DETAILS of a radical overhaul of public services in Powys to focus on five core towns could become clearer this month.

Work has been continuing for nearly two years work as Powys County Council develops proposals to slim down services in response to the funding crisis facing local authorities.

It expects that upwards of £60 million may need to be cut from its budget over the next five years - but so far only the concept of having core towns from where council services will be accessed has been made public.

At a meeting of the Liberal Democrat/Labour Cabinet on Tuesday, October 29 senior councillors agreed that Ystradgynlais would become the fifth core town in Powys, despite criticism by opposition and Powys Independents joint leader Cllr Beverley Baynham.

Cllr Baynham said that during the summer councillors across the political spectrum had receive confidential briefings on “Sustainable Powys”.

Cllr Baynham said: “We’re still bound by this confidentiality yet here we are seeing bits of information being drip fed to our residents and communities who don’t really understand what this process means.

“I understand that cuts need to be made but I honestly don’t believe this is the correct decision.

“I urge the cabinet to halt Sustainable Powys in its entirety and open urgent discussions with town and community councils to see if solutions can be found for all of us and not just those in the hubs.”

In response to the comments  Council leader Liberal Democrat Cllr James Gibson-Watt asked council chiefs to explain the next steps.

(Image: NQ)

Head of business intelligence and governance Catherine James said: “Town and community councils will be invited to a meeting at the end of November.

“In terms of proposals coming forward they are all due over the next few months.”

Ms James explained that work was being done to bring proposals to scrutiny committee meetings and that this has been “shared and communicated widely” with councillors.

The council is set to move away from the 13 localities model which is based on the county’s market towns, and instead focus on core areas centred on Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown, Welshpool and now Ystradgynlais.

In these core areas schools and other council or community assets will be used to provide “solutions” and services.

Travel times can be up to one hour to your nearest hub even if you are a child.

The principles explain that service provision must be “digitally supported” and public and community transport must “align” in each locality to the hub.