Carmarthenshire County Council’s deputy chief is the new interim Chief Executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Chris Burns has previously worked for the authority as Head of Economic Department and Head of Policy and Central Services.
The current interim chief, Stuart Rosser, said: “This is an excellent outcome for the council and I would like to congratulate Chris on his appointment.
“I have been encouraged by the positive progress I’ve seen during my time with Caerphilly and I am confident that this will continue under Chris’ capable leadership”
The 55-year-old will assume the position in the autumn, after leaving in 2004, and will receive £142,000 a year for standing in for suspended Anthony O’Sullivan.
The appointment comes as it was revealed the salaries of three suspended Caerphilly County Borough Council bosses will cost the authority almost £700,000.
A Freedom of Information request by Plaid Cymru shows that council chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan will have received £333,795 by January 5 next year,
Deputy chief executive Nigel Barnett will get £263,453 while head of legal Daniel Perkins will receive £95,601.
The three men are suspended on full pay while they await trail over charges of misconduct in a public office.
A provisional trial date has been set for January 5 next year at Bristol Crown Court.
Labour accused Plaid of “typical mischief-making” for publicising the salaries.
Geraint williams: Scrap Local Government Councillors’ Salaries
We call on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to scrap Councillors’ salaries. With cuts to public services and increases in council tax it is right that councillors share the burden by having their salaries scrapped and replaced with payments of reimbursement only, much like magistrates. This will help to make savings in expensive local democracy.
https://www.assemblywales.org/epetition-list-of-signatories.htm?pet_id=1031
They got enough money to pay the suspended and the new chief yet the public get stung with car parking charges in pen-y-fan pond. In this report contains the councillors who voted for it:
Here is a report and the people who voted for it:
Cabinet – 16.07.2014
CABINET
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT PENALLTA HOUSE, TREDOMEN,
ON WEDNESDAY, 16TH JULY 2014 AT 2.00 PM
PRESENT: Councillor K.V. Reynolds – Leader
Councillors:
Mrs C. Forehead (HR and Governance/Business Manager), D.T. Hardacre (Performance and Asset Management), K. James (Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development),Mrs R. Passmore (Education and Lifelong Learning), D.V. Poole (Community and Leisure Services), R. Woodyatt (Social Services), T.J. Williams (Highways, Transportation and Engineering).
Together with: S.A. Rosser (Interim Chief Executive), Mrs S. Aspinall (Acting Deputy Chief Executive),Mrs N. Scammell (Acting Director Corporate Services and S.151 Officer), D. Street (Corporate Director Social Services).
Also in Attendance: P. Elliott (Head of Regeneration and Planning), T. Shaw (Head of Engineering Services), H. Morgan (Team Leader Integrated Transport Unit), G. Evans (Interim Manager, Community Education), S. Harris (Acting Head of Corporate Finance), C. Jones (Head of Performance and Property), R. Roberts (Performance Manager), S.M. Kauczok (Committee Services Officer).
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Mrs B. Jones (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services) and Councillor G. Jones (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing).
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
3. MINUTES
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 2nd July 2014 (minute nos. 1-8; page nos. 1-4) be approved and signed as a correct record.
Cabinet – 16.07.2014
2 MATTERS ON WHICH EXECUTIVE DECISIONS WERE REQUIRED
4. INTRODUCTION OF CAR PARKING CHARGES AT COUNTRY PARKS
The report sought approval to proceed with the introduction of car parking charges at five country parks following the advertising of the Caerphilly County Borough Council Traffic Regulation Order. Car parking charges at country parks were agreed indicative proposals as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). They have now been advertised as required by regulations and the report outlines the responses received to the consultation. Given the level of public response it had been decided that the matter should be reported to Cabinet to decide whether or not the charges should be confirmed.
The proposals have been advertised and the public consultation has been completed. On the advice of Legal Services the consultation period was extended by a week to allow for the Easter holidays and to ensure the public had adequate time to respond. Consultation ran between 3rd April and 2nd May 2014. The advertised charges for each of the parks is £1.00 for up to 2 hours or £3.00 for the day. Blue badge holders are allowed up to 3 hours for £1.00, this being in accordance with the concession previously approved by the Council.
Season tickets will be available at a cost of £50.00 for 1 year (or £25.00 for 6 months).
The consultation has resulted in a significant number of objections. A total of 7 petitions were submitted (several were the same petition submitted in stages but each with different signatures) signed by over 2,800 persons. In addition there were 124 letters of objection and numerous comments made on social media.
Councillor C.P. Mann had been granted permission by the Leader of Council to address Cabinet on behalf of local objectors to the proposals. Councillor Mann read out a detailed statement prepared by objectors, setting out the reasons why they believed car parking at country parks should be free of charge and requesting further information in relation to the costs of implementing the scheme. Reference was made in particular to the negative impact
the proposals would have on the health and well-being of residents and visitors to the area who use the country parks.
Mrs P. Elliott, Head of Regeneration and Planning, presented the officer’s report and responded in detail to all the issues raised. It was pointed out that should the car parking charges not be progressed or if they are amended there will be a financial impact on the ability of the Council and service to achieve the required budget savings. Should that be the case, Regeneration and Planning would incur a budget deficit equal to the estimated income of £85,000, which would need to be funded by other means.
Following consideration and discussion, it was moved and seconded that the recommendation in the report be approved. By a show of hands this was unanimously agreed.
RESOLVED that for the reasons set out in the report, officers proceed with the Road Traffic Order to introduce car parking charges at all country parks (as outlined in paragraph 4.4) as advertised.
The interim CE is paid £142,000 and the deputy CE is paid £263,000 . That’s outrageous. Who approved those salaries?
David Nicholson – NHS CEO – £259,000
Mike Clasper – Chair of HM R&C – £154,000
Peter Westmacott – UK Ambassador to USA – £189,000
Is there any justification for salaries so high when people with more important jobs earn less?
You know the answer to that question Dean, no justification at all. I am awaiting the reorganisation of the council when the senior council officers will demand even more money. This whole issue is a scandal.
No there is absolutely no justification for these obscene salaries, with leisure centres, public toilets, waste sites, bowling greens,meals on wheels, street cleaning, floral displays, and playing field maintenance all facing the axe as well as the cancellation of popular events these outrageous payments are an utter disgrace, while their constituents are using food banks and struggling to make ends meet they’re paying each other massive salaries, it makes your blood boil – and then they introduce cruel, shameful car parking charges, this unscrupulous lot need booting out.