Council Leaders

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government – in the Senedd at 2:12 pm on 27 April 2022.

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Photo of Tom Giffard Tom Giffard Conservative 2:12, 27 April 2022

I thank the Minister for the answer. One such poor decision, I'm afraid, that would not have been taken in the public interest would be a recent one by Swansea Council in the area we both represent, Minister. You and I both attended the wonderful opening of the Swansea Arena, which was delivered by the Welsh Government, the UK Government and local council working together. It shows what can be achieved when everybody works together. However, that positive atmosphere was totally soured the following day when it was revealed that Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart named rooms in the new arena after Labour councillors. That was a move that was described as 'tin-eared', 'cronyism' and 'totally out of touch with the people of Swansea', and, thankfully, thanks to the pressure of the people of Swansea and its Conservative councillors, the leader later backtracked and decided to launch a consultation on the naming of the arena. But this whole debacle does raise serious questions about the current council's leadership and their ability to take decisions in the public interest. So, can I ask, Minister: what assessment have you made of the ability of the current leadership of Swansea Council to prioritise the interests of the people Swansea over the interests of the Labour Party?