All 18 towns in Powys are to receive an equal share of £1.5 million aimed at improving public spaces, supporting high streets and strengthening local communities.

Powys County Council has been awarded the money through the UK Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund, which backs short-term projects to improve town centres and community facilities.

Each town council will receive £83,000 to spend on locally chosen schemes, with all applications already submitted.

The money can be used across three main areas: community spaces such as local halls and facilities; public spaces including parks, play areas and public art; and high streets, including shopfront improvements, bringing empty buildings back into use and supporting markets.

Cabinet agreed not to retain the funding centrally, instead splitting it equally between all 18 towns.

The council said the money must be spent by the end of March 2027.

Councillor Glyn Preston, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “This funding represents a fantastic opportunity for every town in Powys to invest in projects that will make a real difference to people’s day-to-day lives.

“By allocating an equal share to each of our 18 towns, we are ensuring that communities right across the county can benefit – whether that’s through improvements to public spaces, support for local facilities, or breathing new life into our high streets.

“What’s particularly encouraging is that all town councils have come forward with proposals that reflect their local priorities. This is about communities shaping their own future and taking pride in the places they live, work and visit.”

The town councils receiving the funding are Brecon, Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Hay, Knighton, Llandrindod Wells, Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Llanwrtyd Wells, Machynlleth, Montgomery, Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn, Presteigne and Norton, Rhayader, Talgarth, Welshpool, and Ystradgynlais.