Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Councillors reject sacked chief exec pay demands

News | Saul Cooke-Black - Local Democracy Reporting Service | Published: 09:01, Tuesday October 29th, 2019.
Last updated: 16:37, Tuesday October 29th, 2019

Caerphilly County Borough Council's former chief executive Anthony O'Sullivan
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s former chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan

The former chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council, who was sacked following a pay row which lasted six years and cost taxpayers more than £4 million, has had pay claims against the authority dismissed.

Anthony O’Sullivan was dismissed with immediate effect earlier this month after a six-year long row over pay rises given to senior council officers.

Claims totalling £319,000 were originally lodged by Mr O’Sullivan, although he later withdrew the biggest, for payment in lieu of leave since 2013, totalling nearly £160,000.

However councillors decided the remaining payments will not be paid at a special meeting on Monday.

The claims included returning officer fees totalling around £79,000 and legal costs of £41,000.

Other claims dismissed included reinstatement of salary from May 2017 for £22,000 and a £15,000 pay award for a chief executive.

A source said the decisions not to pay were “virtually unanimous” and that there was “not a great deal of sympathy.”

“I don’t think he will be buying many Christmas presents this year,” one member said as they left the meeting held in private.

Mr O’Sullivan was suspended in March 2013 amid claims relating to pay rises given to two senior officers and himself.

While Mr O’Sullivan had remained on special paid leave, his deputy Nigel Barnett, and head of legal services Daniel Perkins, agreed to pay-outs worth nearly £300,000 between them after criminal charges relating to the matter were dropped in 2015.

Councillors voted to support a report – put together after a lengthy investigation – recommending Mr O’Sullivan’s dismissal earlier this month.

The former chief executive has said he intends to appeal the decision at an employment tribunal.

Caerphilly council said earlier this month that “serious allegations of gross misconduct have been proven” and that “the right decision has been made.”

“We will vigorously defend the decision of council and we remain confident in our position on this matter,” the council said.

Caerphilly Media

Latest News

  • HM Morgan Engineers is based in Trecenydd, Caerphilly
    ‘I don’t know what the future would have been’: Caerphilly firm turns around fortunesFriday, September 5, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council's headquarters in Tredomen
    Complaints about council in line with Welsh averageFriday, September 5, 2025
  • education
    Schools with ‘very high surpluses’ expected to justify unspent fundingFriday, September 5, 2025
  • Gerwyn Price is through to the second round of the World Matchplay
    Price to compete at Czech Darts Open after recovering from hand injuryFriday, September 5, 2025
  • Aber Valley Wolves launched its wheelchair rugby league section in March 2025
    ‘Absolutely anyone can play’: Strong start for inclusive wheelchair rugby league teamFriday, September 5, 2025
  • Pupils and parents protesting in Wattsville over proposed cuts to their school bus
    Council abandons plans to cut secondary school transport servicesFriday, September 5, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, September 4, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: St Cenydd Road, TrecenyddTuesday, September 2, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Heol Aneurin, PenyrheolTuesday, September 2, 2025
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Tredegar Street, RiscaSaturday, August 16, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.