Machynlleth’s library is not currently under threat from cuts, but that could change in the near future, a councillor has warned.

While the Machynlleth facility is not being assessed, the Llanidloes and Rhayader libraries are amongst the 10 that are currently being reviewed.

With Powys County Council facing severe budget issues and admitting that will lead to service cuts, the authority is already looking at the future of the 10 libraries insisting they must be “self-sufficient” and “sustainable”.

With the Llanidloes and Rhayader libraries already in the spotlight, Machynlleth councillor Michael Williams told a meeting of the town council that he believed Machynlleth’s library could also be targeted in future as funding pressures continue to lead to service cuts in the county.

He said: “I’m quite certain that situation isn’t going to last indefinitely. The county council is looking to cut spending on non-statutory services and libraries are not statutory. There will be serious cuts in the offing.”

Cllr Williams said other non-statutory services would also be targeted by Powys council including street lighting and roads.

See this week’s Machynlleth & Llanidloes paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now