Cllrs John Mingay and Stephen Moon have hit out at the body responsible for organising NHS services in Bedfordshire for splashing out on offices at the historic Wrest Park estate in Silsoe.
A recent Freedom of Information request submitted by the Bedfordshire on Sunday found that the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) is spending £280k a year in rent on the offices which it moved into during 2013. It is also spending £105k on 4 other offices at an additional cost of £105k.
The BCCG has been plagued by financial difficulties having recorded a £45m spending deficit last year.
Cllr John Mingay, who Chairs Bedford Borough Council’s Adult Services and Health Committee, said:
‘It is disgraceful. That is an excessive amount to spend on workspace; a public body with serious financial difficulties is staying in what can only be described as luxury accommodation.’
Cllr Moon added:
‘This is high standard accommodation in a sought-after location. A public body should consider carefully how it spends its money.’