Caerphilly council £4m pay saga chief could soon be dismissed

Charges against Anthony O'Sullivan, Nigel Barnett and Daniel Perkins were dropped in 2015

A council chief, who was suspended six years ago after a pay row, could soon be dismissed, sources suggest.

Caerphilly council's Anthony O'Sullivan was suspended in March 2013 after claims over wage increases for him and two other senior officers.

After criminal charges were dropped in 2015, the two other men agreed payouts worth £300,000 between them.

But no agreement was made with Mr O'Sullivan, who has been on special leave for the past three years.

Recommendations to dismiss him will be discussed on Thursday.

The saga began when it was claimed Mr O'Sullivan, his deputy Nigel Barnett, and head of legal services Daniel Perkins agreed 20% pay increases for themselves at a time other council staff faced pay freezes.

It is thought the long-running row has cost the local authority £4m and an investigation has now been carried out by an independent person appointed by the Welsh Government.

Following this, the local authority's Internal Disciplinary Committee (IDC) has made recommendations - with a source saying these are that Mr O'Sullivan should be dismissed.

• Council pay row costs set to top £4m

• Extra £240k agreed in council pay row

These will be discussed by full council on Thursday, which is likely to be closed to the public.

Last week, it said the "ongoing disciplinary investigation involving the chief executive is drawing to a conclusion" and that Thursday's meeting had been called to "determine the outcome".

Caerphilly council said it was unable to comment on unconfirmed or leaked reports.

But a spokesman added: "The ongoing disciplinary investigation involving the chief executive is drawing to a conclusion and a special meeting of full council will now be convened to determine the outcome.

 "The council's Investigating and Disciplinary Committee (IDC) has considered the final report of the Designated Independent Person (DIP), who was appointed to undertake the investigation in accordance with the statutory process.

 "The next step is for a meeting of full council to reach a final decision based on the recommendations of the IDC."