Row over Newtown high streets as councillor criticises Lib Dem claims

A row has broken out over the future of Newtown’s high streets after the town’s mayor criticised claims by local Liberal Democrats that they are working to save it.

Cllr Peter Lewington, a Conservative Powys County Councillor and the current Mayor of Newtown, has accused the Liberal Democrats of making “outrageous” claims in a leaflet which says the party has a “bold plan” for the town centre.

In a letter sent to MyNewtown, he questioned why the proposals were only being highlighted now, ahead of the next Senedd elections.

“I can’t believe the latest outrageous claim from the local Liberal Democrats and their Senedd candidate that they are fighting to save Newtown High Street - where have they been for the last four years,” he said.

Cllr Lewington said the leaflet’s proposals were “not a ‘bold plan’”.

“It’s not a ‘bold plan’ - it’s an opportunistic attempt to fool the voters ahead of the Senedd elections,” he said.

“I trust the voters will see through this and judge them on their record and actions over the last four years on Powys County Council.”

He argued that decisions taken by the Liberal Democrat led cabinet at Powys County Council had contributed to challenges facing the town centre, including increases in car parking charges.

“The Liberal Democrat led cabinet on Powys County Council… increased car parking charges which many of the businesses we have lost listed as a reason for them having to close,” he said.

“Those that remain, including the stall holders on our charter market, tell me it is a major reason for a reduction in footfall and their profitability.”

Cllr Lewington said he had campaigned for the charges to be reduced.

“I fought to get these charges reduced and continue to do so whilst the Liberal Democrats continue to generate profits from this ‘back door’ council tax to spend on their pet projects,” he said.

He also criticised council tax increases since the Liberal Democrats took control of Powys County Council in 2022.

“Their Senedd candidate is the same councillor who was photographed with his thumbs up down the pub with his cabinet colleagues celebrating what he called a good day in the office when they voted through an inflation busting council tax increase,” he said.

“Cumulatively, our council tax has increased by 28.9% since the Liberal Democrats came to power in 2022, insisting they would go nowhere near a 5% increase.”

Cllr Lewington also raised concerns about the Welsh Government’s proposed visitor levy, often referred to as a tourist tax.

“The Liberal Democrats also support the proposed tourist tax which will severely damage our tourist industry and therefore do nothing but more damage to our High Street which they say they want to save,” he said.

His letter also questioned claims about funding for the town centre, arguing that money referenced by the Liberal Democrats comes from the UK Government’s “Pride in Place” funding, part of the Levelling Up programme.

“The £1.5m that the Liberal Democrats claim they are making available is actually money from ‘Pride in Place’ funding that is part of the UK Government’s levelling up funding,” he said.

“Newtown along with 17 other town councils across Powys can bid for a share of this money.”

He said Newtown Town Council had been told the funding could support up to two projects worth around £83,000.

“I accept this is helpful but our town centre needs much more help than this,” he said.

“We must not forget that our town centre is in this state due to their inaction.”

Cllr Lewington added: “They are right when they say Newtown deserves better – we deserve better than the Liberal Democrats who have a proven record of broken promises.”

Powys County Council has previously said that town centre challenges are being faced across many communities, with factors such as changing shopping habits, online retail and wider economic pressures affecting high streets.

Local political parties are expected to continue setting out their proposals for supporting businesses and improving town centres in the coming months.