Call for inquiry is renewed (From South Wales Guardian)

Call for inquiry is renewed

5:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

THE leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has renewed his call for an independent public inquiry into the continuing Ammanford Police Station controversy.

Last year the Guardian revealed that – as a result of a 30- year private finance initiative deal – the state-of-the-art station in Foundry Road was costing Dyfed Powys Police £700,000 a year.

Now the recent closure of the station’s front desk has refuelled the row, although MP Jonathan Edwards last week maintained that PFI agreements set up during the Labour Government were to blame for the fiasco.

Now Cllr Kevin Madge has repeated his demand for an independent public inquiry, claiming this would be the best way to restore public confidence.

“I was a member of the Police Authority, but that PFI agreement was set up years before,” he told the Guardian. “I’ve never supported PFIs – they were one of the biggest mistakes the Labour Government ever made – but money was scarce at the time and they were seen as an alternative way of funding.

“Now we’re stuck with a building in which public money is being poured in and it’s just not being utilised.

“The police station needs to be used and its rooms leased out if necessary, even if they are used by groups not connected with the police force.

“I was surprised that no-one supported by call for an independent public inquiry 12 months back – I’m nowrenewing that call because that’s the only way we can win back public confidence.”