A GOVERNMENT minister has expressed his “profound disappointment” at Conwy Council’s decision to appoint a new chief executive.
Carl Sargeant AM, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, was hoping the council would heed his advice and share the post with another authority to save money.
The Minister revealed his annoyance in correspondence with constituent Gary Willetts.
A letter dated September 12 from the Minister said while the Minister had no power to overturn any staffing decisions made by councils, Mr Sargeant had made it clear that local authorites should do more to share their senior members of staff and save money.
Mr Willetts, who raised the issue with Mr Sargeant’s office, said he was concerned that the council had chosen to go against the Minister’s advice.
He said: “As a council tax payer in Conwy, I am extremely concerned as no doubt all of the council tax payers will be when the council chose to ignore the Minister’s statement of June 23, in which he said that staffing in the 22 authorities was unsustainable and outdated.”
“For what is believed to be a position carrying a salary of £114,000, the Council is only considering internal applicants, of which it is believed there are only two. In addition, this goes against the Minister’s statement of the same date, in which he said it was necessary to recruit the best quality people from within and beyond Wales, who can help deliver change. This must bring concern to all Council Tax payers in Conwy.
The council declined to comment on the matter.