Tag: Councillor Geraint Thomas

Is Ellis Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of Merthyr Council, afraid to make Carys Kennedy, Monitoring Officer and Head of Legal and Governance, accountable for her failure to ensure that the Council’s Governance Practices are compliant with the Council’s Constitution?

Maybe it is because Mr Cooper is aware that he too is responsible for ensuring that the Council complies with the Constitution at all times. Mr Simon Jones, Senior Solicitor and Deputy Monitoring Officer, is also responsible for ensuring that the Council complies with the Constitution at all times. That's three of the Council's Senior … Continue reading Is Ellis Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of Merthyr Council, afraid to make Carys Kennedy, Monitoring Officer and Head of Legal and Governance, accountable for her failure to ensure that the Council’s Governance Practices are compliant with the Council’s Constitution? →

Draft Minutes and Video Streams of Special Full Council meeting held on Wednesday, 6th March 2024

Extract from Minute No 771 Comments were then made by Members on the report and the recommendations. A very succinct summary of the robust comments made during the debate on the motion. Extract from Minute No 772 After consideration by the Council it was Another succinct summary of the comments made during the debate on … Continue reading Draft Minutes and Video Streams of Special Full Council meeting held on Wednesday, 6th March 2024 →

“The Great Biscuit Debate: Merthyr Council’s Crunchy Conundrum – The Merthyr Observer

https://www.merthyrobserver.com/the-great-biscuit-debate-merthyr-councils-crunchy-conundrum/ How should minutes of meetings be recorded An intense argument over whether council meeting minutes should be recorded in Comic Sans to appear more ‘friendly’ to the public, a motion that was, thankfully, defeated. Fate of Governance Hangs in the balance Meanwhile, the fate of Merthyr Tydfil’s governance hangs in the balance, hinging on … Continue reading “The Great Biscuit Debate: Merthyr Council’s Crunchy Conundrum – The Merthyr Observer →

Bizarre Practices in Governance at Merthyr Council

Comments from Twitter (X) Thread Geoff, I have NEVER seen such a bizarre practice - all Committees should sign their own minutes.  No chair should agree to the practice of sending them all to full council to agree. It is inconceivable that this practice is allowed to happen. @ADSO_UK @LLGLegal @lgapeers @MerthyrCBC Gwen Swinburn My … Continue reading Bizarre Practices in Governance at Merthyr Council →

When will action be taken by the Merthyr Full Council to deal with the non compliant governance practices of its Senior Officers?

The Royal British Legion takes action, having identified activity taking place in the Northern Ireland District, which was non-compliant. Hyperlink to Article https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/entire-leadership-royal-british-legion-32310420 Extract from Article “Our regular governance procedures identified activity taking place in the Northern Ireland District, which was non-compliant. Attempts to resolve the issues of non-compliance have taken place over several months … Continue reading When will action be taken by the Merthyr Full Council to deal with the non compliant governance practices of its Senior Officers? →

Statement issued by the Independent Group of Councillors at Merthyr Council

Independent Group BUDGET STATEMENT The Council is required by law to set a balanced budget by 11th March 2024. Our revenue settlement from Welsh Government increased by only 3.7% or £4.5 million and was announced on the 21st December 2023 only 10 weeks ago. The budget gap resulting from pressures such as high inflation, pay … Continue reading Statement issued by the Independent Group of Councillors at Merthyr Council →

Who gives a flying duck about the Constitution at Merthyr Council? Certainly not the Monitoring Officer.

https://twitter.com/1GeoffJones/status/1764911271579725973?t=fuFinwrjF-5p69ADXx7tnQ&s=09 https://merthyrcouncilcoverupblog.home.blog/2024/03/03/agenda-for-full-council-on-wednesday-6th-march-2024-5-30-pm-will-merthyr-council-be-allowed-to-carry-on-or-will-the-council-be-declared-bankrupt/

Agenda for Full Council on Wednesday, 6th March, 2024, 5.30 pm. Will Merthyr Council be allowed to carry on, or will the Council be declared bankrupt?

Extract from video stream from Full Council Meeting 28th February showing Councillor Andrew Barry's closing comment on the debate to approve the Council Tax Increase for 2024/25 Hyperlink to Agenda and Reports Pack https://democracy.merthyr.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=159&MId=6190&LLL=0 Agenda Frontsheet IMPLICATIONS OF NOT SETTING A BALANCED BUDGET The following is an extract from the Report from the Chief Finance … Continue reading Agenda for Full Council on Wednesday, 6th March, 2024, 5.30 pm. Will Merthyr Council be allowed to carry on, or will the Council be declared bankrupt? →

Merthyr Council Budget – What happens next? Could the Mayor’s position be untenable?

The Budget for 2024/25 Liam Hull, the 151 Officer (Chief  Finance Officer) has stated: “No local authority would be sustainable without council tax receipts, and not agreeing council tax would not allow us to set a balanced budget. The Facts In these circumstances, the Section 151 Officer has a legal responsibility to issue a Section … Continue reading Merthyr Council Budget – What happens next? Could the Mayor’s position be untenable? →