Planning decision shake-up slammed by city councillors
A NEW Swansea Council planning system has been dubbed expensive, inefficient and a waste of time.
The Lib-Dem and Independent coalition decided to increase the number of committees for building matters from three to five at the recent annual meeting of the local authority.
Previously, the city was split in two areas, with a main committee for bigger applications — such as the Marina tower.
But now Swansea has been divided into four parts — North, Central and East, South West, and West, plus the existing city-wide board.
The first North area meeting will take place next Monday — with just three items on the agenda.
Council leader Chris Holley, of the Lib Dems, says having more committees will speed up planning applications, because the workload will be lighter for councillors.
However, the city's Labour and Conservative parties said the change flew in the face of recommendations from the Wales Audit Office — which said Swansea should only have one planning committee.
Labour leader David Phillips said: "It's completely unnecessary. The council had to justify at length to the Wales Audit Office why we had three planning committees not so long ago.
"Now we've gone up to five. There isn't enough work to have four area planning committees."
Allowances
Mr Phillips said the new system would cost the taxpayer more, because there were now more paid positions for being chair of the groups. Each chair is entitled to a special responsibility allowance of £9,708, although in Swansea councillors only claim 80 per cent of the entitlement.
"Before, when we had Area 1 and Area 2, the chair and vice-chair would get a special responsibility allowance, while the chair of the main planning committee would not," he added.
"Now the chairs of each of the four new committees, plus the main committee, will be getting special responsibility allowances."
Swansea Conservative leader Rene Kinzett also criticised the new system.
He said: "In terms of planning, the council has gone from having four paid members to five.
"Introducing more committees to the system will slow down the planning process."
However, council leader Mr Holley said the new system would improve the planning system.
"The new system will be much more representative, cleaner and quicker," he added.
"The agendas will be small for each meeting which mean matters can be resolved quicker.
"Vice chairs no longer get a special responsibility allowance, which they did under the previous system.
"Having four committees was the way in which the old Swansea City Council used to operate, so it is by no means a new idea.
"Overall, it will cut down expenditure."
ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk
10 Comments
by Donnie Darko, Swansea
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 3:19PM
“It seems that Swansea Council prefers to have more spent on Planning Committees, than is spent on keeping Street lights that operate in the dark! How long will we have to wait before the first person is injured or killed in Swansea, just because of a fool hardy policy to switch off 1,500 Street lights!?”
by Fiona, Gwendaeth Valley.
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 2:20PM
“Its a bit like Schools why have so many and pay so much more for all the headteachers when it can all be done under one roof.”
by Dennis, Swansea
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 9:03AM
“Councillor Holley is a stranger to the truth. Councillor Holley has increased the number of committees just to keep his Lib Dem cronies sweet and to put money into their back pockets. Councillor Holley and his motley crew have done nothing illegal by voting to give themselves more money but it just goes to prove that they would do anything to fill their back pockets at the expense of childrens services and schools. How these people sleep at night I don't know.
Lets be honest here, Councillor Holley and his cronies have just found a legal loophole of how to commit legalised fraud. So grab as much as you can you Lib Dem leeches because the people of Swansea will have you out come the 2012 local elections.”
by Ray Welsby, Clase Morriston
Monday, May 31 2010, 10:12PM
“How can councillor Holley feel that this is a way forward in planning.The way forward is by having area one and two committes with one chairman and this should be the chief executive.Then all planning decision's can be decided at one meeting,this would save the council tax payer approximately £120.000pounds a year plus you would only need head of planning and one city solicitor this would mean one planning meeting a month and all councillors could be summond to attend.But councillor Holley would rather waste taxpayers money on lining the pockets of his coalition so he can keep his position as leader of the council.”
by Paul Jones, Swansea
Monday, May 31 2010, 8:55PM
“Holley, your thoughts and apparent need to increase the tax burden on the people of Swansea reminds me of the definition of a Camel " A Horse Designed By A Committee!”
by roy.adams, dunvant
Monday, May 31 2010, 5:24PM
“Above average increase on local-tax--No money for schools-- Teachers being made unemployed --Threats of service cuts--Threats of more public service jobs. For what, more well paid perks for Holley's cronies, it is time for the Swansea public to say no more Mr Holley and good bye. You have preached often enough there is no money available.”
by R Lob, Flob
Monday, May 31 2010, 4:01PM
“@Jayne, Swansea
How dare you write about Madame (Cllr.) Defarge?
Holley's Cabinet Servinone will seek revenge.”
by Jayne, Swansea
Monday, May 31 2010, 3:30PM
“Having been at the mercy of these planning committees, I am appalled at the thought of them increasing. Swansea is renowned amogst architects and planning designers as one of the worst in the country to work with.
The members of the planning committe have little or no knowledge of planning laws, the y just like to stand on their soap boxes, using it as an excuse to inflict the sound of their voices on the rest of an unwilling but captive audience.
The decisions of qualified planning officers employed by the council are often ignored and overturned, causing increased expense to the council when said officers then have to write a report backing the eroneous decision of the committee.
I have even witnessed one lady councilor doing her knitting during these 'important' meetings”
by Simon, Swansea
Monday, May 31 2010, 3:20PM
“Inefficient and a waste of money are accusations that can be levelled at Swansea councillors for many years. Holley doesn't live in the real world. Get rid of the mayoral mansion to save money.”
by Fagin., Swansea.
Monday, May 31 2010, 1:40PM
“More pretties for the rest of your sharks eh : Holley ?”