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Julie James, Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning has appointed a new Independent Adjudicator to local authorities in Wales.

First published:
30 April 2024
Last updated:

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning, Julie James, has today announced the appointment of Beverley Smith as Independent Adjudicator to local authorities in Wales.

The Independent Adjudicator is an independent person appointed by the Welsh Government to consider applications from local authority employees seeking exemption from political restriction. 

The Cabinet Secretary said:

The Independent Adjudicator to local authorities has a crucial role to play and very much look forward to Bev’s contribution to this position”.

Bev has a strong background in public services and is an experienced chair and board member who has worked in local government for more than twenty-five years.

As an experienced local authority chief executive and returning officer at both local and regional level, she brings a depth of knowledge of both the legislative framework and the day-to-day operation of local authorities.

Bev is currently the Chair of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission Wales, a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, a non-executive board member for the Coal Authority with specific focus on Wales and is one of the lead reviewers working with UK Government on the review of public bodies programme.  

This appointment will commence on 1st May 2024 and continue until 31st December 2027.The post is remunerated on a case-by-case basis of £200 per day and £100 per ½ day pro rata, as and when required to deal with individual cases.