TOWN councillors are looking at taking over Llanfyllin Library.

Members discussed the idea of taking over the library at the latest monthly Llanfyllin Town Council meeting.

Mayor of Llanfyllin, Councillor Simon Baynes, said: “The building can make money because it can be let, and also it fits into the current situation with the school because the school needs a library.”

He added that the transfer would put the council in the position to “work with the school’s other organisations”.

“For us, more so than with other towns, there is an opportunity here I think – and we have to seize it.”

Powys Council is consulting on alternative ways to fund the library due to increasing financial pressure.

Eleven town and community councils formed a North Montgomeryshire Cluster Community Interest Company (CIC) which signed an agreement with Powys County Council in June 2018 to pay for half the Llanfyllin Library costs for five years, supposedly safeguarding the future of the service.

The CIC has warned that it could take legal action to ensure the library’s future.

During the meeting, the Mayor added that despite the disagreement over the library, North Montgomeryshire CIC was keen to continue the model of taking over services, such as street cleaning.

Cllr Aled Davies, Powys County Council deputy leader and member for finance, attended the meeting.

Cllr Baynes told him that the said the town council was keen to arrange a community asset transfer for the library building.

The Mayor added that the council was already involved in street cleaning.

Cllr Davies said he was sure the council would be “receptive to receiving a business case”.

Several members stressed the library’s importance to the community and Cllr Peter Lewis called it the “hub” of the community.

He added that he had obtained asset transfer forms from the county council.

Powys County Council failed to agree a budget last week, which included a £200,000 cut to library services. A final decision must be made on the county council’s budget by Thursday, March 7.