Machynlleth Town Council has warned it is facing a cash crunch amid a lack of revenue during the coronavirus crisis.

Town and community councils around the country are in danger of running out of money during the lockdown, and Machynlleth Town Council is among those feeling the pinch.

It has reached out to Powys County Council and regional elected politicians to discuss finding a solution before it’s too late.

Machynlleth Town Council relies on money from businesses renting offices at its Y Plas headquarters and other income generating schemes to pay wages and run services.

They look after parklands and green spaces in the town as well as running the weekly market. Just over half its income comes from the council tax precept.

Council clerk Jim Griffiths said: “One of the sectors that has not been considered in all of this, is town and community councils.

“We have no revenue coming in, we have put half our staff on furlough, but we still have bills arriving.”

Grants from the Welsh Government are available to help businesses and are administered by Powys County Councils.

But Mr Griffiths continued: “Our tenants at Y Plas are able to access small business grants to tide them over, but we can’t.

“We’re not vat registered or registered as a charity. We don’t have financial reserves to tide us over.”

Mr Griffiths, said that he had discussed funding problems with other councils that are also in a dangerous position.

Some rely on car parking revenue, especially in parts of Wales popular with tourists, which have seen a fall in their income during the lockdown.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are working with community and town councils to assess the scale of this issue.

“Community and town councils can use the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme for any salaried employees who become furloughed as result of the pandemic.”

Machynlleth along with Brecon, Newtown, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais is one of the five town and community councils in Powys that have a turnover of over £200,000 a year.