The first steps on £83,000 worth of projects to enhance Builth Wells are underway

Councillors have been updated on plans to spend upto £83,000 on projects in Builth Wells.

The town council secured the money from the UK Governments Pride in Place Impact Fund, which is coordinated and distributed on their behalf by Powys County Council.

The fund is aimed at enhancing the physical environment in public spaces, and Town Centre revitalisation.

Town clerk Louise Hammond reminded members that she was successful in getting the funding for three projects which met the application criteria.

One of the projects is to provide interactive signs and maps to give residents and visitors easy to access, up-to-date and clear information.

The aim of the project is to significantly enhance the visitor experience by introducing modern, interactive signage that provides clear, engaging and current information about the town to support growth in tourism and the local economy.

The interactive signage will act as a central information point, supporting both casual visitors and planned tourists, while reducing reliance on printed materials and improving overall accessibility to information.

Mrs Hammond said she and Powys County Council officer Stephen Butcher had been to the Groe to look at locations for the interactive sign.

Members said they would like the board on the pathway's left-hand side before the bus stop, between the bull statue and the bench.

She said she has three quotes for the work and is waiting for one more. She said they are hoping to get a map for the Croseo site or renew a map that is already there. She said the interactive board is likely to cost about £15,000 with groundworks and electrical works too.

Meanwhile she said she has two quotes for work to provide a shaded shelter within the Groe Park and some play equipment and Councillor Lauren Pugh, who is leading on that project, will come back to the council with the type of equipment that can be provided.

Despite its popularity, there is currently no permanent provision of shelter within the park to offer shade from sun exposure or protection from rain. This limits the length of time people can comfortably use the space and can disproportionately affect older people, families with young children, and those with health or mobility needs.

The aim of this project is to improve the comfort, accessibility, and inclusivity of Groe Park by providing a permanent shaded structure that enables year-round use.

Mrs Hammond said she has now had four quotes for the project to introduce pay provision at the Groe toilets and chemical toilet disposal.

While well used, the current facilities do not adequately support the needs of motorhome visitors, particularly in relation to the safe disposal of chemical toilet waste.

This has resulted in inappropriate disposal of chemical cassettes within standard toilet facilities, causing blockages, maintenance issues, increased costs and periods of closure.

In addition, the toilets would benefit from improvements to security, sustainability and long term financial resilience, as they currently cost the Town Council around £40,000 per year to maintain, repair and clean etc,

The aim is therefore be to Install a dedicated chemical toilet disposal point designed specifically for motorhome and caravan users, aimed at reducing blockages and maintenance disruptionand to introduce a pay to access-controlled entry system.

Installation of solar panels on the roof will also help to reduce energy costs and environmental impact.

Members were reminded that there are tight deadlines in respect of these projects.

Members noted the progress made.