ANTI-POVERTY champion, high profile health campaigner and county councillor, Joy Jones, has left Powys County Council's ruling Independent group.

Cllr Jones, who represents Newtown East, confirmed that she had left the group and is now a non-aligned councillor.

This means that the Independent group that runs Powys in coalition with the Conservative group is down to 29 councillors.

Cllr Jones explained her decision: "I found myself increasingly unable to support the policies of the cabinet.

"I'm becoming increasingly concerned at the budget situation as the cabinet appears to be unable to bring the various overspends under control.

"Money is being used to shore up the overspends rather than being directed to help those wh need it through the provision of services."

Cllr Jones said that she had been contacted by a couple of councillors following her exit from the Independent group.

Cllr Jones said: "They said well done for standing by my principles.

"I'm here to represent the people who elected me and I will continue to do that to the best of my ability.

"I'm talking to people in my ward who are being hit by cuts.

"It's hitting services and people are paying more and more.

"They can't see what they are now paying for.

"It's causing unrest."

Cllr Jones is the second county councillor who has left the ruling coalition this year.

Llandrindod North County Councillor Gary Price left the Conservatives and is also a non-aligned councillor.

This means that Powys Council is now made up of:

Independents = 29

Conservative = 19

Liberal Democrats = 13

Labour = 7

Plaid Cymru = 2

Green Party = 1

Non-aligned = 2

Total = 73

The ruling coalition is Independent and Conservative Groups = 48

The official opposition is Liberal Democrat and Green Party = 14

Picture - Cllr Joy Jones