First female CEO for Caerphilly council after pay scandal

Caerphilly council has appointed its first female top boss in the wake of a pay-rise scandal.

Christina Harrhy will become the authority’s new interim chief executive when she takes over in the new year.

She replaces outgoing CEO Chris Burns who will step down at the end of 2017.

Council leader Dave Poole said Ms Harrhy would build on the “positive legacy” left by Mr Burns.

Ms Harrhy, current corporate director of communities, joins Torfaen’s Alison Ward and Blaenau Gwent’s Michelle Morris, as the only female top bosses of Wales’ 22 local authorities.

Former chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan remains on “special leave”.

Before the settlements were agreed, the overall cost to Caerphilly council was about £3m, with more than £2m paid in salaries to the three men over the period and £500,000 in legal costs for the council.