THE chief executive of a housing association has taken leave of absence while an inquiry is undertaken by the Welsh Government.

Lynne Sacale, head of Cantref, has stepped aside from her duties as the investigation into the association’s current management arrangements and practices takes place.

Cantref provides 1,406 homes and housing services to communities across west Wales and employs a workforce of 70.

A former pupil of Ysgol y Preseli, Crymych, Ms Sacale took over at the helm of Cantref in November 2005.

The Cambrian News understands that Hilary Jones, chief executive of the Carmarthen-based Bro Myrddin Housing Association and Doug Elliott, former head of regulation at the Welsh Government, have taken temporary charge.

In a statement confirming the probe, Cantref said: “As part of that [regulator] inquiry, the association has recently received a detailed independent consultant’s report.

“This report has highlighted a number of important recommendations concerning aspects of the association’s current management arrangements and practices.

“The board, senior management and staff place the interests of tenants and service users and the quality of service delivered to them at the heart of the organisation.

“Therefore, they take very seriously any recommendations to improve how the association manages its own arrangements and are committed to reviewing and responding to the findings promptly.

"In order to help enable the investigations to take place, the board and the chief executive have agreed that, whilst the report is scrutinised and the recommendations are acted upon, the chief executive is to take leave of absence, effective of 10 December.”