MACHYNLLETH residents could be asked if they want the town council to pay to help protect the town’s day centre – meaning a tax rise.

Powys County Council is currently reviewing day centre services for older people, as it looks to cut costs, and Machynlleth councillors have questioned whether it could provide funding to keep the centre open, although they admitted that would mean a hike in the town council precept paid by taxpayers.

Clerk Rab Jones said he had met with independent day centre provider in Machynlleth, Crossroads, seeking information about what sort of financial support the town council would need to provide to ensure the service continued.

Councillors were keen to look at what the town council could do to protect the service. But they said they wanted to give residents of the town the chance to have their say on how they wanted the town council portion of their council tax to be spent.

Cllr Glenda Jenkins said that, with the town council considering taking on more and more services previously provided by the county council, it was important that residents were asked what services should receive town council funding, as it was likely to lead to the town council’s precept rising.

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