Following the news that the pay dispute which has led to the Chief Executive of Caerphilly Council is likely to continue for at least another year, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, has called for a halt to the matter, to save public money.

Janet said:

“That this saga remains ongoing, and at a cost to the taxpayer, is a complete farce.

“It is simply unacceptable that residents should have to foot the bill in paying their council tax – which could be far better spent on improving public services, or, better still, being returned to their pockets via a cut.

“The Welsh Government must step in to put an end to this matter once and for all, and whilst I would oppose any form of severance package, I would urge all involved to ensure that if there is one – it is taken from the pay already provided to the Chief Executive during his ‘special leave’.

“This already amounts to over £650,000 over the five years that this scandal has been raging on, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Costs associated with other senior officers involved, as well as to cover their positions whilst on ‘special leave’, meant that this will run into many millions of pounds.

“Residents will rightly ask why their money is being wasted on such a selfish matter, when leisure centres, libraries, schools and social services are all crying out for urgent funding.”

ENDS

See story on Wales Online, here: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/news-opinion/man-wales-pays-130000-year-14553504