First new member joins Powys council after recruitment drive

A Powys town council which took a new approach to recruiting members has scored its first success.

Llandrindod Wells Town Council recently held some drop in sessions at its Temple Chambers home on South Crescent to try and reach out to people in a different way

They held two sessions on a Saturday and on an evening during March to give people the chance to find out more about Llandrindod Wells Council, and the role of being a member.

As a result, the council has scored its first success – a new member has joined the council.

Local businessman Toby Weale attended the second of the open sessions and chatted with the Mayor Councillor Steve Deeks-D’Silva and Deputy Mayor Councillor Kim Nicholls.

He has since submitted an application to join the council and he was co-opted by members at the April meeting.

He said he had started his own company about five years ago and it has led him to doing lots of community work. He said the council really fits with what he is doing and he would love to be a part of it.

Toby will serve as a councillor for South Ward 1 and will join the council for its May meeting.

At the moment there are five other vacancies on the councils in the south, north, east and west wards.

Usually the council would advertise the vacancies, wait and see if residents call for an election and if they don’t they would try and co-opt new members.

But Llandrindod Wells Mayor Councillor Steve Deeks-D’Silva recently suggested the new approach of holding drop in sessions for people to call in and have a chat.

He has said the council may hold another drop-in session in the near future.