From the South Wales Evening Post
THE long search for a second Travellers' site in Swansea will again go under the spotlight this week when councillors debate whether there are any lessons to learn from the lengthy process so far.
The issue has been dogged by controversy, the latest element surrounding last October's decision to go back to the drawing board after the authority had received £15,558-worth of external legal advice.
It was given by James Goudie QC before the council meeting at which officers put forward the former greyhound track in Fforestfach and land off Peniel Green Road in Llansamlet as potential sites — with a recommendation to secure planning permission for both.
A 'yes' vote would have been significant progress after years of whittling down hundreds of potential sites in the county. But on the day a ruling Labour group motion that cabinet — to whom any decision was being referred — should start considering private as well as public land for the second site was passed unanimously in what was termed a 'whole Swansea approach'.
Related content
With everything on hold, a group of Opposition councilors, led by previous council leader Chris Holley, demanded to know more about the legal advice given.
In a written question, they asked leader councillor David Phillips whether he would reveal if Mr Goudie had advised that the process was at anytime flawed or carried out incorrectly.
"Yes I will tell you, and no he didn't," he replied.
Councillor Phillips declined to comment further on the matter at the weekend.
On Thursday a council scrutiny committee will meet to review the Travellers' site process as part of an ongoing review. Its brief includes seeking an assurance on its quality, identifying any learning points, and recommending any changes for the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.