Latest news with #McLellan
North Wales Live
28-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Toilet closure plan scrapped in favour of council tax rise
Plans to shut public toilets in three communities have been put on hold in favour of plans to raise council tax to keep them open. Denbighshire Council cabinet members voted at a meeting last month to close public conveniences at St Asaph, Rhuddlan and Dyserth in a cost-cutting exercise that will also see six other public toilets upgraded. The planned closures sparked fury, and backbench councillors challenged the decision, asking for it to be considered again. Now, cabinet members have agreed a council tax rise of 0.27% could be used to keep the toilets open. As part of the local toilet strategy, Denbighshire Council was looking to introduce cashless payment systems on upgraded toilets at Rhyl, Prestatyn, Denbigh, Ruthin, Llangollen and Corwen. After a failed grant bid to Welsh Government, the council planned to apply for Lottery funds to pay for the upgrades. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. Now, the three toilet closures have been halted after Cllr Andrea Tomlin, backed by five other councillors, called the decision in. Following a debate by the partnership scrutiny committee and at cabinet yesterday (Tuesday), Denbighshire's cabinet voted to look at scrapping the plans. Councillors opposing the toilets' closure claimed the move would be 'ignoring the needs and dignity of the vulnerable', as well as those of community workers while 'putting the tourist economy at risk'. Members also claimed the strategy undermined the Wellbeing Act. Another concern highlighted was damage to the council's reputation. But the new proposal could see council tax increase by about £4.83 per year for a typical household, with councillors backing the move, claiming the increase will protect people's health, dignity, and access to public facilities. Leader Cllr Jason McLellan said: 'At the end of the day, council tax is there to fund services, and it is an option that could be applied to many other services.' Cllr David Williams asked for assurances that toilets would remain open while negotiations were ongoing. Cllr McLellan answered: 'Yes, they will stay open, David.' Cllr Martyn Hogg then said he was concerned that the decision to close toilets could disproportionately affect rural communities. Cllr Hogg suggested an alternative solution to saving toilets could result in community councils - who might take over running toilets from the county council – being forced to up their precepts in individual wards, rather than increasing council tax across the county as a whole. This would mean rural residents paying more. He then gave an example of St Asaph residents paying more council tax to keep toilets open in the city, rather than all Denbighshire residents sharing the cost. 'I think we should be sharing the burden, especially on toilets,' he said. 'There seems to be a very strong opinion across the whole county that public toilets are an important service.' Cllr McLellan said council tax would be increased across the county if a decision was reached but maintained there would be 'nuances' of individual community councils setting their own precepts. Cllr Brian Jones said: 'Saturday night I got challenged about this meeting today and challenged about this proposed 0.2% increase to cover the cost of running public toilets across the county. 'The point I want to make: It was the easiest challenge in seven years of being involved in the public sector to defend the corner, and the people with them that asked the question, they all agreed. In this instance, you can't go raising council tax to cover other gaps because you will hit resistance, but I think in respect of public toilets, you'll struggle to find any resident, when you explain the debate on it, people just agree.' Cllr McLellan said the decision would now trigger a process to negotiate an increase in council tax with city, town, and community councils and that the toilets would remain open in the meantime. The cabinet voted unanimously in favour of reconsidering its decision to close existing Denbighshire operated public conveniences and will instead look to retain services by funding the cost from a dedicated 0.27% increase in council tax in 2026/27. This represents an average cost of around £4.83 per year per Band D household.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
'It's not like I'm new here': Calgary's new police Chief Katie McLellan credits experience for landing role
Article content 'It's about what you are doing every day to make a difference' Article content In 2013, she left the CPS as a senior superintendent to work as a security consultant in the oil and gas sector, saying at the time she'd achieved all she could in the ranks of law enforcement. Article content But that was not to be as McLellan joined the Alberta RCMP in 2018 to lead its Federal Policing South, Serious and Organized Crime. Article content The following year, she was back with CPS and was deputy chief, leading the investigative support section. She was chosen as chief quickly following Neufeld's abrupt exit last week. Article content Last year, her contract with the CPS was extended with the support of her predecessor. Article content It's that experience and versatility that's proven key in McLellan becoming the city's top police officer, she said. Article content 'I've been in almost every area (of the CPS) — I've watched the ebbs and flows,' she said earlier this week. Article content Article content McLellan, 57, is also the CPS's second female chief, following in the footsteps of Christine Silverberg, who donned the role from 1995 to 2000. Article content Article content But the new chief said she doesn't view her promotion — and experience within the CPS — through a gender lens. Article content 'It's not about being male or female, it's about being competent,' she said in 2013. Article content 'For me, it's not about rank, it's about what you are doing every day to make a difference. I'm just one of thousands in here, the job doesn't get done by one person.' Article content McLellan could become permanent chief, says criminologist Article content On Wednesday, McLellan said that 'technically' she is an interim chief, but because there's no active search for a permanent one, she's Calgary's top cop indefinitely. Article content It's possible she could eventually be supplanted, but keeping her on a long-term basis would be a good thing, said Mount Royal University criminologist Doug King. Article content 'She's a really, really wise choice — I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes the (permanent) chief,' he said. Article content 'She certainly does have the breadth of experience, she's done virtually everything a police officer can do as she's moved up the ranks.' Article content Article content Her role as head of field operations was so important, given its connections to the CPS's bread and butter front-line policing, meaning 'she was basically a co-chief at that point because of all the responsibility,' said King. Article content And that rap sheet, he said, puts her in good standing with the rank and file, which could mean their support, which is crucial. Article content 'It means she feels very comfortable in the uniform, as did Neufeld, who was always wearing the uniform,' said King. Article content McLellan said her first priority as the new chief is ensuring the security for the G7 summit in Kananaskis, which is expected to generate considerable related activity in Calgary, including protests.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
New Calgary police chief sworn in as two deputy chiefs depart
Just as a new Calgary police chief was sworn in Wednesday, two deputy chiefs left the service. Article content Article content The changes come just five days after the abrupt, unexplained departure of six-year chief Mark Neufeld, leaving his successor Katie McLellan to assure Calgarians all was well with the city's police service. Article content And they happen just as the CPS is tasked with handling some of the security for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis and a massive influx of delegates for the Rotary International Convention in Calgary — both being held next month. Article content Article content 'I know this change is sudden and . . . I want to assure everyone in this city the CPS is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition of leadership,' said McLellan, who has been with the service since 1986. Article content Article content 'I am honoured, privileged and humbled to be selected for this role . . . we are in safe and steady hands.' Article content The new chief dubbed her role an interim one but made clear she will remain chief indefinitely and that there is no process underway to find a new top cop. Article content She spent the first 13 years of her career working in front-line areas and her most recent role was with leading CPS's investigative support bureau. Article content McLellan also told reporters deputy chiefs Chad Tawfik and Raj Gill have retired after lengthy stints of service with CPS. Article content She also wouldn't explain the exit of Neufeld — who had two years remaining on his contract — saying it was a confidential personnel matter. Article content Article content McLellan acknowledged morale has long been a problem within CPS. Internal surveys have shown one of the more concerning responses among rank-and-file is a lack of confidence in senior leadership. Article content 'Things like that don't change overnight,' she said. Article content 'We'll continue to listen and learn.' Article content A report released last October that included an internal survey shows small improvements in employee engagement and morale in recent years, with results suggesting concerns about staffing levels and inappropriate conduct have been top of mind for many CPS employees. Article content According to the report, the issue of inadequate staffing was a major concern of both CPS employees and Calgarians. Six out of 10 Calgarians were in low agreement that CPS was adequately staffed this year — an all-time low, the report says. More than 80 per cent of CPS employees agreed.
Global News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Calgary police shakeup continues as interim chief sworn in, 2 deputy chiefs retire
Calgary's new interim police chief, Katie McLellan, officially took charge of the force on Wednesday following the surprise resignation of former chief Mark Neufeld on Friday, May 2. View image in full screen Calgary's new Police Chief, Katie McLellan, was officially sworn in on Wednesday in a small private ceremony with family and friends. Global News McLellan, who met with the media on Wednesday afternoon to talk about her priorities and challenges, also announced the surprise 'retirement' of CPS deputy chiefs Chad Tawfik and Raj Gill on Wednesday. Story continues below advertisement They will be replaced by Supt. Cliff O'Brien and Supt. Asif Rashid, who have both been promoted to deputy chiefs effective on Monday. View image in full screen The shakeup at the top of the Calgary Police Service continued on Wednesday with the announcement that Deputy Chiefs Chad Tawfik and Raj Gill have resigned. City of Calgary While McLellan refused to comment on the reasons for the former chief or deputy chiefs' departure, she did wish Neufeld well. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Of course, I'm sad to see him go. He was my boss. He was supportive of me and just recently extending my contract last year. And so he did amazing things for this service,' said McLellan. 'Other than that, I am not able to share anything, but we had a great relationship.' 2:01 Calgary police chief announces resignation One of McLellan's biggest challenges will be to improve morale after her predecessor's time as chief was plagued with reports of very low morale. Story continues below advertisement A report from the Calgary Police Commission last year said 75 per cent of CPS employees had concerns about morale on the force and almost half said their personal morale was low. 'Things like that don't change overnight, and we will continue to work at that,' said McLellan. 'We will continue to create a workplace where people want to come to work, where they feel valued, where they feel appreciated — and we will continue to listen and learn. 'We'll roll up our sleeves, we'll be at the table. We may have some differing of opinions, but people will be heard and their voices will be hard. I would say that every day we strive to do better and there's always room for improvement.' View image in full screen A report from the Calgary Police Commission, released in 2024, said 75 per cent of CPS employees had concerns about morale on the force. Calgary Police Commission Another of the big challenges McLellan said she hopes to address is 'resource shortages across the service, particularly on the front line.' Story continues below advertisement McLellan, who was sworn in during a private ceremony with family and friends, began her career with the Calgary Police Service as a summer student in 1986. She had been a deputy chief since 2019 and becomes the second woman to serve as chief — the first was Christine Silverberg, who headed up the force between 1995 and 2000. Because of the busy summer ahead, the Calgary Police Commission said it will not immediately begin looking for a new, permanent chief. 'The coming weeks and months are significant for our city as we prepare to welcome leaders into Alberta for the G7 Leaders Summit and prepare of course for our annual Calgary Stampede,' said McLellan. 'Our service has been working closely with our partners to plan for both events and this work will continue without interruption.' While the Police Commission has referred to McLellan's appointment as 'a new chapter,' it said it also wants to take time to consult with the community and with other CPS members 'on what should be sought in a future chief.'
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Calgary swears in new police chief after former chief's abrupt resignation
CALGARY – Calgary has sworn in a new police chief less than a week after the former chief abruptly resigned. Katie McLellan took her oath on Wednesday as the Calgary Police Service prepares for a busy summer that will include the meeting of world leaders at the G7 in Kananaskis, Alta., and the Calgary Stampede. Police say McLellan will permanently replace former chief Mark Neufeld and she will continue as police chief for the foreseeable future. Police vehicles at Calgary Police Service headquarters in Calgary on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Calgary has sworn in a new police chief less than a week after the former chief abruptly resigned. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Neufeld abruptly announced his resignation on May 2 after six years at the helm of Calgary's police force. It's not known why Neufeld left the top job despite having almost two years left on his contract. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up McLellan joined Calgary police in 1987 and has worked in various roles in the service, including front-line roles in its criminal operations system and responding to people in crisis. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025.
