashley is heading for Swansea.The company is set to open a home furnishings store alongside Currys at Pontarddulais Retail park in Fforestfach.

It should be up and running for business by the end of July.

The news comes hot on the heels of an announcement by posh lingerie chain La Senza that it is to open in June in the city centre. Cosmetics company Lush is also on its way to the city with M &S investing millions in a big revamp of its Oxford Street store.

The investment by Laura Ashley will create 17 new jobs.

The company has had a store in Carmarthen for four years. It also had an outlet at the Homebase DIY store in Parc Tawe but pulled out in 2005.

Its new outlet will be certain to pull in extra shoppers to Swansea although experts say they are sorry it is going to an out-of-town site rather than the city centre itself.

Denise Road, chairwoman of city centre-based JT Morgan, said: "It's nice to see another well-known brand coming to Swansea.

"It's just a shame they didn't come to the city centre."

Chairman of Swansea Business Improvement District, Peter Birch, said: "I would have preferred them to come to the city centre.

"The town is developing fantastically, there's a buzz about the place so it does surprise me they have gone out of town."

Laura Ashley was the Merthyr Tydfil-born fashion and fabric designer who created a global company and brand.

The business was to become an outstanding Welsh success story.From humble beginnings working on the top of her kitchen table, Ashley made mats, napkins and tea towels, which she carried and tried to sell to various stores while in a small basement flat in London's Pimlico.

Ashley and her City stockbroker husband Bernard missed Wales and moved to Powys.

Factories were opened in Mid-Wales and by the mid-1970s Laura Ashley dresses were being sold across Europe.

There were stores in London, Paris, Geneva and Brussels as well as Llanidloes as the company's unique designs and floral patterns grew in popularity.

The booming business had 5,000 outlets throughout the world by 1981.In 1985, on her 60th birthday, Laura fell down a flight of stairs and died after nine days in a coma.

At the time the company was on the verge of expansion and employed 4,000 staff.

But the 1990s saw the company's styles fall out of fashion and in 1999 the last of her five factories in Wales was closed.

Fiona Rees of Swansea Futures, a company set up by Swansea Council to promote the city to a wider audience, said: "Laura Ashley is going through a bit of a resurgence and it is good news that a company like that sees Swansea as on the up."

NEW CITY STORE LOOKS SENZA-TIONAL

2007-04-17T20:23:00.000Z

Oo La LA! A posh new lingerie store is on its way to Swansea city centre.

The popular La Senza lingerie chain is the latest store to give the city centre a big vote of confidence by announcing it is setting up shop here.

Selling high quality lingerie, the company has a reputation for affordability and elegance.It will open at the junction of Portland Street and Oxford Street in a shop until now occupied by discount chain Profile.

The opening is being earmarked for the end of June, say company bosses.

A High Street boutique chain, La Senza promotes its products as "comfortable and romantic lingerie and nightwear".

The chain has stores in Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Norway and Spain.

The company was formerly owned by Millwall Football Club director Theo Paphitis, who was one of the panel of entrepreneurs on BBC TV's Dragon's Den programme.

Last year he sold up to private equity group Lion Capital, which vowed to expand throughout the UK and Europe.

Chairman of the Swansea Business Improvement District, Peter Birch, said: "It's brilliant news.

"Every week there's somebody announcing they are coming to Swansea.

"Companies are seeing investment is being poured into Swansea.

"We have a Business Improvement District here which is a first in Wales.

"People can recognise that it's the place they want to be."

He said companies which had pulled out of the city centre could live to regret their decision.

"They might find the error of their ways and realise Swansea is a much sought-after place to come.

"A store like La Senza will add to the wide variety of shopping in Swansea.

"JT Morgan managing director John Coles said: "Any store that is coming to the city centre is good. At the end of the day, the more businesses we have in the city centre, the better it is.

"It is up to us to compete."

Shopper Holly Vance, aged 34, of Wimmerfield Avenue, Killay, Swansea, added: "At last we seem to be getting some decent names here.

"It is not before time. I just hope there are a few more in the weeks to come to add to the list.''

'YOU'VE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD' - SAY LABOUR

2007-04-12T20:20:00.000Z

Labour has promised to bring more quality jobs to the Welsh economy with the publication of the party's manifesto for business.

It will go head-to-head with Plaid which plans to draw attention to its policy of cutting business rates for small firms when its leader Ieaun Wyn Jones hits the campaign trail tomorrow.

Labour said it would streamline business support and introduce a single flexible investment fund for business worth up to £200 million a year.

The merger of the Assembly Government and the Welsh Development Agency, part of Rhodri Morgan's bonfire of the quangos, was supposed to cut the plethora of public sector organisations offering support to business.

Labour is putting its record on the economy at the forefront of its election campaign, championing the creation of 140,000 jobs.

However, opposition parties have panned Labour, accusing it of failing to improve Wales's wealth in comparison with other UK nations and regions.

The number of apprenticeships would go up to 25,000 and skills academies would be created to train workers in key sectors under a third-term Labour government.

It would target the next round of EU aid to Wales on innovation, skills and training.

Home-grown businesses would get help competing for public contracts and there would be more money for crucial transport routes.

Mr Morgan said: "A strong and successful economy is at the heart of everything Welsh Labour is doing to build a better Wales, because more and better jobs mean more people in work and greater prosperity and confidence for all.

"The only way to ensure Wales continues to create more, better paid jobs is to vote Labour on May 3."

Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies said: "Labour is the only party in Wales committed to tackling the real challenges of globalisation.

"We do not want Wales to compete on low wages with developing economies."

Mr Morgan, who was joined by Assembly candidate Andrew Davies for yesterday's launch of the manifesto at Swansea's Sail Bridge, said the city had undergone a massive change during the four years since he opened the landmark structure across the Tawe.

He said that the sight of numerous cranes towering over the Swansea skyline was evidence that a Labour-run Assembly was helping to transform the fortunes of the city and reduce the gap between East and West Wales.

Mr Morgan added: "You can see a lot of cranes in SA1 and the city centre."SA1, Wind Street and other parts of the city are showing what can be done.

"Swansea is very much a city on the move."

Mr Morgan said Swansea's success was not only based on high profile jobs such as those in the "knowledge economy" - generated by places like the university and spin-offs operating at the Technium in SA1.

He pointed to the massive new 390 metre long Amazon distribution centre being built in Jersey Marine.

Mr Morgan said: "When you come to Swansea and you see that huge number of earth movers it tells you something.

"Amazon had to be in business by the Christmas run-up.

We were the only place which could do that and it is thanks to Andrew and his staff."

Mr Davies said the deal was turned around in 100 days and showed that Labour was able to draw in big business like Boots and Motorola which were working with Swansea University which was generating new jobs in places like the techniums in SA1.

He said: "The Technium was an idea born in Swansea. A lot of the businesses in the Technium are spin-offs from the university."

Mr Morgan added Swansea was enjoying a purple patch.

He said: "There are more people in work in Wales than ever before." First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, launch Labour?s new manifesto on the Sail Bridge, Swansea.

COSMETICS FIRM'S CITY STORE PLANS

2007-04-11T19:57:00.000Z

Posh cosmetics store Lush is set to open a shop in Swansea in the latest show of confidence in the city centre.

Ambitious plans to revamp the city's shopping areas are proving popular with companies, and new investment is beginning to flood in.

Work on redeveloping the David Evans site is well underway, and last week Marks and Spencer announced plans to upgrade its Oxford Street store.

Now Lush, which specialises in hand-made soaps and cosmetics, is set to open a store in Whitewalls, opposite the popular Primark store, in what was once a nail bar.

Its innovative selling style is a big winner with customers. Its goods are displayed as if in a fruit and veg store, with chunks of cosmetics cut to weight and then sold.

A spokeswoman for Lush confirmed the company was awaiting planning permission on the unit, but could not give an opening date. The news that another big name could be heading to Swansea has been welcomed.

Peter Birch, vice-chairman and secretary of the Swansea Business Improvement District and chairman of the Swansea Independent Traders Association, said: "Confidence is building in the city.

It is a great feeling knowing that companies want to come here. Not too long ago companies were leaving the city centre. It's great that things are changing.

"The city centre will certainly have more to offer than the out-of- town parks."

Denise Road, chairwoman of JT Morgan, said the latest news of fresh investment from a major national chain showed the city was on the up. Late last year she gave the renewal plans her own seal of approval by announcing plans to relocate to the David Evans site.

She said: "Marks and Spencer has revamped all its major stores, and it had been a worry that nothing was happening in Swansea. So the fact it is now planning to invest is good news. Any new investment in the city centre has to be welcomed, and Lush coming here is good news.

"We have backed the city centre with our commitment to the David Evans site, but there is a danger that smaller independent traders could be lost.

"We have experienced very difficult times in the city, and although there are impressive plans for the future, I think there needs to be some short-term help.

"A lot of cities that have been redeveloped in recent years have seen a loss of diversity because independent traders have been squeezed out or priced out.

"There is still a need to help these smaller shops until this new confidence in Swansea is translated into more shoppers."

MAKEOVER BIGGEST IN HALF A CENTURY

2007-04-09T21:25:00.000Z

Developers who want a piece of the action in Swansea's biggest makeover for more than 50 years are lining up in their hundreds.

Around 250 of them have been in touch with council bosses saying they are interested in working on the project.

The revamp is the most ambitious since the Germans flattened much of Swansea's old town centre in the Second World War prompting a 1950s building frenzy.

The makeover project was first unveiled just four weeks ago. Now officials have revealed there have been almost 250 inquiries about three key sites.

Council Leader Chris Holley said: "It's very positive news that so many developers have already been in touch and that the launch was so well-received.

"Swansea Council is hoping to attract developers for the St David's and Quadrant shopping centre, land near the Sail Bridge, and Paxton Street and east car parks at County Hall.

So far the Quadrant and St David's site and the Sail Bridge site are attracting the most attention.

Around 130 developers have inquired about the shopping area while another 100 have asked about the possibility of developing flats on the land next to the Tawe.

A detailed vision for the city centre has been produced for the council setting out a number of areas in need of regeneration. Developers have been given until the end of the month to put their names forward for the sites and a preferred partner should be named later this year.

Councillor Holley said: "We expect there'll be a lot more contact by the end of the month and that exciting, innovative ideas will be generated.

"We want to create a vibrant heart to the city centre, to develop a high-quality European boulevard at Oystermouth Road, to better connect the city to the waterfront and to develop complementary districts such as Mansel Street and Alexandra Road.

"The strategy is part of a long-term plan to regenerate the city which many claim has suffered from underinvestment by the private sector for some years.

Peter Birch, vice-chairman and secretary of the Swansea Business Improvement District and chairman of the Swansea Independent Traders Association, said he was delighted with the interest shown in the revamp.

He added: "More is happening in Swansea now than has ever happened in my time here since 1980. There is more money being invested here than in a lot of towns and cities in Britain.

"The city stagnated for so long, but now people are concentrating on the centre again. There was a time when developers were looking at out-of-town areas, but that has stopped and they now want to be involved with the centre and to see that thriving again.

"This council has made a brave decision to get the leisure centre reopened and it is reaping the rewards from that and its vision for Swansea. I am really pleased for the city and the traders who have hung on in here through the hard times. Things are really looking up now and I am happy to be part of that."

'IT'S NOT JUST A REVAMP IT'S AN M&S REVAMP'

2007-04-09T21:18:00.000Z

Retail giant Marks & Spencer has delivered a much- needed boost to Swansea city centre.

It is to invest millions into its Oxford Street store, turning it into a flagship development.

The transformation is being seen as a huge vote of confidence in the city centre as a retail hotspot.

Company bosses won't reveal exactly how much they are spending on the revamp.

But it is known the interior of the shop is to be gutted and completely remodelled with bigger women's wear, homeware and furniture sections and a new food hall in a scheme that will cost a fortune.

The store's cafe is going to be moved to the second floor. An extra 40 seats are going to be added.

Store manager Darren Rayner said that the changes would make the Swansea store the most modern M &S in South Wales. "This investment is terrific news for the company and for the city," he said."When it is finished it will be the only store in South Wales to have the full refit, something not even our store in Cardiff will have.

"The investment is a massive boost for the city centre, which is constantly having to fight off competition from nearby out-of-town retail parks.

Fears had even been voiced in some quarters that M &S itself might pull out because of the success of its developments at Parc Fforestfach. And only this week company bosses confirmed they are to switch their Llanelli town centre operation in favour of the nearby Parc Trostre retail park.

However, Mr Rayner said the new investment in Swansea demonstrated the store's commitment to the city centre.

"We are playing our part in regenerating the city centre," he said."It is clear that things are happening in Swansea, and we want to be a part of that change.

"The city centre is still important and we want to be here. But we don't just want to stay, we want to grow and develop here.

"Work on the store is due to start next month and is expected to last 19 weeks. The shop will remain open during the refurbishment. Around 60,000 shoppers use M &S every week and it is a major factor is bringing people into the city centre. A revamped store is likely to have a positive knock-on effect for other traders.

News of the investment was welcomed by Rosemary Morgan, chairwoman of the City Centre Partnership.

She said: "It is very encouraging for Swansea that an organisation like Marks & Spencer is making this commitment. "It shows the confidence they have in the city centre.

"Hopefully it will help to encourage other big names to follow their example and invest in Swansea."

Swansea city centre shopper Adele Warwick, of Sydney Street in Brynhyfryd, said: "I am delighted.

"I think M &S is the one thing that really still pulls people into Swansea. This can only help that."

NEW CLUB APPEALS FOR HELP

2007-03-20T18:18:00.001Z

Fledgling Swansea youth club is appealing to big business to help get the project off the ground.

Organisers at the new Brynmill and Uplands club have written to high street names including Argos, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Currys and Soccer World asking them to get involved.

The project, which is aimed at 11 to 16-year-olds, will be officially launched on Sunday, March 18, at Brynmill Community Centre.Some funding for equipment and training has already come from the Sports Council for Wales's Dragon Sports initiative, and Uplands Labour Party has made a donation.

The people behind the club say they hope it will help to keep youngsters off the streets.One of the organisers, Ian Ross, said: "This is a great opportunity for businesses to make a real difference in the local community."

COUNCILLORS 'IN THE DARK' OVER SCHEME'S RISKS

2007-03-20T12:20:00.000Z

Swansea Council has been attacked for a lack of information and confusion over its multi-million pound eGovernment programme.

Councillor Rene Kinzett, chairman of the eGov working group, has criticised officers for not keeping members updated on the scheme.

He pointed out that councillors learned of financial risks and claims for extra cash by the council's eGov partner, Capgemini, through an annual report.

Councillor Kinzett said the lack of information was one of the reasons for confusion over issues such as cost.

He said: "In these circumstances, where information is given out on a less than timely basis and where members are kept in the dark and given half the picture, is it any surprise that the media print stories which may not be entirely accurate?

"When the information coming out of County Hall is less than the whole truth, who can blame the news reporters?"

Swansea Council said councillors were kept in the loop in a number of ways, including regular briefings for Councillor Mary Jones, cabinet member for Top Performance and eGovernment.

A council source said a recent briefing on eGovernment was badly attended.

But Councillor Kinzett said he and his colleagues were frequently left in the dark on the progress of the scheme.

He said that in September the eGov working party was told that it was on course to meet a key target for the implementation of a new payroll system, but it emerged that during the same week officers were working on the assumption that the target would be missed.

Capgemini has submitted a claim to Swansea Council for increased costs because of the delay, with both sides discussing a way forward.

Councillor Kinzett said: "I find it incredible that members found out about the potential action via a budget report and not via a briefing from the responsible officers.

"I was led to believe by the cabinet member that she did not know about the failure to hit the February delivery time, itself several months after the original planned going live date, until a matter of days before the target was missed."

Councillor Mary Jones was not available for comment.A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "Councillors are being kept informed of progress on the eGovernment programme in a variety of ways."

The cabinet member for eGovernment and Top Performance receives regular briefings at weekly one-to-one updates and Cabinet receives regular updates.

"The eGovernment member working group is updated at its monthly meetings.

"The Performance Scrutiny Board has included eGovernment as part of its work programme and receives reports as requested."Further briefings are arranged on request.

"eGovernment is a complex programme and developments can occur between one committee meeting and the next, and we continue to improve ways to keep members updated."

BUS STATION PLANS FACE FUNDS BLOW

2007-03-19T21:04:00.000Z

The long-awaited multi-million pound overhaul of the grotty Quadrant bus station is likely to take a back seat yet again, Swansea Council chiefs have admitted.

The disappointing news comes after the authority picked up a 2007/8 transport grant of just £8.6 million of the £15.5 million it had asked for from the Assembly.

It means the council has to make some tough decisions about where to spend the cash, with projects already underway expected to get priority.

The revamp plans, first announced in 2003, have already been put back several times.

Reena Owen, the authority's environment director, said: "The £8.6 million grant will allow us to complete a number of important schemes which are already underway.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't give us enough money to be confident to go ahead with the Quadrant bus station at the beginning of the financial year.

"Improvements to the city's park and ride facilities are going ahead, with the new sidings bridge over Fabian Way and new Landore express bus route planned, along with other smaller projects.

But city leaders will have to decide how to use the remaining cash, with both the new £5.75 million Quadrant bus station and improvements for the Morriston stage of the bendy bus scheme in the running.

Mrs Owen said talks were being held with the private sector about investing in the station redevelopment. First Bus has already said it is prepared to talk about becoming involved.

She said European funding was also being looked at, as a way of attracting the 20 per cent of private money Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies has said he wants to see injected into the scheme.

Swansea Council has already done a deal for the land needed for the revamp, and gained the necessary planning permission.

Mrs Owen said: "The redevelopment of Quadrant bus station remains a priority."We now need to work with the private sector and the Welsh Assembly Government to get the funding in place."

Environment cabinet member John Hague said: "We have allocated the funding to schemes which have already started. We have contractors on site and this funding will ensure we complete these schemes as planned. It is not a case of choosing schemes ahead of the bus station.

"We cannot use all of the funding for the bus station, because it would mean contractors being pulled off site, external funding for these schemes being lost and the council having to pay back grants.

"The most sensible thing is to now press ahead and finish the schemes we've started, while at the same time seeking additional funding for the new bus station."

CENTRAL LIBRARY TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

2007-03-16T23:15:00.000Z

Work on Swansea's multi-million pound new central library has started.It is being built as part of the new civic centre in County Hall.

The £13 million project has been underway for some time but work on the library is now taking place.

It will see the city's central library move from its home in Alexandra Road to the new base in County Hall.

It is due to open in spring next year and Swansea Council is promising it will be bigger, with more books and other media and a self-service check-in and check-out.

But the big move will mean big changes.

The Alexandra Road library will close on Mondays from April 16, as staff begin the huge task of moving the vast collection of books.

Staff from County Hall are also on the move and are being relocated to Oldway House in Orchard Street to make space for the new civic centre.

Rehousing the staff of around 70 is costing Swansea Council £148,000.

A spokesman for the authority said public services would not be affected by the work on the new library and the civic centre.

When it is completed the civic centre will include a seafront caf??, a family history centre, an exhibition area and a customer contact centre.

A spokesman said the library move was going well.

He said: "It means that the central library will be closed on Mondays only from April 16 to make sure that they can be moved from the building safely and effectively."

Central library project manager Karen Gibbins said: "Much of the collection currently resides either in basement storage or on the galleries in the reference library.

"All these books have to be removed for assessment so that repairs and rebinding can be carried out and the catalogues updated.

"Unfortunately, this work cannot be carried out when the library is open to the public, and the sheer quantity of material to get though means that this adjustment to opening hours is unavoidable."

Principal librarian Rebecca Williams said: "The first new books were bought last week and planning is well underway for the events programme which we hope will provide something for everyone, from baby rhyme-times to local history talks."

Gerald Clement, cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, said: "It is a painstaking and complex task that can't be done overnight. Some of the collections are very fragile and need to be looked after carefully for the enjoyment of future generations.

"The council will only be able to do this if staff have plenty of time to do it. Spreading the effort out over a number of months by closing the library on Mondays minimises the inconvenience to library users."

PM'S AIDES TO STUDY SWANSEA'S CRIME CUT

2007-03-15T13:36:00.000Z

Tony Blair's officials have been sent to the city to find out how Swansea is cutting crime.Jeremy Marlow, deputy director of justice with the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit, visited the Safer Swansea Partnership to see how it had helped achieve a 20 per cent fall in overall crime.

He was brought to the city by Gillian Baranski, crime director for Wales, for him to see how the partnership is making a difference.

Mr Marlow said: "Swansea is clearly a place where hard-working and committed people in the police, council, NHS and other agencies are working together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour."

Mandy Jones, interim head of community regeneration for Swansea Council, said: "We were able to show how our passion for driving projects forward and how achieving ambitious targets is leading to recognition throughout England and Wales.

"While we have achieved a lot in four years, there is still more to be done but we will continue with the same level of commitment."

Shameful Act

2007-03-14T20:04:00.000Z

Labour and Conservative councillors broke with protocol when they voted against Deputy Lord Mayor Ioan Richard becoming the city's next Lord Mayor.

The leaders of both political groups on the council chose to ignore our request to explain their actions.

The attempt by one Labour councillor to blame the coalition for failing to drum up enough support for Councillor Richard is a pathetic smokescreen and earns our contempt.

Shame on him, and the others involved in this spiteful episode.

School work on schedule

2007-03-13T21:34:00.000Z

Work on Morriston Comprehensive School's new £3 million science and maths block is on course to open in September.

Swansea Council said most of the building's steel frame is finished and work is progressing on the ground floor brick-work.

When finished, the two-storey extension will house dedicated classrooms for maths teaching and hi-tech science laboratories.

The cash for the scheme is coming from the Assembly's school building improvement grant.

Head teacher Peter Washbrook said: "This investment at the school will have a positive impact on pupils and staff, and should provide an enormous contribution to our young people's studies."

Talks held to push forward station facelift

2007-03-06T21:08:00.000Z

Private sector cash could be used to finally deliver the long awaited transformation of Swansea's run down Quadrant bus station.

Assembly Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, Andrew Davies, has handed Swansea Council a bumper £8.23 million as part of the transport grant settlement.

Up to £3.88 million of that could be used to push forward the redevelopment of the Quadrant bus station - it is increasingly being criticised for its poor condition.The cash has been awarded to the council's transport package, which includes the Landore express bus route, Quadrant Interchange, extension of the Landore park and ride, and internal works to High Street station.

An Assembly spokesman said it would be up to Swansea Council how the cash was split among the schemes.

But Mr Davies has revealed that talks are planned between Swansea Council and First Cymru to look at the company investing in the scheme.

Exact details of how that would work and whether it would mean further delays to a scheme that has been on the drawing board for a number of years is not yet known. Swansea Council has won planning permission for the project that would see a new bus terminal created along with a travel and information centre, improved office and toilet facilities, and food and drink shops.

It has agreed a deal for the land that busses currently use to turn around.

But the scheme could now change with First Cymru on board. Justin Davies, from First Cymru in Swansea, said the company had worked on similar schemes across the UK and had plenty of experience.

He added: "If we can bring that to bear on the bus station redevelopment then that is something."We will be looking at the announcement and talking to our property teams, and getting them to look at the schemes but it is at a very early stage.

"We are keen to come on board. Everyone wants the Quadrant redoing, but it is too early to talk about timetables yet."

Mr Davies said: "I am delighted to announce this funding allocation of more than £8 million for Swansea to support its transport schemes.

"This allocation will enable Swansea to take forward the redevelopment of the Quadrant bus station and improve transport in the Swansea area."

The £8.23 million transport grant includes cash for a variety of schemes including the bendy bus scheme, £100,000 for the Hafod integrated transport study and £305,000 for the county's Safe Routes to School schemes.

Mr Davies said: "This funding demonstrates our absolute commitment to promoting sustainable transport, and providing an effective and integrated transport system for the people of Swansea."

IT outfit sues over £170m axed project

2007-03-02T18:56:00.000Z

Swansea Council is being sued by the IT firm it brought in to revolutionise its computer systems.

Capgemini, the company asked to deliver the council's £170 million eGovernment project, has submitted a claim against the council.

It is reportedly looking for extra cash because of delays implementing a new payroll system.It is understood the row could result in a "significant financial impact" on council funds.

The two sides are believed to be pointing the finger at one another over the delays.

It is the latest chapter in the controversial scheme, and comes just weeks after the council dismissed the possibility of any penalty charges for dropping the second phase.

Service@Swansea would have seen an all-singing, all-dancing, one-stop shop for council queries set up.

But councillors axed the scheme because of spiralling costs.Instead they are expected to buy a system used by Cardiff Council for less than £1 million - a fraction of the £83 million bill for Service@Swansea

But the new service will not have a call centre with residents having to deal with council staff face to face instead.

The whole Service@Swansea saga has been an embarrassment to council officers who failed to heed warnings given by council staff when they took strike action against the plans in 2004.

Councillor Rene Kinzett, who chairs the council's eGovernment working party, said the exact cost of the claim was not known but insisted promised saving levels had not been achieved.

He said: "We don't know the full story, there are claims and counter-claims."We, as councillors, are stuck in the middle, being kept in the dark. It would be in the several tens of thousands, it would be a significant amount.

"The council is still working with Capgemini to deliver the first phase of the eGovernment project but Councillor Kinzett is concerned about the relationship.

He said: "What is the atmosphere like? What is the working environment like if they are throwing lawsuits at each other?

"And what happened about this being a launchpad for the rest of Wales?"

Capgemini declined to comment on the claim on grounds of client confidentiality.

The project was highlighted in the budget as a financial risk.

A report said: "Delay in implementing new systems has resulted in a claim for additional payments by the contractor.

Schools face axe as numbers fall

2007-02-27T21:28:00.000Z

More school closures are on the way in Swansea.Councillors say it is the only way to deal with a big drop in pupil numbers.

There are more than 5,000 spare places in the county already. The figure will have risen to 6,000 by 2009.

The drop in pupil numbers means less cash for schools, and councillors have warned that parents must now brace themselves for closures.

The move is likely to lead to an outcry wherever the axe falls. But it now appears inevitable.

Councillor John Miles, chairman of the authority's education scrutiny board, told a meeting yesterday: "It is not going to be an easy task, but it is something that has to be done.

"Whoever is in power will have to deal with this.

"Pupils are suffering because the schools are getting smaller and there is not enough money for the full curriculum to be delivered."

There was an outcry in the city when proposals to merge Dylan Thomas and Bishop Gore Schools were announced in 2005.

That move would have seen Dylan Thomas school close, with pupils being transferred to an improved Bishop Gore site.

However, the idea was eventually dropped after angry parents lobbied councillors.

Governor of Dylan Thomas Dereck Roberts said: "I do not think closures are necessarily the way forward."They need to look at the other possible options.

"There are huge expenses involved with closures."

Other schools in the county have already been closed because of falling numbers.

Garnswllt School in the Amman Valley closed its doors for the final time in July, after 130 years, because there were so few pupils.

Councillor Miles said parents needed to understand that changes across the city were necessary.

"If we look at one school or a small group of schools then people will feel targeted," he said."We need to make it clear to all the people in the county that there's a problem in education.

"The reality is that we have far too many schools and they are under-occupied. We all have to face up to that fact.

"It is going to take two to three years before we start moving with it, and we need to publicise that we have a major issue."

Any closures will need to be balanced by huge improvements to existing schools or even newly-built replacements, according to the committee.

Councillor Richard Lewis said residents needed to be made aware of the problems, and said the long-term benefits would outweigh short-term fears.

"The medicine may not be popular or palatable now."People will be marching down the streets with banners and placards saying don't close my school,'' he added.

"People have to know that schools will close, but at the end of the day the standard of education in Swansea will go up."

Cabinet member for education Councillor Mike Day said he would consider the recommendations from the committee when they were delivered in April.

He added: "I am pleased the scrutiny board is looking at this issue, which affects not only Swansea but all other areas.

"What is clear is that some action will be needed to tackle surplus places and the condition of school buildings."

New deal on IT system will be £83m cheaper

2007-02-26T15:07:00.000Z

A Planned customer service system for Swansea Council costing around £84 million has been ditched in favour of one costing less than £1 million.The authority has been forced to turn to Cardiff Council for help after its multi-million pound IT plans fell apart.

Private firm Capgemini had been in line to provide the cutting-edge customer service system after supplying the technology to replace the authority's back office IT system.

But as projected costs spiralled, council leaders decided to drop the company and find a cheaper alternative.

Cabinet member for eGovernment Mary Jones has now confirmed high-level talks with Cardiff Council are at an advanced stage and a deal could be struck within weeks.

Just £200,000 has been set aside for the start-up of the scheme, which is expected to be in place by September.

It will not deliver the ambitious promises outlined when the council embarked on its eGovernment programme two years ago, but comes at a fraction of the cost.

Councillor Jones said an alternative had to be found after an option to deal with Capgemini was dropped in January.

"We have gone out to look for an alternative that is affordable and acceptable for what we want to do with it.

"No deal has been done, but we have had talks with Cardiff Council to use its system."

Swansea Council's involvement with Capgemini has been dogged by controversy. As well as spiralling costs, the deal to transfer council staff to the firm caused the longest public sector strike in Welsh history.

Less than £8 million of a projected £26 million of savings have so far been identified as achievable.

Another link to Capgemini, the project's name, has also gone.

Councillor Jones said: "We are dropping the name Service@Swansea . The new system will not be called that and we have three alternatives that we are looking at."

The opening of the council's new customer contact centre at County Hall in September is a key factor - something has to be in place by then, and Cardiff offers an affordable and reliable solution.

However, unlike the original plans there will be no call centre, and residents will have to deal with staff face-to-face, or use an email form.

The news has been broadly welcomed by opposition groups at Swansea Council, although they say too much time has been wasted with Capgemini.

Councillor Mark Child, the Labour group's technology spokesman, said: "Unfortunately, we no longer have the IT expertise to be able to implement this in-house as they were all transferred to Capgemini. Having said that, this is the approach we have been advocating all along.

"Cardiff has had this system for five years and it is something we could have gone with much earlier."

Conservative group leader Rene Kinzett agreed that something needed to be done.

He added: "It is only a shame that we have spent so much time and energy, and possibly money, on discussions with Capgemini.

"The fact that we are not making the savings from the first phase means we are not in a position to get anything like the system we were promised."

Decision due on ice rink plans for City

2007-02-19T21:28:00.000Z

Swansea's ice rink hopes could be decided in the next two months.The council is in talks with developers and says the possibility of a new rink is still very much alive a year after plans were first revealed.

Developers are expected to bring firm proposals to the council within two months.Talks aimed at bringing an rink to the city are still at an early stage 12 months on, but Planet Ice, the company behind the proposals, is still keen to come to the city.

The car park next to the refurbished £32 million leisure centre is believed to be their preferred site.

The company, which has rinks in Basingstoke, Milton Keynes and the Isle of Wight, has been discussing the plans with Swansea Council and is hopeful a deal can be arranged.

Planet Ice was the company behind the city's hugely successful temporary ice rink at Christmas, on the land in front of the National Waterfront Museum.

Heath Rhodes, the company's communications manager, said: "We are still in negotiations with Swansea Council over the rink, but everything looks quite positive.

"We cannot say how, what, where or when yet, but we are still looking at Swansea favourably."A delegation from the council has already visited Planet Ice's Coventry rink to see how it is run.

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "It was a fact-finding visit by officers to see one of the venues being operated by a leading company in this field.

"The visit will form part of an initial assessment of the potential for such a project in Swansea."

It is also understood that property developers acting on behalf of Planet Ice have been in the city to look at possible sites.

Oystermouth Road car park, or part of it, is thought to be one of the company's favoured sites, although both parties say it is too early to talk about specific details.

Swansea Council's spokesman confirmed talks are continuing.

He said: "The council is currently in preliminary discussions with an ice rink operator to explore opportunities for delivering an ice rink development within the city centre. These discussions are at an early stage, and a number of exciting options are still being considered.

"These negotiations are ongoing and are aimed at allowing the council to fully assess the business case for any proposed future development."

Council leader Chris Holley said any deal would have to be right for Swansea.

"All I can say is that developers have been to the city to have a look, but they haven't yet come back with a plan," he said.

"If they do decide to come, and as long as they put together a reasonable development for Swansea, then we will welcome it.

"The success of the Waterfront Winterland and temporary ice skating rink over Christmas will have surprised a lot of people.

"Hopefully, they will look at that and see if they can repeat that success."

Crime fight success is example to all

2007-02-16T18:28:00.000Z

A Crime-busting Swansea community has been held up as an example for others to follow right across the UK.Five years ago the local police station was fire-bombed, with teenagers regularly causing problems.

But in a remarkable turnaround things are now on the up again in the city's Blaenymaes and Portmead areas.

They were yesterday visited by Home Office Minister Tony McNulty, who paid tribute to the work done to make life better for locals.

The Broughton Avenue police station has had a friendly mural painted outside. Officials say it is a telling sign of the community's intent not to give in to the criminal element.

Overall in Swansea, official Home Office figures show a fall in crime of 20 per cent in the past three to four years, a reduction equal to 6,000 fewer victims of crime.

Mr McNulty said he was struck by "the enthusiasm there was from both police and local community leaders in driving crime down and working on a positive way for the area.

Mr McNulty spoke to Swansea East MP Sian James, Swansea East AM Val Lloyd and local councillors and volunteers about the progress shown in tackling crime.

"The absolute vibe is that this has been done from the ground up. This has been achieved with the police, so people in Blaenymaes get a real sense of being part of the solution in tackling crime rather than something being done from above," he said.

Mrs James said: "There has been an overall reduction in crime of 20 per cent in Swansea. One of the things we are talking to the Minister about is how do we showcase the good work going on in Swansea across the policing spectrum?

"There are still things we need to work harder at and improve on.

"You can never really take your foot off the pedal, you have to keep working and making sure the community feels safe."

Val Lloyd said: "The whole community has come together to fight crime in Blaenymaes. Good results in Swansea show that local people are serious about tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and that partnership working is effective."

Portmead resident Jim Hopper said the community still had its problems, but things had improved in recent years.

He added: "We still have our fair share of troublemakers, but I think there is a general feeling that we will not let them win.''

£850k cash boost to keep schools open

2007-02-14T23:50:00.000Z

Swansea is to pour hundreds of thousands of pounds into its crumbling schools in a bid to keep them open.The council has identified 12 schools in urgent need of investment to reduce the risk of closure.

The cash will reduce the risk of further deterioration due to problems such as ageing heating and electrical equipment.New heating and electrical systems are planned along with repairs to leaking roofs and windows.

A total of £850,000 will be splashed out on the dozen schools.But education bosses have accepted that a bigger problem remains.

All of Swansea's 109 schools have undergone a condition survey to give the council a clear picture of how big a problem it faces.

In 2005 a report to council revealed that a massive £50 million in repairs was needed to bring the schools up to scratch.

A survey of Bishop Gore comprehensive in Sketty found a long list of problems.

Councillor Mike Day, the cabinet member for education, has admitted that the council needs to come up with a long term solution to address Swansea's deteriorating schools.

He said: "This winter we have had problems with leaking roofs and windows.

"We also know that many heating and electrical systems are close to the end of their natural life and need replacing.

"This extra funding, along with our annual capital maintenance programme, will tackle urgent areas, but we need a major rethink to address the full scale of the challenge.

"Parents, governors, pupils and staff have already told us during the wide-ranging school organisation consultation that they have concerns over the condition of schools and the facilities available to children.

"This is a Wales-wide problem, but we are committed to working alongside head teachers and agreeing a way forward for schools in the city and county."

Councillor Day said that the council was committed to improving the city's schools and that the £850,000 was on top of £2 million earmarked for school maintenance for the coming financial year.

He said: "We are committed to providing the best possible schools for our children, but many of our school buildings are ageing and deteriorating quite quickly.

"We are making this extra investment to target the most urgent issues in our schools.

"This will help reduce the risk of schools having to close due to maintenance problems.

"This is a significant investment from the council which will address some of the concerns of head teachers, governors, parents and pupils."

Bid to sharpen City businesses' cutting edge

2007-02-10T18:51:00.000Z

Swansea Council is hoping to encourage cutting-edge businesses to the city with the launch of a new economic strategy.

The aim is to build on the reputation the city already has with leading research and development companies that have already set up in Swansea, including the Technium initiatives and the new £50 million Institute of Life Sciences at Swansea University.

The Economic Regeneration Strategy will set out how new technology companies will fit into Swansea's economy over the next 10 years.

Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, said: "Swansea is playing a leading role in the transformation of Wales as a knowledge economy. This is a bold vision for a region at the cutting edge of research, technology and entrepreneurship."

Council leader Chris Holley said the strategy would help generate the right local economic conditions to create quality jobs for local people.

He said: "This strategy recognises that tackling economic inactivity and equipping our young people with the skills they need is the most effective platform for building economic success.

"It aims to develop key sectors in the local economy that are already doing well such as tourism, computing, life sciences, professional services and creative industries.

"These are very much at the heart of a strong knowledge economy and a revitalised Swansea will be well placed to take advantage of the success story of the city's university, which is a breeding ground for some of the brightest and best entrepreneurs in Wales."

Streets get revamp to fit in with city project

2007-02-10T18:44:00.000Z

Work to add an extra sparkle to Swansea city centre could be completed by next month.The scheme will see roads linking The Kingsway and Oxford Street given a makeover.

The move is ahead of a massive £3.5 million improvement project due to start in April.

Contractors are currently upgrading Upper Union Street, Portland Street and Park Street. The work includes resurfacing of roads and pavements with similar materials as that used for the refurbishment of The Kingsway. It is expected to be completed by the end of March and be followed by the £3.5 million city centre core retail scheme.

The Assembly- funded scheme is aimed at making the city centre a more vibrant and dynamic place to visit.

It will include new street furniture, public art and replacing of roads and pavements.

Chris Holley, leader of Swansea Council, said: "What is happening on Upper Union Street, Portland Street and Park Street is indicative of the long-term plan we have for Swansea city centre.

"Every effort has been made to minimise disruption and traders have and will be kept up to date about the works.

"Work will not commence until after the Easter period to enable adequate consultation with traders over working arrangements and to avoid disruption to business, including the important tourism sector."

Councillor Holley said the work, combined with the various new developments underway in the city, meant that there was a bright future for Swansea.

He said: "We are committed to making the city centre as visually attractive as possible as we make strides towards becoming a European city of distinction.

"Enhancing the appearance of the city centre will supplement ongoing projects such as the regeneration of the former David Evans site and will encourage more people to visit Swansea.

"This will be a boost for local traders and for the local economy."

City centre shopper Sean Tyler, of Gendros, said: " It can't come a minute too soon.''

Bendy flexibility fears dismissed

2007-02-10T18:25:00.000Z

Worries that Swansea's controversial new bendy bus may not be flexible enough have been dismissed by city leaders.

There have been concerns that the scheme, which proposes running 60ft buses from Morriston Hospital to Mumbles, would struggle to get through Woodfield Street's already busy shopping area.

Councillor Robert Francis Davies said many residents had raised concerns and asked how it would navigate the church in the middle of the road.

Swansea Council has dismissed the concerns, adding that it does not envisage significant cost in adapting the Morriston stage of the route.

But Councillor Francis Davies has reservations.He said: "People have heard rumours that the church in the middle of the road was going to be knocked down, but I have had a letter back from the council saying there is no truth in that whatsoever.

"But how will it get through? If it does get through there, how will it turn up Chemical Road? It is quite a hard turn."If it is going to bypass Woodfield Street, how is that going to help the economy of the local area? It is not linked-up thinking.

"If it does go through there, I don't see how it is going to work with the church in the middle of the road."

A council spokesman said a feasibility study of the route for the bus had been completed and that cash for work on the Morriston stage would come from the Assembly.

He said: "In terms of Morriston, the route will travel along main roads already established as bus routes.

"The details of this are currently being examined, but no significant costs are envisaged."

The Swansea Metro scheme has been accepted by the Welsh Assembly Government for transport grant funding. This will include all infrastructure costs. Timescale will depend on the funding announcement from WAG.

"He added that an announcement was due and that the Morriston route would be completed by late next year.But Councillor Francis Davies is not convinced there is support or demand for the bendy bus.

He said: "So far I am yet to find anyone who thinks it is a good idea. Anything that makes roads better would be welcome.

"But Morriston Hospital has probably got the best bus service now, it is a very regular service.

"Will it mean there will be bigger buses at larger intervals?"Councillor Francis Davies said the city centre looked better for the infrastructure improvement done to accommodate the new buses.

But he added: "I don't believe there is a need for a bendy bus.

"It hasn't been thought out and there hasn't been much consultation."

Don't ruin it with rows

2007-02-08T21:06:00.000Z

I Attended the Better Swansea Partnership meeting held at the Dylan Thomas Centre recently as one of many business leaders and community councillors from across Swansea.The BSP meeting was a day-long event and presentations were made by city officials on progress that is being made to revitalise Swansea. Plans for the further development of the city were also outlined.

What came across to all present was a general feeling of confidence. This was reflected in discussions with various business leaders who all felt that after years of stagnation under Labour (remember their long-harboured but over-ambitious plans for Castle Quays), the present administration is turning the fortunes of Swansea around.There is a positive buzz about Swansea and its future.

At a time when things are improving, it is a pity that minor squabbles among the parties that form the administration are in danger of undermining what, together, they were all managing to achieve. I hope the parties can put their differences behind them and continue the excellent work they have embarked upon.

Councillor Gillian Evans
Park Road
Gorseinon,
Swansea

Work resumes on Kingsway Revamp Scheme

2007-02-03T22:38:00.000Z

Work to complete footway improvements along The Kingsway is underway again.

The council started the improvements at the end of 2006 but moved off site temporarily to avoid disrupting the busy shopping period in December.

Contractors have now returned and will be working along the Kingsway to replace and improve pavements and kerbing along its length.

Part of the funding will also be used to install new bus shelters and street lighting as part of the 16-week project.

Head of transportation and engineering Anthony O'Sullivan said: "The works will complement the highway improvements already achieved along The Kingsway.

"The end result will provide shoppers and visitors with a much more pedestrian-friendly environment."

Kingsway trader Alex Rees, of Alexander Hair in Craddock Street, said: "The council has done an excellent job of improving the look of the Kingsway and the surrounding area. The flow of traffic has also improved."