Merthyr council chaos labelled ‘insensitive’

The Shadow Minister for Local Government has slammed the treatment of staff at Labour-run Merthyr council as ‘insensitive’ and ‘amateurish’ as refreshed plans to sack and re-hire staff are confirmed by unions.

The local authority had appeared to backtrack on the proposals last month but union comments today suggest the threat of a fire and re-hire process is back on the agenda.

Welsh Conservative Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“Council staff in Merthyr are the latest victims of a lack of Labour government leadership right across Wales.

“After initially backtracking on its plans, the council has now thrown its employees back into a period of uncertainty. That’s insensitive and amateurish.

“Labour has held Welsh council purse strings for 15 years and the chaos we see in Merthyr is symptomatic of a far wider problem.

“Since 1999 many tens of millions have been spent on council chief execs who earn more than the prime minister, money hasn’t been spent effectively, and the opportunity to freeze council tax has been ignored.

“Now Labour’s new minister bemoans the way reserve money is used by councils. If there are problems, he needs look no further than his Labour colleagues.

“The Welsh Labour government must ensure frontline services are prioritised and community trust restored.”