COUNCILLORS will be told a "significant" increase in council tax must be approved if a number of closure listed day centres are to be kept open.

Powys council has consulted on the closure of all the day centres in the county in April.

But the councillor responsible for older people has said the centres could remain open for a further year, while a replacement service is piloted , but only if councillors approve an increase in the council tax.

The council’s cabinet will be asked to approve making extra money available in 2017/18 at its meeting on Tuesday, December 20, which will be available to to view on the council’s website.

An increase in the council tax must be approved by the full council, which will hold meetings in February next year to approve the authority’s annual budget.

Cabinet member for adult services, Councillor Stephen Hayes said: "It’s clear from the consultation, that day centres are highly valued and play a particularly important role in terms of respite for carers. We also need to demonstrate that a new service really will meet needs before day centre closures begin.

"I will therefore be recommending to cabinet that extra money is made available in 2017/18 to allow day centre activity to continue in existing localities while an early intervention service is trialled and evaluated.

"Clearly the course of action I’m recommending requires council to commit sufficient money in the budget and this will involve a significant increase in council tax. If councillors are not willing to do this the day centres will close."

The webcast can be viewed from 9.30am on Tuesday, December 20 by going to the council’s webcast portal at www.powys.gov.uk on an internet device with Flash or Silverlight software installed. The webcast will also be made available in the webcast archive afterwards.