Comments on: Funding local government: common problems, radical solutions http://waleshome.org/2010/04/funding-local-government-common-problems-radical-solutions/ Independent analysis from and about Wales Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Lyn David Thomas http://waleshome.org/2010/04/funding-local-government-common-problems-radical-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9699 Lyn David Thomas Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:34:58 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=9338#comment-9699 It might be worth looking at IT - the government of Extremadura invested in an open source solution for its IT needs, migrating 70,000 desktops and 400 servers in education and government to its own localised version of Linux. They also opened a network of local access centres enabling people to benefit from a high speed broadband network. Extremadura is one of Spain's poorest regions, yet they innovated and created a high speed broadband network that is of value to the whole community, increased their region's IT skills and saved around 18 Million Euros. We have a patchwork of contracts with companies like Microsoft which have not served us well, an all Wales IT strategy using the open source model could save millions, while bringing extra benefits. IT has been a contentious issue for years with much waste in inappropriate and expensive systems that have failed to meet the expectations generated around them. Perhaps this is one area that Wales could do with borrowing from the experience of the several Spanish Communities that have gone down this route. It might be worth looking at IT – the government of Extremadura invested in an open source solution for its IT needs, migrating 70,000 desktops and 400 servers in education and government to its own localised version of Linux. They also opened a network of local access centres enabling people to benefit from a high speed broadband network. Extremadura is one of Spain’s poorest regions, yet they innovated and created a high speed broadband network that is of value to the whole community, increased their region’s IT skills and saved around 18 Million Euros. We have a patchwork of contracts with companies like Microsoft which have not served us well, an all Wales IT strategy using the open source model could save millions, while bringing extra benefits. IT has been a contentious issue for years with much waste in inappropriate and expensive systems that have failed to meet the expectations generated around them. Perhaps this is one area that Wales could do with borrowing from the experience of the several Spanish Communities that have gone down this route.

]]> By: Marcus warner http://waleshome.org/2010/04/funding-local-government-common-problems-radical-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9483 Marcus warner Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:29:56 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=9338#comment-9483 Perhaps a good idea if you want local government to be not controlled by the assembly it might be worth not having AMs who are also councillors? ;) I actually think a radical change would be to free councils of their statutory requirements and give them a chance to innovate with the rest with freedom. Not saying I sign up to this, but it is worth debating. Perhaps a good idea if you want local government to be not controlled by the assembly it might be worth not having AMs who are also councillors? ;)

I actually think a radical change would be to free councils of their statutory requirements and give them a chance to innovate with the rest with freedom. Not saying I sign up to this, but it is worth debating.

]]> By: senn http://waleshome.org/2010/04/funding-local-government-common-problems-radical-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9479 senn Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:20:54 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=9338#comment-9479 Good article. Peter you have not mentioned that many Council Chief Exec's in Wales have between two and three times the salary that you have... are Chief exec's and departmental heads elected people like you are? You mention the 'accountable local councillors' . But do these people really have any say in the running of Councils or are they really Puppets? Extras in a Punch and Judy street show.. The local Government Minister should use his powers and set the wages of all local authority workers. Even halving the high waged and the powerful with councils so the money saved can keep the less powerful employed. Political Will.....or the lack of it. You have correctly highlighted how councils are trying to save money. Rhonda Cynnon Taf cutting leisure centre opening times. In Carmarthenshire it is local Libraries that are going to be affected by closures. 'The biggest crisis facing most Welsh Councils is the cost of modernisation and repair of their existing facilities to bring them up to current health and safety standards' PB Millions is waisted here in my direct experience. Fixing roofs that are not leaking, replacing windows that are not rotten, air conditioning where none is needed, new driveways over reasonable existing ones, new office furniture instead of making do or recycled furnishings. Also it is good to see how private business is mentioned. Prudence and good decision making is what is needed. Good article.

Peter you have not mentioned that many Council Chief Exec’s in Wales have between two and three times the salary that you have… are Chief exec’s and departmental heads elected people like you are?

You mention the ‘accountable local councillors’ . But do these people really have any say in the running of Councils or are they really Puppets? Extras in a Punch and Judy street show..

The local Government Minister should use his powers and set the wages of all local authority workers. Even halving the high waged and the powerful with councils so the money saved can keep the less powerful employed. Political Will…..or the lack of it.

You have correctly highlighted how councils are trying to save money. Rhonda Cynnon Taf cutting leisure centre opening times. In Carmarthenshire it is local Libraries that are going to be affected by closures.

‘The biggest crisis facing most Welsh Councils is the cost of modernisation and repair of their existing facilities to bring them up to current health and safety standards’ PB

Millions is waisted here in my direct experience. Fixing roofs that are not leaking, replacing windows that are not rotten, air conditioning where none is needed, new driveways over reasonable existing ones, new office furniture instead of making do or recycled furnishings.

Also it is good to see how private business is mentioned.

Prudence and good decision making is what is needed.

]]> By: Funding local government: common problems, radical solutions – Freedom Central http://waleshome.org/2010/04/funding-local-government-common-problems-radical-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9471 Funding local government: common problems, radical solutions – Freedom Central Sun, 11 Apr 2010 09:02:17 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=9338#comment-9471 [...] Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson, Peter Black has an article on funding local councils over at Wales Home. Go over and have a read. Share [...] [...] Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson, Peter Black has an article on funding local councils over at Wales Home. Go over and have a read. Share [...]

]]> By: Peter Black http://waleshome.org/2010/04/funding-local-government-common-problems-radical-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9470 Peter Black Sun, 11 Apr 2010 09:01:09 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=9338#comment-9470 If David Cameron's localism had any substance that is. All of this is longstanding Liberal Democrat policy. If it sounds like David Cameron then that is because he has been copying us. If David Cameron’s localism had any substance that is. All of this is longstanding Liberal Democrat policy. If it sounds like David Cameron then that is because he has been copying us.

]]> By: John Tyler http://waleshome.org/2010/04/funding-local-government-common-problems-radical-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9468 John Tyler Sun, 11 Apr 2010 08:30:19 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=9338#comment-9468 ... a good dose of well written honesty above, well said, it sounds a lot like David Cameron's localism at work, have you considered a changing your party .... … a good dose of well written honesty above, well said, it sounds a lot like David Cameron’s localism at work, have you considered a changing your party ….

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