A NEW set of town advisers have taken up their roles across Powys.

Five town centre liaison officers, paid for by the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund are now in post and “supporting economic development across Powys”.

The officers have been assigned to towns in either northwest, northeast, central, southwest or southeast Powys.

Their role will see them advising and helping town councils, businesses, charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups with the planning, delivery and monitoring of economic development projects.

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The town centre liaison officers (TCLOs) are part of Powys County Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration Team and were welcomed into their roles by Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, Cllr David Selby.

He said: “They will be advising on the implementation of town plans and helping to identify projects and initiatives that can make a real difference to the communities they are supporting.

“They will also be liaising, as their job titles suggest, between town-based organisations and other departments within the county council and any consultants who are hired to draft, develop or review plans.

“The TCLOs will also offer advice on where support for projects can be accessed.”

One of the sources of funding they can signpost organisations to is the Transforming Towns Placemaking Grant, funded by Welsh Government.

This can be used to cover the capital cost of creating more town centre homes, commercial property and shop frontage improvements, green and digital infrastructure, small scale public spaces and outdoor trading improvements, strategic property purchases, support for market traders, walkers and cyclists, pop-up projects, and providing more recreation facilities and toilets.

The TCLOs are:

  • Bobby Gough – Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth. Contact: regeneration@powys.gov.uk.
  • Philip Jones – Welshpool, Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin and Montgomery. Contact: regeneration@powys.gov.uk.
  • Richard Morgan – Llandrindod Wells, Knighton, Presteigne and Rhayader. Contact: regeneration@powys.gov.uk.
  • Rhys Howells – Ystradgynlais, Brecon, Builth Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells. Contact: regeneration@powys.gov.uk.
  • Ayden Davies – Crickhowell, Hay-on-Wye and Talgarth. Contact: regeneration@powys.gov.uk.