Powys budget

Powys County Council will face difficult budget decisions in the coming years as the authority reacts to a huge cut in public sector spending.

A special session of the county council’s Board was told this week that it faced a massive £33million budget deficit over the next five financial years.

Chairman of the Board, Councillor Michael Jones said: “Powys like other councils in Wales cannot escape the impact of a massive reduction in public sector spending as the government responds to the economic slowdown.

“The council will be faced with a very difficult task of balancing available budgets against increasing service pressures. The scale of the task means that the council has no alternative but to examine all available options.

“It is too early to say what actions can and will be taken, we will have to spend a considerable time looking at the services we deliver, what our priorities are and what areas can be delivered differently or if necessary not at all.

“We will work with our communities and partners to identify priorities but it is inevitable that some of our decisions will not be popular and cause some concern among the public.

“But, I am confident that the county council can meet the challenge of the coming years and deliver the services the public need.”

The council will start extensive public consultation on the scale of the problem and the possible options available later in the year. No details are available yet but they will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.