Welsh council chiefs axed in cash crisis

Senior managers at Vale of Glamorgan social services have lost their jobs as the department’s funding crisis bites.

Three managers left last week after being made redundant. They were James Cawley, director of community development and statutory director for social services, Denis McDonald, head of community and health services, and Tony Young head of children and families services.

In a statement, council leader Margaret Alexander said the changes were aimed at providing “added focus”. But they follow months of negative publicity caused by a £5.5m budget deficit and accusations of failure to adequately tackle a rise in delayed discharges.

Alexander added: “The problems within the previous community services directorate have been well-documented and, with a significant overspend having an adverse impact on social care services and other key council services, the cabinet felt action was necessary. The management structure could not be sustained in the light of the continuing problems.”

Cawley, who came from a housing background and does not have a social work qualification, had been in post for about five years.

An interim director is to be brought in until a new permanent director is appointed, with the chief executive holding statutory social services responsibilities until then.