Hay Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe has secured a meeting with Powys County Council, including those responsible for a Fairer Powys and Children's Services, after finding out that a report showed Hay-on-Wye has one of the highest rates of child deprivation in Powys.

A Beven commission review was recently brought to Cllr Ratcliffe’s attention after it found that Hay-on-Wye has one of the highest rates of child deprivation in Powys.

“I was disappointed to hear this, but when you look at the factors involved, it's perhaps not surprising. The cost of housing, average wages, household income, access to services and the overall cost of living all contribute to the challenges many local families face,” said Cllr Ratcliffe.

“What disappoints me is that it has taken me to approach Powys County Council to start this discussion. With the levels of deprivation identified in Hay, I believe the Council should have been reaching out to our community proactively, rather than waiting for concerns to be raised.”

He has since written to Powys County Council and secured a meeting with their Fairer Powys and Children's Services team and asked for representatives from Hay Primary School and Hay Town Council to attend to discuss what additional support can be provided for young people and families in the community.

“At the same time, this situation also reminds me how proud I am of everything our community already does. As Chair of Hay Youth Club, I see first-hand the incredible commitment of our volunteers, who give their time freely to provide a safe, welcoming and completely free youth club for young people aged 11 and over. The opportunities they create each week are fantastic, and I want to thank every volunteer involved for the difference they make,” added Ratcliffe.

“We are also fortunate to have many other organisations and community groups supporting people in and around Hay. However, while our local volunteers do an outstanding job, we do need additional support from the local authority to ensure that no child or young person in our town experiences deprivation—especially in 2026.

“One of my concerns is that Hay is a relatively small electoral ward compared with some of the larger communities in Powys. That should never be a reason for us to be overlooked. Every child deserves the same opportunities, regardless of where they live.I will continue to stand up for the residents of Hay and press for the support our community deserves.”