New cabinet posts outcry
A COUNCIL has been accused of sending out the wrong message after approving plans to create two new paid cabinet posts to concentrate on its crisis-hit social services department and a planned nuclear plant.
A damning report earlier this year by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW), lifted the lid on how Anglesey Council looks after vulnerable children, describing a “particular vulnerability” at team manager level.
To try and tackle the failings, the council leader plans to split up the existing Social Services and Housing portfolio with another member given specific responsibility for the £14bn Wylfa Newydd development, meaning an increase of Executive members from seven to nine.
The principle was backed during a full council meeting on Thursday, but came under attack from opposition members who described the move as “sending out the wrong message to ratepayers” despite a vow that the move would not cost a penny more.
The authority was previously operating at seven rather than the eight allowed portfolio holders, receiving between £23,500 and £26,100 including their basic pay, but must seek permission to increase this to nine.
Council leader Llinos Medi, said the move would free up portfolio holders to concentrate fully on Social Services and to deal with the workload associated with Wylfa Newydd.
“Some portfolios have been challenging and some actions haven’t been carried out, which need to be done urgently.
“We need to improve services, its not us that says that, its the CSSIW who say that.
“We will put a portfolio holder in place who will be responsible for children and adult services only.”
Cllr Medi added that the move would be cost neutral to the island’s ratepayers due to the Deputy Leader, Transformation and Customer Service portfolio holder, Ieuan Williams and an unnamed committee chair, both waiving their allocated allowance above the basic pay of £13,400.
The move, which was carried by 19 votes to nine, will now need to be rubber-stamped by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.
But the council’s decision came under fierce attack from members of the opposition independent group.
Cllr Shaun Redmond, said: “If there’s too much of a workload for some portfolio holders, surely the answer is to look at everyone’s responsibilities and see if it can be shared out more fairly.
“There will surely be admin costs associated with this, yet we are asking departments to cut back.
“What stops the members who’ve waived their allowances, from changing their minds a year or two down the line?”
But Cllr Medi was unrepentant, adding: “Is there anyone out there that’s going to complain they are getting a better service for the same money?
“I give you an undertaking that the costs will not go up, the executive committee must stick within the budget it has.”
Cllr Peter Rogers, who attacked some of the independent councillors for joining Plaid Cymru in coalition, added: “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
“How on earth, as one of the smallest councils in Wales, can we end up with one of the largest Executives?”
Liberal Democrat, Cllr Aled Morris Jones, said: “We were aware they wanted to split up housing and social services, but another portfolio holder for Wylfa Newydd just shows inconsistency.
“It begs the question what’s going on with the ruling group?”