Conwy County Borough Council spent £164,317.01 on legal advice in relation to the lease for its HGV depot in Mochdre in 2024/25.
The figure was disclosed to Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS in response to a Freedom of Information Request.
The contract for the not-fit-for-purpose building started in May 2016, meaning the Authority has, to date, spent around £2 million on rent. The Council is locked into a contract for the multi-million-pound HGV depot until at least 2031. If rent payments are made until 2031, the total expenditure on the depot would reach around £3.6m.
Commenting on the newly disclosed cost of legal advice, Janet said:
“At a time when services are being cut and council tax increased it is completely unacceptable that over £160,000 has been spent on more legal advice in relation to the HGV depot in Mochdre that cannot house HGVs in 2024/25.
“The situation is a disgrace!
“As I have said before, in business, such a catastrophic spend as this would lead to those accountable being held responsible. Why should it be any different in the public sector?”
ENDS
Gwariodd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy £164,317.01 ar gyngor cyfreithiol mewn perthynas â'r brydles ar gyfer ei ddepo HGV ym Mochdre yn 2024/25.
Datgelwyd y ffigur i Janet Finch-Saunders AS mewn ymateb i Gais Rhyddid Gwybodaeth.
Dechreuodd y contract ar gyfer yr adeilad nad yw'n addas i'r diben ym mis Mai 2016, sy'n golygu bod yr Awdurdod wedi gwario tua £2 filiwn ar rent hyd yma. Mae'r Cyngor wedi'i gloi mewn contract ar gyfer y depo HGV gwerth miliynau o bunnoedd tan o leiaf 2031. Pe bai taliadau rhent yn cael eu gwneud tan 2031, byddai cyfanswm y gwariant ar y depo yn cyrraedd tua £3.6m.
Gan gyfeirio at gost y cyngor cyfreithiol sydd newydd ei ddatgelu, dywedodd Janet:
"Ar adeg pan mae gwasanaethau yn cael eu torri a'r dreth gyngor yn cynyddu, mae'n gwbl annerbyniol fod dros £160,000 wedi'i wario ar fwy o gyngor cyfreithiol mewn perthynas â'r depo HGV ym Mochdre sy’n methu cadw HGVs yn 2024/25.
"Mae'r sefyllfa yn gywilyddus!
"Fel y dywedais o'r blaen, mewn busnes, byddai gwariant mor drychinebus fel hyn yn arwain at y rhai sy'n atebol yn cael eu dwyn i gyfrif. Pam ddylai hynny fod yn wahanol yn y sector cyhoeddus?"
DIWEDD
