The proposal would see the town’s former swimming baths become a multi-agency base for Powys County Council, the police, fire and ambulance services, GP’s surgery and more housing.
The wider site could also include a library, Powys teaching Local Health Board offices HM Customs and Revenue and a job centre.
At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 16, cabinet members agreed to set up a working group to investigate the project's potential.
The need for a new Montgomeryshire HQ for Powys County Council has become more pressing after the report, submitted to the Cabinet, highlighted that the current offices at Neuadd Maldwyn is in need of £3m worth of repairs.
It is proposed that the site will be sold to help fund the costs of the proposed new offices in Howell Drive.
Sheltered housing for the elderly and possibly a new day care centre, and a refurbished or new primary school and youth centre are also planned.
Officers believe the plan will make better use of public budgets.
Garry Banks, who is portfolio holder for property and assets, said there was potential to provide Welshpool with a range of “outstanding” bases for public services.
“Officers have identified that there is huge potential in Welshpool to collaborate and provide state of the art, modern, fit for purpose facilities,” he added, in his report to the Cabinet on Tuesday.
He said: “We should be making things sustainable and updating them for the 21st century in Welshpool.”
Police, fire crews and a magistrates' court moved into a new shared building in Llandrindod Wells last year in what was thought to be one of the first of its type in Wales.
Welshpool’s fire, ambulance and police hubs are all located within a few metres of each other.
To see the full proposal visit www.powys.gov.uk/rep_2013-07-16c1_153a_en.pdf?id=47&L=0
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Naomi Penrose
Quelle/Source: News North Wales, 24.07.2013
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