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Concern at 450 council dismissals | Concern at 450 council dismissals |
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More than 450 council workers in Wales have been sacked since 2006, with those investigated while suspended being paid over £2m in wages, figures reveal. | More than 450 council workers in Wales have been sacked since 2006, with those investigated while suspended being paid over £2m in wages, figures reveal. |
Sexual assault, bullying and sleeping on duty were among reasons for staff being disciplined, Plaid Cymru found after information requests to councils. | Sexual assault, bullying and sleeping on duty were among reasons for staff being disciplined, Plaid Cymru found after information requests to councils. |
Caerphilly Council reported the most dismissals - a total of 169 over the two-year period. | Caerphilly Council reported the most dismissals - a total of 169 over the two-year period. |
The authority's leader Lindsay Whittle said it was an "area of concern". | The authority's leader Lindsay Whittle said it was an "area of concern". |
Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks, who compiled the figures following Freedom of Information Act requests, has called for councils to reduce their investigation time for disciplinary cases where possible. | Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks, who compiled the figures following Freedom of Information Act requests, has called for councils to reduce their investigation time for disciplinary cases where possible. |
Mr Franks, the AM for South Wales Central, asked for disciplinary statistics for the past two financial years from Wales's 22 local authorities. | Mr Franks, the AM for South Wales Central, asked for disciplinary statistics for the past two financial years from Wales's 22 local authorities. |
Six local authorities did not provide information. | Six local authorities did not provide information. |
Plaid is concerned at the length of time that some staff are suspended before decisions are made Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM | Plaid is concerned at the length of time that some staff are suspended before decisions are made Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM |
Those that did reported that more than 450 staff were dismissed and over 400 workers were suspended during that time. | Those that did reported that more than 450 staff were dismissed and over 400 workers were suspended during that time. |
More than £2m was paid in wages to staff under investigation, with the longest single suspension lasting 18 months. | More than £2m was paid in wages to staff under investigation, with the longest single suspension lasting 18 months. |
Among the reasons for suspension were allegations of misappropriating clients' funds, bullying and intimidating children, stealing a laptop and alcohol-related issues. | Among the reasons for suspension were allegations of misappropriating clients' funds, bullying and intimidating children, stealing a laptop and alcohol-related issues. |
Caerphilly, a Plaid Cymru-led council, which reported the most dismissals, also paid out the most in wages to suspended staff - £589,165 between 2006-08. | Caerphilly, a Plaid Cymru-led council, which reported the most dismissals, also paid out the most in wages to suspended staff - £589,165 between 2006-08. |
Mr Franks said: "Plaid is concerned at the length of time that some staff are suspended before decisions are made. | Mr Franks said: "Plaid is concerned at the length of time that some staff are suspended before decisions are made. |
"This can be for a year or more and during that time staff are paid. | "This can be for a year or more and during that time staff are paid. |
"I would hope that local authorities wherever possible would look to reduce the investigation time for disciplinary cases. | "I would hope that local authorities wherever possible would look to reduce the investigation time for disciplinary cases. |
"It is clear that extra pressure is also placed on those who work in the same office or area as those suspended." | "It is clear that extra pressure is also placed on those who work in the same office or area as those suspended." |
WAGES PAID OUT TO SUSPENDED COUNCIL WORKERS 2006-08 Blaenau Gwent - NoneBridgend - £377,756Caerphilly - £589,165Cardiff - £449,000Carmarthenshire - £441,653Ceredigion - £29,727Denbighshire - £57,900Gwynedd - £91,289Monmouthshire - £79,571Powys - Not statedRCT - £311,570Swansea - Not statedTorfaen - Not statedVale of Glam - Not statedWrexham - £123,219Ynys Mon - £22,767Source: Freedom of Infomation Act requests to Plaid Cymru | |
'Reassuring' | 'Reassuring' |
Mr Franks said the vast majority of local authority staff were excellent public servants and the number of workers suspended represented a small proportion of local authority employees. | Mr Franks said the vast majority of local authority staff were excellent public servants and the number of workers suspended represented a small proportion of local authority employees. |
But he added: "It is reassuring for the public to know that those who fall well below the standards expected are weeded out." | But he added: "It is reassuring for the public to know that those who fall well below the standards expected are weeded out." |
Responding to the figures for Caerphilly, Plaid Cymru council leader Lindsay Whittle said: "It's an area of concern that I will be looking at. | Responding to the figures for Caerphilly, Plaid Cymru council leader Lindsay Whittle said: "It's an area of concern that I will be looking at. |
"It's something that is going to need investigation and I will be calling for an appropriate report and for a full explanation." | "It's something that is going to need investigation and I will be calling for an appropriate report and for a full explanation." |
The Welsh Local Government Association has been asked to comment. | The Welsh Local Government Association has been asked to comment. |