Carms council ‘golden handshake’ must not become a reality

Commenting on reports that the chief executive of Carmarthenshire council could be in line for a voluntary redundancy deal worth well over 400 thousand pounds - as one of ten possible options presented to the council following his application for severance - Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“This golden handshake would be a slap in the face for taxpayers all over Wales.

“Over-inflated senior pay and a lack of Welsh Labour government leadership have blighted our councils for years and left their future in disarray.

“In the current climate – with Labour’s local government settlement stretching all local authorities and with council tax rises on the horizon – this payoff must not be allowed.

“Last year the auditor general ruled Carmarthenshire council had acted unlawfully when authorising a tax avoidance scheme to benefit heads of services. Its councillors should be concentrating on the restoration of public confidence and must not allow this option to become a reality.”