Plaid Cymru’s Finance Spokesperson Chris Franks has called for the bill for housing judges in Wales to be slashed after it was revealed it costs up to £5,210 a week.
The Office of the South Wales Central AM discovered that more than £430,000 was spent during the 2009-10 financial year on accommodating judges with costs per week highest in Swansea.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, Chris Franks found out that the 175 nights’ housing judges in Swansea cost £5,210 a week, in Cardiff the 293 nights’ cost £4,028 a week while in Caernarfon the 33 nights’ cost £2,198.
Now, the Plaid AM wants Majesty’s Courts Service to look at using cheaper accommodation in Cardiff and Swansea, as happens in Caernarfon.
His appeal follows reports this week that the Ministry of Justice is to planning to make a £2bn cut in its £9bn annual budget.
Fellow South Wales Central AM Leanne Wood said: “The Con/Dem Coalition Government are seeking to make huge cuts in the probation service, reduce the legal aid bill and close courts such as those in Llwynypia, Aberdare and Barry. These figures on judges’ accommodation illustrate the pain-free savings that can be made without affecting frontline services in the justice system.
“If the Tories and Lib Dems follow through with the cutbacks they are proposing and try to administer justice on the cheap, they risk losing much more than just a few millions off the balance sheet.”
Chris Franks said: “With the severe cuts in public spending on the way, the Tory Liberal Democrat Coalition Government must look at cutting the costs of housing judges.
“Is there any justification for having premises in Cardiff and Swansea when hotel accommodation is used in Caernarfon? Costs are significantly higher in Cardiff and Swansea at £806 and £1,042 per judge night, compared to £440 in Caernarfon, which in, itself, seems expensive.
“We can’t afford to be housing judges in expensive premises when good quality alternatives are available. The annual running costs of lodgings in Cardiff are a staggering £239,000 and £178,000 in Swansea.
“Many people will find this spending totally unacceptable as they see their income at risk. Cutting costs would also send out a message to people that those at the top are taking their share of the pain, not just those lower down the scale.
“As for security of judges, I don’t see it is an issue as clearly secure accommodation is used for judges sitting at Caernarfon so the same could be done in Cardiff and Swansea. The existing premises could also be sold to bring in a capital sum.
“The almost six permanent staff in Cardiff and Swansea could be redeployed to work elsewhere within the Courts Services,” added Chris Franks.
Leanne Wood, who is a former probation officer, is also campaigning for the powers to deal with the courts, police, prisons, probation service and sentencing to be devolved to Wales.
Leanne Wood believes this would allow the Welsh Assembly Government to apply its chosen policies based on the democratic mandate of the people of Wales.
| HMCS Estates – Judges Lodgings | ||||||
| Cost for Financial Year Apr 09-March 10 | ||||||
| Lodging | Maintenance Cost | Other Running Cost | Total Running Costs | No of Nights | Costs per Judge Week | Cost per Judge Night |
| Caernarfon | £0 | £13,638 | £13,638 | 33 | £2,198 | £440 |
| Cardiff | £25,267 | £214,008 | £239,275 | 293 | £4,028 | £806 |
| Swansea | £15,148 | £163,026.43 | £178,174 | 175 | £5,210 | £1,042 |
| Totals | £40,414 | £390,672 | £431,086 | 501 | ||
| Notes | ||||||
| All figures shown are unaudited – but released due to FOI time constraints | ||||||
| Caernarfon lease discontinued as from August 2008 – hotel bookings now made | ||||||
| Staff undertake a variety of services including housekeeping, cleaning and catering | ||||||
| Key | ||||||
| Owned/permanent Lodgings | ||||||
| Licensed or other casual hire premises | ||||||
| JUDGES’ LODGINGS HEADCOUNT | ||||||
| BAND D (Span 4) | ||||||
| Cardiff | 1 | 1 | chef | |||
| Cardiff | 1 | 1 | manager | |||
| Swansea | 1 | 1 | manager | |||
| Swansea | 1 | 1 | chef | |||
| Total Band D | 4 | 4 | ||||
| BAND F | ||||||
| Cardiff | 1 | 0.54 | Cleaner | |||
| Swansea | 1 | 1 | Cleaner | |||
| Total Band F | 2 | 1.54 | ||||
