For anyone who enjoys a bit of old-fashioned and honest investigative reporting, last night's edition of Y Byd ar Bedwar was a classic. Kevin Madge's performance on camera is likely to be used in PR training courses for years to come as an example of how not to do it, while the little vignette with the chief executive, Mark James, claiming that the press office had not passed on ITV's request for an interview, was eloquent testimony to the culture that he has developed in County Hall.
On a personal note I suppose I had better declare an interest in all this as I pop up in the programme a couple of times. Ever since I agreed to act as a witness in Jacqui Thompson's trial (although the judge refused to hear my testimony), the council has known who I am as have many others including most of the media, the exceptions being those who see their role as an extension of the council's press office rather than giving a voice to the ordinary people of this county. Deciding to emerge from obscurity for a few minutes and go in front of the cameras was therefore not so difficult, but that was not the case for everyone who took part.
Cllr Siân Thomas deserves special praise for her contribution. She occupied the chair of council for a year, and her wit and warmth shone through despite the bullying and dictatorial treatment she was subjected to. Hers was the real voice of Carmarthenshire in the programme, and I hope more will now follow her lead.
If you missed it, the programme can be viewed for a couple more weeks here.
Diolch.
10 comments:
Just watched Y Byd ar Bedwar (thanks to your link) which I thought was excellent, and I like you and many others are waiting to watch the rest of this pantomime play out, however I'm afraid I don't agree with your comments about Cllr Siân Thomas .... it was her job as chair to be fair ... if she wasn't fair then that was her fault and she should apologise for being an inadequate chair, not blame others, you can't have your cake and eat it!
Mr. James' comment, "I have not been asked directly", is to me a bit of a "Don't tell them you name Pike" moment.
There are a lot of people in CCC who empathise with Cllr Siân Thomas. To be fair to this lovely lady, I know of one case where despite being in receipt of this diabolical treatment she came to the defence of another on the receiving end of it. She does indeed deserve special praise!
I was very alarmed actually by what Sian Thomas had to say and of the way she was obviously undermined and bullied as Chairperson. This is not democracy. This is dictatorship and it has to stop right now. Councillors need to start standing up to this kind of behaviour. It is totally unacceptable. Another thing, I don't think the Chief Executive should attend Council meetings at all. He should not be a part of the decision making process. This has gone on far too long in Carmarthenshire and it has to stop.
I have seen this at many other councils. The CEO is supposed to be there to advise councillors not to take an active part in the discussion. Even when having given such advice, the councillor can choose not to take it.
A CEO's interuption should take place only if (a) requested by the Chair or a committee member on a point of order and/or (b) if he or she thinks the law may be about to be broken or has been broken. Otherwise they should keep their mouths firmly shut.
And the likelihood of this happening: about as much chance as a chocolate teapot has of keeping the tea warm!
Yes, councillors do need to start standing up for fairness and Cllr Sian Thomas as chair had the perfect opportunity, she failed in her duty and then blamed others. In fairness if she felt that way why didn't she complain at the time? Cough, cough ... just saying
As a family we watched Byd ar Bedwar and it was clear that Cllr Sian Thomas had been subjected to bullying and intimidation from the CEO of CCC. We all thought she was v brave to overcome any reluctance to speak out in order to testify as to his autocratic and interfering style. This has to stop now and democracy must be restored to this county.
Anon 16.34
I can sympathise with Cllr Sian Thomas because it's not so easy to stand up to bullies. I know first hand what it's like because I was bullied by the Chief Executive, Mark James when I met with him accompanied by my former M.P. and it was a very unpleasant experience. I had no support from the Councillors and they should have scrutinised those two damning Ombudsman's reports, instead of giving all involved an easy passage.
I'm sorry but I don't see how Cllr Sian Thomas deserves special praise just because she is a nice lady? Ultimately she was a weak and inadequate chair, lets not forget that she is an elected representative who willingly accepted the position, if she didn't want it or wasn't capable of doing it, she shouldn't have accepted it. It rankles me that people are making excuses for her, rather like patting her on the head and saying 'there there' haven't women come further than that? Lots of people are nice, I've been told Kevin Madge is nice but that doesn't make him a capable leader and I haven't read of anyone defending because he's a nice guy. Cllr Sian Thomas deserves some condemnation as well for not calling councillors to speak when she had the opportunity.
It is so easy for people to say that others are inadequate if they have not suffered bullying and harrassment themselves. I used to consider myself assertive and able to take care of myself but I met my match in an employer and he nearly caused me a total breakdown.
As it is I quit the job and never worked again. I never thought it would happen to me, but it did. Bullies are VERY skilled at what they do - they know how to make it look like "helping" when in fact they are the opposite.
Don't criticise until you have walked a mile in someone else's shoes is what the experience taught me.
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