PREFERENTIAL treatment should be given to Welshpool when it comes to a police CCTV project according to the town council.

Later this year, it is expected that CCTV would be switched on in 14 towns in Dyfed-Powys as part of a £2 million project being championed by Police Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn.

Once working the high definition cameras would be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by police officers at their headquarters in Carmarthen.

But in Welshpool, the town council is unhappy that they will not be part of the initial roll out and vented their anger on Mr Llywelyn at a council meeting on Wednesday, February 28.

Town Clerk Robert Robinson led the criticism: “Why are we not top of the pile?

“Why should Newtown get to the top of the pile?”

“You should be rewarding people who actually do something, not rewarding councils who have not done anything.

“I think we need to make it clear we would not want to see the CCTV leave the town hall,

“We have a fear that when budget cuts are made we will lose it.”

Cllr Estelle Bleivas said: “We are going to be punished for spending our own money to provide a very good system, promise us otherwise.”

“Will Welshpool be part of the project as an equal party with everyone else or just get the crumbs?”

Mayor Cllr Stephen Kaye wanted to see Welshpool used as a pilot scheme along with Brecon which also has its own CCTV.

“We are a little different up here, switch us on first, get us going before Newtown who have the attitude ‘we’re glad we didn’t bother as we’ve got it paid for,” said Cllr Kaye.

Police commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn replied: “Things are in place to invest in new infrastructure, legally I have to go through the procurement process, we can’t have a small cache of staff working in each town.

“I’m happy to work with you and I understand your frustration with others who have not stepped up.”

Mr Llywelyn added it could take another nine months to get the system working.