Newtown day centre future left in the balance

In 2016, Powys County Council tabled plans to close day centres for older people to save over £1 million.

However town councils stepped in to keep them going, and in Newtown the town council pledged £25,000 from its budget to keep their centre going for another 12 months.

During the last year the council has been in discussions with the local authority to explore more sustainable options for the future of the services.

Councillors were hopeful of being able to transfer the day centre to the town council, however that has not been possible.

Town councillor Richard Edwards said it was unfortunate a deal could not be struck, but he is hopeful that the local authority will continue to run the service when the £25,000 runs out on March 31.

He said: “We appreciated the opportunity to work with Powys County Council to find a sustainable solution.

“Although it could not come to fruition, the town council’s contribution has helped to keep the existing services for the 12 months as we intended.

“We explored options which were not possible in the end, but we want to see the service level maintained in the future not just for the users but for the carers too.

“Things have changed since the previous plans were tabled by the council. There are new councillors, there is a new cabinet and there is a different outlook from the local authority going forward.”

The planned cuts in 2016 was not the first time Powys County Council had tried to cut day centres.

In May 2014, they said they were trying to transfer day centres to community groups and end its meals service to plug a £40m budget gap.

County councillor Stephen Hayes, cabinet member for adult social care said the council is committed to improving the well being of older people.

He said: “The county council and Newtown Town Council have held a number of positive and friendly discussions over the past 12 months.

“While these have not borne fruit in quite the way we had both hoped, the town council’s openness to consider future options is much appreciated, whilst its contribution of £25,000 will support the running of the centre into 2018.”