The creation of a single environment body has already cost the Welsh Government over a million pounds, according to information obtained by the Welsh Conservatives.
Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Antoinette Sandbach AM, has called for an explanation of the ‘spiralling costs’ after receiving a comprehensive breakdown.
The figures show over 80 thousand pounds has already been spent on job adverts, while a London PR firm has been paid 32 thousand pounds to conduct a branding exercise.
Well over 700 thousand pounds has already been spent on ‘IT Infrastructure-Scoping’, with five separate companies receiving between 377 pounds and 371 thousand pounds.
Legal advice from five different parties totals almost 200 thousand pounds.
‘Natural Resources Wales’ replaces the Forestry Commission, Environment Agency Wales, and the Countryside Council for Wales.
Ms Sandbach said:
"There’s a real danger that these spiralling costs are getting out of hand.
"While IT may be important, taxpayers will rightly question the obscene amounts of money being thrown at computers and phones.
"Excessive PR spending – when the government already has its own PR team – also deserves an explanation.
"It’s crucial that value for money is placed at the top of the agenda - with delivery and staff morale.
"The rushed nature of this merger and its implications for the forestry industry remain of great concern."
Shadow Minister for Environment Russell George AM said:
"Throwing hundreds of thousands of pounds at IT and PR does not appear to be the most cost-effective start for this body.
"The minister should give us a detailed explanation of exactly what it’s been spent on and why it’s needed."