Welshpool council building due to be sold or rented out in
A major council building is set to be sold or rented out.
In a private session of a Powys County Council cabinet meeting members discussed the closure of its Neuadd Maldwyn building in Welshpool.
The premises has housed a number of council staff for many years.
It was also the home of the Montgomeryshire committee, although the group was axed earlier this year as part of a council cost cutting measure.
Now the authority has decided to close the building at the earliest opportunity, with back office services being transferred to Newtown.
The building, on Severn Road, will then be sold off or let so the council will no longer be responsible for maintenance.
At the cabinet meeting, councillors agreed that "subject to establishing a cost effective alternative front-line location in Welshpool, Neuadd Maldwyn is to be closed at the earliest opportunity with the majority of back office services being transferred to Newtown."
The minutes of the meeting state that the move is being made to, "ensure that the council has a fit-for-purpose base out of which to operate its services in the north of the county for the benefit of the citizens of Powys."
However, the local authority has insisted a front-line presence will be retained in the town and delegated authority will be given to the portfolio holder for property, councillor Phyl Davies, to determine where that will be.
Functions
Councillor Davies said: “The county council has been reviewing office accommodation in north Powys, particularly buildings and office accommodation in Newtown and Welshpool to assess their suitability for future service delivery.
“The review has examined the buildings to see if they are fit for purpose for both front office and back office functions and will support the council’s move towards an ‘agile’ working model.
“Initial findings recommend that Neuadd Maldwyn in Welshpool is either sold or let so that the council is no longer responsible for its maintenance. To improve public service delivery both Newtown and Welshpool have improved front offices.
“The cabinet has approved a detailed feasibility study to examine the cost and benefits of moving front and back office functions to Newtown using existing council building, while maintaining public facing services in Welshpool.
“No final decision will be made until the feasibility work has been completed, staff, elected members and partners will be kept fully informed of any proposals during the process.”
