WELSH Government has been criticised for the newly revealed running costs and underuse of their buildings in Llandudno Junction by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders.

The building in Llandudno Junction was part of a £91.5 million strategy to decentralise services from Cardiff in 2002, with more than 550 posts moved from the Welsh capital to three new offices in Merthyr Tydfil, Aberystwyth and Llandudno Junction.

The construction of the Conwy building reportedly cost around £23million, and despite having more than 390 people contracted to work there, recorded an average daily attendance level of 18 people last September.

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government, has disclosed the average monthly running costs for the Llandudno Junction office for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years are as follows:

  • 2020/21 - £136,895
  • 2021/22 - £130,967

Commenting on the running costs, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: “The figures mean that around £1.6million was spent on running costs in 2020/21 and £1.5m in 2021/22, a time that saw hybrid working and as little as 18 people attending the buildings daily.

“It is scandalous that buildings which have already cost tax payers around £23million, are draining around £130,000 from the public purse every month.

“It is well known locally that the complex is underutilised despite several requested by me for the creation of a flexible working hub.

“A business could not get away with running like this, so why should the Welsh Government?

“During a cost-of-living crisis, it is extremely distressing to constituents and local businesses to see the mammoth amount of money squandered by the Welsh Government on its white elephant.”

MORE: Aberconwy MS slams “slow” Welsh Government over Llandudno Junction building