Caerphilly County Borough Council’s interim chief executive has been appointed on a permanent basis, following the sacking of Anthony O’Sullivan in October after a six-year pay row.
Christina Harrhy is the council’s first permanent chief executive since Mr O’Sullivan was suspended in 2013 in a row over pay rises given to senior officers. The scandal – which cost taxpayers more than £4 million – finally came to an end in October when Mr O’Sullivan was sacked.
Councillors voted for the recommendation to appoint Ms Harrhy into the permanent role in a full council meeting on Wednesday, March 10, after she was selected by the appointments committee as the preferred candidate.
Ms Harrhy’s appointment to the role also sees her salary reduced by nearly £4,000 a year after the full council passed a motion in November to reduce the new chief executive’s salary to a flat rate of £140,000. Ms Harrhy was on £143,949 as the interim chief executive.
Ms Harrhy has served as the council’s interim chief executive since January 2018. Before that she was the corporate director for communities at the council and had has previously held roles with Carmarthenshire and Torfaen councils.
Ms Harrhy said she was “delighted” to get the role permanently, and added: “I was born and raised in this area, I attended school here and I have worked for many years within the community, so I have a close affinity with the county borough and the people who live here.
“I firmly believe that we are one of the best councils in Wales with a dedicated and professional workforce who are passionate about improving the lives of local people.
“We want to harness this positive power through an ambitious transformation strategy called ‘Team Caerphilly’, which will create a bright new chapter for the organisation.”
Council leader, Cllr Philippa Marsden, congratulated Ms Harrhy on her appointment and said: “I’m pleased that we can continue to build on the excellent work that has already been delivered over the past two years.
“Myself and my cabinet colleagues are looking forward to working closely with Christina and her corporate management team to progress an exciting agenda of transformation and positive change over the coming years.”