PROGRESS is being made at making Ystradgynlais great again, according to its biggest champion.

A motion was passed by Powys County councillors last summer to form a task force that would look into and try and establish ways of turning around the fortunes of the county’s southern most town.

This followed publication of a report by independent research organisation Centre for Towns that showed the Ystradgynlais came 11th throughout the whole of England and Wales, when it comes to absolute deprivation and economic wellbeing.

The report looked at what could be done to help these towns recover from their past issues and coronavirus.

Ystradgynlais county councillor, Huw Williams told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, that despite coronavirus progress is being made.

He said: “Ystradgynlais has always been great.

“It may be deprived in a financial or economic sense but it’s rich in community spirit .

“As a result of the motion submitted by myself and Cllr Sue McNicholas, a task and finish group has been set up to address the points made.

“The group is administered and supported by the council’s regeneration department.

“The committee has met, discussion have been had and potential actions have been drawn-up. ”

Cllr Williams that the committee was being widened to include more local representation.

Cllr Williams added: “The Centre for Towns report highlighted Ystradgynlais’ post Covid, short and medium term problems but there are underlying long term issues.

“The area has suffered from social and economic deprivation for years.

“It needs addressing.

“We need to be aspirational, ambitious and positive whilst understanding the need to manage expectations.”

More work and meetings will take place in the New Year.

In their report, the Centre for Towns has identified several issues to help recovery.

They include to develop a programme of financial support that targets the most at-risk sectors, help to support businesses plan their recovery, introduce skills retention and development programmes and the opportunity to up-skill the workforce during a period of enforced inactivity.

Other points were to engage with cultural, leisure and sporting clubs to understand their funding requirements and ensure adequate levels of health service provision to allow management of any flare ups in the virus.