03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Criminal investigation into council highways team ongoing

A councillor has said it’s “not appropriate” to comment on allegations of irregularities in a Powys highways team while investigations are ongoing.

Answers to a series of questions about allegations of misconduct referred to Powys County Council in the autumn of 2020 have been published.

Earlier this month, former cabinet member, Cllr Iain McIntosh, using the question at anytime process asked for an update on the investigation from the cabinet member responsible for highways, Cllr Heulwen Hulme.

Cllr McIntosh explained that reports of the allegations – which are to do with road surfacing operations – had emerged last year.

Environment portfolio holder Cllr Heulwen Hulme said: “The criminal investigation by Dyfed Powys Police is still ongoing and it would not be appropriate to comment on this work at present.

“Please be advised that the service takes any such matters extremely seriously and is working closely with Dyfed-Powys Police to assist with the review of the procedures and processes within the highways service. ”

Dyfed-Powys Police had said that the investigation is “ongoing”.

Cllr McIntosh said: “This is a very unsatisfactory answer, particularly as this investigation has been going on for so long.

“I’m really very concerned about the lack of progress with this investigation and the poor response to these enquiries.

“Residents throughout Powys, are regularly encountering large potholes that have been on our roads for years.

“I hope the cabinet get to the bottom of this matter as a matter of urgency.”

The allegations surfaced in the summer of 2020

According to minutes published by Llangynog community council in the north of Powys, the issues were discussed at meetings in July and September 2020.

These concerns were then brought to the authority’s attention by the local county councillor, Cllr Bryn Davies, who was told they would be investigated.

Categories: Policing Conduct Policy
Locations:
Authorities: Powys County Council

 

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