'£400k spent on empty building ...with no buyer and no plan'

HIGH COST OF FORMER COUNCIL HQ REVEALED

- By ALEC DOYLE Local Democracy Reporter

FLINTSHIRE County Council has paid more than £400,000 to maintain Shire Hall in Mold since vacating its former headquarters.

According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request the council has spent £403, 271.61 on the building since moving the last staff into their new home at Ty Dewi Sant in Ewloe on February 28.

Within the FOI the authority also confirmed that there was currently no prospective buyer for the site - which could potentially be used for housing. The council has confirmed a provisional demolition date of 2027, but could not comment on whether there is a timetable for sale or redevelopment of the land.

To date the costs incurred by Shire Hall include:

■Electricity: £176,185

■National Non-Domestic Rates: £134,660

Maintenance: £11,865.60

■Waste and cleaning: £4,202.72

■Security: £57,288 (annual cost)

Gas: £17,121

■Water: £1,349.29