Lights will go out and tennis centre will close as council wrestles with £17m black hole
A COUNCIL tax rise, the closure of Swansea's tennis centre and turning off some street lights are among the cost cutting measures planned as Swansea Council tries to balance its books.
While the black hole in the authority's finances was originally thought to be £15 million, councillor Holley told the Post that the real figure is closer to £17 million.
The authority plans to close that gap by making savings within departmental budgets of £9.5 million, using reserves of £3.5 million , and a 4.35 per cent rise in council tax — which should net an extra £4.1 million.
However, councillor Holley warned that closing the gap this year did not mean an end to the financial pain felt in the city. He said: "This year it is a £15 million cut. There may be a £15 million cut next year, because it is going to get harder and harder each year."
A report going before Swansea Council's cabinet on Thursday contains a number of moves which will come as a blow to city residents.
Council tax is rising by 4.35 per cent, taking the annual bill for a band D property to £958.33 — before precepts from the police, fire service and community councils are added on.
The council subsidy to the LC is falling by £100,000, to around £800,000 per year and costs for using Active Swansea leisure facilities will also rise, netting the council an extra £85,000.
Perhaps most controversially, the authority says it is to close Swansea Tennis Centre, saving £50,000, and reducing street lighting, which will cut spending by £100,000. However, the council say that none of the lighting cuts will be in residential areas.
Councillor Holley said the reasons for the severe cuts and increased tax are due to lower income and increased spending in social services.
He said: "It comes from a very, very poor settlement, not just from the Assembly, but also from Westminster.
"We got a 1.9 per cent increase, which is nowhere near what we require."
"We have a huge, significant problem, not just in child and family services, but in social services. We are having to fund that as much as we possibly can, which is proving very, very, difficult.
In the last year, following the high profile Baby P case, the number of looked after children (LAC) in Swansea has risen by 40 per cent to 522 cases.
Councillor Holley added: "No authority anywhere in the country could cope with that increase.
"Yes, we had some failings in social services, and some bad reports and an intervention board.
"We have had to put a lot more effort and resources in."
In many instances, the cuts across departments mean job cuts. As the Post reported last week, the figure of 500 set by the authority last year is likely to be increased.
"These are some of the largest savings we've ever made in one year and it means hundreds of jobs will have to go with as many of them away from the frontline as possible," councillor Holley said.
"By not filling existing vacancies, natural turnover and voluntary redundancies we're seeking to minimise the risk of the need for any compulsory redundancies."
alex.brown@swwmedia.co.uk
In tonight's Evening Post:
Spending cuts breakdown
Volley of opposition over tennis centre closure plan
Council pledge to continue investing in kids' services
Street light switch-off plans could save £100k per year
Leader is out of credit say opposition chiefs
60 Comments
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by Mrs Sharp, Swansdea
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 10:11PM
“Re - Tim.
You are spot on the last investigative journalist the EP employed was Richard Auty about 8 years ago. Since then they won't print anything unless it is put in writing for them.
It could be the EP gets so much in revenue for advertising from the Council they are afraid that the money would dry up if they printed EXACTLY what was going on with the Lib Dem MUPPETS in County Hall.
It doesn't matter what we say about Chris Holley, Peter Black, Tregoning, Mary Jones and all the other cabinet muppet - they will have the last laugh because we are paying them between £30,000 to £50,000 a year - If they can hang on for another 2 years it is worth at least another £60/70 thousand to each of them.
All that money and not a BRAIN CELL between them.”
by 2 Bright, Swansea
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 7:24PM
“About half of the Streetlights in Dyfed Avenue, Townhill, were still on by late morning today! What a waste of resources!”
by Marcus, Wales
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 3:37PM
“Just one question to the council what is the land that the tennis centre is on worth??”
by Tin, Gowerton
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 9:53PM
“Come on Evening Post - don't just publish this story and let it die.... get your reporters in there and tell the Council what the people here are saying.
Work for the money we pay to read your paper.
You've not said anything about the schools!!! Thanks for the support there Mr Adams of Dunvant..... 200 teachers? Stupid!!! Just stupid...
Angry Teacher”
by roy adams, dunvant.
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 5:06PM
“Shambo--I certainly agree with most of your comments . Though i must add there are two types of Independent . One who are so called Swansea Independent who are actually LiB/Dems in sheeps clothings. who sold themselves to Holley's party so they could jump on the financial Bandwagon. There are others who are "Non Aligned Independents" who are not under the influence of any other party-- People like myself and Ray Welsby of Clase.”
by C Lion, Swansea
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 1:05PM
“Who is accountable for the mis management of public funds within this Lib Dem coalition?
I understand we are in recession, but previous scheme's to save money (IT Outsource for example) have in fact cost more. Therefore, I am not confident that any scheme suggested by the Lib Dem council will work.
Vote of no confidence!”
by Sue, Penllergaer
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 12:54AM
“I am extremely disappointed and angry at the prospect of the Tennis Centre closing. My son plays tennis there 2-3 times per week alongside many other children and young people. They would be unable to take part in the sport other than for a few short months each year if the (indoor) Tennis Centre were no longer available. Swansea council website suggests that there are numerous other tennis facilities - unfortunately they are outside; not much good in winter or rain! People are quick to criticise children and teenagers who do not spend their time usefully so why remove a facility which encourages physical activity and offers opportunities for social integration for not only young people but for many adults too. Why dont the Council consider closing one of the many community leisure centres and swimming pools instead? At least there are numerous others for members of the public to use - there is no alternative to the Tennis Centre. Why have Swansea Council not undertaken a consultation exercise to find out what matters to council tax payers?”
by Linda Ware, Neath
Monday, February 08 2010, 10:53PM
“Anyone know how much of a deficit Neath Port Talbot have in their budget? Being as they are not Lib dems but New Labour perhaps they have no deficit. They should have the insurance money anyhow for all the places burnt down in the last couple of years, saves doing them up :) The 20 million+ they lost to the Icelandic banks was just a drop in the ocean, they said and just because they got rid of staff at the swimming pool in Neath to accomodate the staff from the burned down Lido and closed the museum does not mean they have money problems does it ? Oh and on stock transfer of 9000+ council houses all the housing staff will keep their jobs but the rest of the council staff will suffer cuts ? We could do with a bit of information out of Neath Port Talbot in this paper you know. I mean we have Mr. Peter Hain as our MP, Welsh Secretary and all, no wonder Neath is so rich, poor Swansea :”
by ian, swansea
Monday, February 08 2010, 10:51PM
“britain is bankrupt !
cuts in public services and spending everywhere for years to come after the mismanagement of the economy by gordon brown the worst chancellor and prime minister britain has ever had.”
by jacko, ssea
Monday, February 08 2010, 10:38PM
“thought the council recently said that landore was to become a sporting centre with the liberty stadium, indoor bowls arena, indoor tennis centre and proposed indoor ski slope.
turn the tennis centre into an indoor skateboard park for the youngsters.
other tennis courts around swansea are in a shocking state like in de la beche park sketty.
britain has to pay for two wars in iraq and afghanistan, bailing out the banks and the london olympics so there's going to be public cuts everywhere.”