A new town centre liaison officer for Newtown is now in post and supporting economic development across the town said the county council.

In total, five new officers, paid for by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, have been appointed, assigned to towns in either northwest, northeast, central, southwest or southeast Powys and have been tasked with advising and helping town councils, businesses, charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups with the planning, delivery and monitoring of economic development projects.

The town centre liaison officers (TCLOs) are part of Powys County Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration Team.

The new TCLO for Newtown is Bobby Gough and he will cover Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth.

Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, Cllr David Selby welcomed them into their roles.

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.”

Their roles have been funded by the UK Government up until the end of 2024, as part of its Levelling Up programme.

Mr Gough can be contacted via email via [email protected].

Photo: Mr Gough and Cabinet Member, Cllr David Selby | The new 5 TCLOs with Cllr David Selby