Cardiff Post Article November 2007

Cardiff Council is presently undertaking a Fundamental Operational Review of Council Departments and have instructed external consultants for assistance.  I can see why they need to look at how the Council is operating as many departments are not offering the residents of the City an efficient service, but what will the costly review actually achieve in terms of service delivery and value for money for the taxpayer?  Unless there is political will across the Council, with Councillors taking dramatic and unpopular decisions, little will be achieved.

 

Since I was elected in 1999, I have often raised concerns about the astronomical spending on outside consultants in so many areas of the Council.  As we have much officer expertise in house, including several highly paid officials who could offer advice, on many occasions this costly expenditure could be avoided.

 

Much discussion is taking place regarding Cardiff’s settlement from the Assembly Government for the next financial year.  What I am hearing from Cardiff’s taxpayers is that they cannot pay more Council Tax year on year, particularly in light of some of the services being reduced.  The Council Executive need to undertake a review of wasteful spending instead, minimising the use of consultants in the process, and make changes – they need to look at hospitality, entertainment and communications, to name just a few.

 

My ward colleague Adrian Robson and I are holding a number of Christmas Coffee and Mince Pie Events.  The first will take place on Saturday 1^st December at Bethany Baptist Church, Heol Llanishen Fach between 10.30am – Noon.  The next will be held on Thursday 6^th December at All Saints Church Hall, Heol y Felin between 10.30am – Noon.  This will be followed by an event on Saturday 8^th December at Rhiwbina Baptist Church in Lon Uchaf between 10.30am – 12 Noon.  The last one will take place on Friday 14^th December between 6.30pm – 8pm at the Beulah Assembly Rooms, Beulah Road.

 

If I can be assistance, I can be contacted on Tel 029 2062 7757, Fax 029 2087 7005, Mobile 079 7001 3332, E-Mail jcowan@cardiff.gov.uk or log on to www.rhiwbinaward.com