Members of Caerphilly County Borough Council has called for the UK Government to reconsider relocating the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from the county borough.
Last month the DWP announced plans to close five offices in South Wales to relocate 1,700 staff to a new headquarters in Treforest.
Of those employees, 225 currently work out of a benefits office in Caerphilly town centre.
Council leader David Poole tabled a motion at full council requesting that Westminster officials enter “meaningful discussions” with the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS).
The motion reads: “That Caerphilly County Borough Council requests the UK Government to reconsider the relocation of the Caerphilly DWP Offices and enter into meaningful discussions with PCS Trade Union. We further request that the Welsh Government supports the PCS’s position.”
The DWP say that 600 members of staff will be outside the “reasonable mobility to travel” category to the new site daily – a figure disputed by the PCS and Caerphilly AM Hefin David.
Speaking last month, Dr David said: “The DWP’s own figures show a third of staff fall outside the reasonable mobility to travel category.
“However, the PCS rightly highlight the many staff members who have extensive caring responsibilities.
“How is relocating Caerphilly Benefits Centre to Treforest going to help my constituents with caring responsibilities?”
Caerphilly MP Wayne David, has also spoken in opposition to the scheme.
“The closure of the Caerphilly office will have a detrimental impact on Caerphilly town centre,” he said last month.
“Caerphilly desperately needs more offices, not fewer at a time when efforts are being made to rejuvenate the town centre.”
But Alun Cairns, secretary of state for Wales, said the transfer of staff to a purpose-built facility will provide a “positive economic boost” for Treforest and surrounding areas.
Well your not going to change ones mind.
Close the old D.W.P office Send them to Treforest.
Sell off the Building for homes.
Mr Pool you don’t give a toss about Caerphilly.
Yet another move by Government to centralise government departments (the tax offices at Llanishen will be moving into Cardiff City Centre).
Our Valley towns are declining at a rapid pace – we will all soon be travelling many miles to access basic services which should remain available locally.
How many times have we heard that centralising departments is more efficient and cost effective – but the fact is that it rarely turns out to be the case.
Don’t know if anyone knows but caerphilly recreation centre is on the cards to close and land sold in a few yrs.
This will make way for more housing on that site.
More council inside information Jack?
Edward Should go to specsavers
Sorry i dont see the connection,
I don’t agree but all under one roof is probably less money for different buildings.
In a few years it will do a full circle reopening more buildings at a cost.