EX-INDEPENDENT councillor Graham Simmonds berates the Labour-led Caerphilly Council for payments made to senior staff to “buy out” essential car user allowances (Argus, July 19).  He says “will the Labour party continue with the absurd, comical and repulsive levels of incompetence?”


But why isn’t Mr Simmonds placing responsibility for these payments where it belongs – with the previous Plaid Cymru-controlled council?
The payments he objects to were apparently made in early 2012 – before the council elections. Once these payments came to light, our Labour-led council referred the issue to the Wales Audit Office for independent review.
Mr Simmonds goes on to demand that the Welsh Government should “impose commissioners” on Caerphilly Council now – for “absurd, comical and repulsive levels of incompetence” of the last, nationalist administration at Caerphilly?
It’s been said of Mr Simmonds that he spent 13 years as a Councillor and it’s difficult to see what he achieved apart from getting suspended for bullying and being disrespectful to staff. It seems it’s too much to expect that he should have any more respect for the facts.
Cllr Gez Kirby
St Andrews Drive Pontllanfraith