COUNCIL PAY SCANDAL BILL TO RISE AGAIN
THE leader of a council which has been embroiled in a senior officers pay scandal for more than six years has announced that a further £31,000 must be set aside to pay for it because an investigation has taken longer than expected to complete.
Cllr David Poole came under attack from opposition members of Caerphilly council after they were not allowed to vote on the extra allocation. The scandal is already estimated to have cost taxpayers more than £6.3m.
Chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan has been away from work on full pay since 2013 after he recommended secret inflation-busting pay rises for himself and other senior officers.
Two senior officers of the council have already received substantial cash settlements after being suspended from their jobs over the scandal.
Cllr Poole said a report had now been delivered by an independent investigator, and it was hoped the issue would be resolved by the end of September.
Earlier calls were made for Caerphilly council to be placed in special measures over concerns about the Labour-led authority’s decision making.
As well as the senior officers’ pay scandal, there has also been criticism over the proposed closure of Pontllanfraith leisure centre and the handling of the Pwllypant roundabout improvement works.
Plaid Cymru opposition leader Colin Mann has called on the Welsh Government to take over the everyday running of council business.
In an open letter addressed to Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James, Cllr Mann said: “I’m writing to you because of growing concerns across the political divide and among residents generally about the way Caerphilly council is being run by the current Labour administration.”
As well as referencing the pay row, the proposed leisure centre closure and the roundabout scheme, Cllr Mann also referred to Cllr Poole’s allegedly abrupt departure from a meeting with Islwyn MP Chris Evans as well as the closure of public toilets across the borough.
He added: “These examples show the public and politicians of all parties have lost confidence in the current administration and action is needed quickly to restore that confidence.
“Caerphilly county borough cannot wait until the next elections in 2022 for a possible change in administration. As a result of the serious situation, I’m writing to ask you to put the authority in special measures, as has happened in the NHS in Wales, and take control of the authority for a period of time to restore public confidence in local government in Caerphilly.”
A spokesman for Caerphilly council said: “We are a well-run and financially stable organisation and we pride ourselves on our prudent budget management and effective service delivery.”
The Welsh Government said it would only intervene in the running of a council as a “last resort”.
Caerphilly Labour MP Wayne David said Cllr Mann’s request was a “stupid suggestion”, adding: “It would mean civil servants and unaccountable bureaucrats making decisions about council services.”