More than £230,000 has been spent on security at the former Llwynypia hospital in just NINE months, according to information obtained by Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks.
The Plaid AM for South Wales Central said that he was staggered at the costs of building protection and alarms which came to £133,000. Security patrols will have cost almost £100,000 by the time the sale is completed on December 6th. Planning consent for housing on the site was granted in 2008.
Cwm Taf Health Board told Chris Franks that the site was due to be handed over to purchasers in April or May but a postponement had been requested. The board agreed to the request due to the uncertainties of the property and the need to preserve the price agreed for the sale.
Chris Franks, who obtained the information using the Freedom of Information Act, said: “I am staggered that almost £250,000 has been spent on a building which will ultimately be demolished.
“This is money, or at least some of it, that could have been spent on services for the public when budgets are stretched.
“Plaid does question whether alarms were necessary given that building protection and security patrols were employed? Or alternatively, are security patrols necessary if alarms are connected to a police station?”
Sera Evans-Fear, Plaid’s Prospective Assembly Candidate for Rhondda, said: “I’m sure people, who are facing cuts in public services and benefits across the board, will be very interested to hear how this sort of spending could be justified.
“While I accept the need for security of the site this is nonetheless a huge amount of public money which could gone on patient services such as re-opening the minor injuries unit at the new Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda on Saturdays.”
