A BARRY councillor has criticised the Tory-led Vale council for letting new offices to the Vale of Glamorgan MP instead of local businesses.

Vale and town Buttrills ward councillor, Ian Johnson said the space shouldn’t be let to Alun Cairns.

He said last year the authority agreed to on taking over Cardiff and Vale College buildings on Hood Road to develop for small and medium businesses, branding the site BSC2. The council said new offices were needed as flexible high-quality office Barry accommodation was in short supply.

Cllr Johnson said he wanted council regeneration investment to create jobs and opportunities.

Vale council leader, Cllr John Thomas said there was still plenty of office space for businesses to let.

Cllr Johnson said: “I gave my support to £135,000 of investment in the regeneration of the Waterfront to support local business and create quality local jobs. The Tory-run Vale council is renting one of these newly created offices to Tory politicians, rather than to Barry businesses with vision and ambition.

“The purpose of regeneration funding at BSC2 is to generate greater returns, such as increased jobs, through investment in infrastructure - not subsidise public sector employment.

“At a time when council funds are apparently in short supply and the Tories are threatening £20m of cuts to Vale services, Barry residents will want to know why their money has been spent on creating office accommodation for the Secretary of State for Wales, rather than helping genuine businesses.”

Cllr John Thomas said Mr Cairns was one of the first local employers interested in taking one of the new offices and was keen to support this new council development.

He said: “There remains office space available for rent within the BSC and BSC2 as existing occupiers in the BSC have moved to the bigger offices available in the BSC2. The development of the BSC and the new BSC2 will provide an exciting opportunity for local businesses and employers, and the council hopes to welcome more new and existing businesses into the fantastic facilities provided at these two neighbouring sites, which form part of the on-going redevelopment of the Waterfront.”

Alun Cairns’ office declined to comment.