DAY centres will be re-opening earlier than expected – but only if staff are available.

The centres have been closed for over two years since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020.

After a six-monthly review of the closure in January the adult social care cabinet member at the time Cllr Myfanwy Alexander decided to keep the facilities shut until August with an outreach service in place instead.

Current council chairman, Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe has said that this issue was brought up for discussion several times during the recent local government election campaign.

Cllr Ratcliffe has now asked for an update on the day centre and whether there is plan for re-opening day centres across Powys

He also asks whether there will be the chance that day care opportunities can be extended to parts of Powys, such as Hay-on-Wye which he represents, that have not previously had them.

Cabinet member for a Caring Powys which includes Adult Social Care, Sian Cox said: “Any re-opening of day centres relies on a sufficiency of staffing for re-openings to be viable and safe.

“We are currently experimenting with phased re-opening of day centres between now and the end of July.

“But we need to do this with reference to premises’ risk assessments and staffing availability."

MS Cox added that the council is looking to support “as many of these staff as possible” back into their roles.

In March 2020, 154 people attended Powys Day Centres for Older People, with 33 staff.