Police spend £7,000 on cigs shelter
POLICE have spent more than £7,000 on a smoking shelter for staff at their Carmarthen headquarters.
The cost was confirmed just a week after its new Police and Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon, announced a freeze on civilian recruitment as he looks to make savings.
The decision to build it was taken by the Dyfed-Powys Police Authority before Mr Salmon took up his post last month.
Some staff at headquarters have questioned the need for the shelter — which cost £7,131.50.
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Following the scrapping of the police authority last month, Mr Salmon's role is to set the strategic direction for the force and scrutinise its performance on behalf of the public.
In a statement he said: "The force has told me their reasons for providing the smoking shelter for staff, which I am satisfied with.
"The force received three quotations for the work from local contractors and chose the one that offered the best value for money.
"However, the costs involved are a concern, particularly during times of austerity.
"I am now responsible for the force's budget and I will be scrutinising all expenditure very closely."
A spokeswoman for Dyfed Powys police said: "The provision of a smoking shelter ensures that smoking on the site (headquarters) is now controlled and restricted to this area.
"The tendency for smokers to congregate in entrance ways particularly during inclement weather was problematic.
"The shelter provides protection to non-smokers from the effects of secondary smoke inhalation," she added.
Comments
by hacker_jack
Thursday, December 20 2012, 5:57PM
“Phil, the ban has enabled the freeing up of said smoking rooms for other purposes, 7000 for an extra room in a police station sounds a bargain to me.”
by Hadoken123456
Thursday, December 20 2012, 2:26PM
“Nice to see money is being well spent.
I was at the garage today with a staff member moaning to me that her boss wont let her have a fag break, I was like no wonder you work in garage.”
by muld00ns
Thursday, December 20 2012, 2:12PM
“No I am chuffed smoking has been banned in certain places as my health has inproved no end and my clothes don't stink of cigarettes!
As for the reason for the shelter.....stop smokers to congregate in entrance ways particularly during inclement weather = saving £7k!
Ridiculous excuse to spend so much money at these times!”
by Philosoraptor
Thursday, December 20 2012, 11:57AM
“The shelter wouldn't have been needed if the previous government didn't ban the smoking rooms that were already in place. That would have been £7,000 saved.”