The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Carl Sargeant, in a written statement issued last week, whilst praising staff, says that Anglesey County Council’s political problems have not gone away.
He has now instructed the Auditor General to conduct an urgent re-inspection of the Authority to help him consider ‘a new and more stringent form of intervention’.
Anglesey’s Interim Managing Director, David Bowles, said “I agree entirely with the Minister’s assessment of the County Council’s current political predicament. This is fundamentally an issue about the personal values, conduct and behaviours of individual members entrusted with £150m of public money. Unfortunately in spite of very extensive development, support and very blunt advice the majority continue to let the people of Anglesey down.”
“The Minister has himself pointed to hollow assurances given by some members to the Recovery Board. Unfortunately, this has been my experience of how some councillors operate in Anglesey with no less than five reneging on their own signatures on written undertakings and agreement. I was appalled at the latest so called new alliances in order to allegedly take this Authority ‘forward’. This formation has completely ignored advice that I have given and goes against the principles of good governance, as demanded by the Minister. It is no more than a desperate attempt to try to prevent something more dramatic happening rather than face up to and solve the Council’s long standing political problems. Shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic is no solution.”
Mr Bowles continued, “How can inward investors, other Councils or partners have any confidence in dealing with a Council dominated by a number of unprincipled politicians who have a reputation for hollow promises. There are some members here who have had the moral courage to make a difference. One hopes that there is a silent majority who at some time will stand up to be counted and join them but I fear time has run out.
“The population of Anglesey and its 3,000 strong workforce are entitled to expect better of their elected representatives, who cost the taxpayer in excess of £800,000 a year. Staff here genuinely feel that they are the ones who will pay the price for political turmoil and political failure by loss of jobs as a result of a possible merger with Gwynedd and that clearly is not acceptable. It is the councillors who should seriously consider their positions.”
“I’m very mindful, however, that in spite of everything they endure Anglesey’s staff continue to provide good services. This was recognised in a recent Wales Audit Office report, which praised the commitment and dedication of a workforce which has been let down by its elected representatives. I hope the public recognise and praise our staff who deliver good services day in and day out.”
David Bowles concluded, “Members have lost the trust of our staff; they clearly have a long way to go to regain the confidence of the Minister.”
