BEWILDERED staff at Ceredigion County Council’s Morgan Street office in Cardigan only learnt of the local authority’s plan to sell off the premises by reading the Cambrian News, it emerged this week.

The shock revelation at Monday morning’s meeting of the scrutiny committee led Beulah-based councillor Lyndon Lloyd to ask: “What sort of council are we?”

And Cllr Elizabeth Evans admitted she felt “embarrassed” on discovering how Cardigan-based staff had been kept in the dark.

The row erupted after moves to sell off the Morgan Street office and rent an additional floor at Canolfan Teifi – currently housing the town library – were slammed by councillors who complained of a dearth of information.

The matter was called in by members of the scrutiny committee, who on Monday agreed – by 15 votes to 11 with one abstention – to send it back for Cabinet to re-consider.

An angry Cllr Mark Cole questioned the fact committee members only received a detailed report on the planned sale just 10 minutes before Monday’s key meeting.

“My blood pressure is sky-high,” he told colleagues. “I’m furious – absolutely furious – and frustrated. All I can say at this stage is that a new offer has emerged that’s being considered, but that wouldn’t be on the table if we hadn’t asked questions as the scrutiny committee.”