The Vale of Montgomery Rural Cluster of Councils, which is exploring new ways to deliver better services to their communities, has appointed a development officer.

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Leon Shearer will be working with the cluster until March next year and is planning a launch event on October 4. One of his aims is to raise the profile of the cluster and what community councils working together can do for their communities.

The cluster was established in 2015 as an equal partnership of Abermule with Llandyssil, Montgomery, Berriew, Kerry, Sarn and Dolfor, Forden, Leighton and Trelystan Councils, representing in the around 8,000 residents.

Originally formed in response to Powys County Council moves towards service devolution, the cluster has explored co-operative working to the benefit of its communities.

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Thanks to European funding, there is now a well-established footpaths maintenance group and the cluster has just been awarded a Welsh Government grant for a feasibility study into cross-community service delivery.

Cluster chair Cllr Lionel Weaver said:

“This study offers us the resources to focus on how we could offer some additional services important to our communities and to set up a forum for local community halls and centres to share best practice and resources, ensure regulatory compliance and investigate potential economies of scale in challenging times.

“Leon is an experienced centre manager himself and is already out there talking to communities and management committees. It is a most welcome opportunity for the area.”

Contact the project via clerk to the cluster: [email protected]