Use of Bay’s iconic Pierhead Building comes under fire
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GOING back to 2010 we reported on the news about Cardiff Bay’s iconic Pierhead Building which was at the centre of a heated political row after it emerged £80,000 was spent on events to mark its reopening...
THE building, used as an information centre and public venue for the National Assembly, hosted a number of sessions for the public over three days following its refurbishment.
The figures, obtained by Shadow
Local Government Minister Darren Millar, give details of more than £30,000 in cost for staging the events, with nearly £50,000 of festival set-up costs paid by the Assembly Commission, the body which handles the running of the National Assembly.
Mr Millar described the figures as “staggering” and “outrageous” and said there should be better scrutiny of the Commission’s spending.
He said: “It beggars belief that the Commission thinks it is acceptable to spend so much taxpayers’ money on events like these.
“Serious questions must now be asked as to how the Assembly Commission can become more accountable.” Mr Millar conceded the Pierhead Building played an important role in providing the public with access and information on democracy in Wales.
He said: “I have no problem in recognising its need to be maintained for the benefit of the public.
“What I do have issue with is unnecessary and lavish expenditure when people are being hardest hit by the downturn.”
DON’TMISS BRIANLEEIN FRIDAY’SECHO