Caerphilly County Borough Council’s acting deputy chief executive has assumed the authority’s top position after its chief executive and deputy had been arrested on suspicion of fraud and misconduct in public office.
Anthony O’Sullivan and his acting successor Nigel Barnett were quizzed yesterday by police in relation to the secret pay deal row which rocked the local authority last year.
The two have now been released on bail by Avon and Somerset Police pending further enquiries.
Sandra Aspinall, acting deputy chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “As acting deputy chief executive I will assume responsibility for leading the organisation until further discussions take place.
“I want to send a clear message to the community that it is very much ‘business as usual’ at Caerphilly County Borough Council.
“We will continue to concentrate our efforts on delivering quality services to residents and these recent events will not affect our commitment to this goal.”
The decision to award the pay rises running into thousands of pounds was “unlawful”, according to a report published by the Wales Audit Office – prompting a police investigation. Mr O’Sullivan’s pay increased from £132,000 to £158,000.
In March, following the publication of the report, Gwent Police asked Avon and Somerset Police to look at the WAO findings.
Mr O’Sullivan was suspended on full pay with deputy Mr Barnett taking up the role on a temporary basis.
Pay rises of up to 30% for 21 senior council bosses were agreed by a secret committee of councillors in September 2012. The committee had approved the pay deal after being recommended to do so in a report penned by Mr O’Sullivan.
The pay rises caused huge anger among staff and the public and forced the council to vote through a compromise deal scrapping the original decision.
Colin Mann, leader of the opposition of Plaid Cymru group on Caerphilly council, said: “The news that two senior officers had been arrested yesterday was very unexpected.
“But it is important at this very difficult time for Caerphilly council that services to the residents of the county borough run smoothly and there is no impact on those services during the ongoing police investigation.
“It is important that the Labour leadership make it clear how they plan to proceed with the administration of the council in the months ahead.”
This culture of excessive Boardroom Greed, especially in Public Services, knows no boundaries.