Significant concerns have been raised by residents in Llandudno regarding the possible handover of Llandudno Town Hall to a community interest company (CIC), which may include the market street car park also. The car park generates approximately £200,000 a year in revenue for the council.
Llandudno Town Hall is a building steeped in local history. This remarkable Victorian building, constructed in 1899, was gifted by Lord Mostyn and served as the headquarters of the urban district council for much of the 20th century. Now home to the Llandudno Town Council Chamber, the registrar office, and other uses.
To date there have been no open democratic and transparent discussions, and rumours are now circulating that the leader of Reform on Conwy County Borough Council, Louise Emery is herself involved and supporting the hand over. Residents are furious that once again there is the potential to lose a building of such historical significance to the town.
Cllr Harry Saville who attended the last meeting of the Local Area Forum North said:
“It was shared with members that the council was working with Reform UK councillors on a proposal to dispose of both Llandudno Town Hall and Market Street car park to an organisation linked to Mostyn Estates."
“Now part of this proposal was that the package would see both assets disposed of, either free of charge or potentially with the interested stakeholder being paid to take them off the council's hands. We were also advised that this car park generates around £200,000 per year in revenue, which, I think, based on the figures you've given us, is around 10% of that income stream.”
However, when questioning the responsible Cabinet member Cllr Mike Priestley, he denied all knowledge of any such proposal. He added
“So what I would like to understand is, if that car park is disposed of, what services will ERF be cutting to make up that £200,000 shortfall, and do we think it is appropriate when this council is looking at another significant council tax increase and significant budget cuts to be disposing of a £200,000-a-year asset to one of the wealthiest landowners in the UK?”
Janet Finch-Saunders, Welsh Conservative Senedd Member for Aberconwy and Lead Senedd Candidate for Bangor, Conwy and Môn, said:
“As a previous mayor of this town, following in the steps of my late parents who were also mayors of the town, I am extremely shocked to learn that Cllr Louise Emery is allegedly supporting this move in a political manner.
This building is of immense historical value to our town and is a building with great public interest. Over the years we have sadly seen too many of our historical assets that have disappeared, often to the benefit of others, yet detrimental to our town.
One only has to look at the loss of the Gogarth Abbey Hotel on the West Shore, that was demolished over 20 years ago, yet still remains a vacant building site.
It is now up to us as residents of this beautiful town to stand side by side and say ‘enough is enough’.
I will be raising some serious questions on how a decision of this importance will be consulted on with residents. After all, it is they who have faced nearly 30% council tax increases over the last 3 years with more to come in April. It is important that they have a say on this matter and I will be challenging the democratic processes at Llandudno Town Council, Conwy County Borough Council and the Welsh Government if needed.
