The amount of money spent by Powys Council with companies based in the county has risen to 30 per cent, the authority says.

In three years, the spending with firms based inside the county has risen from 26 to 30 per cent – equating to an extra £13 million being given to local companies for services.

In total the council spent £62.2 million with Powys-based businesses last year, and £118.8 million – or 56 per cent of its spending – with companies based in Wales.

The data was released following a question by the council's Plaid Cymru group leader, Councillor Elwyn Vaughan (Glantwymyn).

Finance portfolio holder Councillor Aled Davies (Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and Llansilin – Conservative), said: “These figures show a real positive impact of the Powys Pound vision with an additional £13m of council expenditure being spent in Powys.

“However, there are anomalies in the way these figures are calculated and collected and this will be addressed this financial year.”

He explained that companies who employ Powys people and use local suppliers may not be counted in the figures because their company headquarters is out of the county.

“The current methodology therefore does not fully measure the impact of the council’s spend on the local economy,” Cllr Davies added.

In recent weeks the council has started a #SupportLocalPowys campaign to get people shopping in their nearest high street.

Cllr Vaughan added: “If it’s important for the residents of Powys to spend locally, it’s also important for the council  to do likewise.

“What’s good enough for the goose is good enough for the gander.”

He urged the council to aim for 40 per cent procurement from Powys firms and 75 per cent from Welsh ones.

These aims were backed by councillors at a meeting in October 2017.

The Powys Pound is an initiative that has received praise from the future generations commissioner for Wales, Sophie Howe.

It was seen as a good example of a local authorities changing policies to try to boost the local economy.

A survey claimed that every £1  spent by the council is worth £6 for the economy.