Row after question of who would fill new office site

THE leader of Swansea Council has lashed out at two opposition councillors after they asked who would be occupying a new office building in the city.

- RICHARD YOULE

Cllr Rob Stewart was critical of councillors Peter May and Stuart Rice, claiming they didn’t appear to believe in Swansea or want to attract good jobs.

The Uplands Party duo, who represent the city’s Uplands ward, had asked in writing who would be occupying a new public sector hub in the light of low occupancy rates of Welsh Government offices in Wales.

BBC Wales reported last month that Welsh Government office staff were expected to be present at their office 40% of the time equating to two days a week but that daily attendance was 16% in March this year on average and 10% in an office in Penllergaer, Swansea.

Councillors May and Rice quoted the two latter figures in their question.

The public sector hub is a joint Swansea Council and private sector project. It has planning permission and will be built on land at the former St David’s shopping centre, near St Mary's Church.