Plaid Cymru group leader Charlotte Bishop has spoken out after it was revealed that Caerphilly Council officers have been unable to provide clarity on whether pension investments align with a decision on ethical investments.
Aber Valley Councillor Charlotte Bishop said: “I was deeply concerned to hear that, following the council’s recent ethical investment motion regarding the situation in Gaza, we are currently unable to provide full clarity on whether all investments align with that decision.
“These are matters of significant humanitarian concern, and they carry considerable weight for many residents in our community. When the council passes a motion relating to ethical investment, particularly in the context of international conflict, residents rightly expect that decision to be implemented clearly, consistently, and without delay.
“It is also troubling that we cannot definitively confirm whether any investments may be connected, directly or indirectly, to Russia, particularly following previous motions in Caerphilly addressing this issue. At a time when ethical standards and public confidence are paramount, uncertainty is not sufficient.”
Councillor Bishop added: “This raises a fundamental question: what is the purpose of voting on motions if there is uncertainty about whether they are being enacted?
“Council motions are not symbolic statements. They are formal democratic decisions that carry authority and expectation. If there are barriers to implementation, they must be clearly explained. If there are complexities in investment structures, they must be transparently reported. Silence or ambiguity is not acceptable.
“I will be formally requesting a comprehensive update detailing how the ethical investment motion is being implemented, what due diligence has been undertaken, and what safeguards are in place to ensure compliance with council decisions.
“Residents deserve more than reassurance — they deserve evidence, clarity, and accountability. I remain committed to ensuring that the democratic decisions of this council are respected in both principal and in practice.”