Councillor Nigel Dix attacks Caerphilly Council's new senior officers plan

Cllr Nigel Dix, Independent councillor for the Blackwood ward

An Independent councillor has said the council’s recent decision to create two new senior officer positions is a “slap in the face” for Caerphilly county borough residents.

On Wednesday, October 19, cabinet members approved proposals to create a deputy chief executive role and a deputy section 151 finance officer.

What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?

A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.

It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.

Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:

Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces

Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.

_{Last updated October 13, 2023}

At the meeting, the chief executive Christina Harrhy said the additional roles are needed for the council to achieve what’s being asked of it, and the current team is “tired, stretched and depleted”.

Mrs Harrhy said: “I’m not asking for new budget to support these roles but to re-purpose.”

Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix said: “I find it extraordinary, and a slap in the face for the people of Caerphilly that in a time of rising cost Labour has chosen to employ a deputy chief executive, and 151 officer at a cost of £300,000 a year.

Council plans for two new senior officer positions approved

“Labour has tried to justify these appointments by arguing that the council’s top team is tired, stretched and depleted. We are all feeling tired, and stretched, but we knuckle down and get on with the job.”

The cost of a deputy chief executive is estimated at £189,000 and the cost of a deputy section 151 finance officer is £108,000.

A section section 151 officer has responsibility of accounts, any unlawful financial activity involving the authority, and balancing the budget.

The cabinet also agreed to create an internal recruitment team to tackle the recruitment and retention challenges it’s currently facing. This is expected to cost £320,000.

Cllr Dix said: “The reality is that all Welsh councils have gone through Covid and are trying to get back on their feet, yet none have decided to double up on senior officer posts.

“The public are rightly outraged by these appointments, this is not the time for creating highly [paid] jobs, the council needs to work to preserve existing jobs and services – they can do this by investing the £620,000 back into front line services that have served us throughout the pandemic.

“However, it appears Labour likes creating highly-paid jobs for the few while the rest of us foot the bill.”

Plaid Cymru’s council group leader, Cllr Lindsay Whittle, also criticised the “fat salaries” given to the two new positions. He added that the council had its priorities all wrong.

CCBC

Councillor says decision to create two new senior officer posts is a “slap in the face”

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