Councillors’ anger after violence against women training postponed until after by-election

Councillors have reacted with anger and dismay after Caerphilly County Borough Council postponed domestic abuse and sexual violence training because of the upcoming Senedd by-election.

The training, organised as part of the council’s Member Support and Development Programme, was due to take place on Monday, September 29. It was set to cover Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) and was to be delivered by the regional co-ordinator.

In an email, councillors were told the session had been postponed because of the “pre-election period”.

However, a council spokesperson said the decision was down to concerns over attendance because of councillors’ election canvassing commitments.

It comes after the council’s chief executive, Richard Edmunds, made the unusual decision to postpone some key council meetings over concerns they could influence the October 23 by-election.

In a strongly-worded reply to the original email, Plaid Cymru councillor Charlotte Bishop said: “I am utterly appalled and enraged that any initiative related to violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence has been cancelled due to a Senedd by-election – a political event that has absolutely nothing to do with this life-saving work.

“Delaying or cancelling action on domestic abuse and sexual violence puts lives at risk. It silences survivors. It abandons professionals who need training. It tells victims, ‘Your safety can wait.’ Well, it can’t. Not for a week. Not for a day. Not for a single moment.”

Independent councillor Janine Reed also voiced her opposition to the postponement and wrote: “My goodness, what has informative training around violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence to do with a by-election in Caerphilly?

“This training could help save lives and is being postponed until after an election. Is this really necessary?”

Cllr Reed, of Ynysddu, was backed by Plaid Cymru’s Teresa Parry, of Hengoed, who replied: “I have to agree with you.”

Labour councillor Marina Chacon-Dawson, of Cefn Fforest and Pengam, also questioned the decision and said: “It is not political. We all care about this equally.”

A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesperson said: “The decision to postpone this training session is not linked to the postponement of the other meetings, instead this is more about ensuring that we get as many councillors as possible to attend.

“We were asked if we could reschedule the training until after the election because many members will be busy canvassing over the coming weeks and this would impact attendance levels.

“We want to ensure that as many councillors as possible access this important training, so we agreed to consider an alternative date.”

The council said a new date will be confirmed shortly.

Confirmed by-election candidates so far

• Welsh Liberal Democrats – Steve Aicheler
• Gwlad – Anthony Cook
• Wales Green Party – Gareth Hughes
• Welsh Conservatives – Gareth Potter
• Reform UK – Llŷr Powell
• Richard Tunnicliffe – Labour
• Lindsay Whittle – Plaid Cymru