HAY-ON-WYE has been chosen as one of the towns to pilot an initiative that would see Powys County Council hand over services to the community.

The specifics of the scheme are yet to be outlined, however council leader Barry Thomas said there had been a real interest in communities taking ownership of their services at a series of consultations held over the last two months.

Hay will be one of four Powys towns to pioneer the initiative– along with Welshpool, Newtown and Ystradgynlais – but it will depend town-to-town which services will be taken on my the community.

Cllr Thomas said: “We were encouraged at the level of interest shown by communities to take over the running of some council services.

“At a time when funds are severely limited we have to work together to try and protect highly valued services that are increasingly under threat.

“The more we can work together with our communities the better for future service delivery in Powys.”

Detailed discussions surrounding the initiatives will begin now.

To find out more about the initiatives you can contact the council using the dedicated email address town.community@powys.gov.uk .