A GOVERNMENT office in Llandudno Junction that has become used by fewer staff since the start of the pandemic should be turned into an entrepreneurial site, an MS has said.

Fewer than 20 of 390 staff were recorded to have worked at the £27million Welsh Government site, near Narrow Lane, on a daily basis during August and September.

The government currently advises its staff and members of the public to work from home, which Mark Drakeford said is expected to continue into early next year. However, Policy 30, of the Net-Zero Wales Carbon Budget 2, states the government has a long-term aim for around 30 per cent of Welsh workers to work remotely beyond the pandemic.

Janet Finch-Saunders, MS for Aberconwy, said that because the Junction building has received about £916,000 of maintenance work and repairs between 2017 and 2020 and more than £2.2m during its first seven years since 2010, the site should be put to use as much as possible.

She urged First Minister Mark Drakeford to undertake a review on whether the space could be partially converted to become a flexible working hub for entrepreneurs in North Wales.

“With a wish to see taxpayers’ money used wisely, and in recognising that around £23million was spent on the Llandudno Junction building initially, I have constructively urged the First Minister to carry out a review to see if this building could be partially converted into a flexible working hub for small businesses and entrepreneurs in North Wales," said Mrs Finch-Saunders.

"I was delighted that this was warmly received.”

The Welsh Government opened the new office in Llandudno Junction along with Merthyr Tydfil and Aberystwyth to give it a stronger presence in all parts of Wales.

The Junction office had relocated government roles from across North Wales, as well as posts previously held in Cardiff, including in education, health, children's services, transport and business and enterprise.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Coronavirus has not gone away and our priority is to keep people and Wales safe. We advise everyone to work from home if they can.

“Our Llandudno Junction office, along with our other main offices across Wales, has remained open throughout the pandemic for staff to use, in line with government and public health advice.

"All Welsh Government staff continue to be encouraged to work from home wherever they can.”