Outgoing Bannau Brycheiniog chief executive Catherine Mealing-Jones claims the national park authority is in a “good financial position”.

Her comments, made at a meeting last week, came in response to criticism following the authority’s budget-setting meeting in March.

At that meeting, it was revealed the authority is relying heavily on reserves to balance the books.

Members were warned that if this continues for the next two years, the authority will run out of reserves to plug the gap.

Ms Mealing-Jones said: “There has been some discussion in the media about the financial sustainability of the organisation.

“Actually, we’re in a good financial position with substantial reserves to cover the plan that we are executing yourselves as members have signed off on.

“We are debt-free as an authority and things are moving forward positively.”

Chairman Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe said: “Work has been ongoing. We are making changes as an authority, we are acting early and that point sadly has been missed.

“We’re not in dire straits; we are looking to adapt and change as sitting on our hands is not an option.

“We will be talking to the Welsh Government on our budget formula.”

At an authority meeting on March 27, members were warned the authority could go bust within three years.

Members have now approved the 2026/27 budget, which shows continued reliance on reserves to balance the books.

The national park authority needs £5.227m to run its services but will receive £4.528m from the Welsh Government grant and local authority levy, leaving a £699,000 shortfall, which will be met from reserves.

The report warns the position could worsen, with £985,000 needed from reserves in 2027/28 and £1.126m in 2028/29.

If this continues, the authority’s £2.3m reserves would be exhausted before the 2028/29 budget is set.