Swindon MP backs firms over wi-fi fight (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Swindon MP backs firms over wi-fi fight
8:00am Thursday 31st December 2009 in News
South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove with Chris Watts from Fourtiers Ltd
AN MP has assured Swindon’s IT companies that she will take their fight against Swindon’s wi-fi scheme to the corridors of Whitehall.
After a meeting with Chris Watts, a local IT businessman, South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove said she will be discussing the way Swindon Council has handled the scheme with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) She will also be consulting the Department of Communities and Local Government to ask what retrospective action can be taken on behalf of Swindon IT firms – who feel they have been undermined by the decision to offer the contract to Digital City UK, of which the council is partner, without any tendering process.
Mrs Snelgrove said: “I will be contacting a number of departments to discuss what can be done, it’s important that local businesses know that this deal has been done above board.
“It has been suggested to me on a number of occasions that if the money that the council loaned the company to make this happen, £450,000, was given to local businesses it would have made a huge impact.
“Many have said to me that with this money small companies could pursue countless avenues – but they can’t with this council.”
In the past Mr Watts of Swindon IT firm Fourtiers Ltd has complained about the “assistance” given to the company by the council, including permission to erect transmitters, a £450,000 loan, and free office space.
He, along with other small businessmen, who are currently in discussion with lawyers from the Federation of Small Business (FSB), say by doing this Digital City UK has been gifted an “unfair advantage” in the marketplace.
He said: “I am not confident that the decision will be repealed but I am confident that there will be an investigation into this.
“There are just too many questions, and not enough answers.”
He added that he is still waiting for answers to some 17 questions posed to Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh at a scrutiny meeting on December 14.
Coun Bluh said: “I am very happy for Anne Snelgrove to do whatever she wants to do in relation to this.
“We feel this was done fully in accordance with the rules, and our lawyers agree.
“This was an investment the council made into a private company, which came to us, so there was no need for it to be put out to tender.
“We are confident the process was not only above board but robust.”
Yesterday the Adver published a story of one local resident who discovered Digital City UK had spelt its own email address incorrectly.
Comments(32)
Bobfm
says...
9:19am Thu 31 Dec 09
“We are confident the process was not only above board but robust.”
Purely a coincidence of course that the companies representative sits on the same Swindon Strategic and Economic Partnership as Bluh, the Chief Executive of the Council and other senior council members.
And where have we heard the 'it was within the rules comment' before?????
Always Grumpy
says...
9:30am Thu 31 Dec 09
Donkey wrote:When slagging off the Conservatives, why do you always 'conveniently' ignore the years of Swindon Labour slease and corruption? I refer, of course, to the Sue Bates era of administration.
Swindon Conservative led Council motto is ...
"WE are Invincible and Immune!"
The worst thing that the Swindon electorate has done in decades was to give this lot carte blanche when they put them into power without actually seeing their credentials. You reap what you sow and they have taken full advantage in doing exactly what the Council Cabinet, just the few who run the shop, fancy.
There are no rules when playing with Council Tax payer's contributions, look at their record so far ... not impressive is it?
Many times in the recent years, if I'm not mistaken ... the words, 'best value' appeared to be used to some advantage? Is this best value for people's money? Let's hope Anne can help those who have been overlooked in their dismay when the pot was being shared out ... to one company?
You always seem to have a very 'selective' memory.
Jock Strap
says...
9:42am Thu 31 Dec 09
PeeveD
says...
9:47am Thu 31 Dec 09
I still am undecided on whether the benefits to the good people of Swindon are worth the expenditure. There may be teething problems with the project but then most major schemes begin with a few minor hiccups.
I would have hoped that the Snelgrove machine would at least prompt some form of informed questioning but as she has no clue about what goes on around her she has just spewed forth the standard inept useless drivel that we have become used to. So as usual no help there then!!!
For gods sake woman... why wait??
GO NOW!!!
Bobfm
says...
10:07am Thu 31 Dec 09
www.getsignal.co.uk
The FSB and others are rightly concerned as to how this project was put together. This should not be a party political issue, just an issue of legitimacy.
PeeveD
says...
10:41am Thu 31 Dec 09
Bobfm wrote:Which is why the bore that is the South Swindon MP should keep her uniformed nose out until she has SOMETHING that resembles a fact or two.... which from what I see NOBODY really has.
PeeveD, it seems pretty clear from Digital Cities website that they are not keen on divulging the 'add-on' costs of this service. See for yourself. www.getsignal.co.uk The FSB and others are rightly concerned as to how this project was put together. This should not be a party political issue, just an issue of legitimacy.
It is right to raise questions, but NOT right to make assumptions based on half truths,rumour and tattle....
Bobfm
says...
10:45am Thu 31 Dec 09
I Too
says...
11:51am Thu 31 Dec 09
It's about time.
This council, with its' many extra curriculum commitees, has always seemed well suspicious to me.
I'm going to have to say it. I'm actually pleased at Anne Snelgrove's response.
Bobfm
says...
11:53am Thu 31 Dec 09
Dommo
says...
12:56pm Thu 31 Dec 09
Bobfm
says...
12:57pm Thu 31 Dec 09
Bobfm
says...
1:01pm Thu 31 Dec 09
Bin There
says...
1:05pm Thu 31 Dec 09
Bobfm wrote:I'm not an expert, but try "Ctrl" and "+"
As there are so many IT experts on this site, could someone tell me how to keep my online font larger without having to keep zooming.
The Real Librarian
says...
1:21pm Thu 31 Dec 09
Donkey wrote:Actually they aren't doing badly. i am thinking of the results of the Speed Camera thing to start with. What a shame Snelgrove wasn't available to explain why she was wrong about that.
Swindon Conservative led Council motto is ... "WE are Invincible and Immune!" The worst thing that the Swindon electorate has done in decades was to give this lot carte blanche when they put them into power without actually seeing their credentials. You reap what you sow and they have taken full advantage in doing exactly what the Council Cabinet, just the few who run the shop, fancy. There are no rules when playing with Council Tax payer's contributions, look at their record so far ... not impressive is it? Many times in the recent years, if I'm not mistaken ... the words, 'best value' appeared to be used to some advantage? Is this best value for people's money? Let's hope Anne can help those who have been overlooked in their dismay when the pot was being shared out ... to one company?
I am suprised someone like Chris Watts is prepared to let himself be used by an opportunistic person like B'Annedwaggon Snelgrove, apart from the pointlessness of involving someone in their cause who will be an ex MP within six months.
I have no doubt B'Annedwaggon will be studying the Internet very closely soon, to try and locate a new job. Whatever she ends up doing she will find the new expenses policy is less generous than her current one.
mowgli
says...
1:25pm Thu 31 Dec 09
PK
says...
1:32pm Thu 31 Dec 09
That said, I wish SBC would get its priorities right.
We have a town centre that is an absolute disgrace.
I had to (reluctantly) go into town last week. I was dismayed at the state of the town centre.
Delapidated, run down, dull and graffitti all over the place.
Would SBC, instead of wasting this money on a WiFi system not be better spending it to clear up the town?
Not everyone wants WiFi, not everyone has PCs or laptops or want them and those who do have them usually already have broadband and mobile dongles.
SBC. Get your priorities right.
Bobfm
says...
1:46pm Thu 31 Dec 09
ifuwantblood
says...
2:02pm Thu 31 Dec 09
who dat?
says...
2:42pm Thu 31 Dec 09
"“Many have said to me that with this money small companies could pursue countless avenues – but they can’t with this GOVERNMENT.”
trustnopolitician
says...
3:32pm Thu 31 Dec 09
Swindon people have never given SBC any mandate to borrow money for the benefit of private speculators.
if it was a Labour Council methinks the MP would hail Wi-fi as the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Conservatives always take decisions on what is best for them _ Labour what they think they can get away with.
IMO
says...
7:02pm Thu 31 Dec 09
trustnopolitician wrote:Conservatives always take decisions on what is best for them?
It comes through pretty clear to me that we just cannot trust politicians of any variety - SBC Council is not fit for purpose in regards to carrying out their remit.
Swindon people have never given SBC any mandate to borrow money for the benefit of private speculators.
if it was a Labour Council methinks the MP would hail Wi-fi as the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Conservatives always take decisions on what is best for them _ Labour what they think they can get away with.
Is this wi fi thing best for them?
Popcorn
says...
9:30am Fri 1 Jan 10
sn5
says...
10:18am Fri 1 Jan 10
itsamess
says...
12:24pm Fri 1 Jan 10
railman16650
says...
2:30pm Fri 1 Jan 10
itsamess wrote:Well said... but perhaps a tad late ?
In the preamble before the forthcoming elections many MPs will be fighting for their jobs--although many have already decided to stand down rather than face humiliation. Many more will fall at the hands of the electorate. Either way they will leave with guaranteed lump sums and generous pensions. No doubt the vast majority will vote for party rather than individuals--which means nothing will change--we will have the same cronies in both local and national Govt. How many more leaders will SBC have. We had the likes of Bates and Small selling off land and the Brunel with the promises of great things to come--sure--it went into pension funds for COUNCIL staff of WCC and rapidly increasing executives pay--Councillors pay and pensions--more committees and partnerships draining resources and mis-management of public funding. How come the likes of Small and Bawden still get voted in - and a host of others that have pulled our town down to the verge of poverty and safe haven for immigrants--think carefully before you all cast your vote for more cuts and higher taxes as that is all that is on offer unless you all use your vote to select new faces who just may make a difference.
Meldrews Dad
says...
7:09pm Fri 1 Jan 10
As for Anne Snelgrove I wonder who gave her permission to have an opinion!!!!
Roll on wifi for Wroughton and we can ditch BT and the rip off broadband merchants who want a premium to suppy Wroughton.
and just for BobFM - in internet explorer go to page, select font size and take your choice!
Meldrews Dad
says...
7:11pm Fri 1 Jan 10
at least they have their own policies....
DAVE0242
says...
10:01am Sat 2 Jan 10
Now he has been taken in by local business pals, who have profited from their contact with naive councillors, on a multitude of mysterious committes that achieve nothing.
How long can he survive?
Bobfm
says...
1:18pm Sat 2 Jan 10
So the add-on cost is of course vital, but they don't say what it is.
Grimwald
says...
1:22pm Sat 2 Jan 10
DAVE0242 wrote:Dave, the trouble is that before you could say wink you could find out that Rod Bluh has actually lent the Canal Trust Money as well! after all how much is the shop paying in Theatre Square? funny how it was made available when I understand the existing tenents at the time were only offered a monthy lease on renewal. I hadn't appreciated how imminent regeneration was at that time!!
Not very long ago Rod Bluh had been seduced by the canal lobby, and wanted to wreck traffic movement in the Town Centre. I refer of course to the crazy Canal scheme-never mentioned now. He even went so far as to say "Let's get digging".
Now he has been taken in by local business pals, who have profited from their contact with naive councillors, on a multitude of mysterious committes that achieve nothing.
How long can he survive?
It would appear that Councillors are redundant as to the best of my knowledge there is still no information to any of them save the favoured few on Cabinet as to what is the deal. Where does this start and where does it finish?
and it would be nice to know what was on offer to us the public - does anyone know yet? - am I still supposed to get excited about two free hours a day? In orgasmic anticipation I am waiting to know!
Mr Blackwell
says...
4:11pm Sat 2 Jan 10
Donkey says...
9:09am Thu 31 Dec 09
"WE are Invincible and Immune!"
The worst thing that the Swindon electorate has done in decades was to give this lot carte blanche when they put them into power without actually seeing their credentials. You reap what you sow and they have taken full advantage in doing exactly what the Council Cabinet, just the few who run the shop, fancy.
There are no rules when playing with Council Tax payer's contributions, look at their record so far ... not impressive is it?
Many times in the recent years, if I'm not mistaken ... the words, 'best value' appeared to be used to some advantage? Is this best value for people's money? Let's hope Anne can help those who have been overlooked in their dismay when the pot was being shared out ... to one company?