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School expert's Spanish commute School expert's Spanish commute
(about 5 hours later)
A council has been criticised for employing two senior education officials who live outside Wales - one of whom commutes from Lanzarote.A council has been criticised for employing two senior education officials who live outside Wales - one of whom commutes from Lanzarote.
Denbighshire council pays hotel fees for Catherine Simpson, the interim head of school improvement, who travels home to the Canary islands once a fortnight.Denbighshire council pays hotel fees for Catherine Simpson, the interim head of school improvement, who travels home to the Canary islands once a fortnight.
Mrs Simpson, who pays for her flights, also found it cheaper and quicker than journeys between north and south Wales.Mrs Simpson, who pays for her flights, also found it cheaper and quicker than journeys between north and south Wales.
The Ruthin-based council said it was "content" with the arrangements.The Ruthin-based council said it was "content" with the arrangements.
It also pays hotel bills for London-based interim corporate director of lifelong learning Dr Mohammed Mehmet.It also pays hotel bills for London-based interim corporate director of lifelong learning Dr Mohammed Mehmet.
Both appointments were made after Denbighshire's education services were severely criticised by schools inspectorate Estyn in 2007.Both appointments were made after Denbighshire's education services were severely criticised by schools inspectorate Estyn in 2007.
They are employed through recruitment agency Gatenby Sanderson, which has offices in London, Leeds and Birmingham.They are employed through recruitment agency Gatenby Sanderson, which has offices in London, Leeds and Birmingham.
The agency confirmed it invoiced the council for £258,835.14 to cover pay, expenses and fees from January to October 2008 for three "interim" staff covering three permanent roles at Denbighshire, including Mrs Simpson and Dr Mehmet.
The council said both contractors had played a "fundamental role" in improving education across the county.The council said both contractors had played a "fundamental role" in improving education across the county.
However, Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones said she thought the scenario was of "great concern" at a time when many council services were being cut.However, Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones said she thought the scenario was of "great concern" at a time when many council services were being cut.
She said: "The authority has to start taking decisions strategically and I don't think it can do that when it's got two of its top directors not embedded in the workforce.She said: "The authority has to start taking decisions strategically and I don't think it can do that when it's got two of its top directors not embedded in the workforce.
Catherine Simpson flies home for a weekend every fortnightCatherine Simpson flies home for a weekend every fortnight
"For an authority that was slammed for its handling of education to have two senior positions operating from an agency, and all the extra management costs that involves, is an incredible position to be in.""For an authority that was slammed for its handling of education to have two senior positions operating from an agency, and all the extra management costs that involves, is an incredible position to be in."
Defending her decision to live abroad, Mrs Simpson, who pays for her own air fare home, said: "I work every week.Defending her decision to live abroad, Mrs Simpson, who pays for her own air fare home, said: "I work every week.
"I go home for a long weekend every fortnight therefore I am only off for two working days in any two week period."I go home for a long weekend every fortnight therefore I am only off for two working days in any two week period.
"I work well over my contracted hours every week and my commitment to Denbighshire is unquestionable. I am paid for my employment, not travel."I work well over my contracted hours every week and my commitment to Denbighshire is unquestionable. I am paid for my employment, not travel.
"I would ask to be judged on my performance, not where I live.""I would ask to be judged on my performance, not where I live."
Denbighshire and Lanzarote are separated by 1,750 miles but the council has said Mrs Simpson found it cheaper to fly home to the Canaries than between north and south Wales, as she did before she moved abroad.Denbighshire and Lanzarote are separated by 1,750 miles but the council has said Mrs Simpson found it cheaper to fly home to the Canaries than between north and south Wales, as she did before she moved abroad.
Journey times could also be shorter by an hour.Journey times could also be shorter by an hour.
The council refused to reveal how much Mrs Simpson's hotel bills were, adding: "The questions you ask about Catherine Simpson are about her personal arrangements and we will not comment on them.The council refused to reveal how much Mrs Simpson's hotel bills were, adding: "The questions you ask about Catherine Simpson are about her personal arrangements and we will not comment on them.
"We confirm however that the authority is content with her arrangements.""We confirm however that the authority is content with her arrangements."
A council spokeswoman confirmed Cyprus-born Dr Mehmet lives in London and the authority also pays his hotel fees when he stays in Denbighshire for a four-day week.A council spokeswoman confirmed Cyprus-born Dr Mehmet lives in London and the authority also pays his hotel fees when he stays in Denbighshire for a four-day week.
The council said hotel costs for both individuals were at "corporate rates".The council said hotel costs for both individuals were at "corporate rates".
A spokeswoman for Gatenby Sanderson said it could not reveal how much it was paid by Denbighshire council.A spokeswoman for Gatenby Sanderson said it could not reveal how much it was paid by Denbighshire council.