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."
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
COUNCILLORS 'IN THE DARK' OVER SCHEME'S RISKS
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."
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."
Monday, 19 March 2007
BUS STATION PLANS FACE FUNDS BLOW
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."
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."
Friday, 16 March 2007
CENTRAL LIBRARY TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
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."
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."
Thursday, 15 March 2007
PM'S AIDES TO STUDY SWANSEA'S CRIME CUT
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."
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."
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Shameful Act
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.
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.
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
School work on schedule
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."
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."
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Talks held to push forward station facelift
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."
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."
Friday, 2 March 2007
IT outfit sues over £170m axed project
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.
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.
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