Council urged to look into appointment of councillor to new job
ALOCAL authority has been urged to hold an internal review into a bizarre situation where one of its councillors was appointed to a £50,000 job by officers who work in the department covered by his cabinet portfolio.
Stuart Baldwin was re-elected last week as a Labour councillor for Bridgend.
But he hasn’t taken up his seat because of his new role as the authority’s climate change response manager in the communities directorate.
At the time he applied for the job, he was the cabinet member for communities. Councillors are not allowed to be employed by the authority they are a member of and Mr Baldwin has resigned his seat, causing a by-election.
Councillor Alex Williams, an independent councillor who was leader of the opposition in the last council term, said: “This is a very strange situation and I think there needs to be an internal review into what happened.
“It is quite extraordinary that Stuart Baldwin was interviewed for the job by officers working in the department he was cabinet member for.
“I don’t want to criticise him personally because he is now an officer of the council and deserves respect, but I do think this is something that ought to be looked into.
“Apart from anything else, there is the expense of a by-election in what was his ward.
“While nominations for the election closed at the beginning of April, couldn’t he have withdrawn as a candidate after being appointed to the officer’s role? That would have made the byelection unnecessary.”
When we approached Mr Baldwin and asked him questions about the timing of his job application and why he had carried on as a candidate, he said that as a council officer he was unable to comment and questions should be directed to the chief executive or the press office.
On the same day he was elected to Bridgend County Borough Council, he was also elected to Bridgend Town Council. Mr Baldwin confirmed he had resigned from the town council too.
We asked the council to respond to Cllr Williams’ call for an internal review and asked for further details about the timing of Mr Baldwin’s job application.
A spokesman for Bridgend County Borough Council said: “The vacancy was advertised in March with the short
listing and interviews taking place after the closure of nominations and the publication of candidates on April 6, 2022.
“The interview panel was composed of the relevant head of service, group manager and an independent technical advisor. A total of five candidates were interviewed.
“A formal written job offer was sent and received by Stuart Baldwin after the closure of nominations and the publication of candidates.
“Bridgend County Borough Council sought advice from the Electoral Commission as Mr Baldwin’s name was already on the ballot paper.
“The Electoral Commission advised that the local authority should proceed with the election with Mr Baldwin as a candidate.
“In line with employment law, we are required to treat all candidates fairly.
“Legislation allows an individual to take up paid employment when they cease being a member of that authority.
“Bridgend County Borough Council is confident that all appropriate HR recruitment procedures were followed fully and fairly.
“We have a duty of care to all of our employees and, therefore, will not be making any further comment on this matter.”
Councillors from opposition parties say deeper investigations could be conducted into what is described as an “embarrasing mess” for the Labour Party.
Councillor Jonathan Pratt said: “The upcoming by-election will be a cost to the taxpayer and also candidates having to re-fight an election campaign that only concluded a week ago.
“This whole scenario will be deeply frustrating for the local residents of Bridgend Central and I hope that residents will think twice before backing another Labour candidate in the area.”
Councillor Ross Thomas, who is an independent member in the Maesteg West ward, said: “The situation is unprecedented in my time in local government. Public perception on this isn’t great at all, not least with the need to call a by-election in the coming months.
“Just a few days ago the Labour group was celebrating regaining control in Bridgend but now the council finds itself embroiled in this hugely embarrassing mess.”
Council leader Huw David said: “While I have tried my level best to get Stuart to change his mind, I understand what has driven him to this decision, and irrespective of what my personal opinions may be, it is ultimately a choice that he alone must make.
“There are clear rules in place that prevent someone from being both an elected member and a paid employee of the same council.
“Unavoidably, this also creates a difficult situation as it means a byelection will now need to be held despite the fact that local government elections have only recently concluded.
“Following Stuart’s decision, the chief executive is currently seeking advice on the timing of a by-election for Bridgend Central, and the council will be issuing further details about this as soon as possible.
“In the meantime, I would like to thank Stuart for his hard work and service to the council as a member, a former Mayor and as a cabinet colleague, and wish him well for his future endeavours.”