The South Wales Guardian reports that Labour AM Keith Davies has called for the immediate suspension of Chief Executive Mark James over the auditor's reports.
This is a significant development as this is the first Labour politician to speak out and it now remains to be seen whether any of his Labour colleagues within the ruling coalition on Carmarthenshire Council will follow his lead, particularly council leader Kevin Madge....
South Wales Guardian
The BBC are now reporting this story; Suspend Council Chief now, says AM
Update 15.02
Plaid Cymru have now responded to Keith Davies' comments and have issued the following press release which notes that, so far, Mr Davies' has not commented on the libel indemnity, only the pension scandal;
Plaid Cymru responds to Labour AM’s call for Chief Executive suspension
'Carmarthenshire Assembly Member Rhodri Glyn Thomas has responded to the comments made by Labour AM Keith Davies who has today called for the suspension of Carmarthenshire Council’s Chief Executive, Mark James.
Assembly Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, said:
“Plaid Cymru welcomes the comments of Llanelli Assembly Member, Keith Davies. We are pleased at least somebody in the Labour party – eight days after the damning reports were published – has finally recognised the severity of the reports’ conclusions. We note, however, that Keith Davies has nothing to say on his Labour colleagues’ unlawful decision to approve the use of public money to fund the Chief Executive’s legal costs.
“Council Leader Kevin Madge and the rest of the Executive Board are extremely isolated now as they continue to pledge their full support to the council officers.
“Officers must be held to account, but it is too simplistic for Keith Davies to say officers misled elected members. The elected leadership is weak and incompetent, and have proved themselves incapable of carrying out their jobs properly. They must take political responsibility for the unlawful decisions they took.
“As the splits in the Labour party start to widen, what is clear in Carmarthenshire is that only Plaid Cymru is prepared to uphold the integrity of the Wales Audit Office for the good of the county.
“By disputing the independent reports, Kevin Madge and the Labour party are willing to sign a blank cheque to use more taxpayers’ money in court. Plaid Cymru will continue to stand up for Carmarthenshire ratepayers and continues to believe, as we have from day one, that officers should go and executive board members should resign.”
Update 18.16
Following Cllr Caiach's letter to the press office yesterday, and maybe other complaints, the council has altered it's most recent blast against the auditor.
It used to start "Councillors and officials at Carmarthenshire County Council say they are bitterly disappointed......".
It now reads "Many Councillors and officials....."
Soon perhaps it will read "Some Councillors...."
....and before long, the plural may have gone altogether.....
This is a significant development as this is the first Labour politician to speak out and it now remains to be seen whether any of his Labour colleagues within the ruling coalition on Carmarthenshire Council will follow his lead, particularly council leader Kevin Madge....
South Wales Guardian
The BBC are now reporting this story; Suspend Council Chief now, says AM
Update 15.02
Plaid Cymru have now responded to Keith Davies' comments and have issued the following press release which notes that, so far, Mr Davies' has not commented on the libel indemnity, only the pension scandal;
Plaid Cymru responds to Labour AM’s call for Chief Executive suspension
'Carmarthenshire Assembly Member Rhodri Glyn Thomas has responded to the comments made by Labour AM Keith Davies who has today called for the suspension of Carmarthenshire Council’s Chief Executive, Mark James.
Assembly Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, said:
“Plaid Cymru welcomes the comments of Llanelli Assembly Member, Keith Davies. We are pleased at least somebody in the Labour party – eight days after the damning reports were published – has finally recognised the severity of the reports’ conclusions. We note, however, that Keith Davies has nothing to say on his Labour colleagues’ unlawful decision to approve the use of public money to fund the Chief Executive’s legal costs.
“Council Leader Kevin Madge and the rest of the Executive Board are extremely isolated now as they continue to pledge their full support to the council officers.
“Officers must be held to account, but it is too simplistic for Keith Davies to say officers misled elected members. The elected leadership is weak and incompetent, and have proved themselves incapable of carrying out their jobs properly. They must take political responsibility for the unlawful decisions they took.
“As the splits in the Labour party start to widen, what is clear in Carmarthenshire is that only Plaid Cymru is prepared to uphold the integrity of the Wales Audit Office for the good of the county.
“By disputing the independent reports, Kevin Madge and the Labour party are willing to sign a blank cheque to use more taxpayers’ money in court. Plaid Cymru will continue to stand up for Carmarthenshire ratepayers and continues to believe, as we have from day one, that officers should go and executive board members should resign.”
--------------------------------------------
Update 18.16
Following Cllr Caiach's letter to the press office yesterday, and maybe other complaints, the council has altered it's most recent blast against the auditor.
It used to start "Councillors and officials at Carmarthenshire County Council say they are bitterly disappointed......".
It now reads "Many Councillors and officials....."
Soon perhaps it will read "Some Councillors...."
....and before long, the plural may have gone altogether.....
4 comments:
Surely to God there are at least one or two other Labour councillors who believe in honesty and integrity? Or have they all got skeletons in their respective closets? Good for those who do support the people of Carmarthenshire in their battle for democracy - shame and disgrace on the others. Thank the Lord for you, Cneifiwr, Pat Racher, Jonathan and good old Mike Lewis!
The end game maybe ?
"The elected leadership is weak and incompetent, and have proved themselves incapable of carrying out their jobs properly. They must take political responsibility for the unlawful decisions they took."
As well as this comment, kindly cease referring to employees of the council as officers. they are no such thing, as Officers are warranted and behave with a degree of public duty.
Surely yes!!!
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