CAERPHILLY’S MP spoke in Parliament today about the cost to Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) after three of its senior officers were suspended on full pay following legal action against them.

Wayne David addressed the case of chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan, his deputy Nigel Barnett and the authority’s head of legal services Daniel Perkins, who were investigated after allegations of misconduct between June 25, 2012 and October 10, 2012.

The Justice Minister, Shailesh Vara, replied on behalf of the government but was unable to offer any hope that Caerphilly council might be reimbursed for legal costs incurred through the lengthy case.

The “saga” of the officers' suspensions dragged on from March 2013, when the chief executive was arrested, until October 2015 when the case was finally dismissed by a judge.

At the Parliamentary debate, Mr David addressed a catalogue of legal mistakes and failings in the legal system and the cost to Caerphilly County Borough Council, which amounts to more than £1 million.

In his opening speech he addressed the case as an “issue of concern” for Caerphilly and gave a brief overview of the history of the case.

The length of the case was also argued to be a result of “legal wrangles” between the defence and prosecution and the unavailability of an allocated judge, which caused the case to be deferred until Autumn 2015.

Mr David added: “Caerphilly County Borough Council, like all other local authorities can ill afford £1 million at a time when services are cut and jobs are at risk.
“The long drawn out proceedings were not the fault of Caerphilly’s council or taxpayer and I ask that Caerphilly council are reimbursed.”

Justice Minister Shailesh Vara stated that it was not the government’s place to challenge a decision by the judiciary but acknowledged the several factors that hindered Caerphilly council.

These included “time scale, police review of un-used material and judicial availability.”

Mr Vara said: “The government is undertaking a substantial programme of reform to the judicial system both to those directly involved with it and the general public.

“In January 2015 a review published by Sir Brian Leveson proposed 56 recommendations to improve efficiency in the criminal courts within the existing legislative framework.”

These amendments to criminal procedure rules consider using video and audio technology to hold case management hearings outside of court.

Mr Vara added: “These are ambitious plans and I’m sorry they were not in place for your constituents at the time of the case.”

After the meeting, Mr David expressed “disappointment” at the government offering “no prospect of financial assistance” to Caerphilly council.

He said: “The council taxpayers of Caerphilly borough have been obliged to pay over £1 million in salaries to the suspended members of staff.

“The trial of the three senior staff members dragged on for over 18 months and during this time they were suspended on full pay.

“The Government really ought to have recognised that in this special case the council should be reimbursed for the costs of those salaries.”

The three officers have been cleared of all charges.

A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesman said: A meeting of the council’s investigating and disciplinary committee has been held to discuss the next steps in terms of the three senior officers.

"Criminal proceedings have been dropped and this has allowed our own internal procedures to commence.

"It was determined by the committee that the three officers will remain suspended and it would be inappropriate to add anything further at this stage."