Councillors will hold an emergency meeting this month to discuss the state of Aberystwyth after one member said the ‘deterioration’ of town was ‘sad to see’.

Cllr Mair Benjamin had called for Aberystwyth Town Council to hold a “full debate” on the issues affecting Aberystwyth town centre, including shop closures and safe zone restrictions, and had written a letter to the town clerk in a bid to get the issues on the agenda for the council meeting held in July.

Despite being sent in time, the issues were not including on the agenda, leading to questions from Cllr Benjamin and other members as to why.

It was later decided to hold informal conversation on the “multiple issues raised” in the letter by Cllr Benjamin, who has now been told that an emergency meeting on the subject will be held in August despite councils not traditionally meeting this month.

Cllr Benjamin told members that “all the issues with the town”, such as flower planting, painting, street cleaning, safe zone measure and shop closures, “need to be fully debated.”

“We have a high precept and are a big council,” she said.

“We should be making sure these jobs are getting done and putting pressure on Ceredigion council to make sure everything is as good as it can be.

“At the moment, the town is deteriorating, and I hear comments from residents often on how bad things are in certain places.

“It is in a dreadful state.

“I am as concerned as residents are about the general state of the town and its lack of vision to attract locals and visitors into the town centre.

“Accepting there are Covid restrictions in place does not mean the town should be neglected or accept second best.

“We all know the massive impact lockdowns and the coronavirus has had on our communities but surely now is the time more than ever to be proactive and show Aberystwyth Town Council can lead the way in encouraging growth and regeneration.”

Cllr Benjamin has previously called for councillors to meet with Llandudno council and the town’s chamber of trade, after a visit there showed “what was possible” in Aberystwyth.

At the meeting at the end of last month, Cllr Benjamin said that the issue should have been discussed by being added to the agenda, and said she was “disheartened” that it wasn’t.

Cllr Talat Chaudhri and Cllr Charlie Kingsbury agreed to hold an informal meeting with Cllr Benjamin, with the suggestion that an emergency meeting of the council be held later this month.

Cllr Benjamin told members: “This should have been on the agenda and I’m upset that it is not. It is so important for all of Aberystwyth.”