Council boss gets 'over £200,000' settlement after almost year-long absence (original) (raw)

A council has paid its chief executive over £200,000 to leave her role, despite trying to save tens of millions of pounds from its budget. Caerphilly Council has confirmed that Christina Harrhy has left her position at the local authority after a "special meeting" to discuss her role earlier this week.

Ms Harrhy has been absent from her role since November 2023. This was initially through sickness, however after being deemed fit to work in January she did not return after raising concerns relating to Labour leader Sean Morgan and a senior officer, reports BBC Wales.

The council confirmed that Ms Harrhy has now left her position but would not divulge further details of what was said during behind-closed-doors discussions. Caerphilly Council's pay policy for the 2024/25 financial year shows the role at the authority currently has a spot salary of £153,111.

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The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands a majority of councillors present voted in favour of a settlement worth £209,000 rather than pursue a lengthy, costlier formal investigation or arbitration process. Councillors were warned at Monday's meeting to not discuss the matters with the press, but the LDRS understands Ms Harrhy was not present.

Cllr Sean Morgan - who leads the local authority - reportedly left the meeting after declaring an interest in the matters being discussed. Ms Harrhy has been absent from the chief executive role for several months, with her deputy - Dave Street - filling in during council and committee meetings and as the returning officer during May's police and crime commissioner elections.

A council spokesman confirmed Mr Street will now "act as interim chief executive while the Council considers the next steps" in terms of appointing a permanent replacement for Ms Harrhy. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news

A CCBC spokesman said: “A special meeting of Council took place on Monday 7th October to discuss a confidential employment issue. It would not be appropriate to disclose the details of the meeting. We can confirm that Christina Harrhy has left the Authority and that the Deputy Chief Executive, Dave Street, will act as Interim Chief Executive while the Council considers the next steps in terms of appointing a permanent Chief Executive.”

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