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Caerphilly County Borough Council has appointed Richard Edmunds as its new chief executive.

Mr Edmunds, widely known as ‘Ed’, has worked for the local authority for six years, and has most recently served as its corporate director of education and corporate services.

He said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be appointed as the chief executive of Caerphilly Council and I am very much looking forward to getting to work.”

Mr Edmunds’ appointment brings to a close a rocky few months for the council following the departure of his predecessor, Christina Harrhy.

Caerphilly Council reportedly paid her a £209,000 settlement following a long period of absence, and councillors were warned to keep quiet about the details.

But council leader Cllr Sean Morgan later referred himself to Wales’ public services ombudsman, allegedly over discussions of the reported payoff with a member of the public.

The ombudsman has since decided not to investigate Cllr Morgan – but the nation’s auditor general is still expected to look into the sums agreed for Ms Harrhy’s departure.

Councillors met in private on Thursday January 30 to confirm Mr Edmunds’ appointment as the new chief executive.

Following their approval, Mr Edmunds said: “My initial focus will be to raise the standards of service we provide to our customers and to ensure we can do the basics really well.

“These are the foundations of a well-run and well-led council, and I believe they are fundamental to our onward success.”

He also reflected on the ongoing financial challenges facing the council – which claims it must find another £47 million in budget savings by March 2028.

“Over time, my aim will be to ensure that we can meet the needs of those that depend on us, in spite of the debilitating financial situation facing public services at present,” Mr Edmunds said. “Now, more than ever, our residents need us and our customers need to be at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make.”

Cllr Morgan welcomed the appointment of “dedicated and passionate” Mr Edmunds, who in his previous position as corporate director was a regular face at council meetings, outlining the local authority’s strategy and policies.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to Ed on his appointment as chief executive,” Cllr Morgan said. “I, along with my cabinet colleagues, look forward to building on the positive relationship that we’ve established over recent years and moving this council forward.

“Ed has a track record of delivery in education, corporate services and transformation and I look forward to working with him, while we embrace innovation to continue to deliver quality services, even while budgets shrink.”