Council to investigate extra street sweeping

Town councillors have approved the first stage of a plan to provide additional street cleaning and sweeping services in Newtown.

At their full meeting held last night (Monday 23rd September), town councillors heard from Lyn Parry, Senior Operational Manager for Highways at Powys County Council on plans to involve the town council in providing additional street cleaning services.

Ms Parry explained that road sweeping, whilst part of the County Council's asset management plan, did not form part of a planned maintenance programme.

The County Council were recently successful in bidding for additional electric road sweepers through the Levelling Up Fund.

Ms Parry stated that Brecon Town Council currently takes up the scheme, paying the County Council to have the town swept 12 times a year. She also explained that the staff at Brecon Town Council operate the road sweeper.

Cllr Richard Edwards commented:

"It is a proposal. I would support, I think it's centre of the town is very important for the town, for the residents and for the tourism sector in the town as well."

"Obviously, the devil in the detail is what the cost would be to the town council, but I would support the Clerk going forward and have a negotiations upon the proposal we've heard this evening and then come back and report what those costs would be."

Town councillors have now instructed the Town Clerk to research the lawfulness, resources and other implications for the proposal.

The Town Clerk will deliver his report prior to the budget for 2025/26 being set in January.