Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has raised in the Senedd the apparent unauthorised spend of £620,000 on a 3G pitch at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay by Conwy County Council and called on the Finance Minister to outline “what she is doing to make sure that democratic processes are not circumvented in the future”.
The local authority has been accused of spending the substantial sum on the pitch without the decision going through the proper democratic process. The local authority submitted a multi-million-pound funding bid to the UK Levelling-Up Fund for the sports pitch, however the bid failed but the council funded the 3G pitch anyway.
Some members of the Finances and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee said they were concerned Conwy spent the money without the matter being debated.
Darren has already called on the Auditor General for Wales to investigate the matter, and in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament he raised it in the Business Statement.
He said:
“Over the past few days, I've received a number of e-mails from constituents about reports in relation to Conwy County Borough Council spending £620,000 with what appears to be an inappropriate level of democratic scrutiny. It looks like that scrutiny has been circumvented. This was in relation to the establishment of a new 3G pitch at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay. Now, of course, I welcome any investment in my constituency, but it is important that local councillors don't play fast and loose with taxpayers' money, especially when they've imposed a 9.9 per cent record-breaking increase on council tax payers in the local authority area this year.
"I do think it would be appropriate to have a statement from the Minister for Finance and Local Government about what she is doing to make sure that democratic processes are not circumvented in the future.
Responding, the Trefnydd Lesley Griffith MS, said:
“In relation to your first request, your phrase was 'inappropriate level of democratic scrutiny'. Well, that is a matter for Conwy County Borough Council as to how they decide to spend the money that is allocated to them.”
Speaking afterwards, Darren said:
“I think that residents in Colwyn Bay will be disappointed by the Trefnydd’s dismissive response. This is a substantial sum of taxpayer’s money and they deserve to know that the proper processes were adhered to.”
Watch Darren’s contribution in the Welsh Parliament below:
