Community groups are now being offered up to 45% of the running costs to take over some of the services provided by Powys County Council.
The cabinet agreed to raise the amount available to town, community councils and other community organisations in a bid to save some of the services that we take for granted but face the axe under cuts.
And they are being urged to follow Welshpool’s lead with the town council set to take over more responsibilities including grounds maintenance and street cleaning from October, if all can be agreed.
The funding will be offered for five years following transfer of the service with a review of operations at the end of that period. The new funding arrangements replace a sliding scale that operated over three years with a maximum of 40 per cent of costs.
Cabinet Member for Commissioning, Councillor Graham Brown said: “This new funding scheme provides more funding and greater security for those organisations considering taking on local service delivery.
“We are confident that the new scheme will prove attractive to local organisations and generate more interest in taking on important local services for the benefit of their communities.
“Without increased take up from community organisations the level of services provided by the county council could fall to a minimum or disappear completely.
“The new regime has already been successful with the county council agreeing in principle service delivery transfers to Welshpool Town Council on the basis of the 45 per cent service cost. The payment will be benchmarked against 2015/16 Car parking income and will form the basis for a review after three years.
“We are delighted to reach agreement, which is subject to ratification by the cabinet and town council, it is very much part of county council’s drive to preserve and maintain services at a local level at a time of austerity. We look forwards to working closely with other local communities in order to achieve that ambition,” he added.
Groups interested in the initiative should contact the Community Delivery team at community.delivery@powys.gov.uk or call 01597 826106 for more information.