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Christina Harrhy, the former chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council who left with a £209,000 pay-off following a falling out with then leader Sean Morgan, has secured a new six-figure public sector role.

Ms Harrhy, who is currently joint director for economy for both Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen councils, will become the chief executive of the newly-formed Disused Tips Authority for Wales in April.

The £120,000-a-year role will see Ms Harrhy lead the new public body, overseeing the safety of disused coal tips in Wales.

She had been on long-term special leave for 11 months – on full pay – when she left Caerphilly Council in October 2024.

At the time, councillors raised concerns about the capacity of the authority’s management team and the cost to taxpayers. It was originally believed Ms Harrhy was on sick leave.

In the financial year to April 2023, the chief executive’s salary at Caerphilly Council was £148,773, with pension contributions of £28,640 – bringing the total cost to taxpayers to £177,413.

During her absence, she was one of two candidates shortlisted for the role of chief fire officer at South Wales Fire and Rescue, but missed out to Fin Monahan, an RAF Air Vice-Marshal.

It is understood that Ms Harrhy fell out with then council leader Sean Morgan – amid tensions with a senior council officer – and that accusations of bullying were made against the Labour leader. An investigation later cleared Cllr Morgan of the allegations.

At a behind-closed-doors meeting in October 2024, councillors were warned not to speak to the media on details of the £209,000 pay-off. If they did, they could face being reported to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales for breaching the local government code of conduct.

Under local government rules in Wales, councils have to appoint an independent disciplinary investigator. Councillors were given a choice between a £209,000 pay-off, or the investigation route, which could have cost up to £520,000.

The press and members of the public were not allowed to attend because the meeting dealt with the employment of a person, as per the Local Government Act 1972.

After she left Caerphilly Council, Ms Harrhy went to work in her current role at Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen councils.

New role

The appointment of Ms Harrhy to the Disused Tips Authority for Wales will raise eyebrows, given her lengthy absence while in charge of Caerphilly Council.

Caerphilly Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle was the leader of the Plaid Cymru opposition group on the council when Ms Harrhy was in charge.

He said: “I’m sure members of the public will be surprised to learn that a chief executive officer can move between a job at one public body to another public body, after already receiving a settlement when she left Caerphilly Council.”

Announcing Ms Harrhy’s new role in a ministerial statement, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Christina brings over 30 years of experience as a public service leader within Welsh public sector. Throughout her career, she has shaped public policy and strengthened service delivery across Wales, building high-performing teams and leading complex organisational change in environments where effective governance and public protection are paramount.

“I have every confidence that Christina will be able to hit the ground running in operationalising the Authority, putting in place the systems, partnerships, and safeguards necessary to establish and shape the Authority. 

“Christina’s educational and professional background reflects both technical distinction and a sustained commitment to public leadership.”