MACHYNLLETH Town Council would be “doing a disservice” to elderly residents if it does not urgently secure the future of the town’s day centre, one of its councillors says.

Councillors made a passionate plea to ensure the future of services at the Crossroads day centre in Machynlleth after the town clerk, Rab Jones, said Llanidloes Town Council had already begun negotiations with Powys County Council.

But despite calls being made in December to enter into talks with the county council, which has only guaranteed funding for day centres until 2018, the town council is yet to formally start discussions on the subject.

Cllr Michael Williams said: “If we don’t enter into negotiations with Powys County Council regarding services at the day centre run so well by Crossroads, it would be absolutely ridiculous, and it would doing a disservice to our people.

“If we can’t help ensure adequate care for them at their time of life, it would be a disgrace. What are we doing? What are Powys County Council doing? What are the government doing?”

Other councillors agreed with Cllr Williams’ sense of urgency but said there was a need for a consultation with residents before taking on any commitment which would inevitably lead to a higher precept.

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