A Newtown councillor has vowed to fight “very hard” to reopen the town’s day care centres.

Councillor Joy Jones said it is fair that everyone who contributed to a Powys County Council consultation should get answers on what happens next.

Day care centres across the county were closed in March 2020 for public health reasons due to the coronavirus pandemic but despite some reopening since then, the council is working on remodelling the service.

“I still believe very strongly about day centres because it takes away isolation,” Cllr Jones told Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council on Monday evening (February 26).

“The model we need is somewhere where the community can come together and have support they need under one roof.”

Newtown Mayor Cllr John Byrne told the town council that he didn’t want the day care centres to be forgotten about.

“We really value the day centres,” he said. “They’re primary care and again having those provisions help make sure rural people are seen once a day and getting a hot meal. 

“I wouldn’t like to see that fall on the wayside putting pressure on hospitals when they can have provisions on a lower level.

“I don’t want to be in the same position like with the air ambulance consultation where there is a lot of lip service.”