Council investigation into 'inaccuracies' in '126k savings' with town library move plans

CONWY is conducting an official investigation after "£126k savings" presented to back the closure of Llandudno's Mostyn Street library were labelled inaccurate.

- By RICHARD EVANS

At a special meeting on Wednesday, Conwy 's head of finance claimed closing Llandudno's library and moving the service to Venue Cymru would save £126k a year.

Head of finance Ms Amanda Hughes had claimed Conwy was paying around £46,000 a year in electricity bills to Npower at the current site - a sum referenced as a future saving if the move went ahead. But this was before Cllr Louise Emery produced a letterheaded bill at the Coed Pella scrutiny committee.

Cllr Emery said Conwy only owed 38% of the £46,000. This was, Cllr Emery claimed, because the rest was legally payable by other tenants of the library building's owners Mostyn Estates, who occupied other floors. But part of Conwy's argument for moving was the £126k-a-year saving, which was included in a report presented to strengthen the council's case.

This led to Ms Hughes revealing she was "concerned", "disappointed" and "dismayed" as she was only now aware Conwy had paid the full £46,000 on behalf of the whole building, throwing the "£126k" savings into doubt.

The figures being questioned also led to Cllr Emery raising concerns that other savings could be incorrect.