A WAR of words has broken out between Powys County Council and Welshpool Town Council over the future of the library in the town.

The consultation on a proposal to move the library into Powysland Museum next year comes to an end on Sunday, November 25.

Welshpool Town Council clerk, Robert Robinson, has turned the heat up by calling the decision  a "done deal".

The consultation on moving the library within Powysland Museum is part of a wider review of buildings and assets by PCC. If this happened staff from Neuadd Maldwyn would be moved there. This allows Neuadd Maldwyn to be sold off.

But before firm decisions can be taken, the consultation results need to be looked at. A report would then be written with options to be considered by the PCC cabinet.

Cabinet Member for Property, Councillor Phyl Davies, said: “The county council has been reviewing its office and building accommodation for some considerable time to ensure it is making the best possible use of its assets.

“Throughout the process the council has been open to ideas from partner organisations and successfully co-located or transferred responsibility for services to others in many towns across the county.

“However, any partnership or co-service plans have to be backed by robust business plans, that have been fully and professionally costed to ensure that any asset is properly protected for the future.

"We have to be confident that plans meet appropriate service delivery standards and that any staffing changes have been carefully considered to ensure they meet employment legislation.

“Unfortunately, despite informing Welshpool Town Council of our review many months ago, alternative plans have only just been submitted.

“Regrettably they do not provide us with the confidence that they are deliverable and will protect the county council’s assets in the town and staff employment rights."

Cllr Davies also wonders if the town councillor are backing Mr Robinson's stance?

In recent years Welshpool Town Council has taken over, public toilets, playgrounds, day centre, meals on wheels, tourist information centre and street cleaning. But this has seen the council tax precept, what the residents pay Welshpool Town Council, rise. This year that rose by an extra £26.

Mr Robinson, said: “The town council supports residents in their view for a good library service in Welshpool.”

"The town council has been in discussions since May with the county council and on June 6, 2018, put forward a proposal involving the museum, library, canal wharf, canal basin and youth centre.

“A further meeting was held with the county council in July (when the idea of the library and the museum was mooted) putting forward a full proposal with costings to aid both protecting the services and at the same time saving the money that Powys needed to achieve.

“The town council is meeting again with Powys County Council in the next few weeks with a view to taking forward a scheme which is good for Welshpool, good for protecting services and good for Powys."