Cumbria’s Liberal Democrat and Labour County Council has spent more than £100,000 maintaining its former headquarters in Carlisle after moving to a new £10.5 million office complex 350 yards away.
The information, revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request, covers the costs incurred over the two years since the council left its offices at The Courts in the city.
Councillor James Airey, leader of the Conservative group on Cumbria County Council, said: "It is wrong that old headquarters have been left empty for almost two years with council taxpayers left to pick up the bill.
“To put it in perspective, £100,000 would pay for 2,000 extra pothole repairs.
“Our Liberal Democrat and Labour council need to follow through quickly on their commitment to find a sustainable solution for their former offices. Every day that this doesn’t happen, the bill for Cumbrians is going up.”
Under the Freedom of Information Act, Cumbria County Council was asked to provide the costs incurred to-date for maintenance, security and associated expenditure in relation to the Citadel complex (The Courts) in Carlisle following the relocation of council staff to Cumbria House, 117 Botchergate, Carlisle.
Reply:
Maintenance £14,872
Statutory Serving £15,120
Security £1,119
Electricity £15,547
Gas £12,154
Water £5,007
Business Rates £36,742
TOTAL £100,561